Table of Content

    Do you want to start grocery store business plan?

    If you are planning to start a gourmet food store business, you can rest assured that it is a wise decision on your part. Starting this business is not only easy but also profitable as well. However, to make this venture a success, you must first have to prepare a comprehensive gourmet food store business plan.

    The gourmet food store business plan will provide you a roadmap to follow and will also guide you through all your major decisions. To help you do this, we are providing the business plan of gourmet food startup named Foody Stop.

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    Executive Summary

    If you are looking to make a business plan for a grocery store, this executive summary sample for food business as well as the business plan that follows can help you a lot.

    2.1 The Business

    Located in the serene environment of 11th Avenue, Boston, Foody Stop will be a one-stop service for all the food-related needs of our customers. Our location is almost ideal for starting a specialty food store. As a bonded and licensed food store business, we will provide high-quality food products to our customers.

    The business will be owned by Keith Jim who has been associated with the food and gourmet food store business plans for the last 10 years. Owing to his extensive experience, Jim knows everything about how to start a specialty food store and make it successful.

    2.2 Management

    The business will be managed by Jim, who will be helped a group of dedicated workers. The store will function 24/7 and will be run by three shifts of workers. All employees will be recruited on merit and will be trained for one month before they start working.

    2.3 Customers

    Food Stop will provide an assortment of services to the residential community as well as working class people and visitors. The diversity of our offerings will be our major competitive advantages. From meat products to canned foods, dairy products to baking goods, we will provide almost all food products that our customers might need.

    2.4 Target of the Company

    Our business targets are as follows:

    • To become the best food store in Boston by next three years
    • To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the first year, $15k by the second year, and $25k by the third year
    • To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits within six months
    • To start two more stores by the end of our second years

    3 Years Profit Forecast - gourmet food store business plan

    Company Summary

    3.1 Company Owner

    Foody Stop will be owned by Keith Jim, who is an MBA from Harvard. Jim has served in the food and retail industry for the last 10 years in an assortment of positions. Known for his sharp business acumen and incredible management skills, Jim has both the experience and the knowledge needed for starting a gourmet food store.

    3.2 Why the Business is being started

    The business will serve as a gateway to Jim for making it big in the food retail industry. Foody Stop is being started not only for profit generation but also for providing best-in-class services to customers.

    3.3 How the Business will be started

    Located in the serene environment of 11th Avenue, Boston, Foody Stop will be a one-stop service. A newly constructed shop spanning an area of 750 square feet will be acquired on lease for the business. Jim will seek the services of a local contracting firm for all the woodwork and furniture of the shop. The shop will function 24/7 and will be operated by workers in three shifts. The startup costs in accordance with the gourmet food store business plan  as forecasted by the financial experts are as follows:

    Startup Cost - gourmet food store business plan

    The detailed startup requirements, as forecasted by experts, is given below:

    Start-up Expenses  
    Legal $55,300
    Consultants $0
    Insurance $32,750
    Rent $32,500
    Research and Development $32,750
    Expensed Equipment $32,750
    Signs $1,250
    TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES $187,300
    Start-up Assets $0
    Cash Required $332,500
    Start-up Inventory $32,625
    Other Current Assets $232,500
    Long-term Assets $235,000
    TOTAL ASSETS $121,875
    Total Requirements $245,000
    START-UP FUNDING $0
    START-UP FUNDING $273,125
    Start-up Expenses to Fund $11,875
    Start-up Assets to Fund $15,000
    TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED $0
    Assets $23,125
    Non-cash Assets from Start-up $18,750
    Cash Requirements from Start-up $0
    Additional Cash Raised $18,750
    Cash Balance on Starting Date $21,875
    TOTAL ASSETS $0
    Liabilities and Capital $0
    Liabilities $0
    Current Borrowing $0
    Long-term Liabilities $0
    Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills) $0
    Other Current Liabilities (interest-free) $0
    TOTAL LIABILITIES $0
    Capital $0
    Planned Investment $0
    Investor 1 $332,500
    Investor 2 $0
    Other $0
    Additional Investment Requirement $0
    TOTAL PLANNED INVESTMENT $695,000
    Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses) $313,125
    TOTAL CAPITAL $251,875
    TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES $251,875
    Total Funding $255,000

    Services

    Food Stop will provide an assortment of services, as highlighted by our mini grocery store business plan. The diversity of our offerings will be our major competitive advantages over other gourmet food stores in the area. From meat products to canned foods, dairy products to baking goods, we will provide everything that our customers might need.

