FAQ’s

Q: How do I know what soft serve machine to buy?

A: View our complete soft serve buying guide

You can read below or click the links to scroll to the exact section you have questions about. If you have any questions that are not here, please call us or fill out the “Contact Us” form and we will call you.

Purchasing, Leasing, Rental

Q: How can I setup an equipment demonstration?
A: Give us a call or fill out our “Contact Us” form. We will be happy to set up a one on one meeting in one of our 2 showrooms. We also frequently host trade shows, seminars and open houses throughout the year where you can see equipment in action.

Q: Is Taylor equipment easy to use?
A: Yes, Taylor equipment was developed for efficiency, consistency, time savings and safety for both the food and operators. This is why the majority of national restaurants choose Taylor as their main equipment choice.

Q: What warranty is included with my new Taylor equipment?
A: Standard Taylor frozen beverage or frozen dessert equipment; the main refrigeration (shells, hoppers and compressors) carry a 5 year manufacturer’s parts warranty. 2 years on the electrical motors and beater drive gear units and 2 years on the universal controls (computers).

Extended service contracts may be available.

Q: What is included in the price of my new machine?
A: Purchasing from Taylor Upstate isn’t the same as purchasing from the open market. When partnering with us, you will receive a turn key solution for your business. Delivery, installation, training, warranty, cleaning supplies, preventive maintenance supplies, advertising materials, manuals, 24/7 support and over 95 years of combined industry knowledge. We will assist you with training your employees, assist you on your opening day, create an extensive menu and explain profit and food cost and help with pricing to make sure you make the most income in your specific location. This isn’t just buying a piece of metal from a stranger online, this is a partnership and your success is always our first concern and ensuring years of worry free equipment.

Q: Does Taylor have a Preventative Maintenance Program?
A: Yes, we have several programs to help keeping your equipment in top shape and reduce down time and save money on service calls.

Q: Can I trade in my machine toward a new piece of equipment?
A: We accept trades from all makes and models.

Q: Can I rent Taylor equipment?
A: We offer long term rentals for schools and institutions. Seasonal, weekly and daily rentals are not available.

Q: Do you have used/refurbished equipment? Does it come with a warranty?
A: Yes, we have certified pre-owned machines. All come with a comprehensive warranty which includes delivery, installation.

Q: Are leasing / financing plans available?
A: Leasing plans are available with as little as first and last payment down. This includes new and certified pre-owned equipment!

Product and Mix for Taylor Soft Serve Machine

Q: What types of businesses use commercial soft serve machines?
A: Soft serve machines are used by a wide range of Upstate NY businesses including ice cream shops, restaurants, diners, fast food operations, food trucks, campgrounds, convenience stores, gas stations, sports venues, schools, hospitals, senior living facilities, catering companies, wineries, breweries, and seasonal stands. If your business serves people food or beverages, there is almost certainly a soft serve or frozen beverage program that fits your operation.

Q: Can a soft serve machine be used for frozen yogurt?
A: Yes. Most Taylor soft serve machines are fully compatible with frozen yogurt mixes. The machine does not change — only the mix does. This allows operators to offer soft serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet from the same machine simply by switching mixes, making it easy to adapt your menu to customer preferences or seasonal trends.

Q: What is the profit margin on soft serve ice cream?
A: Soft serve is one of the highest-margin products in commercial foodservice. Food cost on soft serve typically runs 15% to 25% of selling price depending on your mix cost and portion size, which translates to 75% to 85% gross profit margins on every serving. A single countertop soft serve machine operated properly can generate tens of thousands of dollars in profit per season for a high-traffic location. Ask our sales team for a free profitability consultation specific to your location and expected traffic.

Q: Do you supply the mix as well as the machine?
A: Taylor Upstate has developed alliances with dairy mix companies all across New York State and frozen beverage distribution across the country. We will be happy to recommend the best mixes from your local dairy or frozen beverage mix from a distribution center that best fits your needs.

Q: Can I make my own soft serve mix?
A: While some customers may want to make their own soft serve mix, the problems usually out weigh the benefits. Problems with separation and product breakdown usually cause problems. Dairies and mix companies have the expertise to make soft serve mixes with the proper balance of sweeteners, emulsifiers and stabilizers to produce quality soft serve and shake. Powdered mixes are also available, which can be reconstituted with water.

