Parlour Start-Up Q&A
What Flavours Should I Serve?
With over 50 delicious Central Smith flavours of ice cream, sherbet, and sorbet to choose from, determining what will appeal to your unique customer-base is essential. All of our flavours have something different to offer!
Best Sellers:
We’re known for our innovative, creative flavours. Top picks include Lavender Lemonade, Monster Cookie, and True North Cherry Cheesecake.
Classics:
Timeless flavours always resonate with a wide audience. Staples like Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla are universally loved, while Pralines ‘N’ Cream, Butterscotch Ripple, and Black Sweet Cherry round out our lineup of traditional favourites.
Dietary-Conscious Options:
All flavours are Kosher and Halal certified. We also offer non-dairy choices like Dairy Free Vanilla and fruit sorbets, plus a selection of no sugar added options.
How Can I Keep My Ice Cream Fresh for Longer?
To maintain the perfect scoop and taste, we recommend:
- Scooping and display cabinets: keep at -14°C
- Long-term storage: maintain at -23°C
These temperatures help prevent shrinkage and ice crystal formation, keeping your ice cream smooth, fresh, and scoop ready.
Once opened, tubs stay fresh for about one month. To extend their freshness, always replace the lids overnight or on days when you're not scooping.
How Should I Price Menu Items?
We’ve created a simple formula to help you calculate gross profit per 11.4L tub—making it easier to manage costs and set pricing.
Check out our Sales Toolbox for a step-by-step guide!
What is the Best Kind of Cone?
The perfect cone starts with a solid foundation. Whether it’s a classic cake cone, crisp waffle cone, or something more unique like a bubble cone, the right base enhances each scoop. Want to take it further? Offer dipped cones for an extra-special treat.
How Do I Scoop the Perfect Cone?
Scooping the perfect cone is both an art and a science. Start with the right temperature – keep display cabinets cold enough to keep ice cream firm, but scoopable.
✅ Use a Dip Well to rinse scoops between uses; this prevents flavour mixing and helps the scoop glide smoothly through the ice cream.
✅ Always “tap off” excess water from your scoop to avoid creating ice crystals.
✅ Shape neat, round scoops before placing them in a cone or cup for a clean, professional presentation.
✅ Use a food sale to ensure consistent portion sizes across all staff.
How Can I Market My Business?
There are plenty of creative ways to promote your business!
📱 Get active on social media to increase visibility
👕 Design merch like t-shirts and stickers for eye-catching, everyday promotion
🎁 Run giveaways and contests to boost engagement
💳 Use loyalty cards to keep customers coming back
🎉 Host community events to strengthen your brand’s local connection
🤝 Collaborate with other local businesses to expand your reach and grow together
Get the Scoop and Stay in the Know!
Want even more tips, flavour inspiration, and behind-the-scenes scoops from the Central Smith team? Follow us on social media for all things sweet and scoopable!
TikTok
We love seeing how our ice cream fits into your business journey—tag us and use #centralsmith to share your setup, scoops, and success stories. You might even be featured on our page!
Photography by Heather Doughty