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Exclusive Gelmatic importer / Auckland & Christchurch / Finance up to 100%
How to Open a Self-Serve Frozen Yoghurt Shop
Customers pour their own frozen yoghurt, pile on toppings and pay by weight. Here is how to plan the format, choose and size your Gelmatic machines, lay out the shop and stock it, from Majors Group, the exclusive importer of Gelmatic in New Zealand, including genuine spare parts and consumables.
Talk to a froyo specialistGelmatic machines
Why self-serve frozen yoghurt works
Self-serve turns the machine wall and toppings bar into the experience. Customers build their own cup, so your team focuses on the toppings bar, the scale and the till.
Fewer staff at the counter
Customers serve themselves, so a small team can run busy periods: keep the toppings bar stocked, weigh and take payment.
Bigger cups, bigger spend
Customers choose the cup size, the flavours and the toppings themselves, and toppings are where the average spend grows.
Simple pay-by-weight pricing
One price per 100 g covers every flavour and topping combination, so the menu board stays simple.
Variety without extra work
Twist machines give three choices each (two flavours plus a twist), and you can rotate flavours through the week.
How a self-serve froyo shop works
Grab a cup
Cups sit at the start of the wall, in one or two sizes, printed with your brand.
Pour your flavours
Customers pull the handle on each machine: one flavour, the other, or the twist of both.
Add toppings
Fresh fruit, crunchy crocks, sauces and dry toppings along the toppings bar.
Weigh and pay
The cup goes on the scale at the till and is charged by weight.
Choose your Gelmatic machines for self-serve
We recommend the Gelmatic Easy series for self-serve: the BC Easy countertop machines and the BV, MV and HV floor-standing twins, plus the MC Easy 1. They are built for continuous, high-volume pouring with photocell cup recognition and refrigerated hoppers with level sensors. Mix floor-standing twins and countertop models to suit your space and flavour range.
How many machines do you need?
Size the wall from your flavour range and your busiest hour, not your average day.
1. Count your flavour choices
Each twist machine gives three choices (two flavours plus a twist). Most self-serve walls run several twist machines, so decide how many flavours you want on at once.
2. Check your peak output
Multiply your busiest hour's customers by the average cup weight. Example: 120 customers at about 250 g each is 30 kg in that hour, which you would spread across the machines on the wall.
3. Allow for hopper refills
Bigger hoppers mean fewer top-ups while the shop is full: 11.5 L per flavour on the BC and BV Easy 2, 19 L on the MV Easy 2 and 22 L on the HV Easy 2.
4. Leave room to grow
Plan power and space for one more machine than you open with, for seasonal flavours or açaí.
Lay out the shop
Self-serve works when customers flow one way: cups, machines, toppings, scale, seating.
One-way customer flow
Cups at the start, then the machine wall, the toppings bar, and the scale and till at the end, so queues never cross.
Power for every machine
Plan a dedicated circuit for each machine before fit-out. The BV Easy 2 draws 3850 W on single phase, while the HV Easy 2 needs three-phase power. Your electrician sizes the circuits from each machine's specifications.
Ventilation and access
Leave airflow space around air-cooled machines as set out in each machine's manual. Floor-standing twins sit on swivel casters so they can be moved out for cleaning.
Back-of-house for refills
Keep mix preparation, storage and cleaning close to the wall so hoppers can be topped up without crossing the shop floor.
Fit-out
See real fit-outs in our froyo shop fit gallery.
Your brand everywhere
Custom-printed cups and spoons carry your brand home with every customer.
Everything else on the wall
Mixes, toppings and packaging from the same supplier as your machines.
Backed by the exclusive Gelmatic importer
Majors Group is the exclusive importer of Gelmatic in New Zealand, including genuine Gelmatic spare parts and consumables, so your machines are supported for their whole working life.
Free showroom demo
See the machines running with our mixes. Book a free demonstration at our Auckland showroom.
Book a demo →Set-up and recipe development
Machine set-up, soft serve recipe and menu development for your shop, plus new Rubicone flavours to try.
Talk to us →One-on-one Gelmatic training
Hands-on training so your team can run, clean and refill the machines with confidence.
Training →Genuine parts and service
Genuine Gelmatic spare parts and consumables, preventive maintenance and qualified technicians across New Zealand. Service: 0508 625 677.
Service →Finance up to 100%
Spread the cost of your machines and keep cash for fit-out, stock and marketing.
Finance options →Frequently asked questions
Is self-serve or served frozen yoghurt better?
Self-serve needs fewer staff and lifts average spend through cup size and toppings. Served suits smaller sites and set pricing. Many operators start with one format and our team helps you choose. See our frozen yoghurt shop guide.
Which Gelmatic machine is best for a self-serve wall?
We recommend the Gelmatic Easy series. The floor-standing BV Easy 2 GR is the usual workhorse; the MV Easy 2 and HV Easy 2 add bigger hoppers and two compressors for the busiest shops; the BC Easy 2 GR suits a smaller countertop wall; and the BC Easy 1 and MC Easy 1 add single flavours or açaí. Our compact Giotto machines are better suited to cafés serving express gelato over the counter.
How many machines does a self-serve froyo shop need?
It depends on how many flavours you want and your busiest hour. Use the sizing steps above, or send us your plans and we will size the wall for you.
How do customers pay?
Most self-serve shops charge by weight: the cup is weighed at the till and priced per 100 g.
Do you supply the frozen yoghurt mix, toppings and cups?
Yes. Rubicone frozen yoghurt mixes, toppings, sauces, cups and spoons, with cups and spoons custom printed with your design.
Who supplies Gelmatic spare parts and consumables?
Majors Group is the exclusive importer of Gelmatic in New Zealand, including genuine spare parts and consumables, and our service team maintains and repairs the machines. Call 0508 625 677.
Do you sell franchises?
No. Majors Group supplies equipment, ingredients, training and service to independent operators, QSR chains and franchise groups, so you build your own brand.
Can I finance the machines?
Yes. Finance up to 100%. See finance options or call 0508 625 677.
Open a frozen yoghurt shopGelmatic machinesAçaí machinesQSR & chains