How to Equip an Ice Cream Shop from Scratch – from Display Fridge to Freezer

Why Refrigeration Equipment Matters in an Ice Cream Shop

Opening an ice cream shop is an exciting venture, but its success depends largely on the quality of your refrigeration equipment. Ice cream and gelato are extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations – an unsuitable display fridge or an unstable freezer can compromise the texture, flavour and food safety of your products. Before thinking about décor or recipes, make sure you have a solid refrigeration infrastructure in place.

Space Planning – the First Step Before Any Purchase

Before ordering any equipment, carefully assess the available space. A small kiosk or street-facing ice cream shop has different needs from one integrated into a restaurant or café. Determine:

The total floor area of the point of sale
The number of flavours you want to display simultaneously
The estimated daily production volume
Whether you will also serve other refrigerated products (cakes, smoothies, dairy products)

This information will allow you to correctly size your display fridge and storage capacity.

The Ice Cream Display Fridge – the Heart of Your Ice Cream Shop

The display fridge is the centrepiece of any ice cream shop. It must maintain a constant temperature between -11°C and -14°C, offer an attractive visual presentation and be easy to clean. There are two main types:

Hinged-lid display fridges – classic units used in the majority of traditional ice cream shops; they allow fast serving and easy access to pans
Front-glass display fridges – ideal for maximum visibility, often used in high-traffic locations

Modaco refrigeration equipment includes ice cream display fridges designed specifically for Romanian climatic conditions, featuring powerful refrigeration units, low energy consumption and quality stainless-steel finishes. Manufactured in Găești, Dâmbovița County, since 1992, Modaco display fridges are a trusted choice for dozens of ice cream shops and pastry/confectionery businesses across the country.

The Storage Freezer – Capacity and Reliability

In addition to the display fridge, you need a storage freezer for your reserve stock. It must maintain temperatures of -18°C or lower and have sufficient capacity to meet demand on busy days – weekends, events and the warm season.

When choosing a freezer for an ice cream shop, look for:

Capacity in litres or the number of standard pans it can accommodate
Energy class – an efficient freezer significantly reduces monthly running costs
The cooling system – internal fans for uniform temperature distribution
Ease of access to the interior for cleaning and sanitisation

Other Necessary Refrigeration Equipment

A fully equipped ice cream shop is not limited to a display fridge and a freezer. Depending on your product range, you may also need:

Upright refrigerated cabinet – for storing fresh ingredients: milk, cream and fruit
Refrigerated worktop – useful if you produce artisan ice cream on-site, providing work surface and refrigeration simultaneously
Cake and dessert display fridges – if you want to broaden your offering with pastry and confectionery products

Modaco offers a wide range of commercial refrigeration equipment that can cover all of these needs from a single source, simplifying the purchasing process and ensuring technical compatibility between units.

Practical Tips for an Efficient Fit-Out

Here are some recommendations to keep in mind before making your final purchases:

Do not cut corners on the display fridge – it is the first thing a customer sees and the most heavily used piece of equipment in the shop
Choose suppliers who also provide after-sales service, not just delivery
Verify that the equipment complies with current sanitary and food safety regulations
Request demonstrations or references from other customers before purchasing
Plan installation several weeks before opening to allow time to test operation

Contact Modaco for a Personalised Quote

If you are in the process of equipping an ice cream shop and want quality refrigeration equipment manufactured in Romania, the Modaco team is available to offer free consultancy and quotes tailored to your budget. With over 30 years of experience in the manufacture of display fridges and commercial refrigeration equipment, Modaco is the partner you need for a strong start.

Call us now on 0727.324.787 and tell us about your ice cream shop – we will help you equip it properly, from display fridge to freezer.