If you own or operate an ice cream shop and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for a standard ice cream shop is 722515, classified under Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. However, “ice cream shop” is a broad term. The right code for your business depends on whether you run a sit-down parlor, operate a mobile truck, or manufacture your own product. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 722515 |
| Industry Title | Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
| Sector | 72 (Accommodation and Food Services) |
| Industry Group | 7225 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 722515 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 722515 covers establishments primarily engaged in serving snacks and nonalcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption.
In simple terms, this code applies to traditional ice cream parlors where customers order at a counter and consume the product on-site. For ice cream businesses, this includes:
- Traditional sit-down ice cream parlors with table service
- Counter-service ice cream shops where customers order at the counter but stay on the premises to eat
- Ice cream shops that offer a mix of frozen desserts, shakes, and other nonalcoholic beverages
- Shops that offer additional snacks like waffle cones, baked goods, or candy
The important distinction here is on-premise consumption. This code covers the retail, food service operation of scooping and serving ice cream directly to the public for immediate consumption, but it does not cover making the ice cream from scratch or selling pre-packaged ice cream pints out of a freezer case to take home.
Does My Ice Cream Shop Qualify for Code 722515?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 722515 if:
- You operate a traditional brick-and-mortar ice cream parlor
- Your main source of revenue comes from scooping and serving ice cream to customers who consume it on the premises
- You offer seating for customers to stay and eat their treats
Your business may not qualify if:
- You operate an ice cream truck, cart, or trailer where customers walk up to a window to order, which falls under 722330 (Mobile Food Services) instead
- You manufacture the ice cream yourself and sell it wholesale to grocery stores or other parlors, which falls under 311520 (Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing) instead
- You operate a retail shop that primarily sells pre-packaged ice cream pints, novelty frozen treats, or dry ice to take home, which falls under 445299 (Other Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores) or 445298 (Specialty Food Stores) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the majority of your revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most ice cream shop owners expect. Here is where code 722515 will be required:
- Health Permits and Licenses. Local health departments require your NAICS code when you apply for a food service establishment permit or a mobile food unit permit (if applicable).
- Commercial Insurance. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your premiums for General Liability and Product Liability premiums. Ice cream shops carry specific risks, such as foodborne illness claims, allergic reactions to ingredients, or slip-and-fall injuries on wet floors.
- SBA Loan Applications. If you need financing to build out a store, purchase commercial freezers and soft-serve machines, or buy an ice cream truck, the Small Business Administration requires your NAICS code to assess your loan eligibility.
- POS Systems and Merchant Accounts. Payment processors use this code to set your processing fees, as food service establishments have different interchange rates and risk profiles than standard retail stores.
- Business Registration. Most state and local business registration portals ask for your NAICS code when you set up an LLC, corporation, or DBA for your shop.
722515 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 722515 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services |
| Subsector | 722 | Food Services and Drinking Places |
| Industry Group | 7225 | Restaurants and Other Eating Places |
| NAICS Industry | 72251 | Restaurants and Other Eating Places |
| National Industry | 722515 | Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAICS code for an ice cream truck?
If your ice cream business operates out of a truck, cart, or trailer where customers walk up to a window to order, you do not use 722515. Because you don’t offer an on-premise dining experience, you are classified under 722330 (Mobile Food Services).
What if I make my own ice cream from scratch?
If your primary business is manufacturing and wholesaling your own frozen dessert products to grocery stores or other shops, you are a manufacturer. Your correct code is 311520 (Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing), which falls under the Manufacturing sector rather than food service.
Does 722515 cover a shop that only sells pre-packaged ice cream to take home?
No. If your retail business primarily sells pints, quarts, or pre-packaged frozen goods for customers to take home, you are classified under retail trade. You should use 445299 (Other Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores) or 445298 (Specialty Food Stores), depending on the specific products you sell.
Does it matter if we also sell coffee, smoothies, or other food?
No. Code 722515 explicitly includes serving other snacks and nonalcoholic beverages alongside your ice cream. As long as your primary setup is a counter-service model where customers consume the product on-site, this is your correct code.