take away business plan example

Fast Food Business Plan Template

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their fast foods.

Below are links to each section of your fast food business plan template:

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Fast Food Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my fast food business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Fast Food Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan.

Where Can I Download a Fast Food Business Plan PDF?

You can download our fast food restaurant business plan pdf here.  This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

What Is a Fast Food Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your fast food restaurant as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why Do You Need a Business Plan for a Fast Food Restaurant?

If you’re looking to start a fast food restaurant or grow your existing one you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your fast food restaurant in order to improve your chances of success. Your fast food business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your business grows and changes.

What Are the Sources of Funding for a Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan?

Fast Food restaurants are usually funded through small business loans, personal savings, credit card financing and/or angel investors.

This is true for a traditional fast food restaurant, a quick service restaurant and a takeout restaurant business plan.

FAST FOOD BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

• Fast Food Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan
• 10. Appendix
• Fast Food Business Plan Summary

Start Your Fast Food Plan Here

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Fast Food Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

• Fast Food Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan & Template

You’ve come to the right place to create your fast food business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their fast food businesses.

Fast Food Business Plan Example

Below are links to each section of a fast food restaurant business plan sample:

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Fast Food Business Plan FAQs

What is a fast food business plan.

A fast food business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your fast food restaurant. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your fast food business plan using our Fast Food Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Fast Food Businesses?

There are many types of fast food businesses. The most common fast food restaurants serve hamburgers, fries, and soft drinks. Other common fast food establishments serve chicken, Chinese food, Mexican food, and pizza. There is a recent trend in fast food restaurants serving healthier options such as smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and salads. A fast food restaurant can be centered around any food genre that is able to be prepared fast and in large quantities to serve multiple customers daily.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Expenses for a Fast Food Restaurant?

The primary source of revenue for a fast food restaurant are the food and drink items sold at the establishment.

The key expenses are the costs to source the ingredients for the menu items, kitchen equipment and supplies, overhead expenses for the staff and rent, and any marketing costs the restaurant chooses to partake in.

What is the Difference Between a Franchise and Non-Franchise Fast Food Restaurant?

A franchise fast food restaurant is a business that is owned and operated by someone who has a contract with a larger company. That company provides the products, training, and marketing for the smaller business. A non-franchise fast food restaurant is a business that is independently owned and operated.

Franchise fast-food restaurants have a set of guidelines and standards to which they must adhere in order to use the franchise name. Non-franchise fast food restaurants do not have these guidelines and can vary greatly in terms of quality, cleanliness, and customer service.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Fast Food Business?

Fast food businesses are most likely to receive funding from banks. Typically you will find a local bank and present your business plan to them. Another option for a fast food business is to obtain a small business loan. SBA loans are a popular option as they offer longer loan terms with lower interest rates. Outside investors, crowdfunding, and/or friends or family are other typical funding options. This is true for a fast casual restaurant business plan or a takeout restaurant business plan.

What are the Steps To Start a Fast Food Business?

Starting a fast food restaurant can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a successful fast food business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Write A Fast Food Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed fast food business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include market research on the fast food industry and potential target market size, information on your fast food menu, marketing strategy, pricing strategy and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your fast food business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your fast food business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Fast Food Restaurant   - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your fast food business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your fast food business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Fast Food Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your fast food business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your fast food business. Marketing efforts includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising to reach your target audience.

Where Can I Get a Fast Food Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free fast food business plan template PDF here. This is a sample fast food business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan Sample

• Updated on 17 June 2024

Dominik Bartoszek

Starting a fast food restaurant can be incredibly lucrative but requires a well-designed business plan. A business plan acts as a guide that outlines the crucial steps needed to ensure the success of your fast food establishment. In this article, we will delve into the process of creating a comprehensive business plan specifically tailored for a fast food restaurant.

We will present sample business plan sections and provide templates highlighting the key elements in this document. From the initial concept development to conducting market and competition analysis and devising a robust financial plan, this article will provide you with a solid foundation to construct a business plan for your future fast food restaurant or enhance an existing one.

What is a Fast Food Business Plan?

A fast food restaurant business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the intended activities, objectives, and strategies for a new or existing fast food establishment. It serves as a roadmap for effectively establishing and operating a fast food restaurant.

How to Write a Fast Food Business Plan (Step-by-Step)?

Step 1: gather important information.

Before you start writing your fast food business plan, gather answers to the following crucial questions. This will provide you with a solid foundation for your plan:

• What is your target market for the fast food restaurant?
• What is your unique selling proposition (USP) that sets your fast food restaurant apart?
• What pricing strategies will you implement for your menu items?
• Who are your competitors in the fast food industry?
• What are the startup costs and ongoing expenses for your fast food restaurant?
• How will you market and promote your fast food offerings?
• What are your projected revenues and profitability for the fast food restaurant?
• What are your long-term growth plans for your fast food business?

Step 2: Evaluate Your Business Model

If your fast food restaurant adopts an innovative or unique restaurant business model , it’s advisable to evaluate its potential for success before writing your business plan. You can use tools like the Business Model Canvas to analyze and refine your business model. However, suppose your fast food restaurant follows a traditional model already existing in the market, such as a quick-service restaurant or a specialized cuisine eatery. In that case, you can move on to the next step and start writing your fast food business plan.

Step 3: Utilize a Fast Food Business Plan Template

Create your fast food business plan using a pre-designed template that includes the essential sections. This template will help structure your plan effectively. Make sure your plan includes the following key components:

• Executive Summary for Restaurant : Provide an overview of your fast food restaurant and its objectives.
• Business Description : Describe your fast food offerings, target market, and competitive advantages.
• Market Analysis : Conduct a thorough analysis of the fast food industry, including market trends, customer preferences, and competitor analysis.
• Marketing and Sales Strategy : Outline your marketing strategy and sales initiatives to attract customers and promote your fast food restaurant.
• Operations Plan : Detail the operational aspects of your business, including location, menu design, staffing, and supply chain management.
• Financial Plan : Present your financial projections, including startup costs, revenue forecasts, and profitability analysis.
• Fast Food   Management and Organization : Describe the organizational structure of your fast food restaurant, key team members, and their roles.
• Risk Assessment : Identify potential risks and challenges affecting your fast food business and propose mitigation strategies.

Step 4: Regularly Review and Update Your Plan

A fast food business plan is a dynamic document that should be reviewed and updated regularly. In the initial months of operating your fast food restaurant, check and update your plan frequently to reflect any changes, refine calculations, and adjust assumptions. Once your business reaches a stable point and achieves profitability, revisit your plan at least once a year to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with your long-term objectives.

• Be concise and specific : Write your fast food business plan clearly and concisely, focusing on the essential details and key points.
• Utilize numbers : Incorporate accurate calculations and financial projections in your plan. Use realistic and well-supported data to back up your economic forecasts.
• Consider worst-case scenarios : Anticipate potential challenges and risks your fast food restaurant may face. Develop contingency plans to address these situations effectively.
• Regularly review and update : Keep your fast food business plan dynamic by reviewing and updating it regularly, especially in the early stages of your business. Adjust your plan to reflect changes in the market, industry trends, and internal factors.
• Engage your team : Involve your team in discussing and developing your fast food business plan. Their input and insights can contribute to a more comprehensive and effective plan. Consider implementing profit-sharing initiatives to foster commitment and motivation.
• Recognize long-term nature : A fast food business plan is a multi-year document. It should be revisited and updated periodically to ensure it remains relevant, aligned with your goals, and adaptable to the evolving needs of your business.

Following these steps and guidelines, you can develop a comprehensive fast food business plan that sets the foundation for your success in the industry.

Importance of Writing a Food Restaurant Business Plan

Writing a fast food business plan is significant in establishing and operating a successful restaurant. Here are several reasons why creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial:

• Turning Ideas into Action : A business plan helps transform your restaurant idea from a mere concept into a tangible and actionable plan. It provides a structured framework to articulate your vision and define the steps required to bring it to life.
• Working on the Company : Developing a business plan allows you to work on the strategic aspects of your restaurant business. Rather than solely focusing on day-to-day operations, you can dedicate time to designing and improving your business.
• Validating Assumptions : A restaurant business plan is a benchmark against which you can evaluate your assumptions. Over time, you can review the plan to assess the accuracy of your projections and understand the growth and progress of your restaurant.
• Translating Vision into Action : Writing a business plan enables you to solve your restaurant vision into a concrete project and an actionable roadmap. It helps you outline specific goals, strategies, and timelines for success.
• Evaluating Viability and Refinement : Through a business plan, you can assess the feasibility and viability of your business idea. It prompts you to analyze potential challenges and areas that require refinement, allowing you to make necessary adjustments to increase the likelihood of success.
• Risk Assessment : Creating a restaurant business plan allows you to evaluate the risks associated with your venture. You can mitigate risks and make informed decisions by identifying potential obstacles and developing contingency plans.
• Encouraging Specificity : Writing a business plan forces you to be specific and detailed in your approach. It compels you to address critical questions and gaps in your knowledge, minimizing the chances of overlooking crucial aspects of your business.
• Existing Restaurant Improvement : Even if you already operate a restaurant, it is essential to have a business plan. It allows you to reassess your current operations, identify areas for improvement, and set new goals for growth and success.

A business plan serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the various stages of your restaurant business journey. It helps you remain focused, adaptable, and prepared for challenges while increasing your chances of achieving long-term success.

Executive Summary

The executive summary provides a concise overview of your fast food restaurant business plan, highlighting the following key elements:

• Mission statement, vision, and values : Clearly define the purpose and values that drive your fast food restaurant.
• Restaurant concept and unique selling points : Describe your fast food concept and what sets it apart from competitors, whether it’s a specific cuisine, innovative menu items, or a unique dining experience.
• Success factors : Explain why your fast food restaurant is positioned for success, considering market demand, consumer trends, and your ability to meet customer preferences.
• Implementation plan : Provide a high-level outline of the strategic steps required to establish and operate your fast food restaurant, including location selection, staffing, menu development, and marketing strategies.
• Financial projections : Discuss the anticipated costs, revenue projections, and potential return on investment for your fast food restaurant.

The executive summary serves as a compelling introduction to fast food restaurant business plans, capturing the essence of your concept and enticing readers to delve further into the detailed sections that follow.

Description of the Fast Food Restaurant

In this section, provide a concise yet informative overview of your new fast food restaurant, highlighting its essential elements:

• Mission statement and vision : Clearly state the purpose and goals of your fast food restaurant, focusing on providing quick and delicious meals to customers.
• Structure : Specify the legal structure and organizational setup of your business, such as whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
• Restaurant concept : Define the type of fast food restaurant you’re establishing, including its name, style, and overall ambiance. Highlight any specific themes or branding elements.
• Location : Describe the chosen or potential location for your fast food restaurant, emphasizing its advantages, such as high foot traffic, proximity to target customers, or accessibility.
• Menu : Outline the cuisine type and variety of your fast food offerings. Showcase sample menu items that represent the range and uniqueness of your menu.
• Unique Selling Points (USPs) : Highlight the distinctive features that differentiate your fast food restaurant from competitors. This could include signature dishes, customizable options, individual flavor profiles, sustainable sourcing, or a focus on healthier fast food alternatives.

Presenting these essential details, you create a compelling and succinct description that attracts stakeholders and captures the essence of your fast food restaurant concept.

Market Research and Competition Analysis

Market overview.

Thorough market research is essential to understanding the fast food industry and your target market. Focus on the following aspects:

• Target Group : Define your ideal customer profile based on demographic factors such as age, interests, preferences, and dining habits. Understand their decision-making factors and how your fast food restaurant can cater to their needs effectively.
• Market Needs : Identify the specific needs and demands in the fast food market that your restaurant aims to fulfill. Highlight how your concept and offerings align with those needs, providing a unique value proposition to customers.
• Target Audience Size : Estimate the potential customer base within your geographic area to gauge the market size and growth opportunities for your fast food restaurant.
• Market Trends : Stay updated on the latest industry trends, including consumer preferences, technological advancements, and shifts in dining habits. Adapt and capitalize on emerging market opportunities to stay ahead of the competition.

Competition Analysis

Thoroughly analyze your competition to gain insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. Consider the following:

• List of Competitors : Identify direct and indirect competitors in your area, categorizing them based on their fast food offerings, target market, pricing, and positioning.
• Revenue and Order Volume : Estimate the revenue potential and order volume of competing fast food restaurants to gauge their market share and profitability.
• Menu and Pricing : Evaluate competitors’ menus and pricing strategies, considering variety, ingredient quality, portion sizes, and pricing structures. Assess their food costs to understand their profitability and pricing competitiveness.
• Competitor Marketing Activities : Study competitors’ marketing efforts, including branding, online presence, advertising campaigns, and customer engagement. Identify their strengths and weaknesses in these areas to differentiate your fast food restaurant.
• Competitive Advantages : Identify and emphasize the unique advantages of your fast food restaurant, such as innovative menu offerings, superior customer service, appealing ambiance, advantageous location, sustainable practices, specialized cuisines, or a focus on healthier fast food alternatives.

Conducting thorough market research and competition analysis, you can gain valuable insights that shape your fast food restaurant’s positioning, menu offerings, pricing strategies, marketing efforts, and competitive advantages. This information enables you to make informed decisions and  create an effective business plan .

SWOT Analysis For Your Business Concept

Conduct a SWOT analysis to understand your restaurant’s internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Here is a table format to summarize these factors:

Strengths :

• Talented and experienced chef
• Exceptional customer service
• Prime and easily accessible location
• Strong brand proposition and unique selling points
• Affordable meals
• Catering services
• Fresh ingredients

Weaknesses :

• Limited capital for initial investment
• Inexperienced team members in certain areas
• Operational inefficiencies that require improvement

Opportunities :

• Emerging food trends that align with your restaurant concept
• Growing market demand for your cuisine type
• Potential strategic partnerships for increased exposure and collaboration
• Intense competition from established restaurants in the area
• Changing consumer preferences and demands
• Economic fluctuations that may affect customer spending habits
• Regulatory changes impacting the restaurant industry

By conducting a SWOT analysis, you can identify and leverage your strengths, address weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and develop strategies to mitigate potential threats. This analysis provides valuable insights for shaping your restaurant’s business plan and making informed decisions to maximize success.

Investment Plan (Cost Analysis)

In this section, you will outline the costs associated with the initial investment and the spending plan for the first year of operation. These costs can be divided into two main groups: investment and operating costs.

Investment Costs (One-off to Start)

• Real Estate : Include expenses for securing a suitable location through rental or purchase, such as lease deposits, down payments, or property acquisition costs.
• Premises Renovation : Account for costs related to construction, plumbing, electrical work, and interior design to adapt the space to your fast food restaurant’s requirements.
• Kitchen Equipment : List essential equipment such as ovens, stoves, refrigerators, fryers, grills, food processors, and utensils for food preparation.
• Dining Area Furnishings : Include costs for tables, chairs, booths, decorations, lighting fixtures, signage, and staff uniforms.
• IT Software and Hardware: Account for costs associated with point-of-sale (POS) software, payment terminals, computer hardware, inventory management systems, and an automated ordering system .
• Marketing and Promotion : Include costs for logo design, website development, menu printing, signage, advertising campaigns, social media marketing, and promotional materials.
• Insurance : Calculate expenses for insuring the premises, equipment, and general liability coverage.
• Organizational and Legal : Account for costs associated with permits, licenses, legal documentation, professional fees, and any required consultations.
• Training : Include staff training programs, certifications, and food safety training expenses.

Operating Costs (Fixed Monthly Costs)

• Real Estate Rental : If applicable, include monthly rental payments for the premises.
• Utilities : Account for recurring costs like electricity, gas, water, waste disposal, and internet/phone services.
• Staff Wages : Calculate wages or salaries for restaurant staff, including kitchen staff, servers, cashiers, and managerial positions.
• Food and Beverage Costs : Estimate ongoing expenses for ingredients, supplies, beverages, and packaging materials.
• Equipment Maintenance : Include regular equipment servicing, repairs, and maintenance costs to ensure efficient operation and longevity.
• Service Charges : Account for charges related to cleaning services, pest control, POS system support, and online ordering platform fees.
• Employee Insurance : Calculate employee insurance coverage costs, such as workers’ compensation and health insurance.
• Marketing and Promotion : Allocate a budget for ongoing marketing activities, including digital marketing campaigns, local advertising, loyalty programs, and partnerships.
• Taxes and Fees : Include estimated tax obligations, business license fees, local permits, and other applicable fees or regulatory requirements.

Regularly review and update these costs to ensure accuracy and monitor financial performance. By understanding and planning for one-time investment costs and ongoing operating expenses, you can effectively manage your fast food restaurant’s finances and make informed decisions for long-term success.

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Financial Forecast

The financial plan for your fast food restaurant consists of three key elements: the projected Profit and Loss Statement (P&L), break-even analysis, and sensitivity analysis. These components provide insights into your restaurant’s revenue, expenses, profitability, and financial feasibility. Here’s an overview of each element:

Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)

• Estimate your expected revenue based on restaurant size, target market, sales volume, and pricing strategy.
• Calculate the cost of goods sold (COGS) by considering the cost of ingredients, raw materials, and beverages required for your fast food menu items.
• Deduct COGS from revenue to determine the gross profit, which covers operating expenses.
• Include fixed and variable operating expenses such as rent, utilities, wages, marketing, and insurance.
• Calculate the net profit or loss by subtracting total operating expenses from the gross profit.

Break-even Analysis

• Identify fixed costs that remain constant regardless of sales volumes, such as rent, utilities, insurance, and other overhead expenses.
• Determine variable costs for each unit sold, including ingredients, packaging materials, and direct labor costs.
• Calculate the contribution margin, which represents the revenue remaining after subtracting variable costs from sales.
• Divide total fixed costs by the contribution margin to determine the break-even point, indicating the number of units (meals or orders) needed to cover expenses.

Sensitivity Analysis

• Conduct a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of negative scenarios on your fast food restaurant’s turnover and profit.
• Adjust critical variables, such as sales volume or pricing, to evaluate the potential effects on financials.
• Consider scenarios like a 50% decrease in turnover for a specific period and analyze the resulting impact on profitability.

Utilizing these elements, you can evaluate your fast food restaurant’s financial feasibility and profitability. Regularly review and update your economic forecasts to track performance, make informed decisions, and build a successful fast food business.

The management team of your fast food restaurant is instrumental in shaping its vision, strategy, and overall success. This section provides essential information, especially when seeking investors or partners. Include the following details:

• List of Founders : Clearly state the names and roles of each founder involved in the restaurant venture.
• Experience : Highlight the relevant industry experience and expertise of each founder. Describe their background, skills, and knowledge contributing to the fast food business success. Emphasize any notable achievements or successes they have had in the past.

Your hiring employees are vital for your restaurant’s smooth operations and success. Consider the necessary positions for efficient functioning and divide them into different roles. Provide the following information:

• List of Job Titles : Outline the various job titles or positions required in your restaurant, such as chefs, cooks, waitstaff, bartenders, cashiers, dishwashers, and managerial positions.
• Duties : Describe the specific responsibilities and duties associated with each job title. Clearly outline the expectations for each role, including food preparation, customer service, cleaning, inventory management, and any other relevant tasks.
• Remuneration : Specify the remuneration or compensation for each position, including wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, or any other benefits provided to the employees.
• Type of Contract : Indicate the employment contract or agreement offered to your employees, whether full-time, part-time, or seasonal. Consider any legal or regulatory requirements related to employment contracts in your jurisdiction.

Outlining the founders’ experience and the roles and responsibilities of your employees, you showcase a capable and dedicated team that will contribute to the success of your restaurant.

Fast Food Marketing Plan

Your marketing plan should encompass various strategies to promote your restaurant and attract customers. Key components of your plan should include:

• Brand Building : Establish a recognizable brand identity through a logo, colors, and catchy restaurant slogans .
• Online Presence : Create a professional restaurant website to showcase your pizzeria’s concept and menu. Offer online ordering through your website and consider partnering with external food delivery platforms.
• Innovative Customer Experience : Explore options like tableside ordering and implementing a loyalty program to enhance the dining experience and encourage customer retention.
• Offline Customer Acquisition : Utilize flyers, local radio advertising, public relations, and events to attract customers in your area.
• Online Customer Acquisition : Leverage social media, restaurant SEO , Google Maps listing, email, and SMS campaigns, blogging, and targeted paid advertising to reach and engage customers online.
• Promotions : Offer special promotions and discounts to entice customers and regularly evaluate their effectiveness.
• Competition edge : To thrive in a competitive restaurant industry, it’s crucial to identify and emphasize your unique competitive advantage, like free-delivered pizza.

