Kiosk or trailer catering business plan

This is a draft business plan which could be used for a small business proposal such as a catering trailer or snack bar. It's a tried and tested business plan for a small catering business and suitable when only modest funds are required to start the business. Each section can be adapted to your own business plan needs. The headings included here are suitable for inclusion in a business plan document for a catering trailer, kiosk or small shop. There is a short explanation at the end of each section. You may also find this information useful if you are starting a catering business from home. Any business plan, no matter how basic, should include an executive summary, business proposal, financial information and your marketing plan.

This business plan could be used as a support document in the tender process, for example if you are tendering for a kiosk or small shop. Your business adviser may also wish to see some support documentation to show your commitment to your business proposal. Other things that you may add to your business plan could include a menu, food costings, supplier names and a cash flow forecast and profit and loss forecast.

If you are starting a catering business you will need to have a HACCP policy in place, not matter how small your operation is. If you need a HACCP document see our HACCP lens which is a working HACCP document, which can be adapted to suit a variety of catering operations including outside caterers, hotels, restaurants and snack bars.

YOUR Coffee shop will be a kiosk operation selling hot and cold beverages and a selection of snacks. It is located in a high footfall location with high visibility from street level. The business has a low break-even point and low start-up costs.

[This is where you define the key points of the business in one or two sentences]

USP, unique selling proposition, this is the make or break of your business. It is what your business stands for.

The Entrepreneur.com defines a USP as follows:

The factor or consideration presented by a seller as the reason that one product or service is different from and better than that of the competition.

Businesses often try to be good at everything. The problem with that is that it often leads to being good at nothing. Defining a single area of advantage that sets your business apart from the rest is the key to gaining customers.

Starbucks is a relevant example. What are Starbucks renowned for? Quality coffee beverages. That is what they do, that is what makes them stand out from the crowd. They grew from a single coffee shop in Washington to a multi national. They did that by having a USP. Suppose they had also tried to be known for cheap prices as well. Would it have worked? Would quality have suffered to compete on price? "Great coffee, and it's cheap" or "great coffee"? I know what Starbucks is

What is the business

Kiosk premises or shop or trailer specifications

The sale of food and beverages

Rent: How much per week or month

Open from March to October or all year

Legal status of the business (partnership, sole trader, LTD company)

[Here we want to know the key trading information about the business]

The premises are currently vacant. There is no premium for the lease. The annual rent will be £3,500, with no rent reviews for the three year term. The lease is to be excluded from the Landlord and Tenant Act. (This means that at the end of the lease, there is no right to stay in the property. It is very detrimental to a business and should be thoroughly checked out if this is in a UK commercial lease)

The landlord (please state) has provided a water supply and sink. There will also be a "licence to occupy" an external area, at the back of the kiosk, allowing a seating area with 5 tables.

[These are the important factors relating to this particular proposal]

Before the business starts trading

Erection of 5 picnic benches at rear of kiosk

Lay suitable linoleum flooring

Fit trade counter and all other equipment as per equipment spec Table and chairs for inside

External signage and menu boards

[Do we need to modify the premises prior to start up. We need to know this as this will be a a key factor to consider in a low cost start up]

Operations

Opening Hours and Personnel

The business owner, Mr Your name, will also be in full time employment with another employer. The kiosk will be staff run with a suitable manager appointed when the shop is up and running.

It is anticipated that the kiosk will employ a total of 3 staff, with either 1 or 2 on duty, subject to demand. The kiosk will open from 9.45am until 5.00pm every day. Initial shifts will be:

9.15am to 2.00pm and 11.30am to 5.30pm

77.25 hours per week at (calculation needs to include the pay rate, plus employers cost, plus holiday pay

Menu

Sample Menu (to be included)

The kiosk will sell hot and cold beverages, soft ice cream and branded "wrapped" ice cream products. There will be sandwiches and snacks on display inside the shop.

Customers will have the choice of disposable packaging and cups or porcelain where appropriate, if they are using the seating area.

Business Activities

The core business will be the sale of ice cream and soft drinks to those waiting to ride on the Victoria Tram. There will be a seating area inside and to the rear of the kiosk for those customers wishing to have a more substantial meal.

The premises are highly visible from the adjacent roads (Old Road and Church Walks) with potential to attract custom from those who are not wishing to ride the tram.

The business will also seek to expand outside catering activities, especially during the winter when the Tram Station is closed.

Objectives

To provide a fast service operation selling quality, branded products.

Develop a customer base of non-tramway visitors.

Promote outside catering service.

Each tramway customer visits the station twice, once on the way up and once on the way down. A key objective will be to entice these returning passengers into the shop.

[Here we establish the key features of the business operations which will centre around the menu, staffing and opening hours and what our objectives are]

Price Product Promotion Place

Customers

Visitors using the Station

Passing trade from those using Church Walks

Residents of nearby hotels

Market Trends

Increase number of daycations

150,000 visitors to tramway each year

2010 was tramways most successful year

40% of day trippers purchase an ice cream

Promotion

The kiosk will be promoted via the outside catering website

Voucher given to customers for discount "lunch" to encourage sales to those coming back down

The shop signage is highly visible at street level

Word of mouth

Sandwich board

Table menus

Price

Pricing will be in line with local pricing at similar outlets

Price levels will be set to maintain a 65% gross profit

Place

The kiosk is in a high footfall location with potential to attract custom from passers by

Church Walks is used by tourists to access the pier and promenade

Product

Good customer service

Local products and branded items

Use of eco-friendly packaging

[This section defines our possible customers. We then use the marketing mix of PRICE, PRODUCT, PLACE and PROMOTION to help define our marketing strategy]

Finance

The business will be funded by owners capital of (capital available)

The business requires a loan of (bank funding required)

[Include here details of any guarantor or person who is funding the business and on what terms]