High-Tech Ice Cream Trucks Rely on Texts and Preorders
Eric Murphy launched Scream Truck in 2020, updating the traditional ice cream truck with scheduling, text alerts, LED displays, and event rentals. The company operates 14 trucks and franchises four others in New Jersey, Nevada, and Miami. Murphy says the model creates more predictable revenue than conventional neighborhood routes.
Murphy, whose background is in marketing, began developing the concept in early 2020 and put a truck on a New Jersey street that September. The vehicles include audio systems and LED signs, and can be booked for events in half-hour blocks with custom messages.
The business owns 14 trucks and has four franchisees across New Jersey, Nevada, and Miami. Miami was the first market to use flash-frozen products, allowing more flavors. Startup costs include $200,000–$250,000 per truck, a $45,000 fee for the first two, and $25,000 software licensing.
This model may shift ice cream vending toward planned, app-like purchases, affecting families, event organizers, and franchisees. Neighborhoods could see fewer spontaneous routes but more predictable sales for operators. It may also raise barriers because truck and licensing costs are high, potentially favoring investors over small vendors. Consumers may gain convenience and novelty, while traditional trucks face pressure to adapt.