Introduction: Why Frozen Desserts Still Dominate
Few treats bring joy as instantly as ice cream. From childhood summers chasing the familiar chime of the Mr Whippy ice cream van, to indulgent desserts after dinner, ice cream has cemented itself as a cultural staple. But in today’s competitive food industry, it’s no longer enough to simply serve ice cream in cones. Customers expect variety, creativity, and quality — and businesses need the right equipment to deliver it efficiently.
That’s where Longo & Co, a trusted supplier of ice cream machines and commercial soft serve machines, steps in. Our mission is to help cafés, restaurants, dessert shops, and mobile vendors turn frozen indulgence into consistent profit, season after season.
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of soft serve machines, frozen yoghurt machines, and even the rising popularity of açai bowls. Whether you’re an established vendor or a business owner looking to add frozen treats to your menu, we’ll show you how to maximise opportunity with the right technology.
The Timeless Allure of Ice Cream
Ice cream isn’t just food — it’s an experience. Across decades, its forms have evolved: tubs, cones, sundaes, shakes, and more. Yet one style stands out above the rest for speed, profit, and popularity: soft serve.
Soft serve’s creamy texture, lighter consistency, and quick service style made it the star of the original Mr Whippy vans that swept across the UK in the 1960s. Today, it remains a high-margin product that continues to excite both children and adults. With a modern soft serve machine, businesses can create nostalgia while appealing to modern tastes.
Why Invest in a Soft Serve Machine?
A soft serve machine isn’t just a piece of equipment — it’s a revenue engine. Here are the key advantages:
- High Profit Margins
The cost of producing one serving of soft serve is incredibly low, while retail prices remain attractive. With the right ice cream mix (such as Jersey Dairy Ice Cream Mix), you can produce a consistent, high-quality product that customers love. - Versatility
Soft serve machines aren’t limited to ice cream alone. Many modern models can also handle frozen yoghurt, açai mixes, and even alternative dairy-free recipes. This versatility means you can cater to multiple dietary preferences with one machine. - Speed & Consistency
Customers expect fast service — especially in busy cafés, amusement parks, or mobile vans. A commercial soft serve machine delivers portion after portion quickly, with consistent taste and texture every time. - Year-Round Opportunity
Contrary to the belief that ice cream is only for summer, frozen desserts sell in every season when paired with creative menus. (We’ll cover this in more detail below.)
Ice Cream Beyond Summer: Turning Winter into Opportunity
It’s easy to assume ice cream sales dip when the temperature drops. But clever operators know that ice cream and soft serve have a place in winter menus too. Pairing soft serve with warm desserts such as brownies, waffles, or churros creates a contrast that customers love.
At Longo & Co, we help clients plan menus that incorporate ice cream into every season:
- Autumn: Toffee apple sundaes, pumpkin spice frozen yoghurt.
- Winter: Peppermint Mr Whippy cones, hot chocolate floats with soft serve.
- Spring: Easter-themed desserts with pastel toppings.
- Summer: Classic cones, milkshakes, and açai soft serve bowls.
By tailoring your offerings, your ice cream machine can keep profits flowing year-round.
The Rise of Frozen Yoghurt and Açai Bowls
Consumer tastes are changing. Alongside indulgent options, many customers now want “better-for-you” treats. That’s where frozen yoghurt and açai bowls come in.
- Frozen yoghurt machines allow you to create a lower-fat, tangy alternative to soft serve ice cream. These appeal to health-conscious consumers while still delivering a dessert experience.
- Açai bowls, made from the antioxidant-rich açai berry, have become a global trend. They can be served soft-serve style using a frozen dessert machine, topped with fruit, granola, or nut butter.
By adding these options to your menu, you not only attract new customers but also stand out as a modern, innovative dessert provider.
Mr Whippy: Nostalgia Meets Business Potential
Few brands in the dessert world have as much nostalgic power as Mr Whippy. That iconic swirl on a cone, often crowned with a chocolate flake, is instantly recognisable.
But nostalgia isn’t just about memories — it’s a business advantage. Consumers are drawn to familiar names and experiences. Longo & Co supplies machines that allow businesses to capture the magic of Mr Whippy ice cream while meeting today’s high expectations for hygiene, consistency, and flavour.
With our guidance, your menu can blend the classic Mr Whippy experience with new offerings like frozen yoghurt and açai, keeping both tradition and innovation alive.
Choosing the Right Commercial Soft Serve Machine
Not all machines are created equal. Investing in the right equipment can make or break your frozen dessert business. Here’s what to consider:
- Capacity: How many servings per hour do you need? A busy dessert shop requires a higher-output machine than a small café.
- Ease of Cleaning: Machines with simpler cleaning systems save valuable staff time.
- Versatility: A machine that can handle ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and açai makes your investment go further.
- Support & Maintenance: At Longo & Co, we don’t just sell machines — we provide ongoing maintenance and advice, ensuring your investment keeps paying off.
Pairing Ice Cream With Modern Dessert Trends
The frozen dessert market doesn’t exist in isolation. Customers want experiences, not just scoops. Here’s how businesses are using soft serve and ice cream machines to stay ahead:
- Dessert Cafés: Combining soft serve with waffles, pancakes, and milkshakes.
- Restaurants: Adding gourmet soft serve sundaes to dessert menus.
- Mobile Vans: Capturing impulse sales with nostalgic Mr Whippy cones.
- Health Bars: Using frozen yoghurt machines and açai bowls to create fitness-friendly options.
Every trend points to one thing: versatility is key.
Frozen Dessert Machines: Expanding Horizons
A frozen dessert machine is more than just an appliance; it’s an opportunity to diversify. From frozen yoghurt to açai soft serve, businesses are expanding their menus and boosting profits without needing extra kitchen space.
At Longo & Co, we’ve seen cafés transform into local hotspots simply by introducing a frozen dessert range. With customers actively searching for Instagrammable treats, the visual appeal of a perfectly swirled cone or açai bowl can’t be underestimated.
Why Partner With Longo & Co?
With years of experience supplying ice cream machines, soft serve machines, and frozen yoghurt machines, Longo & Co understands what businesses need to succeed. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Expertise: We don’t just sell machines — we help design dessert strategies.
- Maintenance Packages: Affordable servicing options keep your equipment running smoothly.
- Training: We ensure your staff know how to use machines efficiently and safely.
- Flexibility: Whether you’re opening a dessert café, running a food truck, or expanding a restaurant menu, we’ll find the right solution.
We’re passionate about helping businesses take advantage of the enduring popularity of ice cream, soft serve, and the growing demand for innovative frozen desserts.
Conclusion: The Future of Frozen Desserts
The frozen dessert market is thriving, and with the right tools, any business can get a slice of the action. From classic Mr Whippy ice cream to trendy açai bowls, the opportunities are endless.
With a high-quality commercial soft serve machine from Longo & Co, you can:
- Deliver consistent quality,
- Expand into frozen yoghurt and açai,
- Keep customers coming back year-round,
- Build a profitable, future-proof dessert menu.
If you’re ready to take your dessert business to the next level, contact Longo & Co today. We’ll help you choose the right ice cream machine or frozen dessert machine and provide the support you need to succeed.
Because at the end of the day, whether it’s a nostalgic Mr Whippy cone or a fresh açai bowl, nothing brings customers together like a perfectly made frozen treat.