A well-rounded marketing plan can effectively promote your restaurant, build a solid customer base, and drive business growth. Continuously evaluate customer feedback via reviews and  restaurant survey questions  and monitor market trends to make informed adjustments to your marketing strategies for optimal results.

How to Create a Restaurant Marketing Plan (a Step-By-Step Guide)

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15 Best Fast Food Marketing Strategies

Key Takeaways

• Describe Your Fast Food Restaurant : Clearly articulate your fast food restaurant’s concept, target market, menu, ambiance, and unique selling points to convey your vision and differentiate your establishment from competitors.
• Essential Elements of a Business Plan : Ensure your business plan includes key sections such as an executive summary for restaurant , restaurant description, market analysis, financial forecasts, team structure, marketing plan, and competitive edge. Each section contributes to the overall success of your coffee shop business.
• Continuous Planning : Regularly review and update your business plan to adapt to market changes, industry trends, and evolving customer preferences. Stay competitive and meet the demands of your target market through continuous planning and improvement.
• Seek Expert Advice : Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from experienced restaurateurs or consultants who can provide valuable insights, refine your ideas, and ensure your business plan is comprehensive and well-informed.
• Regular Review : Schedule periodic reviews of your business plan, particularly in the early stages of your fast food restaurant’s operation. Monthly reviews help track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments. Conduct an annual review as your restaurant becomes more established.
• A Living Document : Remember that a business plan is not static but a living document that evolves with your fast food restaurant. Learn from your experiences, adapt your strategies based on real-world feedback, and update your plan accordingly. Embrace flexibility and agility to navigate the dynamic fast food industry effectively.

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Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan

Starting or growing a fast food business? Use this fast food restaurant business plan example as your guide to create your own custom plan to start a food truck, kiosk, or fast food franchise. You can even download it for quick editing.

After all, it’s always easier to edit something that to write it from scratch. That’s why we provide this fast food business restaurant plan free for downloading. You can modify the concepts presented in this plan to fit your specific needs and goals.

Download this Fast Food Business Plan free for easy editing in Google Docs or Microsoft Word:

Table of Contents

1.0 Fast Food Business Plan – Executive Summary

1.1 company & industry.

Nudlez, a Washington Corporation, is in the fast-food service industry. The company has developed a unique business model that reduces overhead by utilizing mobile vending units as opposed to brick and mortar stores. This is a very popular alternative to dining in larger business centric cities.

1.2 PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Nudlez provides high quality, fast-served Asian-styled meals, based on a central theme of noodles. The meals cater for variety and are delivered fresh faster than other noodle-based products. The meals are provided to the consumer initially through mobile Noodle Vending Units (NVU’s), which provide widespread point of sale coverage. The NVU’s are state-of-the-art, complying with health regulations. The first trial NVU was tested in Seattle in July 20XX, receiving great response. The NVU will become a product in itself, as Nudlez expands rapidly through franchising. Nudlez is a globally transportable business.

1.3 FAST FOOD RESTAURANT BUSINESS PLAN: MARKET ANALYSIS

1.4 STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION

Nudlez will build brand recognition through its Noodle Vending Units being placed strategically throughout large cities’ business districts. Once brand recognition has been achieved, catering services will be offered, and the Nudlez products will be available in supermarkets. Additionally, Nudlez offers franchise opportunities to help further expand its reach, along with adding an additional revenue stream.

1.5 MANAGEMENT

The owners have significant experience in: the hospitality industry, advertising, and business management. The founder previously owned two very successful Thai restaurants in Seattle but grew tired of paying exorbitant rent hoping customers would turn up each night. His Nudlez concept takes the product to the street!

1.6 FINANCIAL PLAN

Nudlez has strong financials, and is always cash flow positive. Revenues are projected to grow to nearly $58,000,000 by Year 5, with EBITDA totaling $15,000,000. An initial analysis indicates that only 100 meals per day per NVU must be sold to break even. The strong financial plan ensures that the company will be attractive as an acquisition for exit.

1.7 FUNDS REQUIRED & USE

The purpose of this business plan is to raise $1,500,000 from an investor, in the form of a convertible and redeemable note, providing a 32% compound annual return. Nudlez is committed to the rollout of its ‘wok-fresh’ fast food business in 20XX.

2.0 Company Summary

2.1 legal entity & ownership.

Nudlez is trademark registered. Nudlez Inc. was incorporated in the State of Washington in March 20XX. Nudlez is currently equally owned by Mr. Dan Billings and Mr. Bill Cook. They have already spent over $75,000 in direct costs of product testing and development, and will commit a further $200,000 in 20XX, prior to funds being required from the investor. Both owners will each hold two voting rights on the Board with the investor holding one.

2.2 HISTORY

For a start, shop fronts in good locations are expensive. The key to making such a venture successful domestically would be to ensure that the vendor outlets are very hygienic, comply with health standards, serviced by an efficient re-supply network producing consistent meals, with professionalism and quality paramount. He spent considerable time designing a purpose built Noodle Vending Unit. He also moved back to Seattle and renewed his ties in the culinary community to elicit the design of fresh and tasty meals to be served from the NVU. The Nudlez brand was born! Realizing the opportunity to seize a market niche through rapid expansion, the inventor also joined forces with an experienced international business team to develop and implement that initiative.

2.3 FACILITIES & LOCATIONS

During the start-up phase of the business, food sales revenue will come from NVU lunchtime customers in busy Seattle CBD locations. A small office will be setup in Seattle that will serve as the headquarters of the company.

3.0 Mobile Cooking Unit (Food Truck) Products and Services

3.1 product description.

These two products symbiotically solidify the Nudlez brand name. Nudlez is a state-of-the-art stir-fry noodle street vending system. While Nudlez’s footprint in the three major metropolitan cities in Washington will be underpinned by the NVU fleet and a smaller number of strategically placed Nudlez stores, the aim in year-3 is to diversify the revenue stream by selling the meal product alone in supermarkets for home preparation and consumption.

3.2 FEATURES & BENEFITS

Fast & affordable meals.

The NVU operator cooks the meals in front of the customer within sixty seconds, using fresh ingredients. As implied by the Nudlez tagline ‘wok fresh’, each serving of noodles is a taste sensation, freshly cooked-to-order and served piping hot in a convenient cardboard pail. Customers are invited to create their own noodle dish following three easy steps: Step 1: Select Noodle Type; Step 2: Add Sauce; Step 3: Choose Protein. Compared to the meals offered by competitors, Nudlez offers a fresh, tasty, nutritious alternative. Nudlez may be slower than some fast food from the point of order, but it is significantly fresher, more nutritious, and almost 50% more profitable.

One secret to the speed of Nudlez meals is that the meats and vegetables are pre-blanched and hygienically sealed in the same pail that the customer eventually receives. The operator simply removes from the fridge, and combines with noodles and sauce in the wok.

Noodle Vending Unit

Each NVU cart is immaculately presented in stainless steel and branded in strong colorful graphics. At night the noodle stand benefits from its own internal lighting. Construction is of the highest quality kitchen-grade stainless steel. It is designed to be versatile for use in just about any place where it is legal to sell food from a temporary stall. In comparison to standard ‘caravan-type’ vendor units, the NVU has major advantages in that it is: cheaper to produce, smaller size for better site access, self-sustaining power (no mains required short-term), easily moved by one person, unique look, hygienic and cheap to service.

3.3 COMPETITION

The range of competitors spans the market dominants like McDonalds to sandwich and sushi bars to ‘vendor’ foods like kebabs. However, when looking for closer similarity to Nudlez’s offering, we arrive at the specialized noodle-based products provided by such companies as ‘Noodlist’. A storefront operation located close to Pioneer Square in Seattle, the meal variety at ‘Noodlist’ is slightly broader. However speed of preparation is significantly slower than Nudlez, necessitating the addition of standard pre-cooked, oily and somewhat bland Asian fare to satisfy the ‘time-poor’ consumers. It is only this time constraint that is satisfied though, as taste and nutrition are compromised. The lack of speed in the fresh cooked Asian fast food market is emphasized by another competitor, ‘Hot Wok’, offering noodle-based meals in the Sea-Tac International Airport, where a sign on the counter informs consumers that meals may take up to thirty minutes to prepare. A captive consumer group is not being exploited here. Nudlez will change that.

‘Wok in a Box’ is an Oregon competitor that intends to open stores in Washington beginning in 20XX. The company currently operates 16 stores in the Pacific Northwest. Market research indicates company revenue for 20XX reached $5 million, representing a growth rate of 78 percent over the prior year. This growth is encouraging to Nudlez, which through the use of its NVU’s and its other competitive advantages will gain broader exposure. The existence of such competitors makes Nudlez an attractive acquisition or merger proposition.

3.4 COMPETITIVE EDGE/BARRIERS TO ENTRY

• Unique modality of fast-food availability, with unmatched preparation times
• Lower capital costs and overheads and high margin unit sales through broad exposure.
• Healthy, fresh, fast, quality, price competitive alternative
• New funky, identifiable brand, professional approach and solid management
• Aimed at segment of large market not currently exploited by the competition

3.5 DEVELOPMENT

The founders of Nudlez have invested a total of $75,000 in development of the NVU, and plan to spend an additional $200,000 over the next year on development of the second generation NVU. The ‘Generation-2’ NVU is currently under design, maintaining versatility yet improving with the introduction of inventions such as the Nudle-Rac.

4.0 Food Truck Market Analysis Summary

4.1 target market.

With Nudlez, the term “customer” holds two meanings; firstly as a reference to “consumers” who may purchase a meal from a Nudlez point of presence, and secondly as “entities” with an interest in owning a Nudlez franchise. The primary target “consumer” group for the first phase of Nudlez fits the profile of a medium to high-income earner, with a healthy and fresh lifestyle orientation. The first phase of the business plan is about growing brand awareness quickly with customers of this profile. Shortly after growing the brand awareness, as part of the Nudlez rapid growth plans, franchisee customers looking for a self-employment opportunity providing good income relative to the hours worked will be targeted. Institutions such as university campuses will also be targeted as potential franchisees.

The profile will then extend through catering to the customer who is looking for a relatively low cost, value-adding product to support private or corporate events. This customer will be served at both the supermarket (DIY) and event catering levels.

4.2 MARKET SIZE

With sales in excess of $105 billion, the market for fast food is substantial, and the opportunity to build and grow a new exciting product with a strong brand is real. Asian style food represented approximately 35% of this revenue. Although the market is mature with heavy buyer/seller saturation, it is heavily segmented on quality, style, modality and price, presenting opportunity for niche market products such as Nudlez. Customers’ perception of ‘healthier’ is an important value proposition. Nudlez provides this, with the added bonus of serving the meal quickly.

The idea that desirable food could be prepared in a quick fashion appeals to a sizeable portion of the market; those in tourism, people engaged in a commercial capacity, busy homemakers and students. These few examples are indicative of a large and growing collection of “time poor” individuals placing increasing value on every spare moment of their day. Nudlez has the ability to match the ravenous need for convenience with the utility that modern, fast paced lifestyles drive. Nudlez negates boundaries of culture, age and preference, through a daily mission to satiate appetites.

4.3 MARKET TRENDS

The economic environment for the successful outlet will take into account the factors and conditions that influence the ability of its target market to afford its product. Consumers today, particularly in business-centric cites, have a relatively high disposable income. Nudlez will be priced competitively with existing alternatives and will strive to attract market share through product differentiation.

4.4 FAST FOOD RESTAURANT SWOT ANALYSIS

The following represents our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for this fast food business plan:

• Strong product supported by great tasking meals with a strong focus on quality, healthy and competitively priced meals in addition to the speed of producing meals
• Strong brand, which has been tested before full implementation. Emphasis on a fund brand culture
• Market conditions are favorable with Nudlez offering new niche spark in an otherwise static market
• Low development risk as the product currently exists
• Easy, low risk growth through short time to market and short time for NVU construction as well as low cost per unit
• Transferable business model as a result of similarities in trends and the US culture of street style food vending. Ability to capitalize on brand and concept with expansion through franchise and other market segments
• Low management risk due to experienced team and the strong diversification of skills and expertise = holistic results
• High gross margins on meal products, which can be maximized by negotiating bulk purchase agreements with wholesalers.
• Defendability of concept as the meal products cannot be patented; this needs to be addressed by building strong brand awareness and establishing copyright on total quality system. Focus also on rapid growth and securing prime sites in target markets
• NVU restocking logistics is being addressed through NVU design, which ensures breakeven results for a day’s trade without restocking. Central production facilities also being established to support restocking
• Site permits for street vending need to be established before implementation of NVU’s, but also private sites will be secured to reduce exposure to local government issues
• Product may be vulnerable to weaken over time, which can be minimized through product innovation and diversification

Opportunities

• Niche-specific opportunities through monopolizing niche market by building strong brand awareness and leading the street food vending culture through being vigilant with other vending business opportunities.
• Low restriction to NVU operating hours means there can be diversity of venues and access to a very diverse target customer group
• Capitalize on diversity of venues and consumer groups to promote and market expansion through event catering and franchise ownership
• International expansion to Europe, which has a strong culture for street food vending and pre-prepared meals. Target strategic partner for joint venture, master franchise or sale of Nudlez
• Local government regulations in relation to street vendors means permits secured have minimum life period, however change in this area is slow
• Vulnerability to imitation products from competitors will be reduced through rapid development of Nudlez products and brand.
• Short-term site permits means the Nudlez brand needs to be diversified through catering, franchise and supermarket placement
• Seasonal demand for NVU’s meaning inconsistent returns. This can be minimized through diversifying brand through catering, franchising and a supermarket product line.

5.0 Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan Strategy & Implementation

5.1 philosophy.

“To forge a new, vibrant, high quality brand in the fast-food sector; to challenge the established market by offering a fresh, tasty and professional alternative; and to build a robust business model founded on high-yield, low capital outlay products.”

It is our vision that Nudlez will expand predominantly through franchising domestically and then to appropriate international markets. It will diversify through catering and product placement in supermarkets. The possibility of trade acquisition or merger also exists.

5.2 MARKETING STRATEGY

5.3 SALES STRATEGY

The marketing objective of Nudlez is to position itself so that consumers of fast food are confident they are purchasing and consuming a healthy and fresh product, enhanced by the overall delivery experience. The marketing objectives are to:

• Rapidly establish a recognized brand through street vendor points of sale supported by a smaller number of strategically placed hardstand stores
• Position itself as a fresh, tasty and healthy alternative to traditional fast food
• Maintain high gross margins on meal products
• Capitalize on the brand through expansion using franchising and product diversification, which will include catering and supermarket placement

Nudlez’s initial strategy will be focused within Washington, commencing in Seattle then within 18 months expansion into Spokane and the Vancouver/Portland metropolis. Beginning with company owned NVU’s and central production facilities, rapid expansion will then be achieved through franchising in all target areas.

5.4 OPERATIONS

NVU production will be outsourced to a manufacturer in Seattle and has been estimated at $12,500 per NVU. Each city will have company owned NVU’s, shops, a central kitchen premises and support kitchens (hubs).

Product Production and Preparation

Raw product has been sourced from selected Seattle suppliers. It is a competitive quality market, with room for a number of suppliers to diversify risk. The secret to Nudlez’ fast delivery to the customer from moment of order is the blanching and preparation process of the raw product at the central kitchen premises and hub sites. This will be overseen by our master-chef teams, adhering to strict health regulations. All ordering, stocking and quality controls will be managed on an in-house computer based system enabling usage patterns to be monitored maintaining ordering efficiency and minimizing wastage.

5.5 NVU Stocking

A unique system for NVU and store restocking, the Nudle-Rac is currently under design. Essentially providing completely removable internal sectioning to the refrigerators to hold the different meals available, it is spring-loaded so that when one meal is removed, the next meal raises to the top for easy access. At the beginning of each day, a franchisee will arrive at their support kitchen where the Nudle-Rac, preloaded with the day’s meals, will be loaded directly into the NVU’s fridge without having to remove the NVU from the van providing an efficient stocking system and minimizing the time meals spend out of refrigeration. For large catering events, support vans will provide additional pre-stocked Nudle-Racs to onsite NVU’s.

5.6 FAST FOOD RESTAURANT EXIT STRATEGY

It is Nudlez objective to be acquired by another fast food company within five years by posting large revenues and a substantial EBITDA. Additionally, merger options, as well as an IPO may be considered at that time.

6.0 Management Summary

6.1 organizational structure.

Nudlez will be lead by Bill Cook, CEO. He will report to the founders and investors, which will make up the board. The CEO will oversee the CFO, CIO, Food and Human Resources departments.

6.2 MANAGEMENT TEAM

With over 80 years of sector diverse, international strategic and operational combined experience, professionally qualified and with energetic personalities critical to ensuring the Nudlez values, the owners and the management provide the skills to deliver:

• Bill Cook has run start-up business operations, with broad management skills
• Dan Billings has owned and managed 2 successful restaurants and an advertising firm
• David Noor is a financial wiz with broad entrepreneurial appreciation
• Angela Gates is not your typical CIO, with a creative flair and eye for efficiency
• Sheila Arch brings the important HR skills combined with a marketing bent

Bill Cook – CEO & Director (Systems, Strategy & Finance)

Bill is a Seattle boy, born and bred, with an intimate knowledge of the cultural and niche diversities of Seattle. Originally with an honors degree in Civil Engineering, Bill worked in the Seattle construction industry from the 80’s boom time through the recession of the early 90’s. From there he traveled overseas working in such places as the UK, Bosnia (during the war), Romania and Holland. The bulk of his experience in these eight years centered on strategic management of start-up ventures. These ranged from establishing critical engineering support facilities for the UN in Bosnia, to expending Shell’s retail network across Eastern Europe, to property development ventures in Romania. Bill returned to Seattle in 20XX to utilize this broad strategic experience on home soil, initially focusing on the property sector. Bill has known Dan for over 20 years and quickly assessed the potential of his Nudlez idea, convincing Dan that rapid expansion was key to securing the market niche. Bill graduated his MBA with High Distinction in 20XX.

Dan Billings – Director (Marketing & Food Technology)

After a successful career in advertising culminating in the establishment of his own Seattle based agency, Dan entered the hospitality industry. His first venture, Pad Real Thai, a Thai restaurant and takeaway situated on bustling Pine Street, was an instant hit. An innovative and funky menu, supported with clever marketing (including the use of real Bangkok Pad’s for delivery vehicles) saw the business achieve critical acclaim. Rave reviews in Short Black and Cheap Eats to name a few, were followed by televised appearances on ‘Seattle Weekly’ and Seattle’s Food Lover’s Guide. A second Pad restaurant opened in Bellevue, and was awarded the prestigious ‘Bent Fork” award. Dan sold the Pad enterprise in 20XX to pursue business interests in Thailand. It was here, while enjoying Bangkok’s vibrant street food culture, where the Nudlez concept was born. Dan has a degree in Science from the University of Washington.

6.3 PERSONNEL NEEDS

In the long term, the employee/income ratio will be approximately $125,000 per employee. Nudlez will run a lean operation with an emphasis on sales and food production. In years two and three the sales staff will grow from 20 to 110 people, and the production staff will grow from 12 to 277 people. Administration will grow as needed to support this fast food business plan.

7.0 Fast Food Restaurant Financial Plan

7.1 requirements.

The investor’s $1,500,000 will be structured as a redeemable note, convertible to 15% shareholding in Nudlez at the end of year-3. Alternatively, redemption can be done at this time providing a return of $3,450,000 (2.3 times investment), equating to a compound annual return of approximately 32%. The end of year-3 is good point for possible investor exit, as decisions on product expansion into supermarkets will be made at this time.

7.2 USE OF FUNDS

Funds will be used to initially finish development of the NVU and to establish fit out central premises in Seattle, including IT infrastructure. 5 hubs and 5 sites will initially be established in Seattle, following that expansion into Vancouver/Portland and Spokane will begin.

7.3 INCOME STATEMENT PROJECTIONS

Nudlez will be profitable by the end of its first fiscal year, as shown in the attached financial statements. The business will grow dramatically in years two and three.

Break Even Analysis

A break even analysis, assuming zero catering and acquisition stores, reveals less than 100 meals per NVU and 150 per store need to be sold per trading day to achieve break even.