    Listing your offerings and services in a general store business plan  guides your other major decisions that’s why it must be done before you think about   how to open a gourmet food store . According to Jim’s mini market business plan, Foody Stop will provide the following products and offerings:

    • Meat and produce: poultry, beef, lunch meat, pork, fruits, vegetables, and more.
    • Baking goods and bakery products: sandwich loaves, tortillas, bagels, dinner rolls, cereals, pasta, mixes, flour, sugar, and more.
    • Frozen foods and beverages: waffles, vegetables, individual meals, ice cream, coffee, tea, juice, soda, drinks, and more.
    • Dairy products and canned goods: cheese, eggs, milk, yogurt, butter, vegetables, spaghetti sauce, ketchup, and more.

    We will offer food products of both local and international brands. We will make sure to keep our products like meat and vegetables as fresh as possible. Our food products will meet all standards set by food authorities. Also, we will provide our offerings in standard packaging sizes.

    Marketing Analysis of Grocery Business

    The most important component of an effective mini grocery store business plan  is its accurate marketing analysis that’s why Jim acquired the services of marketing experts to help him through this phase. It is only after this stage that a good food stall business plan  could have been developed. After identifying the local market trends in Boston, the marketing experts also guided him to select the best location for his food store. Marketing analysis is a must-do thing before you even think about how to start a gourmet food business.

    5.1 Market Trends

    The gourmet food industry has been constantly expanding in the US for the last several decades. According to 2016 figures, the US convenience store industry stood at $680 billion. Out of this astronomical figure, around 21.4% of the amount was generated by the sale of food products. Moreover, analysts have predicted a constant growth of this sector for many decades to come. Considering these trends, it is evident that the grocery food business is an immensely profitable niche.

    5.2 Marketing Segmentation

    In order to make an effective food retail business plan, it is crucial to analyze the market segmentation of your potential customers. Our marketing analysts have identified the following type of target audience which can become our future consumers:

    Marketing Segmentation - gourmet food store business plan

    The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience, as per our food market business plan, is as follows:

    5.2.1 Local Residents: The community residing near our food store will be the primary customer group of our business. We will devise special plans to target this potential group as we expect a lot of sales to happen through them.

    5.2.2 Working Class: Our second category of customers include those people whose busy routine makes them rely on packed foods. Our ready-made, packed foods will be a feasible option for the working-class people to have lunch without missing on their important work.

    5.2.3 Passers-by: The third group includes those people who are in the area for some specific purpose. Our food store will provide a perfect spot for them to rest for a while and grab a drink or something.

    The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

    Market Analysis
    Potential Customers Growth Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 CAGR
    Working Class 32% 11,433 13,344 16,553 18,745 20,545 13.43%
    Local Residents 48% 22,334 32,344 43,665 52,544 66,432 10.00%
    Passers-by 20% 12,867 14,433 15,999 17,565 19,131 15.32%
    Total 100% 46,634 60,121 76,217 88,854 106,108 9.54%

    5.3 Business Target

    We aim to become the best gourmet food store in Boston within the next three years of our startup. This could be achieved by providing high-quality products and winning the trust of our customers. Our primary business targets could be summed up as follows:

    • To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
    • To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits within six months
    • To start two more stores by the end of our second years

    5.4 Product Pricing

    After considering the current market prices offered by our competitors, we have priced all our products in similar ranges as of them. We have to attract customers while yielding a profit at the same time that’s why we can’t afford to lower our prices at the moment, especially when we will offer incredibly high-quality food products.

    Strategy

    Like the marketing plan for a grocery store, sales strategy is also an important component of your gourmet food store business plan. After you have identified the market trends, market demand, and potential customers of the gourmet business, you will next have to plan a creative sales strategy to attract your target audience toward you and convert them into loyal customers.