Q: What are emulsifiers and what does it do to ice cream?
A: Emulsifiers allow products that consist of oils and water to stay mixed with minimal separation. For ice cream, emulsifiers help to create a finished product that is stiffer and dryer.

Q: What are stabilizers and what does it do to ice cream?
A: Stabilizers help with a smoother texture and ensure that the ice cream doesn’t melt as easily. In soft serve ice cream, stabilizers help prevent overbeating or product breakdown in the freezing cylinder.

Q: What is overrun?
A: Overrun is the amount of air that is introduced into the product before it is dispensed. Higher overrun has more air in the finished product, making it a fluffier, lighter product. Percentage of overrun equals percentage increase in the volume of the finished product.

Q: What is Milk Fat?
A: Milk fat, or butterfat, refers to the amount of fat content in a dairy product. The percentage (%) of milk fat translates into the percentage (%) of the weight of the product that is attributed to the milk fat. A typical ice cream shops in New York State uses a 10% butterfat mix for soft serve and up to 16% for hard dipped ice cream.

Q: Do you have a list of suppliers?
A: Yes, Since we cover almost the entire state of New York, the easiest way to get that list is to give us a call and we will be happy to assist you with your local supplier.

Taylor Parts and Service

Q: How do I get service?
A: Please call 888-748-9269 and ask for service department

Q: How long will it take to receive service on my Taylor equipment?
A: Most calls that require a service visit will result in a service technician arrival within 24 hours. All our technicians are GPS dispatched, factory trained and certified. Each technician has a vehicle that a mobile parts department and is stocked with Taylor Genuine Parts. We can typically can fix the equipment the same day of service.

Q: Is there training for my new Taylor equipment?
A: After the delivery of your new or certified pre-owned machine, you will be thoroughly instructed on the proper care, maintenance and operational procedures from your sales rep or certified technician.

Q: Will you service a Taylor machine I bought somewhere else?
A: We will service any Taylor machine that contains genuine Taylor parts throughout. Be aware that some online sellers and non-authorized dealers install aftermarket parts that are not approved by Taylor Company. We cannot service machines with aftermarket parts installed, as doing so would compromise the integrity of the repair and could create food safety issues. If you are unsure whether your machine has genuine parts, call us and we can help you evaluate it.

Q: Where can I order parts
A: You can order parts online at TaylorUpstateStore.com or directly from our parts department by calling 888-748-9269. Most orders are shipped same day. If you need it sooner, you come to one of our 2 locations to order and pick your parts up the same day.

Q: How do I know if I need a new machine or if my current machine can be repaired?
A: Call us at 888-748-9269 and describe what is happening with your machine. Our service team can often diagnose the problem over the phone and tell you whether a repair call makes sense or whether it is more cost-effective to look at certified pre-owned replacement equipment. We will always give you an honest assessment — we are not in the business of selling people machines they do not need.

Q: Why are your machines more expensive than the ones I see online?
A: The machines you see online are from second hand sellers and not an authorized Taylor distributor or service center. Most of these stores are either consignment stores, auctions sites or companies that chose to use the Taylor’s legacy name as leverage and install their own aftermarket parts. We never sell second hand machines without going though and preforming a complete overhaul and only then, after passing our 50 Point Inspection, equipment is approved, prepared and certified to be sold as a Taylor Certified Pre-Owned Machine. All our pre-own machines come with a 1 year parts and labor warranty.

Taylor Equipment

Q: What is the difference between air cooled and water cooled soft serve machines?
A: Air cooled machines use a fan system to dissipate heat and do not require a water hookup, making them easier to install in most locations. They do require adequate clearance around the machine for ventilation and produce more ambient noise than water cooled units. Water cooled machines require a cold water supply line and drain but operate more quietly and more efficiently in warm or poorly ventilated environments. For most Upstate NY operators, water cooled is the practical choice. Our sales team will recommend the right cooling configuration based on your specific location and setup.

Q: What is the difference between gravity and pump equipped Taylor models?
A: Pump style (pressurized) machine introduce additional air into the product by using the internal pump to pump product into the freezing cylinder and can have a higher or more consistent overrun. Gravity style machines use gravity to fill the freezing cylinder.

Q: Is a pump machine better than gravity?
A: It is not a better or worse scenario. It is more of… which machine is best for your business, product and situation.

Some products do not benefit from adding overrun and would be better suited for a gravity machine. Other products benefit greatly from adding and maintaining overrun.

