No. I read that. I just think that you don't justify the choice.
Long thread here - This is meant as constructive feedback - not an attack - love only. I have a lot of thoughts and I hope at least one of them is of use to you.
You are coming off as someone who isn't looking at this like a business, and looking at this like a dream - which is concerning.
Clearly more than on person has given you the feedback that you should do a truck.
A store is NOT obviously a next step. It can be a big risky step. The best treat businesses go from kitchen, to farmers markets, to pop up, to store. Or similar steps.
There are reasons.
Most people moving from home business to brick and mortar go out of business with a sea of debt. And all of them thought it wasn't going to be them. Because they had a "VERY original idea".
There are reasons to start small and build up. Even if you had a huge bankroll. Not just to build up the business - but to build up your knowledge, build up your supply chains, build up your finances, business processes, partnerships AND demand.
You say people want ambience. Really? Do you know that? And how is ambiance profitable to you. I'm not saying it isn't - but you aren't expressing why it is. Just because people want it - or even if you want it - doesn't make it a good business idea.
The best ice cream business near me is Salt & Straw. Did they make ambience? Yes. It was really expensive. How long do people spend in the shop? 2 minutes tops. Why? Because there is a line down the block so they pulled all the tables so they can keep it moving.
You get a lot of grumbling because it's comes off that you don't understand business - and that is concerning. Opening a store is a huge lift. Not 100k. You can easily drop 50k just to get a space up to code. A lease commitment to a store could be upwards of a $300-500k commitment. Then you need equipment. And then pay for ambience.
After you build out, you need to pull in 15-20k every month just to meet basic overhead. And you need to do this in winter too.
And once you open - can you survive having the fire suppression system going off on your opening? That happened to a friend of mine. Something always goes wrong. I guess a power outage is going to be the worst fear for ice cream.
And you have a frozen product. You are going to need expensive freezers. And they are going to need annual and emergency service. Pricy. And you are going to have the health department up your ass. I know a famous gourmet shop in San Francisco gave up making their own base and bought it from a larger company because of it was too hard to get food safety compliance right.
You get grumbles NOT because people think you have to go thru the same steps as them just because. It's because those who have survived in the food business for a few years have seen a lot of people losing their business and all their savings. It's fucking sad. And experience has shown us that there are steps that will increase your chances of success - and it's a red flag when someone blows off this advice.
It doesn't mean the advice is correct. It only suggest you are naive in not considering it.
20K social media followers wanting you to open a store - this is a big assumption that you need to back with data. Have you asked them all? Have you run surveys? I'd start there if you haven't. Also - give away free product in exchange for interviews.
You say you have to turn away 20% of your customers because they want ambience. Do you have data for this? How many people is this. What is the $ value? I'd happily lose 20% of my customers if they cost more than they pay.
Regarding a truck - clearly a treat isn't a good truck on it's own - but an ice cream truck next to other savory cart pod could be a gold mine. And you don't have to build out the ambience on your own. And you don't have to pay rent in the cold season.
I found your social presence and I do think you have a kick ass concept. But you a) don't have 20k followers. You have 13-15k. Just saying - you can't count FB and Insta as both uniques. Also.... you need a truck. Seriously. Like a 1975 van painted in your style. Even if you later open a store you can use this as a bill board just by parking it. And you can hit all the festivals, street fairs etc. Really good investment.
I see the argument in your FAQ that every dollar towards a truck takes away from a store. That's upside down. Every dollar EARNED by a truck takes you closer to your dream. And once you open the store - you keep that MF truck running.
You do have a solid, engaged social media following and you should consider a kickstarter or a gofundme. That's not a nothing lift - but it could be a way to get capital once you have a plan. You should use it to buy a truck.
Do you have an email list?
Anyway - tons of ways to misunderstand what you are doing in a post - but you asked for honest advice so here it is. If you ever want to talk it thru DM me and I'd be happy to set up a call. All this is meant in the best way and I hope you figure out a path and kick ass.