7.4 FAST FOOD BUSINESS PLAN ASSUMPTIONS

We are using the following assumptions in this fast food business plan:

• Number of average rain days for the 3 cities is 12 per month. This equates to approximately 40% of the month, which we have conservatively applied, despite its low probability. The conservatism also allows for logistics accidents, staff truancy, etc. to arrive at 13 trading days/month for NVU’s. (Exclude catering)
• Total employment in the expanded Seattle CBD areas is estimated at over 350,000. Nudlez expects to capture less than 2% of this daily market from CBD NVU’s and stores
• Seattle and Portland/Vancouver are similar sized markets, with Spokane being approximately half the size. Revenue estimates reflect these ratios.
• Gen-1 and first Gen-2 NVU, testing and development costs totaling around $75,000 already spent by inventor are not included in financials.
• First Gen-2 NVU will obtain homologation, meaning that the design has blanket pre-approval with local government, reducing time and cost for individual site permits.
• First 10 NVU’s cost $125,000, including homologation.
• Wastage is estimated at 15% across all food related product (validated in Seattle trials). This will reduce once the ‘Nudle-Rac’ and associated IT systems are in place
• Training, Quality Management Systems and Franchise Operations Manuals will be completed effectively for $220,000 by the end of year 1.

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How to Start a Take Out Food Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sydney Kida | April 6, 2022 |

The take out food industry has experienced a massive boom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During the second and third quarters of 2020, the top four leading food delivery apps in the U.S. saw their revenues rise by $3 billion .

Even as life begins to return to normal, take out restaurant ideas continue to grow in prominence nationwide. What does this mean for the humble restaurant owner trying to get their business back on its feet?

Opportunity.

Dine-In vs. Take Out: How Take Out is Changing the Restaurant Business

Take out (sometimes spelled takeout and take-out) has altered the restaurant business irrevocably. While people like to point to the COVID-19 pandemic, take out changed the industry long before coronavirus became a thing.

Perhaps the main reason for takeout’s growth is the ease of ordering. Food delivery apps require a couple of clicks, and your order is already on its way. Giving people an entire list of choices and the option to order from the comfort of their sofas tends to encourage them to eat off premises vs. dining on site.

The younger generation of millennials is also driving growth among take out providers. They boast the most spending power and lean toward take out delivery more than other generations. For example, USA Today reported that 77% of millennials ordered food delivery compared to 51% of other diners during a three-month period in 2018.

Figuring out how to start a take out food business is, therefore, a viable option for companies looking to increase their revenues.

Finally, it’s essential to look at how people spend their evenings. If more people choose to watch Netflix over a night on the town, why wouldn’t they also order dinner at home?

How to Start a Take Out Food Business

Deciding how to start a new take out restaurant requires following several defined steps to put the infrastructure for success in place.

Before going into a takeout restaurant business plan, here are some tips for a takeout restaurant and what makes it successful.

Step One – Plan Your Concept

Take out restaurant design ideas must be optimized entirely for delivery, as this is your primary revenue generator.

Your kitchen’s layout, storage, and logistics must focus on the two key metrics of time and temperature. Get one of them wrong, and you risk killing any repeat business. Perfect your take out restaurant menu ideas and make sure they are optimized for time and temperature.

Most restaurants will maintain smaller menus for this reason. Not everything is suited for take out.

You should also think about your ingredients. Group dishes by the ingredients required to keep your workflow efficient. Remember, unlike dine-in customers, take out customers value speed over everything else.

Step Two – Choose Your Niche

Identify any gaps in the market. If Italian pizza take out restaurants have saturated your area, the chances are it’s not a wise investment.

Think about who you want to cater to and figure out an image of your ideal customer. Some examples of niches include:

• Office workers
• People with special diets
• Seniors with limited mobility

Talk to people on the street and find out what your local area lacks. Your take out restaurant design ideas may not be 100% unique, but you still need that underserved market.

Step Three – Set Up Your Physical Operations

Going through registering your business and applying for any licenses you might need in your state may take weeks, so think about these administrative burdens in advance.

Once you have your concept and your menu, it’s time to build the physical gears that will keep your take out food business turning.

Here are the primary considerations you’ll need to think about:

• Kitchen – Where will you produce your food? You may want to consider a low-rent area that's close to a densely populated place. Make sure it has the space and layout conducive to producing your unique menu.
• Point of Sale (POS) – Technology helps you to run your business. Choose a POS platform that allows you to easily take online orders, manage the payment side, and ensure your kitchen/delivery service runs efficiently.
• Staffing – How many staff do you need to run your kitchen? How much will it cost you to maintain that staff per month?
• Logistics – Do you have a place set up for collection or your own fleet of delivery drivers?

These tasks take longer than most people expect, so avoid setting a launch date before everything is in place. Furthermore, your state may have special requirements regarding commercial kitchen certifications and any required health inspections.

Step Four – Choose Your Distribution Providers

Getting your food to your customers requires a reliable distribution provider. Figuring out how to start a take out food business requires you to take the time to research and factor in distribution costs.

Whether you decide to opt for a third-party provider and eat the commissions or invest in creating your own delivery fleet is up to you.

Remember, your needs might change, so you can alter your distribution model later.

Step Five – Market Your Business

Take out businesses rely on the digital space to gain brand exposure. Craft a unique story that allows you to stand out from the crowd. What makes your take out restaurant special?

Focus on aspects like SEO, social media presence, and how you will convince those first customers to give you a try. Marketing begins from day one of coming up with your business idea. Save money during those initial months by drumming up interest before you officially open for business.

Innovative Take-Out Restaurant Ideas for Your Future Food Business

Staying on the cutting edge of the food industry is what will allow your business to thrive. Think about how you can integrate new ideas into your growing take out business for a better customer experience.

Here are some great tips for a takeout business in the future:

• Make-Your-Own Meals – Offer care packages, such as a build-your-own pizza kit to make ordering take out more fun and tailored to the customer.
• Creative Naming – Get creative with your naming, according to whatever is trendy at the time. Make people smile and make your meals memorable.
• Loyalty Schemes – Promote repeat businesses by bringing the classic retail loyalty scheme to the world of take out.
• Build Relationships – Handwritten notes, postcards, and formal loyalty programs help to bring the human touch to digital transactions.
• The Unconventional – Consider going beyond burgers and pizza and opting for more unconventional take out foods, such as omelets, steaks, and special sauce.

Think outside the box by examining your competitors and looking at what they aren’t doing. There are always openings for getting creative.

Starting Your Takeout Restaurant Business Plan

The pillar of how to start a take out food business is your business plan. Think of it as your professional roadmap to success.

Even if you already have a brick-and-mortar restaurant, your business plan provides direction, alignment, and orientation.

Take Out Restaurant Description

Outline what your take out place is going to be. Define the style of cuisine, the options available, the legal structure of your business, and operating hours.

It’s also the time to come up with a prototype menu. Include no more than 10-15 dish ideas at this stage.

Target Audience Analysis

Conduct market analysis of your target market. Form an image of your ideal customer, such as how old they are, their spending power, professions, interests, and what they expect from a take out establishment.

Understanding your ideal customer will help you give them the experience they expect when ordering take out.

Competitor Analysis

You also need to know who you’re coming up against, as you did with your target audience. A complete competitor analysis will examine a sampling of restaurants in your area.

Don’t just focus on the competitors offering the same cuisine as you. It helps to know what options customers have in the area, how much they charge, and the most common complaints they receive.

Either go out into the community and place orders yourself or make use of online reviews to find out more.

Organizational Sections

Labor, facilities, and associated financial costs and projections should also form a crucial part of your business plan. These are the hard figures that will tell you about the viability of your business and whether you need to make any changes.

You will also have a section dedicated to marketing, branding, and delivery models. The organizational sections are where you delve deep into the nuts and bolts of your business.

Starting a take out business for the first time doesn’t need to be intimidating. You’re moving into a booming industry with tremendous growth potential. How you establish your business and the tools you adopt will define whether you are a success or a failure.

Help with income stream diversification and creating a better customer experience with the revolutionary restaurant POS from Revel Systems®.

Find out why so many take out establishments are using Revel to transform their organizations by requesting a free product demo now.

Featured Articles

Fast Food Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Fast Food Business Plan Template

If you want to start a Fast Food business or expand your current Fast Food business, you need a business plan.

The following Fast Food business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning Fast Food restaurant business plan. It can be used to create a takeout restaurant business plan, a quick service restaurant business plan or a traditional fast food plan.

You can download our Fast Food Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Below are links to each of the key sections of a Fast Food restaurant business plan sample:

I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Fast Food Business Plan Outline

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Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

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To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

But, if you don't plan to share your plan with anyone outside of your business—you likely don't need everything.

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• How To Open a Takeaway: a Step-By-Step Guide for New Business Owners

Here we will talk about how to open a takeaway. While takeaways are an iconic part of Britain’s main retail outlets, they change quickly.

What Is a Takeaway?

Takeaways are places that cater to customers who wish to take their meals away from the premises. The most typical takeaway restaurant is a fast food establishment where customers order at a counter and pay before eating. Most fast food establishments also provide seating areas for those who wish to eat in-house.

Other types of takeaway include sit-down restaurants and cafeterias. These establishments may provide more service than fast food establishments but still allow customers to take their meals away from the premises.

Many takeaways offer delivery services and in-house dining options, depending on what kind of business they operate, as well as local laws regarding licensing requirements or the availability of parking spaces near the business location (if applicable).

What Kind of Takeaway Am I Opening?

Many people think that a takeaway business can be run in any location, but that’s not the case. There are different kinds of this business model, and they all have pros and cons.

For example, if you want to open a restaurant, your location should be near many people who eat out regularly. If you’re opening a food truck or cart, you need to find a place where plenty of people will walk by and see your food—maybe near a park or an office building.

If you’re looking for the right type of takeaway business to open, it’s important to think about how hungry people are going to be when they walk by your restaurant or kiosk at lunchtime. And what will they want when strolling around the neighbourhood on their way home from work?

Type of Takeaway Business You Wish To Open

If you’re considering opening a takeaway business model, consider what type of food you’ll serve. You can expect to have a lot of competition in the takeaway business. While many variations exist on the theme, some types of takeaway businesses are more popular than others.

Takeaways tend to fall into three categories: traditional restaurants specialising in takeaways, fast-food establishments, and food trucks. Each type has its pros and cons.

Traditional Restaurants:  Traditional restaurants specialising in takeaway have the benefit of a loyal customer base who already knows what they’re getting when they order from that place. However, they also have a lot of competition because people know what they’re getting when they order from these places. If you want to open one of these restaurants, ensure your quality is up to par with other local businesses’ offerings!

Fast Selling Food:  Fast food establishments tend to be cheaper than traditional restaurants specialising in takeaways—but this does not mean the quality should suffer! You must keep an eye on what ingredients go into your dishes and ensure everything is fresh and tasty.

Choose The Right Type For Opening a Takeaway

Choosing the right type of takeaway is an important part of your business. If you’re not sure what you should be using, here are some things to consider:

– Is your product best suited for a paper bag or plastic container?

– What size do you need? Will it fit in a regular-sized cardboard box, or does it require something larger?

– What kind of handle do you need on top? Should it be flat or round? Will it be easy to carry with one hand or two? Does it matter if it’s light or heavy?

Choose The Right Location for Opening a Takeaway

Right Location for Opening a Takeaway Restaurant

The location is one of the most important factors when opening a takeaway. Your location is what will determine how many customers you get, how much profit you make and how long it takes to build your brand.

You must consider whether you want to open a takeaway in a busy or quiet area. If you choose an area with lots of people, it will be easier for you to attract customers, but if there are many other takeaways around, it might be harder for you to stand out from the crowd.

It’s also important to consider how far away from home the location is because if it’s too far away, then customers won’t want to go all that way just for food. If it’s too close, then they might not feel like going out at all! The best place is somewhere between these two extremes where it’s not too far away but not too close either; this will ensure that there are enough customers nearby without having too many competitors nearby.

Create a Business Plan

Before hiring the right personnel to design and create your logo, you should have an effective business strategy. Your business plan will help you identify and demonstrate business plan objectives to potential investors. You have to consider food costs.

Even when many online businesses are available, a business plan template cannot be created in a straight line. However, your business plan must include what is listed below.

– The name of your company and its purpose (What are you trying to do?)

– Your mission statement (Why are you doing this?)

– A description of who will work on this project (Who are “we”?)

– A detailed description of your product or service (What exactly will we offer?)

– A breakdown of all expenses involved in running this business, including equipment costs and labour costs

Build Your Takeaway Business Plan

Building a business plan is an essential step in starting your own restaurant. Planning is the key to success; a takeaway plan will help you set your priorities and organise.

A takeaway business plan will help you think through the steps needed to get your restaurant up and running and some of the challenges you may encounter along the way. It will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, giving you insight into what kind of team member (or team members) would best suit this type of venture.

It’s important to remember that a takeaway business plan doesn’t have all the answers—it just helps you figure out what questions need asking!

Design a Home Business Plan

To design a home takeaway business plan, decide what cuisine you want to serve. Then, decide on your target audience.

Are you going to offer delivery only, or do you want to be able to have customers dine in? How much money do you need to start?

Once you know these things, it’s time to figure out how many hours per week you’ll need to work and what kind of staff members are needed. Make sure that you’re well-stocked with inventory before opening as well!

Make Sure You Have The Right Home Takeaway Business Licenses

If you plan on starting a home takeaway business, ensure you have the right licenses.

You can’t just start selling food from your home—your local government must license you. This means you’ll need to apply for a food handler’s license and get approval from the health department.

Once you’ve done that, it’s time to start!

How You Plan To Service Customers

Takeaway businesses are dominated by traditional models where the customer calls or orders personally and then picks up their orders themselves.

However, the trend of customers ordering meals on restaurants own websites are gaining traction.

Make sure you have good knowledge about new app technology to improve customer reach before finalising your business plans.

Create Your Own Takeaway Business With RestaJet

If you’re looking to start a business, you might want to consider creating a takeaway food service. If you have a passion for cooking and want to share your creations with the world, this is the perfect way to do it. You can create a logo and menus, hire staff, and set up your website or social media accounts—all while making money!

Restajet is a company that allows you to create your own takeaway business. With Restajet, you can build a menu from scratch or edit one of their existing templates. You’ll also be able to choose from a variety of different locations across the world so that guests can find your business no matter where they are located.

Keeping It Clean!

Food hygiene is a huge concern for restaurants. It is one of the most important factors in the restaurant’s target market, and it can make or break a food business. Food hygiene is about making sure that food is safe to eat, and it involves understanding how to store, cook, and serve food in ways that prevent illness from occurring.

A food hygiene certificate is a major factor for customer satisfaction and your new takeaway business.

Restaurants must be very careful about food hygiene because they deal with many different types of foods and ingredients. Consumers trust restaurants to keep their food safe, so when a restaurant does not ensure that its food is clean and free of contamination, customers can get sick from eating it—and they will not return!

The Food Standards Agency is a UK government body that ensures food safety across the country. It works with local authorities and other organisations to ensure food is safe and fit for consumption.

Is Franchising a Good Option When Opening a Takeaway?

When opening a takeaway, the decision to go into franchising is often one of the first you make. After all, franchising is an easy way to get started with a business quickly and can be an excellent way to ensure your success.

But what does franchising really mean for your takeaway? Is it a good option for you? And how do you know if it will work for your particular business?

These are just some of the questions we asked ourselves when we looked at our options for opening a takeaway. We wanted to open something quickly, but we also needed to ensure that it would be an extremely profitable investment to support our families’ needs.

Should You Start a Takeaway Business Now?

If you want to start a takeaway business, now is the time. If you don’t get started now, you’ll be busy next year and will have missed out on the best time to start your new business.

The takeaway industry is booming and has been for a while. People love ordering food online and having it delivered to their door—or even picking it up at the door if they’re too lazy to leave the house!

It’s pretty simple: if you can cook or bake something that people like eating, there’s money to be made in this target market. You don’t need any special training or certification—just an idea of what kind of food you want to make and how much money you think it would take to get started.

Find a Location For Your Takeaway Business

It’s very important when it comes to taking out takeaway places that you know the right location because walk-through stores will be an integral part of the business.

After all, your clients come for comfort. You want it to have a safe place where people can stop and eat quickly and easily.

How do I determine the location of the restaurant?

You can also contact a real estate professional to assist you in locating the best place but always get legal advice. You can also take advice from a commercial property agent.

Finding The Right Premises

Locations of your takeaway operations are important. Most of us don’t want to travel to get takeaways or pay to deliver takeaways.

Walk-ins will represent many people in your company. Your takeaway business must be near where your target markets live. Finding a suitable commercial home can be challenging, and in some cases, the rent can be outrageous.

A commercial agent can point you towards the right place and assist in the selection of a property which meets your needs and is within budget. Please take good care when reading this lease before signing anything.

Proper Market Research

Takeaway business ideas are a great way to start your own business but can also be a great way to supplement your income. Nowadays, the food business is an extremely profitable investment for new business owners. If you’re interested in starting up your own takeout food business but don’t know where to start, here’s everything you need to know:

1. Find a location with good traffic and close enough to residential areas that people will order from.

2. Make sure the location is accessible for the delivery person, so consumers can get their food promptly.

3. Make sure the area has plenty of parking spaces for guests and employees!

4. Make sure that there is power available at this location for refrigerators and freezers (if applicable).

5. Consider what kind of food you want to offer: Asian food? Mediterranean? Italian? American? You may have more options than you think!

Consider Franchising

Consumptives like things. I’m a good guy. There’s an explanation for why the franchise takes are among the biggest franchises in the world. You can find some of the biggest names, like Mcdonalds or KFC. If you do have nothing new, you can always buy a franchise. When a franchise purchase occurs, the franchiser will give you an extensive company strategy and supply list. And probably a loyal customer population who can not wait to see your franchise open within their area. Franchise owners generally find financing much simpler than others.

Get Takeaway Insurance

Business insurance is not required by law – unless your employee is employed. Like in every business, takeaway comes with several risks. It’s therefore important that you buy insurance.

Create an Attractive Menu

The most important part of any restaurant is its menu. A menu sets the restaurant’s tone, and it’s the first thing customers see when they walk in. It should be attractive but not too flashy.

To create an attractive menu, start by choosing a colour scheme that works with your restaurant’s overall aesthetic. Then, pick out some fonts that will work well with this palette. Make sure each font has a similar look and feel so that it all flows together nicely when you start putting together your pages.

Once you have your fonts and palettes selected, it’s time to start creating your pages! Start with the cover page: this should include a title page as well as a page explaining what type of cuisine is served at your establishment (this will help potential customers decide whether or not they want to come in). Next, move on to the main course—or entrées. These will be listed under their headers (e.g., appetisers) and should be separated by section headings (e.g., soups). Finally, make sure to include desserts!

Find Reliable Suppliers

One of the best ways to ensure that your product will succeed is by finding a supplier who can provide it at a competitive price. Many businesses are able to keep costs low because they have relationships with suppliers that allow them to get the best deals on raw materials and other products.

You should also look for suppliers who offer you something more than just a great price. Make sure you find someone who can provide you with high-quality products, but also make sure they offer customer service that meets your needs. This will help ensure that any issues with your order will be resolved quickly and efficiently so that it does not affect your business negatively.

The Best Online Ordering Systems for Takeaway Businesses

Choosing the proper ordering and payment system will require much thought. Although most providers can provide an order and payment system free of charge, you may receive paid commissions on all sales on the platform. Below are the most common web ordering systems available.

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for the best online ordering systems for takeaway businesses.

We’ve done the research and found that there are four main types of online ordering systems:

– Online Ordering Apps : These apps can be used on any device, allowing consumers to order from anywhere, anytime. They’re ideal for small businesses that don’t have a dedicated network or computer program in place.

– Online Ordering Websites : These websites are easy to use and allow visitors to browse through menus and make their orders in one place. They’re also great for large businesses that want a simple solution with minimal investment.

– Mobile Apps : These apps work best when paired with an online ordering website or app so that guests can access everything they need in one place. They’re great for businesses that want to make sure their consumers have access to everything they need while on the go!

– Web Sites : With this type of system, you’ll get all the features of an online ordering website and some extra perks like social media integration and analytics reporting software. Hence, you know exactly how your business is doing!

Is opening a takeaway profitable?

A franchise is a profitable business that is booming as it has not been before.

How much does it cost to open a takeaway in the UK?

Startup costs could increase from £5000 to £300,000. The costs depend on the location and the type of food served. Add thousands of pounds to operations costs, including food stock costs and delivery costs and the salaries of its employees.

How much profit do takeaways make?

Fast food and takeaways: 79%. Full service: 49%.

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How to start a takeaway business from home

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If there had been any winners from the chaos of Covid and lockdown, then the takeaway sector had been one of them.

However, it now faces a new threat from the cost of living crisis, which is leaving households across the UK seeing their spending power cut by an average of £3,000 by the end of next year.

As consumer spending habits change  – takeaway businesses need to adapt. They need to offer fairly priced menus, regular deals and discounts, and factor in the management of rising operational costs due to inflation.

Despite these challenges, now is still a great time to set up a takeaway business and begin directly catering to consumers with delicious home-cooked meals.

