Brain Freeze

The cherry red truck with a Spider-Man logo and covered with Blue Bunny decals is Sidney's new ice cream delivery service, Brain Freeze.

Owner Rich Hansen has been out in Sidney neighborhoods since June.

"We purchased (the truck) in February, here in town, and we spent about three months getting it back up and running," he said.

Brain Freeze is a Blue Bunny franchisee. Where most ice cream trucks carry 15 to 18 items, Hansen said, he carries 72 items.

"People tend to stand around the truck because they can't decide what they want, and they say that's bad for business," he said, "but I enjoy visiting with people and talking with them, so it's not a big deal at all."

Hansen also offers Frosty Paws, a frozen treat for dogs.

"They're getting more and more popular," he said.

Dividing Sidney into six areas, Hansen spends three hours in two neighborhoods daily.

"We're trying to get out every day and go through the neighborhoods. We also plan to go to Dalton and Gurley," he said. "We purchased a trailer so where we can actually haul it to where we want."

Hansen retired from Cabela's in September, and was "looking for something to do."

"I saw this truck on the side of the road, and thought, this is something me and my grandkids can get into," he said.

With the new business came challenges.

"We've had to do a lot of maintenance work," Hansen said. "We had to redo the sound system, the lighting system."

Even the truck's charging system had to be resolved.

"We use two inverters to keep everything going. We have four freezers in there, so the inverters keep everything going," Hansen said. "We had a 50 amp alternator, now I've got a 150 amp alternator in there."

Hansen has been able to apply his I.T. skills to his new business, as well.

"We're pretty sophisticated inside the truck," he said. "The freezers will call me if they go below a certain temperature. With ice cream, temperature is not our friend."

The effort has been worthwhile, Hansen said. Best of all has been the joy of his young customers.

"They love the ice cream truck," he said. "As you drive down the road, you seem them run out and dance and carry on. That's what I enjoy."

Already, Brain Freeze has a loyal following.

"It's amazing. With the ice cream truck, people stop me anywhere to buy ice cream. I've had people come to my door. 'Is the truck operating?'" he said. "The city really seems to enjoy having the truck out. They've embraced us."

Customers don't have to wait for the truck to drive by.

Brain Freeze can be contacted at (308) 250-1592 and posts daily on Facebook.

"Before I go out I'll post a Facebook that Brain Freeze is going out," he said. "If they text with their address, we'll go to that neighborhood."