    After carrying out extensive research about successful advertising strategies that are being used by other similar business, Jim came up with brilliant ideas to attract customers and generate sales. Our sales strategy, as highlighted by our produce store business plan  is as follows:

    6.1 Competitive Analysis

    Before finalizing your sales strategy, it is crucial for you to find out your competitive advantage over other similar businesses and make them a part of your business plan on supermarket . Considering the current market situation, Foody Stop will face really tough competition. However, we will soon emerge as a leading food store due to our numerous competitive advantages.

    We will be open 24/7 and provide diverse offerings as a one-stop service provider. We will ensure that our goods meet all quality standards and are always available in a fresh state. Moreover, we will exceptional customer service to turn our visitors into loyal customers.

    6.2 Sales Strategy

    Following are some of the brilliant ideas by which we will advertise ourselves and generate sales.

    • We will conduct a large-scale Facebook and Instagram marketing campaign for our advertisement.
    • We will offer gifts and discounts on all our products for the entire first month to encourage sales.
    • We will issue referral cards to our loyal customers and offer special discounts on customer referrals.

    6.3 Sales Forecast

    Considering our sales strategy and the current market demand for our business, our sales pattern is expected to increase with years. By analyzing our market segmentation strategy for the business, our forecasted sales on a yearly basis are summarized in the following column charts.

    Unit Sales - gourmet food store business plan

    The detailed information about sales forecast, total unit sales, total sales is given in the following table.

    Sales Forecast      
    Unit Sales Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Meat and produce 1,887,030 2,680,320 2,588,240
    Baking goods and bakery products 802,370 815,430 823,540
    Frozen Foods and beverages 539,320 770230 1,002,310
    Dairy products and canned goods 265,450 322,390 393,320
    TOTAL UNIT SALES 3,494,170 4,588,370 4,807,410
    Unit Prices Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Meat and produce $140.00 $150.00 $160.00
    Baking goods and bakery products $600.00 $800.00 $1,000.00
    Frozen Foods and beverages $700.00 $800.00 $900.00
    Dairy products and canned goods $650.00 $750.00 $850.00
    Sales
    Meat and produce $2,149,800 $2,784,000 $3,383,200
    Baking goods and bakery products $120,050 $194,500 $268,500
    Frozen Foods and beverages $50,110 $71,600 $93,000
    Dairy products and canned goods $139,350 $194,600 $249,850
    TOTAL SALES
    Direct Unit Costs Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Meat and produce $0.70 $0.80 $0.90
    Baking goods and bakery products $0.40 $0.45 $0.50
    Frozen Foods and beverages $0.30 $0.35 $0.40
    Dairy products and canned goods $3.00 $3.50 $4.00
    Direct Cost of Sales
    Meat and produce $989,300 $1,839,000 $2,679,700
    Baking goods and bakery products $66,600 $119,900 $173,200
    Frozen Foods and beverages $17,900 $35,000 $52,100
    Dairy products and canned goods $19,400 $67,600 $115,800
    Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $1,294,100 $1,699,400 $2,104,700

    6.4 Sales Monthly

    Sales Monthly - gourmet food store business plan

    6.5 Sales Yearly

    Sales Yearly - gourmet food store business plan

    Personnel plan

    Before starting a gourmet food store business plan, it is essential to estimate the number and type of employees required. Our personnel plan, as developed with the help of HR experts is as follows:

    7.1 Company Staff

    Jim will act as the General Manager of the company and will hire the following people:

    • 1 Store Manager for managing the store operations
    • 2 Administrators/ Accountants for maintaining financial records
    • 2 Sales Executives for marketing purposes
    • 10 Employees for running the store
    • 2 Inventory Manager for managing the merchandise
    • 1 Supply Chain Manager for purchasing food products
    • 3 Drivers for transporting products from storage to store
    • 2 Cleaners for keeping the store clean
    • 1 Front Desk Officer for providing information to customers
    • 2 Security Officers

    7.2 Average Salary of Employees

    The forecasted data about employees’ salaries for the next three years is given in the following table.