The benefits are many, particularly for startups, as by taking advantage of existing resources you can minimise the cost of other overheads like rent or travel. But the setup, as our experts know all too well, can be confusing. Luckily, our experience has taught us all the juicy details, including the rules and regulations around setup.

So put your feet up, whack on some Saturday night TV, and let us deliver the information right to you, by telling you everything you need to know to setting up a small business takeaway in the below guide.

There’s a huge amount of planning that needs to go into launching a takeaway business. Thankfully, one area which needn’t cause undue stress is creating a website to promote your business. Thanks to modern templates like the one below , you can create one of your own in under an hour.

At Startups.co.uk, we test and rate website builder tools, and we’ve identified Wix as one of the best you can choose for creating a business site. Wix even has a selection of  custom website templates designed specifically for takeaway businesses – you simply drop your own menu, delivery details, wording and preferred imagery into your chosen template. Better still, it’s completely free to try for yourself.

In this article, we cover:

Should you start a takeaway business now.

• Home takeaway business plan
• Home takeaway business licenses

Compare food delivery companies

Online ordering systems (order and pay apps), the best online ordering systems for takeaway businesses, what else do you need to consider.

At Startups.co.uk, we’re here to help small UK businesses to get started, grow and succeed. We have helpful resources for helping new businesses get off the ground – you can use the tool below to get started today.

What Does Your Business Need Help With?

Startups spoke to James Tulley, who told us about his experience setting up Teesside-based  takeaway delivery business Deja Street Food:

“ Before Covid-19, I had a full time job as a chef working Monday to Friday and ran my business at the weekends. When the country locked down my business had to close. Unfortunately, I wasn’t entitled to furlough and I had to do something to prevent losing my home so I set up a gourmet home delivery service. The offering changed weekly and was a set menu from a different country each week, with re-heat instructions. Thankfully, it was a massive success! “

According to a recent, post-Covid market report by the British Takeaway Campaign, the takeaway sector is currently experiencing never-before-seen growth. The report found that 38% of households ordered takeaway at least once a week at the height of the pandemic (and that’s just the ones that will admit to it) spending an average of £45 per month in 2020.

But this isn’t just a flash in the post-pandemic pan – the market was growing even before the first national lockdown began. Over the past five years, it rose by 43% and is expected to hit £22 bn in 2025.

That’s an astonishing rate, and one that definitely bodes well for new startups.

With food delivery companies upping capacity and waiving sign up fees, this is the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for your future takeaway business – by setting up your kitchen, getting the qualifications you need, gaining the experience you need, and getting your brand out there.

Best of all, starting a takeaway business from your home doesn’t require a hefty initial investment from you. Although delivery companies usually charge businesses a sign up fee, this typically isn’t payable until you start earning money – something to check with the delivery company before you sign up!

And if you’re worried about the commission charges that come with partnering up with a delivery company, there is another way to get your takeaway business up and running.

You could use a takeaway ordering system provider to create a website with an integrated ordering system. Or, if you already have a website, integrate one into it. It’s worth bearing in mind that these options require you to have your own delivery or pick up service. But you can find out more about these options later on.

“Covid-19 was the biggest challenge I’ve ever had to face and to be honest, the past 18 or so months has been crazy stressful. [But] the takeaway food business has been booming since lockdown, as long as your food is good and you market well, you should do ok.”

– James Tulley, founder of Deja Street Food.

James Tulley, founder of Deja Street Food

Design a home takeaway business plan

The first step to starting any business is to design a business plan.

Your business plan is the document that adds structure to your proposal and helps you focus your objectives on an achievable and realistic target.

It should cover every aspect of what your potential firm might look like, from licensing to predicted revenue. These details will make it a great resource for attracting investors.

Read our free guide to designing a business plan to learn more about what to include in, and how to get started on, your business plan.

Make sure you have the right home takeaway business licenses

Turning your love of food into a takeaway business from your home comes with similar rules and regulations to starting a catering business , including the licenses required, and the standard of cleanliness you should be demonstrating.

Government legislation states that you need to register your food business at least 28 days before opening. And if you’re already trading, you should register as soon as possible.

Before you start a takeaway from home business, you should also make sure you have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate. Virtual College offers a City and Guilds accredited Level 2 Food Hygiene course for £12.

The three main delivery companies – Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats – all have different fees, commission rates, and regulations. Here’s an overview.

Starting a takeaway business takes time and effort, and it’s important to make sure you don’t waste any of either.

We recommend using project management software to help streamline processes, track progress and assign tasks. Whether you’re starting your business alone or with other people, it’s a great way to keep things moving in the right direction.

Find out which project management tools we recommend .

The figures above offer a top level insight, and proper research should be conducted before you sign up to a food delivery company.

It’s also worth noting that while Just Eat seems to come out on top for lowest fees, it does have a more rigorous partner approval process than both Deliveroo and UberEats.

Weigh up the pros and cons of using a third party delivery company

While third party delivery companies make the lives of takeaway business owners easier, they do, in return, take a relatively large chunk of your earnings.

That’s why, if you have the means to deliver your own food, or want to encourage your customers to pick their takeaway up, you could always use an online ordering system. An online ordering system can either integrate into your website or, you can use a white label order and pay app supplier to host your digital menu and process your payments.

Online ordering systems and order and pay apps are cheaper and take less commission than the likes of UberEats and Deliveroo, yet give your customers the means to order their food directly through you. In fact, some online ordering systems offer their base package for free and just take a percentage of every transaction made through the system or app.

So how do you get one? Start by getting in touch with a takeaway online ordering system or order and pay provider. If you don’t know where to start, you can always use startup.co.uk’s questionnaire to guide you. All you need to do is answer a few basic questions about your prospective business, and we’ll pair you up with the best providers for your needs.

Once set up, customers will be able to order and pay online and orders will come straight through to your phone.

Free online ordering systems

Free online ordering systems allow you to create an ordering platform and take orders for free. But is there a catch? You’ll probably be expected to pay for the following optional services:

• A fee to have payments paid directly into your business account, rather than via your online ordering platform
• Any advanced marketing services
• A sales optimised website
• A branded mobile app

Choosing the right order and pay system for your business takes a lot of thought. While some providers offer to set up your order and pay system for free, be prepared to be charged a commission percentage of each transaction made through the platform. The table below shows a selection of website ordering systems.

Square Online enables you to create a basic online ordering system for free . Once you’ve set up a Square online store, you’ll be able to put a link to it on your social media pages.

Others, like Flipdish, help you to create enticing, user-friendly websites with online ordering built in – and help you to put a marketing strategy in place too! It’s up to you to decide on how sophisticated you want your online ordering platform to be, and how much of each sale you’re willing to give up!

Using an online ordering system versus a delivery company

Create an attractive menu

You may not be used to cooking at speed. This means you need to consider menu items that you can cook quickly using the facilities that you have. Opt for menu items that you can prepare as much as possible before you open for business – garnishes, sauces, and even whole menu items like casseroles and curries.

Deja Street Food menus

Get active on social media – if you haven’t already!

As you’ll be relatively new to the home takeaway business game, you’ll also need to take it upon yourself to drum up business.

While delivery companies and takeaway ordering companies can carry out some marketing on your behalf, you should be building your own brand image by using the likes of Instagram and Facebook to interact with your target audience.

Or perhaps you’ve already got a loyal Instagram foodie following that you can call upon to try your new menu?

Why not check out our guide to small business marketing to see what hints and tips you can pick up?

Deja Street Food Instagram account

“Find a concept that you’re passionate about, ensure it’s different to what everyone else is doing and make yourself stand out from the crowd. A great logo and visual marketing is important – post regularly on the socials and build your brand. You’re selling food, so make sure your posts are visual and show off what you do.”

–  James Tulley, Deja Street Food.

Keep on top of your finances

Starting a takeaway business takes time and money, and accountancy software can help with both.

Whether you run the business alone as a sole trader or with a team of chefs and delivery drivers, you need to make sure you keep your finances in order. When you start taking orders, and payments, you’ll need to start tracking your spending, revenue and profit. You can do this with spreadsheets and a lot of work, but we recommend getting help. Getting an accountant is expensive, so it’s easier to use software that’ll help you do the legwork.

Accountancy software is designed to simplify the complex processes related to money. From tracking your outgoings to managing your taxes, you’ll find any finance process simpler with the right tools in place. Take a look at the accountancy software that we’ve rated best .

“Ensure you cost your dishes properly. Work out exactly how much it costs to produce each dish including packaging. It’s really, really important. You can then cost it correctly. Food costs should be roughly 20-30% of your sale price. There’s no point selling a dish for £5 if it costs you £3 to produce.”

– James Tulley, Deja Street Food

Use software to your advantage

Similar to the above, software can help you set up your business to succeed in many ways; it can make organising your tasks, keeping track of your customer base, and taking payment so much easier. Using software tools – which are now readily available to even the smallest businesses – can save business owners quite literally hours of time each week, and can even help you offer better customer service.

Consider our top recommended software tools for task and team management, managing customer information, and taking payment in-store below:

What should I do next?

Here’s a round up of how to start a takeaway business from home:

• Get in touch with the different delivery companies or online ordering providers to see if their services are a feasible option
• Make sure to register your business with the Food Standards Agency within 28 days
• Make sure your kitchen is fully equipped, and you have the relevant food hygiene certificates
• Get active on social media. Instigate a discussion around your new takeaway business. You could even get some advice from a digital marketing agency . Startups has partnered with a number of agencies who would be happy to give you advice
• Brainstorm menu ideas and do some practice run throughs of each of your dishes by cooking for people in your household

“My number one piece of advice for people wanting to set up a takeaway business is that things always go wrong, you should expect it, and to be flexible and understand you’ll have to give a lot of your time to make sure it succeeds.

“And above all, make sure your food is amazing! Get your recipes fixed and all the ingredients weighed to the gram so the food is consistent when different staff cook it.”

Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews.

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Business Plan Quick Builder

The takeaway business plan template,    $3.33, per month - paid 3 monthly.

Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

Running a successful takeaway business requires more than just delicious food. You need a strategic marketing plan that will attract customers, increase brand awareness, and keep them coming back for more. That's where ClickUp's Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template comes in!

With this template, you'll be able to:

• Identify your target market and create irresistible promotions that speak directly to their needs
• Leverage the power of social media to reach a wider audience and build a strong online presence
• Stand out from the competition by implementing unique branding strategies and offering irresistible deals
• Track and measure the success of your marketing campaigns to continuously improve and drive sales

Ready to take your takeaway business to the next level? Get started with ClickUp's Marketing Plan Template today!

Benefits of Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template

A well-crafted Takeaway Business Marketing Plan can provide numerous benefits for your business, including:

• Targeted Marketing: Identify and reach your ideal customers, increasing the likelihood of attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
• Compelling Promotions: Develop engaging and persuasive campaigns to drive sales and increase customer interest in your takeaway business.
• Social Media Leverage: Utilize popular social media platforms to connect with your target audience, increase brand exposure, and foster customer engagement.
• Competitive Advantage: Implement strategies to differentiate your takeaway business from competitors, making your brand more attractive and memorable.
• Brand Awareness: Increase visibility and recognition of your takeaway business among your target market, leading to increased customer awareness and preference.
• Customer Loyalty: Build strong relationships with your customers through effective marketing strategies, encouraging repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Growth Opportunities: Identify growth opportunities and potential new markets to expand your takeaway business and increase revenue.

Main Elements of Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template

ClickUp's Takeaway Business Marketing Plan template provides a comprehensive solution for planning and executing your marketing strategies effectively.

Here are the main elements of this template:

Custom Statuses: Utilize 6 different statuses including Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, Needs Input, Planned, and To Do, to track the progress of your marketing tasks and ensure efficient workflow management.

Custom Fields: Leverage 6 custom fields such as Quarter, Task Type, Impact, Progress, Percent Completion, and Effort, to capture and analyze important data related to your marketing plan, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

Custom Views: Access 5 different views including Key Results, Timeline, Getting Started Guide, Objectives, and Progress Board, to visualize your marketing plan from various perspectives, ensuring better organization and clarity.

Collaboration Tools: Take advantage of ClickUp's collaboration features such as task comments, file attachments, and real-time editing to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among your marketing team.

Integrations: Integrate with popular marketing tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and Mailchimp to streamline your marketing efforts and gather valuable insights to optimize your campaigns.

With ClickUp's Takeaway Business Marketing Plan template, you'll have all the tools you need to effectively manage and execute your marketing strategies.

How to Use Marketing Plan for Takeaway Business

If you're starting a takeaway business and want to create a solid marketing plan, follow these six steps using ClickUp's Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template:

1. Define your target audience

Identify who your ideal customers are for your takeaway business. Consider factors such as demographics, preferences, and behaviors. This will help you tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right people.

Use the custom fields feature in ClickUp to categorize and analyze your target audience based on key characteristics.

2. Analyze the competition

Research and analyze other takeaway businesses in your area to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Identify what sets your business apart and how you can differentiate yourself in the market.

Use the Gantt chart feature in ClickUp to create a timeline for competitive analysis and track your findings.

3. Set marketing goals

Determine what you want to achieve with your marketing efforts. Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive more online orders, or expand your customer base? Setting clear and measurable goals will guide your marketing strategy.

Create tasks in ClickUp to assign specific marketing goals and track their progress.

4. Develop a marketing budget

Allocate a budget for your marketing activities. Consider expenses such as online advertising, social media campaigns, website development, and print materials. Plan your spending based on your marketing goals and available resources.

Use the custom fields feature in ClickUp to track and manage your marketing budget.

5. Choose marketing channels

Select the most effective marketing channels to reach your target audience. This could include social media platforms, email marketing, local advertising, influencer partnerships, or community outreach. Tailor your channel choices to your audience and goals.

Use the Calendar view in ClickUp to schedule and organize your marketing activities across different channels.

6. Implement and evaluate

Put your marketing plan into action by executing your strategies and campaigns. Monitor the results and evaluate their effectiveness. Identify what works well and what needs improvement, then make adjustments accordingly.

Use the Automations feature in ClickUp to automate repetitive marketing tasks and streamline your workflow. Use the Dashboards feature to track and analyze key marketing metrics.

By following these steps and utilizing ClickUp's Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template, you'll be well-equipped to create an effective marketing plan that drives success for your takeaway business.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template

Takeaway business owners can use this Takeaway Business Marketing Plan Template to effectively market their business and attract more customers.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a successful marketing plan:

• Use the Key Results view to track your marketing objectives and measure success
• The Timeline view will help you plan out your marketing activities and stay on schedule
• Refer to the Getting Started Guide view for tips and best practices on creating an effective marketing plan
• Utilize the Objectives view to define your marketing goals and strategies
• Monitor progress and track tasks using the Progress Board view
• Organize tasks into six different statuses: Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, Needs Input, Planned, To Do, to keep track of progress
• Update statuses as you complete tasks to stay organized and keep stakeholders informed

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Sample Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan

Fast food restaurant business plan sample.

Fast food business all has to do with providing quickly prepared and served food which has low nutrition compared to other foods.

It refers to a restaurant that sells food with preheated or precooked ingredients served in a take away form for customers.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a fast food cafe business.

Need to write a plan for your venture? Download a FREE Business Plan PDF Sample to develop a template for your own startup.

You can own a fast food business by starting it from the ground, buying an existing fast food business or buying into a franchise.

To start such fast food business, in-depth research and planning is important to achieve success.

(1) Decision Making

It is important to decide on which approach you want to use in having a small fast food business. Do you want to start from scratch? Do you want to buy a fast food business going into extinction and make it better? Or do you want to buy into a fast food franchise?

These are questions you should ask yourself in order to be able to decide on one approach out of the three for shaping your fast food business model. It all depends on you because the three approaches are good enough. The success of the business depends on management and not on the approach used in owning a fast food business.

(2) Feasibility Study

This will help in giving economic indicators to use in starting your fast food business. It states the start up and operating cost of a business and also shows if the business is worth all your efforts or not, that is, the profitability or failure of the business.

Feasibility study takes into cognizant the requirements of starting and owning a start up business like the manpower needed, the materials and machines that is needed.

Feasibility study also includes the cash flow analysis which deals with the money needed for the business and how to source for and regroup money for the business.

(3) Fast Food Business Plan

A restaurant business plan is an integral part of starting a fast food outlet. This helps in knowing the steps that will be taken in ensuring success of the business and also helps in determining the target audience of your fast food business.

A fast food restaurant business plan sample always include: business model, information on the product and services, market analysis, financial plan, objectives and method of implementation.

(4) Food Product

There is the need for you to decide on the type of food you want to be selling before opening the business. Although small fast food restaurants mostly sell hamburgers, you can make other products because you are not limited to hamburger. This helps in knowing the type of food you can sell to make money.

You don’t only decide on the type of products to offer but also develop your product for optimal satisfaction of the customers and high profitability.

To do this, you need to conduct a research to come up with a very good recipe that will attract many customers. Test should also be done to determine the final outlook of the product, to ensure that the color of the product doesn’t change due to chemical reactions and also to determine the ingredients that will make it healthy enough to consume.

(5) Location

In every business, location is an important thing that has to be considered carefully because it determines the success of your business and how well you will be patronized. A fast food business should not be situated in places with less traffic and visibility, such location will kill the business.

Highways, shopping centers, business areas, malls, colleges and universities are good locations where you can have your fast food takeaway business.  Easily accessed areas are also good for a fast food restaurant.

(6) Funding 

The feasibility study carried out earlier would have calculated the start up fund needed for the business. Here, all you have to do is to get the money either through your savings or loans and grants. The best way to get your capital is to locate potential investors with your business plan. To do this, you must have a good business plan and must be able to convince the investors.

(7) Registration

You should make inquiries from the health department in your vicinity to know the requirements of starting and owning a fast food restaurant and also the required permits and license. You will also need to be inspected by the health department before you can go on with your business.

In Texas, Florida, California and other states in the US, It is important that you meet both the state and federal requirements and also have the necessary license and permits before opening your healthy mobile fast food business.

Regulations differ from one state to another and from one country to another.

The following are other basic things that needs to be done when starting a fast food center business:

• Purchasing of all required and necessary equipment especially cooking utensils. • Staffs should be hired and trained for providing effective service.  Training is mostly important for staff in order to be aware of developments in the products they offer and also to become better at what they do. • Promote your fast food business through adverts on social media and other platforms.

FAST FOOD RESTAURANT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Perhaps, you are keen on writing a business plan because you need it to help you obtain a loan from the bank; or maybe, you realize how really important a business plan could be to the success of your business.

Before we delve in, i believe you must have made inquiries and prepared for that business, and you are well aware of the necessary requirements and steps to be observed before starting up. This article will serve as useful template to help you draft your own fast food outlet business plan.

Other Fast Food Plans:

• Bubble Tea Business Plan
• Shawarma Stand Business Plan
• Cupcake Shop Business Plan
• Catering Business Plan
• Pizza Shop Business Plan
• Ice Cream Factory Business Plan
• Hot Dog Cart Business Plan
• Sandwich Shop Business Plan
• Frozen Yogurt Business Plan
• Cake Making Business Plan
• Donut Shop Business Plan

So without any ado, below is a fast food restaurant business plan sample.

BUSINESS NAME: Tantalizer’s Fries

• Executive Summary
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement
• Business Structure
• Products and Services
• Market Analysis
• Target Market
• Sales and Marketing Strategy
• Sales Forecast

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Tantalizer’s Fries is a fast food restaurant business that is registered and fully licensed as a Limited company to operate in Singapore. It is a fast food restaurant business that has fulfilled the necessary requirements and obtained the required licenses and permits to legally operate in Singapore.

At Tantalizer’s Fries, we will be committed to tantalizing our customers with good, and quality food recipes at excellent prices with great packaging. We know that today’s world is a very busy one, and people have less time to properly prepare their meals; this is why we have become the answer to this pressing demand for fast food. We will offer a vast range of products, from sandwiches to Belgian fries.

Our fast food restaurant will be located at one of the crowded and populated areas of Singapore. The size of the establishment will range from 60 – 70 metres square and it will contain 20 – 25 guests.

Tantalizer’s Fries will be owned by Matthew Robinson and Jimmy McDonalds, both of whom will be having a 50-50 ownership. Both Matthew Robinson and Jimmy McDonalds have more than 15 years of experience in the fast food industry. We will expand our fast food restaurant business and offer franchise opportunity in the near future, probably after the first five years.

