Crunching the Numbers: How an Electro Freeze Machine Can Pay for Itself in Under 12 Months

The Truth About Soft Serve Margins

Most operators underestimate just how profitable a soft serve machine can be. Let’s break it down with real numbers.

Average retail price per serving: $4.00
Product cost (mix, cone/cup, toppings): $0.75
Gross profit per serving: $3.25
Average daily sales (conservative): 50 servings

Daily gross profit: $162.50
Monthly gross profit (30 days): $4,875

At that pace, you generate $58,500/year in gross profit—from just one machine.

And that's a conservative scenario. High-traffic locations often double or triple that volume.

Real Payback Timeline

Let’s say you purchase an Electro Freeze SLX400E Gravity Soft Serve Freezer at an all-in cost (machine + install + training) of $12,000.

Here’s how the ROI plays out:

Variable Scenarios

What if you're just getting started? Let’s dial the volume down:

Even at 10 cones a day, you can still pay off the machine within the first year. After that, it's all profit.

Hidden Profit Drivers Most Owners Miss

1. Low Labor Requirements

One person can run a machine during peak hours—no special training, no skilled labor needed.

2. Minimal Waste

Unlike batch freezers or made-to-order food items, soft serve production is consistent and portion-controlled.

3. High Margin Add-ons

Upsells like waffle cones, mix-ins, toppings, and combo meals add $1–$2 per ticket, further boosting profit.

4. Speed = More Throughput

Each serving takes 5–10 seconds. That means during rush times, you can serve more customers with less bottleneck.

Tax Benefits = Instant Savings

Electro Freeze machines typically qualify for Section 179 of the IRS tax code.

That means you may be able to deduct the entire equipment cost in the year of purchase.

On a $12,000 machine, you could see an immediate tax savings of $2,500–$4,800 depending on your bracket.

Talk to your accountant. Most business owners don’t take full advantage of this.

Real-World Example

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice — Orlando, FL
“We installed a countertop Electro Freeze unit in May and had it fully paid off by the end of July. The uptime, product quality, and reliability were spot on. We’ve since added two more.”
— Manager, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

Bottom Line: It’s Not “If” — It’s “How Fast”

If your location gets even modest foot traffic, an Electro Freeze machine is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make in your foodservice operation.

And if you’re running multiple locations?

That ROI multiplies fast.

Next Steps:

📞 Get a quote for your location
🧾 Ask us about Section 179 and financing options
🛠️ Book a demo or ROI consultation

--> Call us at  (352) 415‑4501 ext 1
--> Email us: Sales@ElectroFreezeSE.com