Start a local frozen dessert delivery round
Buy ice cream and sorbet from producers and deliver to cafés, restaurants and shops in your area.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
6,300 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46390 “Non-specialised wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You buy tubs, trays and catering packs of ice cream and sorbet from manufacturers or cash-and-carry wholesalers, then deliver them in a chilled or freezer van to local businesses on a regular round.
Your first three steps
- Contact a few ice cream and sorbet producers about trade accounts and minimum orders
- Price up a second-hand freezer or refrigerated van and the freezer storage you would need
- Visit 20 local cafés, delis and restaurants with samples and a simple price list
Who pays
Cafés, restaurants, delis, farm shops, pubs and small event caterers that want a reliable local supplier.
How it makes money
You sell at a mark-up on the price you pay your suppliers. Regular weekly or fortnightly orders from a set of customers make up most of the income, with extra in warm months.
Skills that help
- Reliable and organised with orders
- Comfortable selling to local businesses
- Careful with food safety and temperature control
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Register as a food business with your local council before you start trading, and check whether your storage premises need approval
- Keeping stock at the right frozen temperature at all times, including in the van
- Public liability insurance, plus goods in transit and product liability cover; check what your insurer requires
- Margins can be thin if you buy in small amounts, so check your costs per drop
- Check whether allergen information and labelling rules apply to what you sell
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: local frozen dessert delivery round
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a frozen dessert delivery round?
Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your vehicle, chilled or freezer storage and opening stock. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own set-up before committing.
How much can a frozen dessert supplier earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many local businesses you supply and how often. Margins can be thin if you buy in small amounts, so check your costs per drop.
What rules should I check before supplying frozen desserts?
Register as a food business with your local council before trading, and check whether your storage premises need approval. Also check temperature control in the van, insurance requirements, and whether allergen information and labelling rules apply.
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