     Personnel Plan      
    Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Store Manager $85,000 $95,000 $105,000
    Administrators / Accountants $45,000 $52,000 $59,000
    Sales Executives $85,000 $92,000 $109,000
    Employees $410,000 $440,000 $480,000
    Inventory Managers $66,000 $73,000 $80,000
    Supply Chain Manager $35,000 $42,000 $59,000
    Drivers $60,000 $63,300 $70,000
    Cleaners $63,300 $70,000 $76,700
    Front Desk Officer $20,000 $23,300 $30,000
    Security Officers $40,000 $45,000 $52,000
    Total Salaries $784,300 $855,600 $963,700

    Financial Plan

    A financial plan is the final component of your grocery store business plan. It addresses all the costs and expenses which will be required for the startup. From the cost of inventory to your rent, from the overhead expenses to the cost of bills, it will address each and every financial component of your departmental store business plan. The financial plan of Foody Stop is as follows:

    8.1 Important Assumptions

     General Assumptions      
    Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Plan Month 1 2 3
    Current Interest Rate 10.00% 11.00% 12.00%
    Long-term Interest Rate 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
    Tax Rate 26.42% 27.76% 28.12%
    Other 0 0 0

     8.2 Brake-even Analysis

    Brake-even Analysis - gourmet food store business plan

     Brake-Even Analysis  
    Monthly Units Break-even 5530
    Monthly Revenue Break-even $159,740
    Assumptions:
    Average Per-Unit Revenue $260.87
    Average Per-Unit Variable Cost $0.89
    Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost $196,410

     8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

     Pro Forma Profit And Loss      
    Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Sales $309,069 $385,934 $462,799
    Direct Cost of Sales $15,100 $19,153 $23,206
    Other $0 $0 $0
    TOTAL COST OF SALES $15,100 $19,153 $23,206
    Gross Margin $293,969 $366,781 $439,593
    Gross Margin % 94.98% 94.72% 94.46%
    Expenses
    Payroll $138,036 $162,898 $187,760
    Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses $1,850 $2,000 $2,150
    Depreciation $2,070 $2,070 $2,070
    Leased Equipment $0 $0 $0
    Utilities $4,000 $4,250 $4,500
    Insurance $1,800 $1,800 $1,800
    Rent $6,500 $7,000 $7,500
    Payroll Taxes $34,510 $40,726 $46,942
    Other $0 $0 $0
    Total Operating Expenses $188,766 $220,744 $252,722
    Profit Before Interest and Taxes $105,205 $146,040 $186,875
    EBITDA $107,275 $148,110 $188,945
    Interest Expense $0 $0 $0
    Taxes Incurred $26,838 $37,315 $47,792
    Net Profit $78,367 $108,725 $139,083
    Net Profit/Sales 30.00% 39.32% 48.64%

    8.3.1 Profit Monthly

    Profit Monthly - gourmet food store business plan

    8.3.2 Profit Yearly

    Profit Yearly - gourmet food store business plan

    8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

    Gross Margin Monthly - gourmet food store business plan

    8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

    Gross Margin Yearly - gourmet food store business plan

    8.4 Projected Cash Flow

    Projected Cash Flow - gourmet food store business plan

     Pro Forma Cash Flow      
    Cash Received Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Cash from Operations
    Cash Sales $40,124 $45,046 $50,068
    Cash from Receivables $7,023 $8,610 $9,297
    SUBTOTAL CASH FROM OPERATIONS $47,143 $53,651 $59,359
    Additional Cash Received
    Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received $0 $0 $0
    New Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0
    New Other Liabilities (interest-free) $0 $0 $0
    New Long-term Liabilities $0 $0 $0
    Sales of Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0
    Sales of Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0
    New Investment Received $0 $0 $0
    SUBTOTAL CASH RECEIVED $47,143 $53,651 $55,359
    Expenditures Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Expenditures from Operations
    Cash Spending $21,647 $24,204 $26,951
    Bill Payments $13,539 $15,385 $170,631
    SUBTOTAL SPENT ON OPERATIONS $35,296 $39,549 $43,582
    Additional Cash Spent
    Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Paid Out $0 $0 $0
    Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0
    Other Liabilities Principal Repayment $0 $0 $0
    Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment $0 $0 $0
    Purchase Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0
    Purchase Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0
    Dividends $0 $0 $0
    SUBTOTAL CASH SPENT $35,296 $35,489 $43,882
    Net Cash Flow $11,551 $13,167 $15,683
    Cash Balance $21,823 $22,381 $28,239

