Commercial Gelato & Ice Cream Display Cabinets (ISA) in New Zealand

Commercial gelato display cabinets are refrigerated showcases that store, merchandise and serve scoop gelato, ice cream and sorbet at the precise temperatures these products demand, turning a counter into a high-impact point of sale. Majors Group New Zealand supplies, installs and services ISA display cabinets nationwide as the official New Zealand importer of premium Italian frozen-dessert equipment, backing every cabinet with genuine spare parts and qualified technicians from Auckland to Christchurch and everywhere between.

The right display cabinet does two jobs at once: it holds product in flawless condition and it sells. A well-merchandised, brightly lit, perfectly chilled cabinet is one of the most powerful sales tools in any gelateria, café, restaurant or dessert bar, and choosing the correct configuration the first time protects both your product and your margins.

Machines & Equipment

Gelato and ice cream display cabinets come in several formats to suit different venues and service styles. The most common is the scoop (dipping) cabinet, designed for front-of-house display where customers see the product and order by the scoop. These range from compact countertop units with a handful of pans through to large floor-standing showcases. Pan counts typically run from around 7 pans up to 12, 16, 20 or 24 flavours using standard gelato pans, so output and variety scale with your menu and footfall. Browse the full display cabinet range to see the configurations available.

Beyond scoop cabinets, you will find pozzetti (well-style) cabinets with individually lidded round pans that keep gelato colder and protected from air for artisan presentation, as well as combined and pastry-style showcases for venues serving cakes, semifreddo and patisserie alongside gelato. Cooling method matters most of all: for gelato, ventilated (forced-air) cabinets are strongly preferred because the moving air eliminates warm spots, controls humidity and keeps every pan at a consistent, scoopable temperature, whereas static cabinets struggle to hold the tight temperature band that quality gelato needs.

ISA, the Italian refrigeration specialist Majors Group imports, is renowned for cabinets that pair this temperature precision with striking design, LED illumination and curved or flat glass that showcases colour and texture. Display cabinets work hand in hand with the production side of your operation — gelato made on a Carpigiani batch freezer (see our gelato equipment) is only as good as the cabinet that holds and presents it.

Ingredients

A display cabinet does not make gelato, but it determines whether your hard work survives the journey from batch freezer to spoon. The quality of your bases, pastes, fruit purées and inclusions sets the flavour, colour and texture, and the cabinet preserves that result. Hold gelato at the wrong temperature and even premium ingredients suffer — ice crystals form, colours dull and that signature smooth, dense scoop is lost. Matching cabinet temperature and humidity to your recipes (gelato generally serves warmer than hard ice cream) keeps natural ingredients looking and tasting the way they were made to, which is exactly why ventilated ISA cabinets and a well-specified production line belong together. Our team can advise on the cabinet that best protects your product style; talk to a specialist via contact us.

How to Choose the Right Display Cabinet

Start with flavour count and volume: estimate the number of flavours you want on show and your busiest-day throughput, then size pan capacity accordingly — it is wise to allow a spare pan or two so popular flavours can be doubled up. Consider footprint and layout, including counter height, customer sightlines and how staff serve. Factor in cooling type (ventilated for gelato), merchandising (glass profile, lighting and lit signage), and day-to-day practicality such as ease of cleaning, defrost cycles and electronic temperature controls with alarms.

Running costs and efficiency deserve early attention. A modern, well-insulated cabinet with efficient refrigeration and LED lighting costs less to run and holds temperature reliably during busy trade and warm Kiwi summers. Installation and power are equally important: confirm whether a unit is self-contained or needs remote refrigeration, check the electrical supply at your site, and allow proper ventilation clearance around the cabinet. Our installation team handles this nationwide so your cabinet is commissioned correctly from day one.

Finance, Service & Nationwide Support

Fitting out or refreshing a gelateria is a significant investment, and equipment finance is available — up to 100% of a new asset's purchase price — so you can spread the cost and preserve working capital. Explore options on our finance page and our team will walk you through what suits your business.

The real difference comes after the sale. Majors Group New Zealand stands behind every cabinet with our backup promise: genuine spare parts and qualified technicians right across New Zealand, so a cabinet that needs attention is back in service fast and your product is never at risk. Refrigeration is mission-critical — a failed cabinet can cost a full pan of product and a day's trade — which is why our nationwide service & spare parts network exists to keep you running.

New Zealand-Wide Sales, Delivery & Installation

Majors Group New Zealand serves operators in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and nationwide, with showroom support and warehousing at Unit 5, 110 Mays Road, Onehunga, Auckland. Whether you are opening your first gelateria, scaling a dessert franchise or upgrading a café counter, we deliver, install and service throughout New Zealand. Pricing is POA (price on application) because the right specification depends on your space, menu and volume — tell us about your project and we will tailor a recommendation. Call 0508 625 677, email [email protected] or contact us to talk to your nearest specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flavours can a commercial gelato display cabinet hold?

Commercial cabinets commonly range from around 7 pans up to 12, 16, 20 or 24 flavours, depending on size and pan format. The best choice depends on your menu and footfall — contact a Majors Group New Zealand specialist on 0508 625 677 and we will help you size the right configuration.

What is the difference between a gelato display cabinet and an ice cream freezer?

A display cabinet is built to merchandise and serve product at precise, scoopable temperatures with glass, lighting and ventilated cooling, while a plain freezer simply stores product hard. Gelato also typically serves warmer than hard ice cream, so the cabinet must hold a tighter temperature band — ask our team to match a cabinet to your product style.

Should I choose a ventilated or static gelato cabinet?

For gelato, ventilated (forced-air) cabinets are strongly preferred because they eliminate warm spots and keep humidity and temperature consistent across every pan, whereas static units struggle with the tight control gelato needs. Our specialists can recommend the right cooling type for your venue — request a quote via contact us.

What temperature should a gelato display cabinet run at?

Gelato is generally displayed warmer than hard ice cream to keep it soft and scoopable, and the ideal setting depends on your recipes, pan turnover and venue conditions. Talk to a Majors Group New Zealand technician who can advise on the correct cabinet and settings for your product on 0508 625 677.

How much does a commercial gelato display cabinet cost in New Zealand?

Pricing is POA (price on application) because it depends on size, flavour count, cooling type and configuration. Tell us about your project and we will prepare a tailored quote — and remember equipment finance of up to 100% of a new asset's price is available via our finance page.

Do you deliver and install gelato cabinets outside Auckland?

Yes — Majors Group New Zealand delivers, installs and services nationwide, including Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and beyond. Call 0508 625 677 to arrange delivery and installation for your location.

Can you service my cabinet and supply spare parts?

Yes. Our backup promise means genuine spare parts and qualified technicians right across New Zealand, so your cabinet stays running and your product stays protected. See our service & spare parts page or call 0508 625 677.

How do I choose the right size cabinet for my shop?

Base it on your flavour count, busiest-day volume, counter layout and available floor and power space, allowing a spare pan or two for popular flavours. A Majors Group New Zealand specialist can assess your site and recommend the ideal cabinet — get in touch via contact us.