Starting out: ice cream parlours and kiosks
Your First Card Machine for Ice cream parlours and kiosks: What to Get
For new ice cream parlours and kiosks, start with a terminal that costs nothing upfront and has no monthly fee, such as Flatpay's at 1.49% on every card. One catch matters when you are new: Flatpay expects at least £1,100 a month in card takings (assessed over the year) or charges £39 a month. If you expect less than that at first, a pay-as-you-go reader from SumUp (£25) or Square (£19) can cost less until trade builds.
Get a free Flatpay quoteWhat to start with: a terminal with its own sim
Pitches and events rarely have Wi-Fi you can trust. Flatpay's terminal comes with a SIM pre-installed, so it works wherever there is a mobile signal.
Your set-up checklist
- Very small payments
- Queues on hot days
- Highly seasonal takings
- Kiosks without Wi-Fi
How Flatpay covers it
- Percentage-only fee, so a small cone carries no fixed charge
- Terminal with a SIM pre-installed
- Minimum turnover assessed over the year, which suits seasonal trade
- The same rate for every card type
Worth checking first
- Work out your winter months: the £1,100 a month minimum is assessed over the year, so a strong summer can carry a quiet winter
- Ask about battery life for a long day
Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.
Get my free quotePremium, reward and overseas cards: no extra charge
Customers buying something expensive often pay on a reward credit card to collect points, and visitors pay on overseas cards. Many providers charge you more for those. Flatpay charges the same rate for every card type.
| Fee on a £5,000 payment on an overseas card | Cost to you |
|---|---|
| Flatpay | £74.50 |
| Zettle | £87.50 |
| Stripe Terminal (non-EEA card) | £145.10 |
| Square (non-UK card) | £185.00 |
- Flatpay: "You pay the same low rate for every card type." Its UK pages do not list which card networks it accepts, so American Express is confirmed on your quote. source
- Overseas customers with eligible Visa and Mastercard cards can choose to pay in their own currency. Flatpay charges no extra fee for this and shares 1% of the conversion mark-up with the business as a discount on its fees. source
- Square: 1.75% on UK cards; 1.75% plus 1.95% on non-UK cards. source
- Stripe Terminal: 1.4% + 10p on EEA cards; 2.9% + 10p on non-EEA cards. source
- Zettle: the same 1.75% for major cards and wallets, "even American Express". source
What will card payments cost you in year one?
Fees on your card takings plus the cheapest terminal each provider sells. Published rates, checked 21 October 2026.
- 1.Flatpay£715
- 2.Worldpay£720
- 3.Dojo£725
- 4.SumUp£836
- 5.Square£859
- 6.Zettle by PayPal£869
- 7.Stripe Terminal£913
Flatpay includes its £39 monthly charge when takings are under its £1,100 minimum. Stripe includes 10p per payment. Optional monthly plans, VAT on hardware and providers with no published rate are left out. Your own quote may differ.
Card machines for ice cream parlours and kiosks near you
- Card machines for ice cream parlours and kiosks in Bournemouth
- Card machines for ice cream parlours and kiosks in Ringwood
- Card machines for ice cream parlours and kiosks in Verwood
- Card machines for ice cream parlours and kiosks in Salisbury
Other new businesses
- First card machine for hairdressers
- First card machine for barbers
- First card machine for beauty salons
- First card machine for nail salons
- First card machine for cafes
- First card machine for gyms and fitness studios
- First card machine for independent shops
- First card machine for florists
- First card machine for garages and MOT centres
- First card machine for dog groomers
- First card machine for spas and wellness studios
- First card machine for jewellers
Questions
What card machine should new ice cream parlours and kiosks start with?
A terminal with its own SIM. Pitches and events rarely have Wi-Fi you can trust. Flatpay's terminal comes with a SIM pre-installed, so it works wherever there is a mobile signal.
Is Flatpay good for a seasonal ice cream business?
Flatpay assesses its £1,100 monthly minimum card turnover over the year, according to its price list, so a busy summer counts towards a quiet winter. Check your yearly card takings against it.
More card machine guides
Sources, last checked 21 October 2026
Facts about Flatpay come from Flatpay's own website; to get a quote, use the form on this page.
flatpay.com (pricing), flatpay.com (pricelist), flatpay.com (terminal), flatpay.com (ice cream shop)
Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.
Get my free quoteGetBrent is an independent UK directory. We work with Flatpay and may receive a fee if you sign up through this page; that does not change the facts shown, which come from each provider's own website or the regulator, checked 21 October 2026. Terms change, so check your own agreement.