    8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

     Pro Forma Balance Sheet      
    Assets Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Current Assets
    Cash $184,666 $218,525 $252,384
    Accounts Receivable $12,613 $14,493 $16,373
    Inventory $2,980 $3,450 $3,920
    Other Current Assets $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS $201,259 $237,468 $273,677
    Long-term Assets
    Long-term Assets $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
    Accumulated Depreciation $12,420 $14,490 $16,560
    TOTAL LONG-TERM ASSETS $980 $610 $240
    TOTAL ASSETS $198,839 $232,978 $267,117
    Liabilities and Capital Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Current Liabilities
    Accounts Payable $9,482 $10,792 $12,102
    Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0
    Other Current Liabilities $0 $0 $0
    SUBTOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES $9,482 $10,792 $12,102
    Long-term Liabilities $0 $0 $0
    TOTAL LIABILITIES $9,482 $10,792 $12,102
    Paid-in Capital $30,000 $30,000 $30,000
    Retained Earnings $48,651 $72,636 $96,621
    Earnings $100,709 $119,555 $138,401
    TOTAL CAPITAL $189,360 $222,190 $255,020
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL $198,839 $232,978 $267,117
    Net Worth $182,060 $226,240 $270,420

     8.6 Business Ratios

     Ratio Analysis        
    Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Industry Profile
    Sales Growth 4.35% 30.82% 63.29% 4.00%
    Percent of Total Assets 4.35% 4.71% 5.80%  9.80%
    Accounts Receivable 5.61% 4.71% 3.81% 9.70%
    Inventory 1.85% 1.82% 1.79% 9.80%
    Other Current Assets 1.75% 2.02% 2.29% 27.40%
    Total Current Assets 138.53% 150.99% 163.45% 54.60%
    Long-term Assets -9.47% -21.01% -32.55% 58.40%
    TOTAL ASSETS 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
    Current Liabilities 4.68% 3.04% 2.76% 27.30%
    Long-term Liabilities 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 25.80%
    Total Liabilities 4.68% 3.04% 2.76% 54.10%
    NET WORTH 99.32% 101.04% 102.76% 44.90%
    Percent of Sales
    Sales 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
    Gross Margin 94.18% 93.85% 93.52% 0.00%
    Selling, General & Administrative Expenses 74.29% 71.83% 69.37% 65.20%
    Advertising Expenses 2.06% 1.11% 0.28% 1.40%
    Profit Before Interest and Taxes 26.47% 29.30% 32.13% 2.86%
    Main Ratios
    Current 25.86 29.39 32.92 1.63
    Quick 25.4 28.88 32.36 0.84
    Total Debt to Total Assets 2.68% 1.04% 0.76% 67.10%
    Pre-tax Return on Net Worth 66.83% 71.26% 75.69% 4.40%
    Pre-tax Return on Assets 64.88% 69.75% 74.62% 9.00%
    Additional Ratios Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
    Net Profit Margin 19.20% 21.16% 23.12% N.A.
    Return on Equity 47.79% 50.53% 53.27% N.A.
    Activity Ratios
    Accounts Receivable Turnover 4.56 4.56 4.56 N.A.
    Collection Days 92 99 106 N.A.
    Inventory Turnover 19.7 22.55 25.4 N.A.
    Accounts Payable Turnover 14.17 14.67 15.17 N.A.
    Payment Days 27 27 27 N.A.
    Total Asset Turnover 1.84 1.55 1.26 N.A.
    Debt Ratios
    Debt to Net Worth 0 -0.02 -0.04 N.A.
    Current Liab. to Liab. 1 1 1 N.A.
    Liquidity Ratios
    Net Working Capital $120,943 $140,664 $160,385 N.A.
    Interest Coverage 0 0 0 N.A.
    Additional Ratios
    Assets to Sales 0.45 0.48 0.51 N.A.
    Current Debt/Total Assets 4% 3% 2% N.A.
    Acid Test 23.66 27.01 30.36 N.A.
    Sales/Net Worth 1.68 1.29 0.9 N.A.
    Dividend Payout 0 0 0 N.A.

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