Overrun affects the taste, color and mouth feel of a given product. Increasing overrun in a product will lessen the flavor and color, and give a light, fluffy texture. Decreasing overrun heightens flavor and color, and tends to be more refreshing to the mouth. The proper overrun should be determined by taste and visual appearance for consumer preference for the mix you select. Overall, mix cost can be easier controlled with a pump machine, but the impact is generally less dramatic than expected. Taylor offers both pump and gravity to assure providing what is best for your application.

Q: How often do I have to clean the machine? How long does that take?
A: This information is available in the Taylor operator manual specific to your Taylor model. We also recommend following your local and state health codes.

Q: How much electricity does a Taylor soft serve machine use?
A: Electrical requirements vary by model. Countertop models typically operate on standard 115V single phase power. High-capacity floor models generally require 208-230V single or three phase power. Before purchasing, we will review your location's power availability and recommend machines that match your electrical infrastructure — or advise on any electrical upgrades needed. This is part of the free location survey we offer to every prospective customer.

Q: What is the estimate life of a Taylor machine?
A: Taylor equipment is known for longevity and reliability, but failure to use Genuine Taylor Parts and not performing proper maintenance can drastically reduce the lifespan.

Q: What happens if my soft serve machine breaks down during peak season?
A: Call us immediately at 888-748-9269. We treat service calls as urgent because we know every hour of downtime during your peak season costs you money. Our factory-trained, EPA-certified service technicians are GPS-dispatched across all of Upstate NY and reach most locations within 24 hours. Each technician carries a fully stocked vehicle with genuine Taylor parts and achieves a 94% or higher first-visit fix rate. We also offer preventive maintenance programs specifically designed to minimize the risk of breakdowns during your busiest periods.

Q: What is heat treatment?
A: Heat treatment applies to soft serve or shake machines that serve dairy products. The Heat Treatment process reduces labor and daily maintenance costs since the equipment only requires disassembly and cleaning up to once every 28 days.

Q: What cooling types are offered on Taylor equipment?
A: Water or air cooled. An air cooled machine requires space around it to vent the hot air created during the product cooling process and have a higher sound level (db) than water cooled units.

Water cooled units require a water line and drain, or be connected to a recirculating glycol cooling system. This cooling process is more efficient than air.

Q: Are the Taylor grills really that efficient?
A: Yes! The Taylor grills are energy star rated, cook in a fraction amount of time as a standard flat top or charcoal grill, maintain heat by utilizing a standby feature to hold the heat from going out the ventilation system and they can utilize multiple temperature zones to reduce utility costs.

Q: How do I choose which model I need?
A: The best way to choose is to schedule a meeting with one of our sales reps. They will educate you on the best model based on your individual needs, demographics, traffic flow, menu items, power availability, space required, estimated growth potential and the specific product that will be used with the equipment. You can reach them by calling us at 888-748-9269 or fill out our “contact us” form.

PURCHASING, LEASING, RENTAL

Q: How much does a commercial soft serve machine cost?
A: Commercial Taylor soft serve machines range significantly in price depending on the model, configuration, and whether you choose new or certified pre-owned. Countertop single flavor machines start at a lower price point, while high-capacity twin twist floor models represent a larger investment. Leasing options are available with as little as first and last payment down, making it possible to get into a quality soft serve program with minimal upfront capital. For current pricing on any specific model, call us at 888-748-9269 — we do not publish prices online because the right configuration for your business depends on factors we want to discuss with you first.

Q: What is the service area for Taylor Upstate?
A: Taylor Upstate serves all of Upstate New York including Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Utica, Saratoga Springs, Plattsburgh, Watertown, Glens Falls, Ithaca, Elmira, Oneonta, Rome, Cortland, Jamestown, and every city, town, and rural community in between. We do not service New York City, Long Island, or the lower NY counties south of the Hudson Valley.

Q: Can I buy a Taylor soft serve machine if I am just starting out and have never operated one before?
A: Yes! The

Q: What is the service area for Taylor Upstate? A: Taylor Upstate serves all of Upstate New York including Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Utica, Saratoga Springs, Plattsburgh, Watertown, Glens Falls, Ithaca, Elmira, Oneonta, Rome, Cortland, Jamestown, and every city, town, and rural community in between. We do not service New York City, Long Island, or the lower NY counties south of the Hudson Valley.