BUSINESS OBJECTIVES

At Tantalizer’s Fries, we have set out our business objectives as given below, to be able to cement our position as one of the leading fast food restaurants in Singapore and Asia as a whole. Our business objectives include:

• To establish a presence as one of the leading fast food restaurants in Singapore and Asia.
• To establish Tantalizer’s Fries as a fast food restaurant that anybody would love to come to.
• To expand the restaurant business and start offering franchise opportunity, before the last quarter of our third year of business, in Singapore, United States, and other parts of the world.
• To create an exciting and unique menu that will set us apart from every other fast food restaurant in Singapore.
• To provide more than a satisfactory service to our customers and maintain a high level of excellent services.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is clear and straightforward, and it is in harmony with our business vision. Our ultimate goal is to be among the leading fast food restaurants in Singapore, offering franchise opportunities within and outside Singapore, and the United States.

Bearing in mind our ultimate goal, we will put in our best efforts to ensure that we provide top quality customer services to our wonderful customers. We will make our customers have more than a wonderful experience whenever they visit our fast food restaurant, and even when they visit our website. We will make sure we will have great quality packaging for our products, and have our brand label attached to all our products.

In a nutshell, our main focus is on serving our cherished customers great quality food at great and affordable prices in a very calm and soothing atmosphere.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE Tantalizer’s Fries will be owned by Matthew Robinson and Jimmy McDonalds. Matthew Robinson holds a Masters degree from the University Of Michigan, and had once been a project manager at several multinational companies while Jimmy McDonalds holds a BS degree. As the company expand over the years, we will need the services of:

• A director of store operations.
• Human Resource Manager (HRM).
• Marketing Manager, and
• Administrative Manager.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Tantalizer’s Fries will focus solely on the sales of fries, sauces, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We will offer the sales of our products at very affordable prices. We will open our fast food restaurant every day from 8am to 8pm.

We will offer some Belgian fries and sandwiches in various flavours, ranging from satay sauce, Thai chilli ketchup, pesto mayo, teriyaki sauce, creamy wasabi mayo, lava cheese, barbecue, Caribbean islands, etc.

MARKET ANALYSIS

In Singapore, the end of the year 2000 marked the immense growth of consumers’ expenses for fast food, and the subsequent bounce back of the nation’s economy. The number of fast food restaurants had increased tremendously over the years.

In a survey of people within the ages of 15 – 45 years old, 80% of them confirmed to like fast food. 90% of them confirmed to like eating fast food regularly, and 10% of them affirmed to having great love for fast foods.

TARGET MARKET

Our target market will include a host of adolescents and adults that fall within the age bracket of 15 – 38. This is because this group have very flexible budgets. We will make sure we offer our products at prices that are much more appealing than those of our competitors. Our target market will also include the family unit, the male adults –this is because they have very little dietary concerns; and the medium income earners.

SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

We will do well to employ the necessary sales and marketing strategies to be able to catapult our fast food restaurant business to the top and cement it there. We will locally market our brand by distributing colour brochures throughout the regions in our target market areas.

We will make use of the local media of newspapers, magazines, and direct mail campaign; and also establish a website for our fast food restaurant business. We will also not hesitate to move our brand to the social media world such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

FINANCIAL PLAN

Startup requirements

Startup expenses:

Legal fee                                 $2,000 Rent fee                                  $20,000 Interior equipment                  $17,000 Kitchen equipment                 $23,000 Packaging                               $10,000 Contingencies                         $5,000 Startup asset                          $60,000 Total                                       $137,000

Startup funding:

The initial startup investment sum required to startup Tantalizer’s Fries fast food restaurant business is $137,000.

Both Matthew Robinson and Jimmy McDonalds will contribute a 50-50 percent sum of investment to make up the startup capital. Matthew Robinson and Jimmy McDonalds will both contribute $68,500 as the startup investment.

SALES FORECAST

Our sales forecast for Tantalizer’s Fries for the next three years is as follows. This sales projection is however based on a number of factors that have been considered.

Year 1             $100,000 Year 2             $170,000 Year 3             $350,000

Kindly share this business plan for a fast food restaurant , thanks.

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• Restaurants & Bars

Free Restaurant Business Plan Template

Opening a restaurant or looking to improve operations at your existing business? Download our free restaurant business plan template to make the process easier. 

What is a restaurant business plan?

A restaurant business plan is a document you begin with when setting up or opening a new restaurant. It's a framework that brings together financials, menus, and marketing that helps you turn your restaurant ideas into a reality.

Professional Business Template

A professional-grade restaurant business plan valued at $159 completely FREE.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This template includes step-by-step instructions for each section of the business plan with examples.

Printable Worksheets

Each section in this template contains fillable worksheets to help you plan out your restaurant business plan.

Flexible Restaurant

Business plan.

Our free-to-download restaurant business plan PDF template includes all the sections you need to get started with opening a restaurant.

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Home » Entrepreneurship » The Quick Guide You Need For Opening A Takeaway

The Quick Guide You Need For Opening A Takeaway

• November 16, 2021

Are you an entrepreneur that is interested in opening up a takeaway? One of the great things about opening up a takeaway business is that you can start small, and the business model can grow over time. Starting a takeaway can be a sound business idea for both aspiring entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs who have already experienced some success in the business world.

The other positive factor working in your favour is that the takeaway industry is definitely still booming, and you’re bound to be able to fill a gap in the market. Even though sit-down restaurants have taken a bit of a backseat since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are still more than happy to order in takeaways. By choosing the right premises and focusing on customer loyalty, you could have a successful business model on your hands. Of course, it would be advantageous if you, as the business owner, had some experience (or even passion) when it comes to food, but even if you don’t, you can always consult with experts for inspiration and guidance.

However, opening up a takeaway does not come without its challenges. There can be a lot of red tape that you have to navigate, and customers can be exceptionally critical when it comes to food quality and service.

In this article by Real Business, we provide you with the quick guide that you have been looking for to assist you in opening up a successful takeaway business!

Create a business plan

Before you start looking for premises, hiring staff, and designing your dream logo, you should have a solid business plan for your takeaway business. You will need this business plan to set out goals for your business, as well as to show potential investors.

Although there are many business plan templates available online, there is no clear-cut layout for a takeaway business plan, but your plan should comprise the following.

Type of takeaway business you wish to open

What sort of food are you planning to sell at your takeaway? It is always advisable to offer a certain cuisine or style of food so that your target market can find you easily. Ensure that you conduct proper market research and look into what some of your potential competitors are up to. Obviously, it would be a good idea to specialise in a cuisine that you may have some experience with.

Your target market

What does your target market look like? You may be surprised by how important defining your target market is when it comes to takeaway restaurants. Your target market will affect your branding, your prices, and what your menu will look like. Defining your target market may also require some market research.

How you plan to service customers

When it comes to takeaway businesses, there’s the traditional model where the customer phones or orders in person and picks up the order themselves. But what has become far more popular for takeaway restaurants is customers ordering their meals through online apps, like Uber Eats, that make use of delivery drivers for added convenience. Make sure that you are well-versed in the latest apps and technology available to you for greater customer reach before finalising your business plan.

The financials

You need to have some sort of idea of how your business will turn a profit, and how many meals you’ll need to sell to break even. If numbers aren’t your strong point, consider sitting down with a business advisor to help you get your financial details accurate. Only then will you be able to find investors should you need financing.

Sample menu

A sample menu, which can always experience adjustments along the way, should definitely form part of your business plan. Your sample menu should detail the costs of each meal and the price point for customers.

Consider franchising

Consumers like what they know and know what they like. There is a reason why takeaway franchises are some of the most successful and iconic franchises in the world. Just look at big names such as McDonald’s and KFC. If you don’t have any groundbreaking takeaway ideas of your own, you could always look at investing in a franchise.

When you buy a franchise, the franchisor will provide you with a detailed business plan and suppliers. And, most likely, a loyal customer base that cannot wait for your franchise to open in their local area. Gaining finance for franchises is usually a lot easier than other takeaway models.

The downside is that franchises can be very expensive, and there is not much wriggle room when it comes to franchisor rules.

There are many options to buy franchises, and it is well worth looking into if that appeals to you.

Finding the right premises

The premises from which you plan to operate your takeaway is very important. Most people don’t want to drive too far to pick up their takeaways or pay too much to have their takeaways delivered. Walk-ins are going to make up a large number of your customers.

Your takeaway business needs to be in close proximity to where your target market lives or hangs out.

Finding the ideal commercial property can be tricky, and rents can be outrageous in certain areas. A commercial property agent should be able to point you in the right direction and help you find properties that fulfil your needs and are within your budget. But remember to look over the lease very carefully before you sign anything. Ideally, you want a commercial property that has all of the relevant licenses already in place.

Of course, buying a commercial property could also be an option should you have sufficient capital. In certain cases, you may be able to run a takeaway business from your home should your property be correctly zoned and licensed, but this is not a possibility in most cases.

Most entrepreneurs do not have sufficient funds to start up their businesses all on their own. If you do not have sufficient capital to finance your business, you may want to look into the financing options that are available to you.

There are probably far more funding options available to you than you may have thought, such as the bank, private lenders, investors, as well as alternatives such as crowdfunding. Do some solid research into your options, remembering that you could use a combination of options for the cash injection that you need for your business to succeed.

A solid business plan, a clean financial record, and experience in business will all work in your favour when it comes to accessing finance for a takeaway business. Also, have a clear idea of the amount that you’ll need to get your business up and running.

Ensure your compliance

You want to ensure that your takeaway business is completely above board and for there to be no reason for you to be found non-compliant in any way. The first thing you’ll need to do is officially register your business. From there, you’ll need to ensure that you are completely up to date and well informed about all the latest health and safety requirements.

At least 28 days before opening, you’ll need to register your takeaway business with your local authority. It is very important that you do not leave this until the last minute. You will also need to obtain a Food Hygiene Certificate, which will give your customers information about your hygiene standards.

To avoid any legal issues, you should also be abundantly clear about any allergens and ingredients in the items on your menu.

Get insurance

Things can go wrong when it comes to business, and when they do, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t have insurance. While insurance is not obligatory, in our eyes, having insurance is an absolute must-do for any takeaway business. There are many different types of insurance that you can get for businesses, including:

• Public liability insurance
• Employers’ liability insurance
• Product liability insurance
• Business equipment insurance

There are many insurance packages that cover all of the above insurance options, and it is well worth making use of all of them if you want to be covered.

While insurance may seem like an unnecessary cost every month, it can truly save your business in case something goes wrong.

Find reliable suppliers

When it comes to takeaways and dealing with food, you’ll need to be stocking up on supplies on a regular basis. Do you know who will be supplying your ingredients, packaging, cleaning equipment, etc.? It is a good idea to do some research into the different suppliers available in your area and find a supplier that is reliable, has industry experience, is affordable, and is communicative.

The last thing you want to deal with is a supplier that delivers late, hits you with unexpected price increases, and is impossible to get hold of. Choose your suppliers very carefully as it is one of your most important business relationships.

Find reliable staff

One of the key ingredients to a successful takeaway business is having staff that you can rely on. Depending on your business model, you may need to hire employees to assist with food preparation, handle orders and deal with customers. You may want to have an active role in the business, especially in the beginning to ensure that things run smoothly and to see which processes could be more streamlined or straightened out.

It’s preferable to find staff with some sort of experience in the takeaway industry so that you don’t have to put extra time and effort into training staff with the basics. Either way, your staff will need to be provided with adequate training so that they know exactly what is expected of them. Be very careful about who you choose to employ because dismissing an employee can be very difficult if you regret your choice later.

Professional employment contracts should be drawn up. There are many templates online, but you may want to consult a legal professional if you are new to drawing up employment contracts.

Time to start marketing

Once you have most of your business affairs in order, it is time to start marketing your business. You want to ensure that you have eye-catching marketing materials such as a logo, menus, etc. It is important that you invest in quality marketing material that will look good on various online platforms and in printed format. From here, you can look at marketing. There are many avenues you can take, including:

• Word of mouth- Tell all of your family and friends about your new takeaway business. You’ll be surprised by how quickly word of mouth travels.
• Social media marketing- These days, all businesses need to be active on social media. Ensure your menu and contact number is easily visible.
• Local resources- Local resources, such as local newspapers, Facebook groups etc., can be very valuable for advertising.
• Influencer marketing- Influencer marketing can be a fantastic way to reach a large number of people by providing an influencer with a free meal in return for a shoutout on their platforms.
• Flyers- Handing out flyers and menus in your local area is a great way to alert your local community about your new business venture.

Marketing is exceptionally important for any business, and it may be well worth your time to sit down with a marketing specialist and have them design a custom marketing plan for you.

Start cooking

Once all your business affairs are in order, the only thing left to do is wait for your first order and start cooking!

The initial stages of opening up a takeaway can be very challenging. There may be processes that need a lot of refining, and you may battle to reach customers in the beginning. As long as you are prepared for the challenges involved and have a rock-solid business plan to stick to, you may be in for success.

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• Business Plan for Meal Takeaway

Meal Takeaway Small Business Idea and Business Plan

Starting your own small business in the UK isn’t easy but having a properly developed business plan will help you achieve success.

To start a Meal Takeaway business in the UK, take the time and explain the idea via a business plan.

Understanding all of the aspects of the business idea will be the key to getting the Meal Takeaway business running like a well-oiled machine. The business plan you develop will help you organize the elements needed into a strategy that you can actually use to startup, by paving a clear road map as to what you need to follow for the lifespan of your business.

Starting a Meal Takeaway business isn’t easy, but when done right, it can lead to a lot of success.

To help you get started, you can use the free business plan builder tool to develop your own Meal Takeaway business plan.

The business plan template is very easy to use, is interactive and will quickly and easily help you create your business plan just by answering the needed questions about your small business idea.

Create your own Meal Takeaway business plan for free using the Business Plan Builder

The free business plan template builder is divided into a few easy to follow steps.

The free business plan builder template is provided by UKStartups.org to help you develop your own business plan. For step by step guidance, see the 5 steps below.

Once completed, the result will be a clean, professional plan that will help you start your own Meal Takeaway small business in the UK.

When you have completed your Meal Takeaway business plan, the next step will be to find available funding that will help, or to speak with a funding adviser who will assist you each step of the way to securing the needed funds to make your Meal Takeaway business startup.

If you are looking to limit your startup costs when starting up a Meal Takeaway small business in the UK, this free business plan builder tool will be it.

Starting a Meal Takeaway business is only one of the ways others have used this free business plan tool. There are hundreds of different ideas you can start, and if you need guidance, do reach out to a UKStartups expert to get the needed assistance and guidance.

Step 1. Your business information

To develop a proper Meal Takeaway business plan with the free business plan builder template, it is important to answer each of the questions about your business to the best of your abilities.

What is your business? What are the products/services you provide? Who are your customers? What are your goals…etc?

Having a clear explanation will help you create a in-depth business plan that you can actually use to start the Meal Takeaway business and to apply for needed funding to cover your startup costs.

Step 2. Projecting your revenues/income

The Meal Takeaway industry can have great results. Planning and projecting the financial figures to approximate what you will make each year is crucial to building a strong business plan.

What do you think your business will make from each of its products/services? Simply list your products/services, enter the appropriate financial figures (costs and expenses).

If you don’t have the figures, in many cases it is recommended to do a a bit more research on other Meal Takeaway businesses locally and within your own region to get an idea of potential revenue. You can do your best to estimate the figures and growth potential.

If you need assistance in projecting, you can always contact UK Startups funding experts for the help.

Step 3. Your business market

As a Meal Takeaway business, having a clear explanation of the market and industry that you are in will help you plan for the figure and will ensure you can take the business to the next level.

Explain your location of business, share specifics about your customers, showcase your competition and explain the advantages you have over your competition.

Step 4. The future plan

Starting your own Meal Takeaway business and getting it off the ground is important to you.

No matter if you’re planning on applying for government funding for your Meal Takeaway business or not, it is important to plan out the future and provide an explanation of how you will grow the business. This means explaining your marketing plan, your sales strategy and clearly outlining a growth plan for the next few years.

Be sure to break this down step by step to show how you intend on making sure your Meal Takeaway business can grow each year.

Keep in mind that often business plans are focused on key people. Be sure to discuss yourself, your role and any other key figures in the business as well.

Step 5. The financials

In the end, it all comes down to the financials. If you are seeking funding, or not – the business plan you develop needs to have clearly defined financials or projections. The business plan builder tool makes it easy to develop your financial charts by simply entering your expected revenues per month and year. If you don’t have the figures as it’s a new business be sure to project the figures based on your expectations. If you need help with this, ask the UK Startups experts .

A clear breakdown of your funding needs is also recommended in case you are seeking funding and this free business plan template will help you with exactly that. When developing your Meal Takeaway business plan using this free template, the above 5 steps are recommended in order to succeed. While there are other key points that will assist you in starting your business, finding funding...etc, the free template will help put you on the right path

Be sure to request a professional to review your business plan , to answer any questions you may have and to help you with the funding search once you’ve done the initial free template. You can request this directly via UKStartups.org and through the Small Business Startup Platform as a member.

If starting a Meal Takeaway business is just one of your ideas, perhaps considering other options, here are some popular small business’s others have chosen to startup

• Amish Furniture Store
• Shoe Shining Service
• Cultural Center
• Christian Book Store
• Planetarium

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Business Plan Template: Restaurant

This easy-to-use business plan template is designed to help aspiring restaurant owners set their plans into motion. Download now to start working on your business plan.

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A restaurant business plan will provide the foundation for your business. Not only is a detailed business plan the key to your restaurant’s success, but it also outlines your vision by detailing how your business will take shape and operate. 

• Highly customisable – add your concept, ideas and information into the template.
• Prompts and examples – craft a detailed business plan that’s ready to present to potential partners and investors.
• Open-ended template – get started with support throughout your process.

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Home >> #realtalk Blog >> Manage a business >> Restaurant Business …

Restaurant Business Plan Template: Grow Your Business the Right Way

By Homebase Team

Planning the best way forward for your new restaurant can be a daunting task. Whether you’re living the dream of opening your own restaurant or reworking your existing concept, a restaurant business plan template takes a ton of stress out of writing a business plan.

In this article, we walk you through how to create a restaurant business plan so you’re not stranded in a quagmire of confusing priorities and too many ideas. Even better, we’ve created a free restaurant business plan template to form the operational foundation as you put one together! As you follow through our guide, feel free to download, customize, and reference our template to help you put your restaurant on the path to success.

To start, let’s go through all the ways a written business plan helps shape your restaurant, and why it boosts your business’s chance of success.

What is a restaurant business plan?

A restaurant business plan is a written document that lays out an overview of a restaurant, its objectives, and its plans for achieving its goals.

A business plan is a necessary tool for restaurants of all kinds and sizes. It can be a handful of pages long or much more detailed. A well-written restaurant business plan not only helps you organize your ideas, it’s also a key part of getting investor funding .

Why you need a business plan. 

Creatively, opening a new restaurant can be incredibly exciting. But it’s also super complicated. From licenses to equipment to building a team, each phase needs a lot of attention to detail.

Before you jump in, it’s important to shape your plan of attack, organizing your business ideas into a clear, concise narrative that an outsider could easily understand. A business plan is an essential part of this, as it  helps you:

Set short- and long-term goals.

A restaurant business plan not only shows how your business will operate in its early stages—it also shows what steps it’ll need to follow as time goes by. Setting both your short and long-term goals at the outset makes you more likely to achieve them. Short-term goals may include meeting current staffing needs, while long-term goals may include five-year growth forecasts and the steps involved to get there.

Understand your resource needs.

Going through the exercise of writing a restaurant business plan is as important as having the finished document in front of you. As you organize your thoughts, your resource needs—from the amount of capital you need to raise all the way down to the equipment you need to find—will take shape. 

Reduce potential risks.

Sadly, some 60% of restaurants fail within the first year of opening. One of the main reasons? A failure to plan. Your business plan will help you plan for most challenges at your restaurant before they come up, keeping you on the right side of that number.

Some of the risks your restaurant faces might include:

• Crowded market.  One key component of your business plan is conducting market research. How will you ensure your restaurant stands out?
• Supply chain issues.  Especially if your eye is toward growth, you need to know how to affordably, reliably, and sustainably keep your restaurant stocked—long-term. Why not track supply strategies as part of your business plan?
• Health and safety.  Are you compliant with health regulations? How will you know? Your business plan is one great place to outline compliance protocols, keeping you and your team informed.

Develop a marketing strategy.

As you do your market analysis and figure out your ideal customer, the ways you’ll promote your business will get clearer. The more specific you are with your market research, the easier and more effective your marketing efforts will be.

Build your team.

Your business plan helps you see who you’ll need on your team and which roles you’ll need to fill first . For investors, your business plan is a document showcasing everyone’s collective experience, personalizing your restaurant in their eyes and packing a professional punch. This can include everyone from your head chef to your star hostess. Make it clear how you’re filling your hospitality niche!

Share your vision.

