Working in any type of bakery usually entails long hours, working early in the morning or late in the evening. You may also have to sacrifice many weekends and holidays to keep your store open. [1] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source Bakers do not typically make very high salaries. However, since you will be owning and operating your own donut shop, your potential for profits is significantly higher than a baker working for someone else. Just remember that that also means your potential for loss is equally high. Working in a kitchen increases the chances you may be injured at work. You will be handling cutlery, operating some machinery, and working with large, hot ovens. You may also need to lift heavy packages of supplies. This can all potentially add up to burns, cuts, and a sore/injured back. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source Above all else, being a baker requires a genuine love of baking. If you do not like to bake, you should look for a different profession.
Some experts advise that the key to culinary success is to either be the first, the best, or the only business offering your version of a donut. [3] X Research source There are already plenty of bakeries and specialty shops selling donuts, but there is an expanding market for food that meets people’s dietary restrictions. Vegan donuts typically use a fairly simple recipe, yet you can still get creative by making slight modifications to the recipe. You can also opt for gluten free donuts, gourmet donuts, or some combination of all three!
Industry experts generally advise that restaurant experience is more important than any formal culinary training. [4] X Research source You can find bakeries in your area by searching online. Restaurants and other food industry jobs tend to have a high turnover rate for employees, so if you are persistent you are likely to find a bakery looking for employees. Try to gain some operational experience. Offer to help with day-to-day business operations, including book-keeping, financial analysis, and billing. Aim to acquire at least one year’s worth of hands-on experience. Even if you’ve worked as a baker in the past, you may need a refresher on how to work in a kitchen.
Choose whether your donut shop would operate primarily through online sales and special orders, or would be more of a conventional bakery. There are many other options to choose from as well, such as counter service vs. sit-down service. Plan out how you envision your ideal donut shop running, and look for rental space that would best match your needs. Look around, keep your options open, and don’t be afraid to talk to neighboring businesses. You may find that a donut shop would be highly welcomed in one neighborhood and a hated competitor in another. [5] X Research source Compare prices, storefront space, and property amenities. Do some research on the area to learn what the going rate is for rental property. If a bakery space comes with ovens and refrigerators, check into the age and condition of that equipment.
You can find information about the market by reading up on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website’s Economic News Releases. [9] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source Find statistics about current employment statistics and future predictions through the BLS Current Employment Statistics. [10] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source Get a sense of how much your competitors pay their employees and what those businesses’ overall income looks like by reading up on the BLS website’s Statistics on Pay and Benefits. [11] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source You can also find additional data and analysis reports by contacting various trade groups, business periodicals, and online database searches. [12] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
the industry outlook for bakeries information about what other donut shops (and general bakeries) exist in your target market, and what you would do differently to set your business apart your pricing structure (you’ll need to do some calculation of your estimated costs for supplies and how much you’d need to charge in order to turn a profit) your business’s potential strengths and weaknesses how you intend to enter your target market what problems you may encounter, including your biggest business competitors, as you move forward
List the names of any owners, the extent of their involvement in operations, and their percentage of ownership. Each owner/manager’s position, daily responsibilities, skills, education, and employment experience should be detailed in this section.
Decide whether you will be the only salesperson, or hire a sales force. Consider how you will train, manage, and pay your employees. Consider how you will represent your product. What image do you hope to convey: hip indie bakery, mom-and-pop donut shop, or gourmet bakery? Or will you market your business as something else altogether? Determine how you will track your sales activities. You will need to figure out how much you’ll need to make per sale and how to achieve those sales goals.
your first year’s worth of monthly or quarterly projections your business’s annual projections a short analysis of your current financial information your credit history and letters of reference (optional)[15] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
your current financial needs your projected funding requirements for the next five years how you will use every dollar you’re given any relevant situational plans for the future (including being bought out, selling the business, and repaying your debts)[17] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
Larger banks may be more difficult to secure a small business loan through, though most banks of any size should provide this service. Speak with a lending officer before you attempt to take out a loan. Know the terms of the loan, how much money the bank is willing to give you, and what supporting documents you will need to bring with your application. The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can provide guidance and recommendations as you enter the small business world. You can find a representative office by searching online or visiting the SBA website.
Psychologically, shades of yellow and red tend to make people feel comfortable, talkative, and hungry. Red in particular is often associated with an increased appetite. [18] X Research source Consider displaying art work created by local artists to cement your business’s place in the community.
The absolute minimum in terms of equipment you will need are a dough proofer, an oven, a refrigerator, and a point-of-sale system. [19] X Research source Depending on the size of your business and your anticipated growth, you may need multiple dough proofers, ovens, and refrigerators.
You may need a small business license, or a special bakery-specific permit. Check with your local SBA office or your municipal offices to determine what paperwork you will need to run your donut shop. Some cities have a Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs, or a similar governing agency. Others may simply require you to go through your local town hall. Check online to see what permits/licenses you’ll need to operate in your region. [20] X Research source You can typically apply for a license online or in person at your local office.
employee hygiene time and temperature procedures for food preparation acquiring food from approved sources/vendors proper disposal of wastes keeping rodents, insects, and other animals out of the building proper storage, labeling, and presentation of food clean utensils, preparation surfaces, and equipment all necessary permits acquired and visible[21] X Research source
If you do decide to hire a staff (or even just one or two other employees), communicate to every applicant what your vision for the donut shop is. Make sure that the employees you hire can share your vision and put your business’s best interests at the forefront. Don’t just hire the first person who walks in the door. Examine each applicant’s resume for qualifications (such as previous baking, restaurant, or customer service experience) and check the references of any qualifying candidates either before or after you arrange an interview. Hire the person or people you can trust the most with both your money and your business.
creating social media pages for your business (and using social media to advertise specials, keep in touch with customers, etc. ) buying ads on social media printing and distributing fliers in your area participating in some type of charity events
Listen to your customers’ feedback, both in person and on social media. Change any operational issues that people find troublesome, and consider asking them for suggestions from time to time. Taking special requests (either in rotation or as a flavor of the week) will keep those and other new customers coming back for more. [25] X Research source
