Offering dog ice cream in your café.
Many guests come to the ice cream counter with a dog. An ice cream of its own for the dog is quick to introduce and brings extra sales and goodwill. Here is how to do it well, based on our own counter in Pertisau.
In short
To offer dog ice cream you need a product made for dogs, clear separation from guest ice cream, a fair price and visibility at the counter. With a ready mix like Molly it takes a few steps: stir, freeze in a machine of its own such as Patty, serve in small cups.
Why ice cream shops offer dog ice cream
The dogs are already there
Guests with dogs are at your counter anyway. Dog ice cream turns the dog that watches into a guest.
Extra sales per visit
The dog gets its cup, the owner usually orders for themselves. A bigger ticket without new footfall.
Goodwill and talking points
Media describe dog ice cream in ice cream shops as a sign of appreciation for guests with dogs. And a dog with its own ice cream gets photographed and shared.
A reason to come back
Many dogs soon know the way to the counter themselves. Owners return where their dog is welcome.
Dog ice cream in five steps
Choose the product
An ice cream developed for dogs: lactose-free, without chocolate, cocoa, xylitol or artificial sweeteners. Ask for the ingredient list.
Sort out machine and separation
A machine of its own such as Patty, a separate hopper or set times. Dog and guest ice cream must not mix.
Work out the price
Cost of mix, cup, spoon and waste per portion against your selling price. Our calculator helps.
Make it visible
A line “For dogs” on the board, a sign, a water bowl. People who see it ask for it.
Brief the team
Stir, freeze, draw, clean. The routine is explained in a few minutes, even to seasonal staff.
Hygiene and separation
Dog ice cream is handled like other food at your counter. Keep it clearly separate from guest ice cream: its own machine or hopper, its own cups, separate storage. Serve dog ice cream in cups, not cones, and keep dogs away from scoops and containers.
Which rules apply to your business in detail is best checked briefly with your local food authority. For Molly you receive the product documents for this.
How it looks at our counter
At Der Süße Stopp on the lake promenade in Pertisau, Molly is on the board next to the other flavours. In front of the stand there is a water station for dogs with a board showing Molly and Patty. Many guests ask for the dog ice cream by name.
Molly from the Patty, Pertisau
Work out your dog ice cream
Example for an ice cream shop with a terrace in season. Enter your own figures. All amounts are net, excluding VAT. The pre-filled numbers are a worked example, not a price list or a forecast.
- Contribution per portion
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- Contribution per day
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- Net turnover per season
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- Contribution per season
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- Investment recovered after
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Not included: staff costs, financing, depreciation and general overheads. Talk to us for an actual proposal.
Questions from cafés and ice cream shops
Do I need a permit to sell dog ice cream?
Usually dog ice cream is handled like other food at the counter. It is best to check briefly with your local food authority which rules apply to you. We give you the product documents.
Can I make dog ice cream in my regular soft-serve machine?
Only with clear separation, for example set times and thorough cleaning in between. A small machine of its own such as Patty is simpler. Compare machines.
What should a portion of dog ice cream cost?
You set the price. Many use a small scoop as a reference. The calculator shows what is left at your price.
How long does mixed dog ice cream keep?
That depends on the product. For Molly, the shelf life of the mixed product is in the product documents. At first, mix only what you need for one day.
What if a dog has allergies?
Point out the ingredients and leave the decision to the owner. With allergies or special diets, they should talk to their vet first.
Help shape Molly, with preferential terms for life.
Our first pilot partners test Molly in real service, help decide flavours and packaging, and receive preferential terms on Molly products for good.