Whether you’re using your business plan to secure startup funding or need additional capital after you’ve already opened, your restaurant business plan shows an investor or lender exactly why they should get behind you. Your business plan should detail where you began (or hope to begin), where you are now, and where you intend to go—as well as how.

The 9 elements of a strong restaurant business plan.

Your restaurant business plan will be unique to your restaurant’s vision. But all good business plans hit standard points, and whoever reads yours will expect to see certain elements. As you develop and finalize your ideas, here are nine key elements your business plan should include. 

1. Executive summary

A strong restaurant business plan begins with a strong executive summary. This is a sharp, concise overview of your restaurant—and your  best opportunity to grab people’s attention.

Here’s where you communicate, in a nutshell, what kind of restaurant you want to run. Which demographic will you be targeting? Why is your business something the community wants or needs? Especially if you’re asking for financing, include a snapshot of your financial information and growth plan as well. 

Your executive summary should briefly lay out:

• Your mission statement. Why are you starting this restaurant now, in this location? 
• Your idea. What’s the concept of this restaurant?
• Your plan of execution. What are your key steps to making this concept work?
• Your potential costs. What are your expected expenses?
• Your anticipated ROI. How much do you expect your restaurant to make?

Many investors will make a split-second decision off of the executive summary alone. It might be all they’re going to read, so make every word count.

2. Company description

Now it’s time to let your creativity out and give your restaurant concept life. Give a more detailed description of your concept that lets your passion for what you’re creating come through. 

Flesh out all the other details of your proposed restaurant, including your restaurant’s:

• Style of cuisine
• Any unique selling points or differentiators that will make customers choose you—for instance, aesthetic or celebrity chef
• Service style
• Restaurant name (or at least ideas)
• Size, seating style, and capacity
• Location ideas— or the location you’ve scouted or secured
• Ambiance ideas, including décor, lighting, and music
• Operating hours
• Other service offerings, like whether you’ll offer delivery or takeout, delivery guarantees, catering, and any retail products you plan to sell
• Legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC) 
• Existing management and their roles, including yours
• Experts or advisors you’ve brought on board

3. Market analysis

Present the research you’ve done on your target market. Make a couple of buyer personas to represent your future customers, explaining:

• Where your target customers live
• Their income levels
• Their dining-out and/or ordering-in pain points (e.g., lack of late opening hours, lack of family friendliness)
• How often they dine out or order in

Go through which other restaurants already have a customer base in your area, then explain why people will choose your restaurant over others. 

4. Sample menu

Even at the business plan stage, menu engineering is crucial. The specific menu items you’re likely to serve—the biggest thing that will set you apart—should shine through with descriptions that are short, clear, and evocative. If you have an executive chef already, this is a great area for them to add input.

Use language that will get people excited about trying your offerings. Hire a designer or use an online program to create your own mockup using the same colors, fonts, and design elements as the rest of your branding. 

5. Business structure

Dive deeper into your business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, etc.) and organizational management. Show what your different employee positions will be (co-founders, managers, servers) to give a sense of your team’s makeup. An organizational chart can be helpful here.

Investors won’t expect you to have your entire team on board at this stage, but you should have at least a couple of people firmed up. For the roles that are already filled, including your own, summarize your collective experience and achievements. Bullet points work well, or some people choose to go into more detail with full resumes for the executive team or critical team members.

6. Restaurant design and location

Long before you sign a lease, make sure that your new offering will outshine existing ones nearby. In this section of your business plan, explain why your chosen location, or the ones you’re narrowing down, are going to be an effective space for your target market.

Consider things like:

• Neighborhood demographics
• Foot traffic
• Labor costs
• Accessibility

Hand in hand with location, your restaurant’s interior design—both in its floor plan and its ambiance—is also crucial to your business’s viability. Come up with a captivating restaurant design that communicates your theme and matches your cuisine, creating a memorable customer experience. Decide how many tables you’ll be serving, and plan out any outdoor seating.

Touch on things like:

• Team uniforms
• Flatware and glassware

7. Marketing strategy

How do you plan to market your restaurant? Your plan for grabbing customers’ attention is vital to getting diners through the door, especially at the beginning before word-of-mouth advertising has taken off.

What kind of offers will you provide? Will you have promotional events, direct mail, or a social media strategy ? Go through your planned marketing campaigns and explain how each of them will help secure your target market. 

8. Takeout and delivery options

If you’ve decided to have takeout and delivery at your restaurant—pretty important for most target markets—decide whether you’ll use your own drivers or a professional fleet like Uber Eats or DoorDash.

Show how you’ll provide the smooth digital experience your customers will expect. Decide if and how your website will come into play, bearing in mind that in 2023, 40% of consumers preferred to order directly from the restaurant website .

9. Financial projections

Your restaurant’s projected budget need to be solid, especially if you’re using your business plan to get startup funds. Without a budget, investors have no way of knowing if your business is a good investment or when it will become profitable.

One way to make sure your projections are rock solid is to hire an experienced accountant with expertise in running restaurants. Make sure you’re keeping track of market research, planned costs , and projected income. Show how investor funds will be used and whether you’ll be putting up collateral to get a loan. You’ll also score bonus points with a sales forecast for the next five years. Make sure to include a break-even analysis!

One free restaurant business plan template, coming up. 

As the team behind Homebase , we know how much there is to consider when you’re starting a new restaurant. We’re proud to be an all-in-one partner for thousands of restaurants large and small—helping make everything from staffing, to scheduling, to team communication easier for business owners.

And we know that your restaurant business plan is a high-stakes document. That’s why we created our free restaurant business plan template to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Check out our free, downloadable template to get your ideas into shape, get started on your restaurant journey—and get investors excited to jump on board with you. 

Download your restaurant business plan template for free: Restaurant business plan + free template PDF

Stop chasing down phone numbers with our built-in team communication tool. Message teammates, share updates, and swap shifts — all from the Homebase app.

Restaurant business plan template FAQs

What is the basic planning document for a successful restaurant.

The basic planning document for successful restaurants is a restaurant business plan. A restaurant business plan lays out a restaurant’s long and short-term goals and its plans for achieving those goals. Restaurant planners use it both to finetune their ideas and to secure investor funding.

How to write a restaurant business plan.

When writing a restaurant business plan, include an executive summary, a detailed restaurant description, market analysis research, a sample menu, a breakdown of your business structure, the design and location of your restaurant, your planned takeout and delivery options, your marketing strategy, and your financial projections.

What makes a business plan template for restaurants different from a standard business plan?

A restaurant business plan template differs from a standard business plan by including things like menu engineering, interior design, kitchen operations, front-of-house management, takeout and delivery offerings, and location analysis, which are unique to the food service industry.

Remember:  This is not legal advice. If you have questions about your particular situation, please consult a lawyer, CPA, or other appropriate professional advisor or agency.

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Blog Business 15+ Best Business Plan Examples for Entrepreneurs & Startups

15+ Best Business Plan Examples for Entrepreneurs & Startups

Written by: Jennifer Gaskin Jun 09, 2021

Not having a solid plan makes it unlikely for you to achieve the goals you seek, whether it’s getting your to-do list done or launching a successful organization.

In the early stages of a company, that means developing things like pitch decks, business plans, one-sheeters and more. With Venngage’s Business Plan Builder , you can easily organize your business plan into a visually appealing format that can help you win over investors, lenders or partners.

Learn more about how to create a business plan so you can hit the ground running after reading through this list for inspirational business plan templates .

15+ Best business plan examples for entrepreneurs and startups

Simple business plan example, startup business plan example, small business plan example, nonprofit business plan example, strategic business plan example, market analysis business plan example, sales business plan example, organization and management business plan example, marketing and sales strategy business plan example, apple business plan example, airbnb business plan example, sequoia capital business plan example.

While your business plan should be supported by thorough and exhaustive research into your market and competitors, the resulting document does not have to be overwhelming for the reader. In fact, if you can boil your business plan down to a few key pages, all the better.

Simple business plan outline:

• Table of contents : List all sections and sub-sections within the business plan.
• Business review : Include an overview of the business’s purpose, history, and key objectives.
• The market : Analyze the target market, including customer demographics and market needs.
• The competition : Evaluate the main competitors and their strengths and weaknesses in the market.

The simple, bold visual aesthetic of this  business plan template  pairs well with the straightforward approach to the content and various elements of the business plan itself.

Use Venngage’s My Brand Kit  to automatically add your brand colors and fonts to your business plan with just a few clicks.

An essential startup business plan should include a clear and compelling value proposition, market analysis, competitive analysis, target audience identification, financial projections, and a well-defined marketing and operational strategy.

For a typical startup, the need to appear disruptive in the industry is important. After all, if you’re not offering anything truly new, why would an investor turn their attention toward your organization. That means establishing a problem and the ways in which you solve it right away.

Startup business plan outline:

• The problem : Identify the specific issue or pain point your startup aims to solve.
• Target market & opportunity : Define your customers and the potential market size.
• The solution : Describe the product or service that addresses the identified problem.
• Traction and validation/roadmap : Outline the progress made so far and the future milestones and goals.

Whether it’s a full-scale business plan or, in this case, a pitch deck, the ideal way for a startup to make a splash with its plans is to be bold. This successful business plan example is memorable and aspirational.

In the Venngage editor, you can upload images of your business. Add these images to your plans and reports to make them uniquely your own.

All businesses start out small at first, but that doesn’t mean their communications have to be small. One of the best ways to get investors, lenders and talent on board is to show that you’ve done your due diligence.

Small business plan outline:

• Table of contents : List down of all the sections and sub-sections in the business plan.
• Business overview : Include a quick overview of what your business is all about, including your mission and goals.
• The market : Analyzes who your customers are, what they need, and how big the market is.
• The competition : Look into your main competitors and what they’re good at (and not so good at).
• Sales and marketing plan : Lay out your game plan for attracting and keeping customers.
• Operating plan : Explain how you’ll run the day-to-day operations and manage the business.

In this small business plan example, the content is spread over many pages, which is useful in making lengthy, in-depth research feel less like a chore than packing everyone on as few pages as possible.

Organizations that set out to solve problems rather than earning profits also benefit from creating compelling business plans that stir an emotional response in potential donors, benefactors, potential staff members or even media.

Nonprofit business plan outline:

• Table of contents : Lists all sections and sub-sections of your nonprofit business plan.
• Introduction : Provide an overview of your mission and purpose.
• Goal : State the specific objectives your nonprofit organization aims to achieve.
• Impact & strategy : Explain how you plan to create positive change and the methods you will use.

Simplicity is the goal for nonprofits when it comes to business plans, particularly in their early days. Explain the crisis at hand and exactly how your organization will make a difference, which will help donors visualize how their money will be used to help.

Business plans are also helpful for companies that have been around for a while. Whether they’re considering new products to launch or looking for new opportunities, companies can approach business plans from the strategy side of the equation as well.

Strategic business plan outline:

• The problem, issue, or job at hand : Define the specific challenge or task the strategic plan addresses.
• Approach & methodology : Describe the methods and strategies that will be used to tackle the problem or achieve the objective.

Strategic business plans or strategy infographics should be highly focused on a single area or problem to be solved rather than taking a holistic approach to the entire business. Expanding scope too much can make a strategy seem too difficult to implement.

Easily share your business plan with Venngage’s multiple download options, including PNG, PNG HD, and as an interactive PDF.

One-page business plan example

For organizations with a simple business model, often a one-page business plan is all that’s needed. This is possible in any industry, but the most common are traditional ones like retail, where few complex concepts need to be explained.

This one-page strategic business plan example could be easily replicated for an organization that offers goods or services across multiple channels or one with three core business areas. It’s a good business plan example for companies whose plans can be easily boiled down to a few bullet points per area.

Especially when entering a saturated market, understanding the landscape and players is crucial to understanding how your organization can fit it—and stand out. That’s why centering your business plan around a market analysis is often a good idea.

Market analysis business plan outline:

• Table of contents : Lists all sections and sub-sections of the market analysis business plan.
• Executive summary : Provide a brief overview of the key points of the market analysis.
• Business overview : Summarize your business’s mission, vision and core activities.
• The market : Analyze the target market, including customer demographics and market trends.
• The competition : Review the main competitors and their market positioning.
• Sales & marketing plan : Outline strategies for reaching and engaging customers.
• Operating plan : Details the day-to-day operations and management structure.

In this example, the majority of the content and about half the pages are focused on the market analysis, including competitors, trends, pricing, demographics and more. This successful business plan example ensures the artwork and style used perfectly matches the company’s aesthetic, which further reinforces its position in the market.

You can find more memorable business plan templates to customize in the Venngage editor. Browse Venngage’s  business plan templates  to find plans that work for you and start editing.

Company description business plan example

Depending on the market, focusing on your company story and what makes you different can drive your narrative home with potential investors. By focusing your business plan on a company description, you center yourself and your organization in the minds of your audience.

Company description business plan outline:

• Executive summary : Briefly summarize the key components and objectives of the company description section.
• Approach & direction : Outline the company’s strategy, goals and the direction it intends to take in achieving them.

This abbreviated plan is a good business plan example. It uses most of the content to tell the organization’s story. In addition to background about the company, potential investors or clients can see how this design firm’s process is different from their rivals.

With Venngage Business , you can collaborate with team members in real-time to create a business plan that will be effective when presenting to investors.

Five-year business plan example

For most startups or young companies, showing potential investors or partners exactly how and when the company will become profitable is a key aspect of presenting a business plan. Whether it’s woven into a larger presentation or stands alone, you should be sure to include your five-year business plan so investors know you’re looking far beyond the present.

With Venngage’s Business Plan Builder , you can customize a schedule like this to quickly illustrate for investors or partners what your revenue targets are for the first three to five years your company is in operation.

The lifeblood of any company is the sales team. These are the energetic folks who bring in new business, develop leads and turn prospects into customers. Focusing your energy on creating a sales business plan would prove to investors that you understand what will make your company money.

Sales business plan outline:

• Table of contents : List all sections and subsections within the sales business plan.
• Target market : Identify the specific segment or segments of customers the sales efforts will focus on.
• Customer profile : Provide detailed descriptions of the ideal customers, including demographics, preferences and needs.
• Action plan : Outline the specific steps and strategies to be taken to reach and engage the target market and achieve sales objectives.

In this example sales business plan, several facets of ideal buyers are detailed. These include a perfect customer profile that helps to convey to your audience that customer relationships will be at the heart of your operation.

You can include business infographics in your plan to visualize your goals. And with Venngage’s gallery of images and icons, you can customize the template to better reflect your business ethos.

Company mergers and shakeups are also major reasons for organizations to require strong business planning. Creating new departments, deciding which staff to retain and charting a course forward can be even more complex than starting a business from scratch.

Organization and management business plan outline:

• Table of contents : List all sections and subsections within the organization and management business plan.
• About us : Provide an overview of the organization, its mission, vision and values.
• Project summary : Summarize the key details and objectives of the project.
• Project timeline : Outline the milestones and schedule for completing the project.

This organization and management business plan focuses on how the company can optimize operations through a few key organizational projects.

Executive summary for business plan example

Executive summaries give your business plan a strong human touch, and they set the tone for what’s to follow. That could mean having your executive leadership team write a personal note or singling out some huge achievements of which you’re particularly proud in a business plan infographic .

Executive summary business plan outline:

• Table of contents : Lists all sections and subsections within the executive summary business plan.
• Executive summary : Provide a concise overview of the entire business plan, highlighting key points and objectives.
• Statement of problem : Clearly define the specific issue or challenge the business aims to address.
• Approach & methodology : Outline the methods and strategies that will be employed to solve the stated problem or achieve the desired goals.

In this executive summary for a business plan, a brief note is accompanied by a few notable achievements that signal the organization and leadership team’s authority in the industry.

Marketing and sales are two sides of the same coin, and clever companies know how they play off each other. That’s why centering your business plan around your marketing and sales strategy can pay dividends when it comes time to find investors and potential partners.

Marketing and sales strategy business plan outline:

• Table of contents : List all sections and subsections within the marketing and sales strategy business plan.
• Positioning : Describe how the business intends to position its products or services in the market to stand out from competitors.
• Value prop : Highlight the unique value proposition that the business offers to its target customers, including its benefits and advantages.
• Marketing strategy : Outline the overall approach and tactics that will be used to promote the products or services and attract customers.

This marketing and sales business plan example is the picture of a sleek, modern aesthetic, which is appropriate across many industries and will speak volumes to numbers-obsesses sales and marketing leaders.

Do business plans really help? Well, here’s some math for you; in 1981, Apple had just gone public and was in the midst of marketing an absolute flop , the Apple III computer.  The company’s market cap, or total estimated market value,  could hit $3 trillion this year.

Did this Apple business plan make the difference? No, it’s not possible to attribute the success of Apple entirely to this business plan from July 1981, but this ancient artifact goes to show that even the most groundbreaking companies need to take an honest stock of their situation.

Apple’s 1981 business plan example pdf covers everything from the market landscape for computing to the products that founder Steve Jobs expects to roll out over the next few years, and the advanced analysis contained in the document shows how strategic Jobs and other Apple executives were in those early days.

Inviting strangers to stay in your house for the weekend seemed like a crazy concept before Airbnb became one of the world’s biggest companies. Like all disruptive startups, Airbnb had to create a robust, active system from nothing.

Airbnb business plan outline:

• Problem : Identify the specific challenge or need in the accommodation industry that the Airbnb business aims to address.
• Solution : Describe how Airbnb’s platform provides a solution to the identified problem by connecting hosts with guests.
• Market validation : Demonstrate through research or evidence that there is demand for Airbnb’s services.
• Market size : Estimate the total addressable market for Airbnb’s accommodation services.
• Product : Detail the features and functionalities of the Airbnb platform for both hosts and guests.
• Business model : Explain how Airbnb generates revenue and sustains its operations.
• Market adoption : Discuss the rate at which Airbnb’s services are being embraced by hosts and guests.
• Competition : Identify other players in the accommodation industry offering similar services to Airbnb.
• Competitive advantages : Highlight the unique strengths or advantages that set Airbnb apart from its competitors.

As this Airbnb business plan pitch deck example shows, for companies that are introducing entirely new concepts, it’s helpful not to get too into the weeds. Explain the problem simply and boil down the essence of your solution into a few words; in this case, “A web platform where users can rent out their space” perfectly sums up this popular company.

Sequoia Capital is one of the most successful venture capital firms in the world, backing startups that now have a combined stock market value of more than $1 trillion, according to a Forbes analysis .

For young companies and startups that want to play in the big leagues, tailoring your pitch to something that would appeal to a company like Sequoia Capital is a good idea. That’s why the company has a standard business plan format it recommends .

Sequoia capital business plan outline:

• Company purpose : Clarify the core reason for the business and its overarching goals.
• Problems : Identify specific challenges or pain points that the business aims to solve.
• Solution : Describe how the business addresses the identified problems with its products or services.
• Market potential : Assess the size and growth opportunities within the target market for the business.
• Competition : Analyze existing competitors and their strengths and weaknesses in the market.
• Business model : Outline how the business plans to generate revenue and sustain its operations.
• Our team : Introduce the key members of the team and their relevant expertise and experience.
• Financials : Provide projections and forecasts for the financial performance of the business.
• Vision : Articulate the long-term aspirations and goals that the business seeks to achieve.

Using Sequoia Capital’s business plan example means being simple and clear with your content, like the above deck. Note how no slide contains much copy, and even when all slides appear on the screen at once, the text is legible.

Use Venngage to design business plans that will impress investors

Not every business plan, pitch deck or one-sheeter will net you billions in investment dollars, but every entrepreneur should be adept at crafting impressive, authoritative and informative business plans.

Whether you use one of the inspirational templates shared here or you want to go old school and mimic Apple’s 1981 business plan, using Venngage’s Business Plan Builder helps you bring your company’s vision to life.

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How to Write a Business Plan: Your Step-by-Step Guide

So, you’ve got an idea and you want to start a business —great! Before you do anything else, like seek funding or build out a team, you'll need to know how to write a business plan. This plan will serve as the foundation of your company while also giving investors and future employees a clear idea of your purpose.

Below, Lauren Cobello, Founder and CEO of Leverage with Media PR , gives her best advice on how to make a business plan for your company.

Build your dream business with the help of a high-paying job—browse open jobs on The Muse »

What is a business plan, and when do you need one?

According to Cobello, a business plan is a document that contains the mission of the business and a brief overview of it, as well as the objectives, strategies, and financial plans of the founder. A business plan comes into play very early on in the process of starting a company—more or less before you do anything else.

“You should start a company with a business plan in mind—especially if you plan to get funding for the company,” Cobello says. “You’re going to need it.”

