Refurbished ice cream equipment and parts seller

Buy, refurbish and resell used soft-serve machines, freezers and parts to new ice cream shops and cafes.

Startup cost$2k to $10k
Monthly revenue$1.5k to $7k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

3,637 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

NAICS 423440 “Other commercial equipment merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

An online business that sources used or surplus ice cream machines, freezers and parts, tests and cleans them, and sells them to start-up shops, food trucks and cafes at a lower price than new.

Your first three steps

  1. Watch restaurant auctions, closing-down sales and surplus listings to learn what machines cost and sell for
  2. Set up a storage space, such as a garage or small rented unit, and buy one or two machines to test and refurbish
  3. List them on marketplaces and a simple website, and register for your state's sales tax or resale certificate if required
Who pays

New ice cream shop owners, food truck operators, cafes, and small producers who can't afford new equipment.

How it makes money

You earn the difference between what you pay for equipment and what you sell it for, plus margin on parts and optional testing or delivery fees.

Skills that help
  • Spotting good used equipment
  • Basic mechanical know-how
  • Online listing and selling
Watch out for
  • Check your state's rules for sales tax permits and resale certificates
  • Be clear about condition and warranty to avoid disputes and returns
  • Freight shipping for heavy machines is costly, so price it carefully or sell locally
  • Any work on the refrigeration system may need EPA-certified handling, so check the rules or use a certified tech
  • Check for general liability and product liability insurance, and HOA or lease rules if storing stock at home

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: refurbished ice cream equipment and parts seller

Researched with live web search for United States: 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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a refurbished ice cream equipment business?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy, the tools you need and how you list and ship. Budget separately for insurance and storage space.

How much can a refurbished ice cream equipment seller earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the machines you source, your prices and how many you sell. That is revenue, not profit, so stock, parts and freight costs come out of it.

What rules should I check before reselling used ice cream equipment?

Check your state's rules for sales tax permits and resale certificates. Also check whether refrigeration work needs EPA-certified handling, which insurance you need, and any HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home. Be clear about condition and warranty.

Other ways to run this business

Similar business services ideas

More ideas →