Your shop is popular, but sales are limited to single scoops. Customers want to buy more to take home, but you lack the right packaging, stunting your business's growth.
Large capacity cups (14oz–64oz) are a strategic tool for growth. They create new revenue streams through take-home tubs and retail sales. The key is choosing the right size for the right customer and ensuring a perfect, airtight lid.
I remember talking to a client who ran a fantastic ice cream parlor. She had lines out the door every summer weekend for single scoops. But her revenue hit a ceiling. I asked her, "Where does your brand live after the customer finishes their cone?" The question made her think. A few months later, we launched her signature flavors in 16oz and 32oz take-home tubs. Her business didn't just grow; it transformed. Her brand was now in people's home freezers, a constant reminder of her quality. Moving beyond the single scoop is the most important step for any ambitious ice cream brand.
What Are the Best Sizes for Take-Home vs. In-Store Use?
You want to offer larger sizes, but you're not sure which ones to stock. Buying the wrong sizes could lead to wasted inventory and missed sales opportunities for your shop.
Match the size to the situation. Use 14–20oz for generous in-store shares or 'personal pints.' Offer 16oz and 32oz tubs as the standard for take-home sales. Use 48–64oz for families and catering.
Choosing the right size is all about understanding how your customer will use it. It is not a one-size-fits-all situation. I guide my clients to think in three distinct categories. First, there's the generous in-store portion, which is usually between 14oz and 20oz. This is the perfect upsell from a single scoop. It works great for a couple to share or for a true ice cream lover to take home as a "personal pint." Second, you have the champions of the take-home market: the 16oz (US Pint) and 32oz (US Quart). These are the sizes everyone recognizes from the grocery store freezer. Offering your ice cream in these standard tubs makes it an easy choice for a family dessert or for a customer to stock up. Finally, there are the family and catering sizes, from 32oz up to 64oz (Half-Gallon). These are essential for serving large groups, parties, or for your business-to-business clients like local restaurants.
Ice Cream Cup Size Guide
| Size Range | Common Name | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 14oz - 20oz | Personal Pint / Large Share | A generous in-store serving or a small take-home treat. |
| 16oz / 32oz | Pint / Quart | The standard for take-home and retail freezer sales. |
| 48oz - 64oz | Family Size / Half-Gallon | Bulk purchases for parties, large families, and catering. |
Why Is the Lid So Crucial for Large Ice Cream Cups?
You've focused on the cup, but you think any lid will do. A poor lid can leak during transport or cause freezer burn, ruining your product and damaging your brand's reputation.
The lid is just as important as the cup. A high-quality, airtight seal is non-negotiable. It prevents freezer burn, which destroys taste and texture, and stops messy leaks.
I always tell my clients that for large cups, the lid is 50% of the package's performance. The single most important job of the lid is to create a perfectly airtight seal. If it doesn't, two terrible things will happen. First, it will leak as the customer drives home. That's an instant negative experience. Second, and even worse, it will allow air into the container in the freezer. This causes freezer burn, which forms ice crystals on your ice cream and completely ruins its creamy texture and flavor. The customer will blame your product, not the lid. The material also matters. Paper lids give a beautiful, consistent look and are great for branding. For frozen storage, you need a non-vented paper lid that seals tight. Plastic lids are also a great choice. They seal very well and a clear PET lid lets customers see the delicious product inside. Finally, think about how they work. The lid should be easy for a customer to open and close, and it should be stackable to save you precious freezer space.
What Are the Real Business Benefits of Selling in Bulk?
You see selling larger tubs as just selling more ice cream. You might not realize it's a powerful strategy that can open up entirely new ways for your business to grow.
Selling in bulk dramatically increases your average sale value. It also puts your brand in customers' homes, creating loyalty and opening the door to new revenue streams like retail and catering.
Introducing large-format cups is one of the best growth strategies for an ice cream business. The first and most obvious benefit is an increased average sale. When a customer who came in for a single scoop also leaves with a take-home pint, you have doubled or tripled the value of that transaction. The second benefit is enhanced brand presence. When your custom-printed tub is sitting in a customer's freezer at home, it acts as a constant advertisement. It keeps your brand top-of-mind and makes them much more likely to come back. But the biggest benefit is that it unlocks completely new revenue streams. With professional, reliable packaging, you can now approach local grocery stores, delis, or markets to sell your products. This gets your brand in front of a much larger audience. It also allows you to confidently enter the catering and B2B market. You can supply your ice cream to restaurants, hotels, and event planners, creating a stable and profitable new part of your business.
What Should You Look for in a Supplier of Large Cups?
You're ready to start selling in bulk, but you know you need a reliable partner. Choosing the wrong supplier could lead to poor quality, inconsistent supply, and problems as you grow.
Choose a supplier who is an expert in frozen dessert packaging. They must offer a full range of sizes, provide high-integrity lid solutions, and have flexible production to support your growth.
When you start selling in larger volumes, your packaging supplier becomes one of your most important business partners. This is not like ordering generic cups from a catalog. First, you need a manufacturer who specializes in packaging for frozen foods. They will understand the specific challenges, like preventing freezer burn and ensuring durability at low temperatures. Second, look for a supplier who offers a complete range of sizes and matching lid solutions. You want a one-stop-shop, so you know that your 16oz cup will have a lid that fits perfectly. It's my job to make sure we provide this. Third, ask about their printing capabilities. For your brand to look professional in a retail freezer, you need high-quality, crisp offset printing that makes your design stand out. Finally, choose a partner who can grow with you. I have worked with many shops that started with a small order of take-home pints and are now supplying major regional stores. You need a supplier whose production is flexible enough to support that journey.
Conclusion
Large capacity ice cream cups are more than just a container. They are your key to higher sales, stronger brand loyalty, and exciting new markets like retail and catering for your business.