Ice Machines for Convenience Stores & Gas Stations

It depends on how you plan to sell ice. Most convenience stores need a combination: a bagged ice merchandiser near the entrance for grab-and-go sales, and an undercounter or countertop ice machine to supply the fountain drink station. We can help you determine the right setup based on your store layout and sales volume.

Bagged ice is one of the most profitable items in a convenience store or gas station. Gross margins on bagged ice typically range from 20-50%, and can reach even higher for stores that bag their own ice in-house rather than buying from a distributor. Since approximately two-thirds of all bagged ice sales occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, summer is when this product line really pays off.

Purchasing offers the lowest long-term cost and makes sense for established stores. Leasing preserves capital with fixed monthly payments and a $1.00 buyout at the end. Renting includes maintenance in a predictable monthly fee, which is popular with new stores that want to keep startup costs low. We can walk you through all three options.

We are authorized dealers for Manitowoc, Scotsman, Hoshizaki, and Ice-O-Matic — the four leading commercial ice machine manufacturers. Each brand offers models well-suited for convenience store and gas station environments, including merchandisers, dispensers, and undercounter units.

Daily bagged ice sales vary widely by location and traffic. A typical convenience store sells 20-70 bags per day during peak summer months, though high-traffic locations in hot climates can sell significantly more. The FDA estimates that 80% of all bagged ice is purchased between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Stores with self-serve fountain drink stations will also use 50-100 lbs of ice daily for beverages.