Milkshake business help - Using shop bought dairy products to make and sell milkshakes?

[Liam McIver]

Any advice or information would be very helpful

I’ve been looking into starting a thick milkshake business from my home. At the moment and up until now I’ve been using shop/supermarket bought dairy products; ice cream, milk etc.

As I’m not trading atm it’s just for my self, friends and family, there’s no issue. However, if I was to make and sell these through social media would I have to get my ice cream etc from a supplier? Or perhaps would I have to label that I am using ice cream from ‘Asda’ for an example.

All this is just an idea at the moment so any advice or legal info in regards to this situation or the business idea in general would be fantastic, thank you.

 

[Ozzy]

Who you buy your supplies from doesn't matter so much really, whether it's Asda or whoever. You'd probably actually want to buy your produce in bulk from a wholesaler or distributer to improve your margins.
Your main issues are going to be less about where you buy your supplies and more in regards to food standards and any food licences you'll need. For something that very quickly sours, like milkshake, you're going to need a regular passing trade IMHO. So depending where your home actually is, you may want to consider a pop-up stall.

 

[Liam McIver]

Who you buy your supplies from doesn't matter so much really, whether it's Asda or whoever. You'd probably actually want to buy your produce in bulk from a wholesaler or distributer to improve your margins.
Your main issues are going to be less about where you buy your supplies and more in regards to food standards and any food licences you'll need. For something that very quickly sours, like milkshake, you're going to need a regular passing trade IMHO. So depending where your home actually is, you may want to consider a pop-up stall.

That’s brilliant mate, thanks for the information will look into further. Was thinking on the same lines my self

 

[R4Andrew]

I think you should try registering to food apps like uber eats.

 

[Ozzy]

I think you should try registering to food apps like uber eats.

I don't believe that would be viable for a product like this. Milkshake, especially thick frozen milkshakes, don't travel very well. They need to be consumed the moment they are made, so being delivered by Uber Eats will be a challenge. Not impossible, but a challenge.

 

[SillyBill]

A lot of corner shops and the like buy from supermarkets, particularly when certain deals come on.

You'd be surprised what little "value" there can be at some Wholesalers now. Coming out thinking you've got a trade deal and see it cheaper in Tesco (who own the Wholesaler perhaps...). Weird inversions taken place with the sheer competitiveness of UK grocery market over last 20-30 years. To be honest if we wanted cheap coffee or milk or whatever (just usual canteen stuff) we'd get it cheaper at Aldi than we would do buying from a trade place for the most part. Not that we do, just buy from Amazon/Morrisons now for convenience. Probably cheaper ice cream in Lidi/Aldi than you'd get at a wholesaler too.