Whether that funding comes from a loan, an investor, or crowdsourcing, a business plan is imperative to secure the capital, says the U.S. Small Business Administration . Anyone who’s considering giving you money is going to want to review your business plan before doing so. That means before you head into any meeting, make sure you have physical copies of your business plan to share.

Different types of business plans

The four main types of business plans are:

Startup Business Plans

Internal business plans, strategic business plans, one-page business plans.

Let's break down each one:

If you're wondering how to write a business plan for a startup, Cobello has advice for you. Startup business plans are the most common type, she says, and they are a critical tool for new business ventures that want funding. A startup is defined as a company that’s in its first stages of operations, founded by an entrepreneur who has a product or service idea.

Most startups begin with very little money, so they need a strong business plan to convince family, friends, banks, and/or venture capitalists to invest in the new company.

Internal business plans “are for internal use only,” says Cobello. This kind of document is not public-facing, only company-facing, and it contains an outline of the company’s business strategy, financial goals and budgets, and performance data.

Internal business plans aren’t used to secure funding, but rather to set goals and get everyone working there tracking towards them.

As the name implies, strategic business plans are geared more towards strategy and they include an assessment of the current business landscape, notes Jérôme Côté, a Business Advisor at BDC Advisory Services .

Unlike a traditional business plan, Cobello adds, strategic plans include a SWOT analysis (which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) and an in-depth action plan for the next six to 12 months. Strategic plans are action-based and take into account the state of the company and the industry in which it exists.

Although a typical business plan falls between 15 to 30 pages, some companies opt for the much shorter One-Page Business Plan. A one-page business plan is a simplified version of the larger business plan, and it focuses on the problem your product or service is solving, the solution (your product), and your business model (how you’ll make money).

A one-page plan is hyper-direct and easy to read, making it an effective tool for businesses of all sizes, at any stage.

How to create a business plan in 7 steps

Every business plan is different, and the steps you take to complete yours will depend on what type and format you choose. That said, if you need a place to start and appreciate a roadmap, here’s what Cobello recommends:

1. Conduct your research

Before writing your business plan, you’ll want to do a thorough investigation of what’s out there. Who will be the competitors for your product or service? Who is included in the target market? What industry trends are you capitalizing on, or rebuking? You want to figure out where you sit in the market and what your company’s value propositions are. What makes you different—and better?

2. Define your purpose for the business plan

The purpose of your business plan will determine which kind of plan you choose to create. Are you trying to drum up funding, or get the company employees focused on specific goals? (For the former, you’d want a startup business plan, while an internal plan would satisfy the latter.) Also, consider your audience. An investment firm that sees hundreds of potential business plans a day may prefer to see a one-pager upfront and, if they’re interested, a longer plan later.

3. Write your company description

Every business plan needs a company description—aka a summary of the company’s purpose, what they do/offer, and what makes it unique. Company descriptions should be clear and concise, avoiding the use of jargon, Cobello says. Ideally, descriptions should be a few paragraphs at most.

4. Explain and show how the company will make money

A business plan should be centered around the company’s goals, and it should clearly explain how the company will generate revenue. To do this, Cobello recommends using actual numbers and details, as opposed to just projections.

For instance, if the company is already making money, show how much and at what cost (e.g. what was the net profit). If it hasn’t generated revenue yet, outline the plan for how it will—including what the product/service will cost to produce and how much it will cost the consumer.

5. Outline your marketing strategy

How will you promote the business? Through what channels will you be promoting it? How are you going to reach and appeal to your target market? The more specific and thorough you can be with your plans here, the better, Cobello says.

6. Explain how you’ll spend your funding

What will you do with the money you raise? What are the first steps you plan to take? As a founder, you want to instill confidence in your investors and show them that the instant you receive their money, you’ll be taking smart actions that grow the company.

7. Include supporting documents

Creating a business plan is in some ways akin to building a legal case, but for your business. “You want to tell a story, and to be as thorough as possible, while keeping your plan succinct, clear, interesting, and visually appealing,” Cobello says. “Supporting documents could include financial projects, a competitive analysis of the market you’re entering into, and even any licenses, patents, or permits you’ve secured.”

A business plan is an individualized document—it’s ultimately up to you what information to include and what story you tell. But above all, Cobello says, your business plan should have a clear focus and goal in mind, because everything else will build off this cornerstone.

“Many people don’t realize how important business plans are for the health of their company,” she says. “Set aside time to make this a priority for your business, and make sure to keep it updated as you grow.”

How to write a business plan in 7 simple steps (and business plan template)

11-minute read

Sam Bromley

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It’s important to know how to write a business plan, because it helps you answer questions about your business and recognise potential obstacles before you set it up properly.

Our guide explains everything you need to know, with tips from a successful business owner and a free business plan template.

While not all new businesses start out by writing a business plan, for many it’s an important step. It acts as your guiding document, helping you establish and grow your business, and it has a life well beyond just setting up or applying for funding.

But how to make a business plan, exactly? The first thing to know is that it doesn’t have to be too long and descriptive. You should be able to explain your idea clearly, structuring your plan into sections.

This comprehensive guide covers:

• free business plan template
• what is a business plan?
• how to write a business plan in 7 steps
• 4 top tips for writing a business plan
• how often should you update your business plan?

Download a free business plan template

To get started, why not download your free business plan template, which you can fill in as you work your way through our step-by-step guide?

Keep in mind that a business plan can take several weeks to write. It’s worth doing your research and taking your time to get the best result. And remember, you can continue to update and improve your business plan over time.

What is a business plan?

Starting a business is exciting. You’re bursting with so many ideas, you might be tempted to rush your plan to get to the fun stuff like selling your first product or posting on social media.

A business plan isn’t something you write down when you’re setting up and never look at again. You’ll refer back to it often, making sure you’re hitting your goals and getting the most from the brilliant ideas you come up with at the beginning.

And if you’re looking for funding or investment , your business plan needs to convince people to back your idea.

So it’s not an overstatement to call your business plan the ‘bible’ you’ll use to help establish your company.

And while business plans come in different formats, most of them include the same core sections.

According to Richard Burle, owner of Richard’s Garden Services in West Sussex, a business plan can help you to see where you’re going.

“They help you look at yourself, to make sure that you’re doing the best that you can for your business. That’s why a business plan is really important because if you haven’t got that, you’re probably going to fail.”

Business plan examples

Before you start writing, it might be useful to read an example business plan for some inspiration. A quick Google search will bring up lots of examples.

Whether you’re looking to start a business as a candle maker or dog walker , read some business plan examples to familiarise yourself with how to approach your type of business.

Once you’ve got an idea of how other businesses have written their business plan, it’s time to start writing your own.

How to write a business plan in 7 simple steps

If you’re clear on what you want your business to achieve, plus the key details of how it’s going to work, writing a business plan doesn’t have to be a difficult task.

We’ve broken everything you need to do into a business plan structure you can follow in seven simple steps:

• How to write an executive summary
• Introduce your business
• Analyse the market
• Complete a SWOT analysis
• Consider strategy and execution
• Understand your financials
• Include appendices

Step 1: How to write an executive summary for a business plan

The executive summary is essentially a one page business plan that goes at the beginning of your document. As it’s a snapshot of your plan, it’s often best to write it last.

This section is common in many business documents, from client reports to business proposals for new projects.

It’s designed to hook readers with your idea and give an overview of your plan, including:

• what makes you different
• how you’re going to market your ideas
• how much money you expect to make (and spend)

Step 2: Introduce your business

This is where you jump in and start talking about your idea. This section should include:

• the problem – what’s the need for your business? What’s the problem you’re solving, or what’s the opportunity? Why would people want what you’re selling?
• the solution – how are you solving the problem? What will your business do? How does it meet the needs you’ve identified? And importantly, how is it different?
• your history – how long has your business been established? If it’s new, what’s your experience in the sector or industry?
• business structure – who are its owners and what is its legal structure?

Richard Burle says it’s also good practice to plan “where you want to be in your first year, your second year, third year, and fourth year.”

“For example, the first year I spent by myself working and building up my customer base. Then after the first year, I got more people, more customers, and did the odd job on Saturday as well – so I brought on help for that.

“And then in my second year, I got my first contractor for two or three days a week – and after that it just increased,” he says.

Step 3: Analyse the market

Here you explain industry trends and the competitors you’re up against. It’s where you include the market research you’ve carried out.

This research can be quantitative (based on measurable data and statistics), qualitative (based on gathering individual experiences and opinions), or ideally both. This section should answer:

Where you’re selling (and who to):

• who are your potential customers and what are their characteristics?
• how will you target them?
• how many customers are you targeting? Will that number grow?
• where do those customers shop at the moment?
• do you have any existing customers, or confirmed orders?

Market trends

• how is the market changing? Is it growing?
• are tastes changing? What are the reasons?

The competition

• how will you attract customers from your competitors?
• what advantages and disadvantages do you have against them?
• how do you think your competitors will react when you start out? How will you respond?

When assessing the competition, gardener Richard says it’s not only important to look at the prices your competitors charge but also to list five good things each company does. You can use a competitor analysis to answer key questions about your competition.

Here’s a business plan example of a competitor analysis for a new plumbing company planning to launch in the Epsom area of Surrey.

Step 4: Complete a SWOT analysis

SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This is a very important part of your business plan, because it helps you drill down into your idea. You usually format a SWOT analysis in a grid on one page – four squares, one for each section. Then you make notes in each square.

Formatting the SWOT analysis in a grid helps you see how the different elements of your idea interact. For example:

• how will your strengths help you capitalise on opportunities?
• how will your weaknesses amplify threats – and what strengths can help you overcome them?

Completing SWOT charts for your competitors too should help you see how to win business from them.

Read more about creating a SWOT analysis .

Step 5: Consider strategy and execution

Now that you’ve done some analysis, in this section you can explain how you’re actually going to run your business.

Here you’ll include a number of sub-sections:

Marketing and sales

Explain more about your product and service, including its features and benefits. Talk about your pricing strategy, and how you’re going to promote your product. And how exactly are you going to sell? Which channels will you use – is it direct to the customer, online, or through other retailers?

Download our free marketing plan template to get started and read our ultimate guide to marketing for more information.

Where’s your location and what premises are you looking at? Is it suitable for long-term growth? How are you going to keep accurate records (for example, of stock, sales, accounts, and quality control)?

Are you the only one running your business or are you planning on hiring staff? How will you structure your team? Outline each team member’s experience and what they bring to your business. You might also want to include any outside advisors and experts you’re using, like accountants.

Step 6: Understand your financials

Here you detail the numbers – especially important if you’re looking for investment. The financials need to be realistic, accurate, and watertight.

Here’s what to include, presented in raw figures and charts:

• sales forecasts and the cost of goods sold – estimate what your sales will be in the future, listing the goods or services you’re selling as well as the cost of each unit. From this, you can estimate profit
• a profit and loss forecast – an overview of sales, cost of sales, overheads, profit and loss
• cash flow statement – cash flow is what keeps you afloat – with no money coming in, you can’t run your business. The cash flow forecast shows you how much money you generate over a period of time, as well as what you’re paying out
• balance sheet – shows an overall picture of your financials at a specific point in time. The balance sheet summarises your assets (what you own), liabilities (what you owe), and equity (the net difference when you subtract liabilities from assets)

The detail you need here depends on what stage you’re at with your business, as well as the size of your business. You might want to ask for expert help and advice on crunching the forecasts.

Step 7: Include appendices

While the business plan itself shouldn’t be long and complicated, there might be information you choose not to include in the body of the plan. Adding an appendix means that people are able to refer to this extra detail if needed.

This can include graphs, tables, and notes. You can signpost the relevant appendices people should look at throughout the body of the business plan.

Four top tips for writing a business plan

When you’re using business plan templates, keep the following four tips in mind.

1. Know your audience

Remember who you’re writing for – is the business plan primarily for your own use, or are you looking for a loan, or even equity investment? Keeping your audience in mind will help you stay on track.

2. Keep it concise

Make sure your plan is snappy and to the point. While you don’t want to miss out crucial details, you should also bear in mind people’s attention spans. Don’t turn in a 100-page plan.

3. Keep it simple

It’s likely your plan will be seen by people who don’t have intimate knowledge of your industry, so you need to make sure that it’s written in language that’s accessible to people without specialist experience.

4. Don’t forget the presentation

Tables, graphs, and charts can help you get information across better than blocks of text. It’s also worth thinking about how to pitch your plan to investors, potentially in a presentation that gives the toplines from your plan.

How often should you update your business plan?

As your business grows, you should refer back to your business plan regularly. As a minimum, you should be reviewing and updating it at least once a year.

When it comes to reviewing his business plan, gardener Richard focuses on expenses and prices .

“I think about whether I need to increase my prices, adding any extra costs and expenses that are going up – like fuel, clothing, and tools.

“I ask myself ‘can I increase my price?’ Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t.”

He says it’s important to think about the ways you can increase your customer base and the type of work you want to take on.

“For example, I didn’t want to take on more hedging jobs so I put on my business plan that I was going to get somebody to do it for me.”

Now you’re all set with everything you need to know about writing your business plan. By taking the time to get it right, you can set yourself up for future success.

What are your top tips for writing a business plan? Let us know in the comments below.

More guides for small businesses

• Going self-employed in the UK: a guide to get started
• Which bank has the best business bank account?
• How to register as self-employed
• Customer journey map template: why every business needs one

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Photograph: Jacob Lund/stock.adobe.com

Sam has more than 10 years of experience in writing for financial services. He specialises in illuminating complicated topics, from IR35 to ISAs, and identifying emerging trends that audiences want to know about. Sam spent five years at Simply Business, where he was Senior Copywriter.

This content is for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please obtain expert advice from industry-specific professionals who may better understand your business’s needs.  Read our full disclaimer

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Tailored Business Proposals: 19 Examples for Different Industries

The cornerstone of winning any new business lies in the strength of your proposal. The aim? To not only outline your offer, but to paint a picture so vivid your prospects can see the brighter future your partnership could bring.

In this guide, we unpack everything you need to paint this picture. First, we’ll work through the theory: showing how to structure your proposal for maximum impact. Then, we’ll see how these look in practice with 19 industry-tailored, time-tested business proposal examples.

In short, everything you need to take your proposal game to the next level.

Key Takeaways

• A Strong Start is Half the Battle: Your proposal's introduction should grab attention like a headline does. Think of it as the trailer to the blockbuster that is your proposal.
• Clarity is King: Aim for a fluff-free zone. We'll show you how to be crystal clear about what you're offering and why it matters.
• Tailor Made to Fit: Like a bespoke suit, your proposal should be customized to fit your potential client's needs. Leave the cookie-cutting to the competition.
• Evidence, Please: Back up your claims with solid proof. Testimonials, case studies, and data are your best friends.
• A Call to Action That Calls Out: Don't leave your reader hanging. A compelling call to action prompts their next move - so it's imperative that you're crystal clear about what you want them to do next to move things forward.

How to structure your business proposal

Every element of a great business proposal should serve the overall objective. Clarity and concision are your priorities. In the spirit of being direct, here's a blueprint (as well as some tips) to get you there:

Executive Summary : After your title page, begin with an executive summary that captures the essence of your proposal. This section should be compelling, providing a clear snapshot of the client's problem and your proposed solution, setting the stage for the details that follow.

Define the Problem : Show your deep understanding of the challenges your potential client is facing, showing empathy and insight. This reassures the client that you grasp the nitty-gritty and the nuances of their situation.

Propose Your Solutions : In this section, outline your proposed solutions. Each solution should directly address a facet of the client's problem, clearly explaining how your services or products fit their needs. Focus on how you solve the problem, not just the features and benefits of your product or service.

Methodology and Timeline : Discuss your methodology and project timeline, providing a clear roadmap of how and when you plan to implement your solutions. This section should reassure the client of your project management skills, communication and planning abilities and that you have a realistic approach.

Pricing: Transparently outline your pricing structure while emphasizing the value provided. It’s crucial to balance cost with the benefits your client will gain, presenting your proposal as a strategic investment. Remember to include any add-on services or additional charges to avoid surprising your client later on in the process.

Proof of Success : Support your proposal with concrete evidence of your past successes. Include case studies, testimonials, and relevant data that validate your claims and demonstrate your capability and experience. If it's appropriate, you can provide some references your prospect can reach out to.

Conclusion and Call to Action : Conclude with a strong call to action. Clearly state what steps you want the reader to take next, whether it’s scheduling a meeting, signing a contract, or any other specific requirements.

This structured approach ensures that your proposal is a persuasive, coherent argument that effectively communicates why you are the best choice for the client.

19 Business proposal examples to use

When it comes to your unique needs, you're the expert. But, in order to get you started or inspire you to sell in new ways, we offer a robust library of business proposal templates . Each one is tailored to a different sector, showcasing how to apply the structure we've just outlined in real-world scenarios. Here are 19 different sample proposals, so you have plenty of choices to use or peruse!

1. SaaS Proposal

When writing a SaaS proposal , you must detail the office chaos your software will calm. Show them a future where productivity soars, thanks to your cloud-based wizardry. Be specific about features, but link each one to a benefit. "Our feature X means your team can do Y, leading to Z% more sales." Don't forget to sprinkle in client testimonials from other businesses that have achieved zen thanks to your help! Look at our SaaS Proposal Template to see exactly what I mean.

SaaS Proposal Template

Propel your business forward with our SaaS Proposal Template – present a persuasive case for adopting your solution to prospects.

2. Mobile App Development Proposal

Here, you're the architect of the next app everyone can't live without. Your mobile app proposal should start with the vision: the gap in the market your app fills beautifully. Describe how smooth and intuitive the user journey is. Outline the development timeline and the rigor of your testing and quality assurance strategy. Then, pull out the portfolio and social proof to show that you have the experience to match the vision. Our Mobile App development template will give you a better idea of how to tell your story in a way prospective clients won't be able to refuse an opportunity to work with you.

Mobile App Development Proposal Template

Secure projects with a compelling and persuasive Mobile App Development Proposal Template– craft a comprehensive, innovative, and tailored pitch swiftly.

3. Enterprise Sales Proposal

This is where you think big - there are so many proposal creation possibilities. You're addressing companies with complex needs and multiple stakeholders. Your sales proposa l should reflect that. Start with an executive summary that speaks their language—efficiency, scalability, ROI. Dive deep into how your solution aligns with their strategic goals. Use data to lead them to the inevitable conclusion that your solution isn't just the best option; it's the only one that makes sense. Our enterprise sales template belongs in your proposal kit and shows how this is done well.

Grab our Enterprise Sales Template

Get to 'yes' faster by captivating your buyer with web-based sales assets

4. Software Development Proposal

This one's all about transformation. Your opening should paint a picture for a prospective buyer of the digital makeover their business will undergo. Detail the technical wizardry you'll employ in your software development proposal, but take the time to demystify all of it. Break your process into clear, digestible phases, showing milestones and success at each turn. When discussing costs, emphasize the long-term value of custom software—like investing in a high-quality tool that pays for itself over time. Our software proposal template shows what this all looks like in practice.

Software Development Proposal Template

Win development projects with a thorough and persuasive software pitch – prepare a comprehensive, detailed, and tailored proposal quickly.

5. Investment Proposal

Here, you're wooing investors with a unique idea that's as solid as it is exciting: your business model, your market analysis, and your growth projections. These are particularly crucial for larger projects that require significant capital. So, you need to present a clear and concise outline of the opportunity, the potential ROI, and the associated risks. Look at how Qwilr’s investment proposal template establishes a clear understanding between the investor and the opportunity. It also leaves space for all of the important contractual language to ensure you're staying compliant while you pitch.

Grab our Investment Proposal Template

6. Marketing Proposal

Imagine you’re crafting a strategy to turn a brand from a wallflower into the life of the party. Your marketing proposal should delve into the current market position and paint a picture of the potential you can help them realize. Outline a multi-channel approach, weaving in success stories like proof points in your narrative. Include your proposed project scope and include the deliverables like brand guidelines, design assets, copy and strategy work. Show them how your unique blend of creativity and analytics will boost their visibility and engagement, leading to a measurable uptick in sales and brand loyalty. Our marketing proposal template shows you exactly how it's done.

Marketing Proposal Template

Win clients with a clear and convincing Marketing Proposal – craft an engaging, goal-driven, and results-focused proposal in no time.

7. SEO Proposal

Your SEO proposal acts as their map, guiding them through the winding terrain of search engine algorithms to the pinnacle of those Page 1 rankings. Start by laying out the stark reality of their current online presence and its untapped potential. Break down your strategy into tangible steps—keyword research, on-page optimization, content marketing. Use case studies to illustrate the climb from obscurity to prominence. Make it clear that investing in SEO is not a cost but a growth catalyst. How do you do it? Use our SEO proposal template. It's designed for engagement and interactive storytelling.

