Can anyone tell me an average cost on equipment for an average small
coffee/ice cream parlor

Hello Kelly,

I'm doing similar research.
At the least, you'll need a display freezer, back-up freezer, ice cream
maker (or buy finished ice cream in bulk from ice cream producer until
turnover warrants investment in own maker), coffee machine (should be
provided free by a coffee supplier - so long as you buy your coffee
from them exclusively), drinks fridge (Coke, lemonade, etc) cost at
least $3000 but can be provided free by a big drinks company if you
stock their product only, general storage (cones, coffee, etc), cash
register, tables and chairs (optional).
Prices vary greatly. Freezers are at least $1800, display versions are
about two or three times that amount. Cash registers and the software
that runs them can be v. expensive: thousands of dollars (I'm still
researching this). Signage, tables and chairs, bins, air conditioning
(optional) need to be included.

Leasing equipment reduces up-front costs but adds to your ongoing costs
(ie in addition to product, shop rent and wages)

Don't forget the shop fitting expenses: There are strict food safety
conditions. Councils will want lots of tiled surfaces (floors/walls) or
stainless steel. This can add up to many thousands (10s of thousands in
fact!) very quickly.
If you are in Melbourne and want to discuss the prospect of some joint
activity let me know. Or simply drop me a line about your own
experience.

Regards and good luck,

Aaron
Melbourne

"aaron" wrote in message
Don't forget the shop fitting expenses:

And don't forget a lot of cash to live on for the many months it takes to
set up and start turning over cash that you can actually pay yourself with.
A year's income is not out of the question.