
Soft Serve Ice Cream Machines in Ontario | FAQ Guide to Buying, Renting, Leasing & More
Thinking of adding soft-serve to your café menu in Toronto or expanding across Ontario and Atlantic Canada? Discover where to buy, how to choose, financing, setup requirements and more in our expert FAQ guide for commercial soft serve ice cream machines.
Thinking about adding soft-serve to your café menu in Toronto or rolling out frozen treats across Ontario and Atlantic Canada? A commercial soft serve ice cream machine not only delights customers, it can deliver 70–80% profit margins and pay for itself in just 6–18 months.
In this FAQ-style guide, we’ll cover our most asked questions about commercial soft serve ice cream machines in Ontario: where to buy, how to choose, financing options, setup requirements and everything in between.
Where can I buy commercial ice cream machines in Toronto?
TFI Food Equipment Solutions in Mississauga is the exclusive Taylor® distributor for Ontario (and Atlantic Canada). We stock both countertop and freestanding Taylor models—and with our Mississauga warehouse, you can get same-week delivery throughout Toronto and the GTA.
How do I choose the right soft serve ice cream machine for my café, convenience store or food truck?
Focus on these four must-have features:
Freeze speed — faster cycles mean more servings per hour.
Overrun control — dial in the perfect balance of yield versus texture.
Heat-treatment option — skip weekly manual cleans; built-in sanitation reduces deep-cleaning to every 14 days.
Footprint & capacity — countertop (C152/C706) for smaller spaces, freestanding (C713/791) for high-volume venues.
Need expert guidance? Book a free consultation and our team will match you with the ideal Taylor C-series model based on your menu, traffic and kitchen layout.

Can I rent or lease commercial soft serve machines in Toronto instead of buying outright?
Yes, you’ve got flexible options to suit your cash flow:
Rent — month-to-month equipment rentals or seasonal plans with zero capital up-front.
Lease — low monthly payments over 12–60 months, plus lease-to-own at term’s end.
Buy — own your machine outright for maximum long-term ROI.
No matter which path you choose, TFI Canada’s financing, rental, and certified-used programs keep payments predictable and your dessert program thriving.
What’s the simplest way to start offering soft serve in my convenience store in Ontario?
Begin with a countertop Taylor® model—like the C152 or C706—so you don’t need a large footprint or complex plumbing. Pair it with our TFI Total Care subscription for a worry-free launch: we handle delivery, installation, on-site setup, and comprehensive training. From there, our menu-development experts can help you craft signature flavours, and our factory-certified techs keep your machine running smoothly with preventive maintenance and priority dispatch.

Can I get staff trained on machine use and cleaning for my commercial soft serve machine?
Absolutely. TFI offers both on-site and virtual training sessions tailored to your team’s schedule. We cover everything from daily start-up checks and sanitation protocols to deep-clean cycles (with heat-treatment walkthroughs). Plus, you’ll receive access to digital training resources—step-by-step manuals and video tutorials—to onboard new hires in minutes.
What happens if my commercial soft serve ice cream machine breaks down on a weekend in Toronto or Halifax?
Rest easy knowing our 24/7 urgent-service line is just a call away. In the GTA and Halifax regions, we guarantee a technician on-site within 4 hours for emergency repairs. All service vans carry genuine OEM parts, and our field techs are factory-certified annually—so you’ll be back up and scooping in no time, even on holidays.
Is soft serve profitable year round in Ontario, or just during summer?
Soft-serve can be a year-round revenue driver when you diversify your menu. Swap classic vanilla for frozen yogurt, custard or sorbet in colder months, or introduce seasonal twists like pumpkin-spice or salted-caramel. With 70–80% gross profit margins on each cup and flexible rental or leasing options to match seasonal demand, you’ll see ROI whether it’s –20 °C in January or +30 °C in July.

How much space do I need for a freestanding commercial soft serve ice cream machine?
Freestanding models like the Taylor C713 and 791 require a clear footprint of approximately 24″ (W) × 30″ (D) × 60″ (H). You’ll also need 6–12″ of clearance on each side for proper airflow and service access. TFI’s free site survey will verify your layout and ensure compliance with local health and safety codes.
Can I switch soft serve flavours throughout the day on the same machine?
Absolutely. Most Taylor machines support quick-change flavour heads, so you can run vanilla in the morning, switch to chocolate in the afternoon, and try a swirl or seasonal special after lunch. Our team provides best-practice guidelines to minimize product loss and downtime during changeovers.
What water and drain connections are required for a soft serve machine?
Taylor soft serve machines need a standard ¾″ water line (hot or cold) and a floor drain within 2 metres. No special electrical beyond a dedicated 15 A circuit is required for countertop units; freestanding models typically need a 20 A, 208–240 V supply.

Do you have short term rental options for a Taylor soft serve ice cream machine in Ontario?
Absolutely, TFI Canada’s short-term rentals in Ontario start at one month and include full service. Ideal for seasonal peaks or pop-ups.
What are TFI Canada's service response times in Toronto and Halifax?
TFI Canada field technicians are factory-certified and MFA-stocked.
Toronto GTA: Priority urgent‐service within 4 hours.
Halifax: Priority urgent‐service within 4 hours.
All other Eastern provinces: Standard requests addressed within 1 business day.
What is the cost of a commercial soft serve machine in Ontario?
TFI Canada offers a range of Taylor® countertop and floor model soft serve machines for Ontario operators. Typical entry-level Taylor units start at around $20,000, with programs paying back in 6–18 months on a 70–80% gross profit margin. For a free quote, submit our contact form today!

Nicole Camposeo-Cheung is the Director of Marketing, People & Culture at TFI Food Equipment Solutions, Canada’s leading provider of premium commercial foodservice equipment. She combines her expertise in business management and fashion arts to foster a dynamic, innovative, and people-centric corporate culture. Passionate about empowering teams, building strong client relationships, and driving growth through creativity and collaboration, Nicole plays a key role in shaping TFI’s brand and workplace culture. She also shares her industry expertise and insights through the TFI blog, helping foodservice professionals stay informed about the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in commercial food equipment.
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