Expected volume & capacity
• You’ll want to estimate how many servings you’ll be dispensing during your busiest period (e.g., “how many cones per hour”). 
• If you undersize, the machine can’t keep up; if you oversize, you pay more upfront + may waste energy. 
• The size of the freezing cylinder and hopper matter. 
2. Flavor / dispensing options
• Do you want one flavour only, or two flavours + twist? Machines come in single-flavour or twin (or even more). 
• Think self-serve: the interface needs to be intuitive (so customers can serve themselves), portion control is important. 
3. Cooling system & en