SEO Proposal Template

Gain clients with a captivating and persuasive SEO Proposal – design a strategic, data-driven, and results-focused proposal quickly.

8. Paid Search Proposal (PPC or Google Ads)

Think of this as plotting a direct route to sales growth. Your opening? It highlights the inefficiency of their current advertising efforts compared to the precision targeting Google Ads offers. Your PPC proposal should map out a campaign that targets their ideal customers with laser focus, promising better conversion rates at a lower cost. Include projections to illustrate the potential return on ad spend, turning skepticism into anticipation- as this Google Ads proposal template neatly demonstrates.

PPC Proposal Template

Craft a winning PPC strategy with the comprehensive PPC Proposal Template – efficiently develop targeted and result-oriented campaigns

9. Influencer Marketing Proposal

Begin your influencer marketing proposal by introducing yourself, your brand, and your audience. Then, demonstrate your understanding of the target brand's needs and how your content and audience can help service those needs. Drill down into the metrics that will define success for them here: people interacting with the content, website visitors, sales, new followers, etc. Showcase success stories as evidence that this approach isn't just trendy; it's transformative.

This influencer marketing proposal template helps you create a data-driven, results-orientated proposal in a fraction of the time.

Influencer Proposal Template

Showcase your expertise in influencer marketing with our dynamic Influencer Proposal Template. Designed for accuracy and impact, it enables you to create a data-driven, results-oriented proposal tailored to your potential partner's goals.

10. Branding Proposal

You're the artist envisioning a brand's rebirth. Start your branding proposal with a critique of the current brand identity and its market perception. Propose a rebranding strategy that promises to not just change looks but revitalize the brand's story, making it resonate with today’s audience. Include mood boards, success stories, and market research to back your vision. Paint a picture of the future where their brand isn’t just seen but felt deeply by its audience. Our brand identity proposal template helps highlight the unique approach to identity, positioning, and messaging that you bring to the table.

Branding Proposal Template

Win clients with a compelling and persuasive brand strategy – craft a clear, consistent, and impactful brand proposal quickly.

11. Sponsorship Proposal

Position your sponsorship proposal as a win-win partnership that elevates both parties. Begin with an analysis of the potential partner’s audience and how it overlaps with your client’s target market. Propose a sponsorship deal that feels less like a transaction and more like a collaboration towards a shared goal. Highlight past sponsorship successes as proof of concept, ensuring the partner feels confident in the mutual benefits. Our sponsorship proposal template helps you create a detailed, goal-orientated and mutually beneficial pitch in minutes.

Grab our Sponsorship Proposal Template

12. Content Marketing Proposal

With your content marketing proposal , you're the storyteller proposing a saga that captures and holds the audience's attention. Start with the harsh reality of their current content's performance—or lack thereof. Lay out a content strategy that spans blog posts, videos, and social media, all designed to engage and convert. Use metrics from past campaigns to underscore the value of quality content, positioning it as the cornerstone of digital marketing success. Qwilr’s content marketing proposal template helps your team close impactful, high-value clients and expand your business.

Grab our Content Marketing Proposal Template

Drive content success with our Content Marketing Proposal Template – win high value clients by presenting a comprehensive content offering.

13. Email Marketing Proposal

With your email marketing proposal , you’re connecting your knowledge of email marketing to the potential client's needs. Showcase your content plan, focussing on segmentation and personalization methods aimed at deepening relationships and driving sales. Present data from successful email campaigns to illustrate the potential for increased open rates and conversions. Our email marketing proposal template can be the shortcut to your success.

Email Marketing Proposal Template

Win clients with an engaging and convincing Email Marketing Proposal – craft a targeted, data-driven, and results-oriented proposal in no time.

14. Website Design Proposal

Here, you're the digital renovator, promising a website that wows and works hard. With your website design proposal , it's no surprise that aesthetics are important. Use rich media, interactive elements, and high-quality images to heighten engagement. Show mockups or case studies to illustrate the transformative power of good design, framing the website not just as a cost but as an investment in the brand’s digital footprint. Our website proposal template will help you land clients while showcasing your expertise.

Grab our Website Design Proposal Template

15. “Spin Selling” Proposal

Adopt the role of a sales strategist, advocating for a method that spins ordinary conversations into sales opportunities. Highlight the inefficiencies in their current sales approach with empathy. Introduce SPIN Selling as a proven methodology focussing on Situation, Problem, Implication, and Need-payoff questions, promising to elevate your sales professionals to the trusted advisors the modern buyer prefers. Use success stories to cement the credibility of this approach and our SPIN selling template to help you do it all in a fraction of the time.

Grab our Spin Selling Proposal Template

16 & 17. “MeddPicc” and “Meddicc” Proposals

For these, position yourself as a sales transformation guru. Each proposal should dissect the current sales process, revealing gaps and missed opportunities. Present MEDDPICC/MEDDIC as comprehensive frameworks that ensure thorough qualification and a deeper understanding of customer needs, leading to more predictable and successful sales outcomes. Bolster your case with testimonials and metrics from businesses that have seen significant improvements after adopting these methodologies. Our MeddPicc and Meddicc proposal templates can prove invaluable allies here.

Grab our MEDDPICC Proposal Template

18. “Challenger Sales” Proposal

Here, you're advocating for a bold, assertive approach to sales that challenges prospects’ preconceptions. Begin by illustrating the limitations of their current sales strategy with real-world examples. Introduce the Challenger Sales model as the game-changer, emphasizing its focus on teaching, tailoring, and taking control of the sales conversation. Highlight the success stories of companies that have embraced this model, showcasing impressive results. Qwilr’s Challenger Sales Methodology template embraces this solution-focussed sales approach.

Grab our Challenger SaaS Proposal Template

19. “Mutual Action Plan” Proposal

Imagine guiding your client toward a collaborative sales strategy that maps out the path to a closed deal. Start with the pitfalls of traditional, one-sided sales plans. Present the Mutual Action Plan as a partnership between seller and buyer, creating a shared roadmap towards decision-making. Highlight its benefits—increased transparency, alignment, and a higher rate of successful closures—backed by case studies of successful implementations. Look how this Mutual Action Plan template fosters collaboration with its shared goals, milestones, and commitments.

Grab our Mutual Action Plan Template

Start Using Qwilr to Create Your Business Proposal Template

With Qwilr, gone are the days of one-size-fits-all PDF templates that blend into the background noise of your prospect's inbox. Here’s how Qwilr’s proposal software turbo-charges your efficiency and creativity:

• Tailor-Made Templates: Jumpstart your sales proposal process with business communications templates that are as flexible as they are beautiful. Customize to your heart's content, ensuring every proposal (and proposal template) reflects your unique brand and message. Our proposal samples showcase how you can create a robust and winning proposal efficiently each and every time.
• Interactive Quotes: Transform bland, static quotes into interactive, engaging elements that allow your prospects to customize their options.
• Seamless Integrations: Connect Qwilr with your CRM, accounting software, and more of your best sales tools to streamline your workflow. It’s like having a team of assistants at your beck and call, ensuring every part of the proposal process is in sync.
• Real-Time Notifications: Receive alerts the moment your proposal is viewed. It's like having ESP, giving you a decent gauge on buyer intent , plus the perfect timing to follow up, answer questions, or just give a gentle nudge.
• Data-Driven Insights: Learn what works and what doesn’t. Qwilr’s analytics give you a behind-the-scenes look at how your proposals perform, turning data into actionable insights.

The best proposal software should not just be a tool but a member of your team- one that works tirelessly to ensure your proposals stand out and deliver results. Qwilr isn't just a step toward more effective proposals; it's a leap into a future where your proposals do more than speak for you—they impress, they engage, and (most importantly) they close deals .

Final Thoughts

The path to creating proposals that not only capture attention but also win hearts (and deals) is intricate yet immensely rewarding. Explore Qwilr’s Proposal Software to create proposals that stand out and deliver real results. Let's make every proposal your stepping stone to success.

About the author

Marissa Taffer | Founder & President of M. Taffer Consulting

Marissa Taffer is the Founder & President of M. Taffer Consulting. She brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience across various industries to a broad range of clients.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a business proposal be.

A proposal should be as long as necessary to convey your value proposition clearly and compellingly. That said, aim for brevity and relevance. If you can say it powerfully in five pages, don't stretch it to ten.

How can I make my proposal stand out?

In a world of black and white, be a burst of color. Use visuals, infographics, and even videos if your platform allows it. Tailor your proposal to speak directly to your prospect's needs and pain points. And don’t forget the power of a compelling story—people remember stories far longer than specs and numbers.

What's the biggest mistake to avoid in a business proposal?

Overlooking the 'why.' It's easy to get caught up in the what and the how (what you're offering and how you'll do it), but if you forget to explain why it matters to them, you've lost before you've begun. Always link your services or products back to their benefits.

Should pricing always be included in a proposal?

Yes, but with a twist. Pricing should be transparent but also flexible. Use interactive pricing tables that allow your prospects to adjust scope based on their budget.

How important are follow-ups after sending a proposal?

Imagine planting a seed and not watering it… Follow-ups with your prospective client are crucial. They show you're genuinely interested in their business and open the door for feedback or questions. Timing is key, though—wait a day or two, not an hour (and definitely not a week!)

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Best of the Money blog

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. We'll be back with updates on Monday - meantime, browse through some of our best features below.

Friday 5 July 2024 09:31, UK

Essential reads

• Savings Guide:  Savers have a rare opportunity - but it might be the last hurrah
• Cheap Eats : Two Michelin-starred chef reveals his favourites in Birmingham
• Women in Business : 'We don't get invited to golf' - The women who coordinated pregnancies to start virtual cancer care business and raised £5m
• Basically... What is income tax?
• Money Problem : 'I hired a car via EasyJet but they are directing my complaint to someone else - what can I do?'
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

The Money blog will return on Monday - meantime, why not scroll through some of our best and most popular features below...

John Lewis is keeping its school uniform prices frozen for the fourth year running.

The department store chain also offers parents an online school uniform checklist to help prepare for the start of the new year.

It also offers a free shoe-fitting service, while some of its newer school uniform products released in the last three years have not seen a price rise.

John Lewis school uniform buyer Cydney Ball said: "Our customers trust us as the one-stop-shop for all things back to school."

Cineworld is drawing up plans to axe dozens of British cinemas as part of a radical restructuring that would also include extensive rent cuts.

Sky News has learned that the company, which until last year was listed on the London Stock Exchange, is considering closing about a quarter of its roughly-100 British multiplexes.

Cineworld also wants to renegotiate rent agreements at a further 50 sites, with the remaining 25 untouched by the restructuring.

Sources said the proposals were expected to be formally outlined to creditors including landlords in the coming weeks.

Read the full story here...

A safety charity has warned England fans against buying cheap electronics online amid a "blitz" of advertising.

Electrical Safety First is urging fans bombarded with ads for discounted goods "don't bring it home" in a new campaign to raise awareness of unregulated online marketplaces.

The charity have previously uncovered substandard and dangerous electrical products across major online marketplaces.

Examples of such include portable heaters posing a serious risk of electrocution, hair straighteners and hair dryers featuring illegal UK plugs and e-bike chargers that pose a fire risk.

"Football, and other global sporting events, are experiencing advertising blitzes by major online marketplaces across the globe, and at a time when millions of people are struggling with finances, we understand how appealing low-cost deals will be," said Electrical Safety First's chief executive Lesley Rudd.

"But it's important for fans to remember that they risk scoring an own goal if the deal they bag turns out to be a substandard or dangerous product.

"Substandard electronics can have serious consequences for your safety and an innocent purchase could put you and your family at risk."

The charity makes the following suggestions to consumers selecting electronics from online marketplaces:

• Pay attention to the plug - if a product is listed with a foreign plug and travel adaptor, do not buy it.
• Do not buy on price alone - not all bargains are worth it
• Make sure you do your homework if you decide to buy products below high street retail prices.
• Beware of a product with solely glowing reviews, especially if the reviewers are not verified.
• Make sure you know where the supplier is based - a "co.uk" URL doesn't guarantee the website is UK-based.
• If there is no address supplied, or there is just a PO Box, be wary; many dodgy electrical goods are manufactured overseas.
• Look for websites that allow you to pay safely – these have a padlock symbol in the address bar of the website you are visiting. If you cannot see it, do not enter your payment details.

Consumer spending on car purchases has risen three times faster than for public transport journeys, new figures show.

Around £57.4bn was spent in the UK on new and used cars in 2023, up 6% on five years earlier, according to AA analysis of Office for National Statistics data.

By comparison, consumer spending on public transport - including rail, buses, flights and taxis - was £60.9bn, representing a 2% increase on five years ago.

AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens claimed the figures highlight how vital motoring was for people in the UK, as well as the country's finances.

He said: "These latest ONS figures underline the UK's reliance on cars and the huge amounts of money they generate for the economy - not to mention VAT on that spending, and other tax.

"Cars are not just necessary but essential on so many levels. Even if a significant amount of car use was transformed into take-up of public transport, the impact on the economy and other income generation would be dramatic.

"Just think how much councils would lose if a high percentage of cars stopped turning up to their car parks or needing parking permits, and getting fined.

"The key question is whether what consumers spend on cars would translate into income for public transport and cover the cost of infrastructure investment to enable that.

"It seems that getting travelling consumers to fork out for their own transport and its maintenance, and then tax the heck out of them, is a pretty good deal for the public purse."

Running a car also accounted for a large chunk of the £78.6bn spent on what is described as the operation of personal transport, with spending on fuel and lubricants up 20% since 2018 to £41.7bn.

New car purchases down

But despite the fact more consumers are spending money on cars than on public transport, the number of purchases of new cars by private buyers has declined for nine months in a row, new figures show.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 67,625 new cars were registered by private consumers in June, down 15.3% from 79,798 during the same month last year.

Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, said: "With average new car prices rising almost 40% over the last five years, it's clear cost is the culprit.

"Manufacturers are responding with discounts but they're failing to keep pace, which is forcing many buyers to opt for a used alternative.

"Whoever forms the next government needs to address electric car affordability and provide long-term stability for the market."

Environmental impact

Despite comments from the AA, the billions of pounds spent by consumers every year on cars is having a clear effect on UK roads - where overall traffic levels in 2023 were 2.2% higher than the previous year.

More cars on the roads means more air pollution, which is among the biggest environmental health risks facing people in the UK.

Burning petrol and diesel fuel creates harmful by products like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, while vehicles emit carbon dioxide, the most common human-caused greenhouse gas.

Even electric vehicles produce particulate matter from the friction between their tyres and the road.

Researchers from University College London estimated that 48,625 adults die prematurely each year in the UK due to particulate matter pollution. 

Presently, 79% of the UK exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual mean guideline for safe fine particulate matter levels. 

A Greek restaurant has faced criticism for its "rip off" prices.

Holidaymakers have been warned to stay away from DK Oyster on the popular holiday island of Mykonos, which has received swathes of bad reviews on  Tripadvisor .

The restaurant, which describes itself as being an "oasis of ultimate luxury and extravagance", has an average star rating of two on the website - although, in the interests of balance, it has 4.8 on Google reviews.  

Angry punters say they were lured into buying a drink at DK Oyster after being told the sunbeds were free, only for the prices for those drinks to be sky-high.

Among the latest to complain is Lori E, who said she returned home from her Greek holiday to see a charge of $876 (£690) for two drinks.

She wrote: "Total rip off! Make sure you get a receipt before leaving and check your credit card because they over charge. 

"Was told beds were free to sit it if we order food or drink. No problem....ordered 2 drinks which we afterwards saw were 51 euros each. 

"If that wasn't crazy enough we returned to the states and had a $876 charge on our account. FOR 2 DRINKS!!!"

The tourists are now trying to dispute the charge with their credit card company after never receiving a paper copy of a receipt.

Responding to the Tripadvisor review, DK Oyser said: "Our sunbeds come with minimum consumption, so we encourage all visitors to check the menus, before placing their orders. 

"I would like to note that our menus are displayed on blackboards near the entrance, showing the prices of our food and drinks to keep our guests informed."

Other reviews claim DK Oyser charged them £253 for sea bass and £100 for a jumbo shrimp that "wasn't cooked properly".

DK Oyster has been contacted for comment.

Iceland is set to partner with parenting website Mumsnet to launch a range of children's products.

Mumsnet CEO Justine Roberts, and the brand's partnership director Sarah Murray-Muncila, met with members of Iceland's innovation team last week to work on the products.

According to The Grocer , the new products will hit the stores in early 2025.

"We've been working on something truly special in partnership with Iceland Foods," Mumsnet said.

"Big things are happening for little ones."

Iceland has launched several new collaborations in recent months, including exclusive products with brands such as Slimming World, MyProtein and boxer Tyson Fury's Furocity.

It's not just a big day in the UK with voters heading to the polls but also in the US with 4 July celebrations taking place.

And there's plenty to celebrate for those with a stake in US stocks. 

Last night, there was another record high for the S&P 500 index that tracks the share price performance of the 500 largest companies listed on US stock exchanges.

The performance of companies on the tech firm-heavy New York-based NASDAQ too reached a new high.

It came as Elon Musk's Tesla saw its share price reaching a six-month high, along with the rise and rise of trillion-dollar AI microchip maker Nvidia.

Today and tomorrow will likely be quieter as the US markets close. 

In the UK, both the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 and 250 indexes are up - 0.76% in the list of 100 most valuable companies and 0.42% in the 101st to 250th most valued firms. 

While the pound does by buy less euro than it did earlier this month, with £1 equal to €1.18 it's still buying more than during most of the last year.

Against the dollar, sterling has held the gains of the last few weeks and a pound will get you $1.2749. 

There is no let up for motorists as the oil price is sticking around the two-month high mark. A barrel of the benchmark Brent crude oil costs $86.59.

As house prices continue to rise, so too does the age at which young people can expect to own their own home. 

Unfortunately, even the ceiling of the term "young people" isn't far off from being challenged - with fresh research suggesting that the average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is 33 years and 8 months old, according to Mojo Mortgages . 

In comparison, in 1960, the average first-time buyer was 23 years old, according to separate research by Keepmoat Homes. 

Comparatively, however, the average age of a first-time buyer in 2014 was 32 years, 6 months old, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

During the same period, the average price of a house in the UK rose from around £188,000 (January 2014) to £282,000  ( January this year). 

Back to today's figures - and those in Wales are able to buy their homes the youngest, with the data suggesting the average first-time buyer there is 31 years old. 

Naturally, the older you buy a home, the later in life you'll pay off a mortgage. 

With an average mortgage length of 30 years, it seems the average UK first-time buyer isn't expected to be mortgage-free until they are 63 years and 8 months old.

And if you live in the capital, you'll surpass the current retirement age at 66 years, 8 months. 

Here's a full breakdown of how old first-time buyers are, the average mortgage length and age they can expect to be mortgage-free by region... 

A lot of people have had to renegotiate or extend their mortgages thanks to soaring interest rates in recent years - and the data from Mojo tells us a little about that too.

The study found extending your mortgage term by 10 years (to 35 years) will cost today's average first-time buyer an extra £110,640, which may impact later life planning and their pension.

Barclaycard is cutting the minimum amount its customers have to repay each month.

While the move may sound like good news on the surface, it could well mean you're in debt for longer and end up paying more interest. 

At the moment, most Barclaycard customers have a minimum repayment of 3.75% of their balance, 2.5% of their balance plus interest, or £5. 

But, from 22 July, that will change to the highest amount out of: 

• 1% of their balance
• 1% of their balance plus interest

This means if you are currently only paying the minimum on your card, you'll likely repay less each month. 

But, minimum amounts are designed to keep people in debt for as long as possible, and lowering them just makes this period even longer.

MoneySavingExpert says the change means it could now take a customer with a £1,000 debt an extra decade to pay it off, if they only pay the minimum amount.

On average, it says it will take 19 years and three months to clear and the interest will total £1,655. 

Founder of MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis says the change is "worryingly under the radar" and urged customers to check if their repayments are set to the minimum amount.

"Minimum repayments have always been credit card firms' secret weapon. Letting people repay little looks appealing – hence why Barclaycard says this is about 'flexibility'. Yet it takes flexibility to kick your own backside, and this will hurt some just as much," he said.

A Barclays spokesperson told Sky News: "We regularly review our products and from July, some Barclaycard customers will see changes to their minimum monthly payments, alongside adjustments to the APR.

"Customers will benefit from a reduction in their minimum monthly repayment and the vast majority have no change to APR, while some will receive a decrease.

"We have made these changes to increase flexibility for our customers and have been clear in our communications that paying more than the minimum can help customers clear their balance sooner and pay less interest." 

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