Entering the food industry is an appealing option for people who are looking to start a business. While the pandemic forced many small businesses to close, the situation has improved since the health crisis started. One food business that people should consider opening is a bakery.
Setting up a bakery is challenging since it requires a lot of hard work. Aside from this work requirement, people should also consider the other challenges they have to overcome to start a bakery. So, it’s essential to consider the following tips when starting a bakery during a pandemic.
Select the Bakery Format
Selecting the bakery format is crucial since it affects the profitability of the business. Many bakeries use a counter-style format since it only requires a small space for the customers. This type of bakery has no seats available for the customers. This format is ideal for the current situation because the pandemic is not yet over.
Another format is a food truck, which is a cost-effective option since it allows the bakery to move from one location to another. Using this format allows the owner to move the bakery to places where his products are popular. It also allows the bakery to join street fairs or offer its products at special company events.
A third option is a combination of a bakery and café where the store has tables and chairs for its customers. This format allows the bakery to offer other items to complement its products, including coffee, tea, and other drinks.
A home bakery is ideal for people who are not keen on renting spaces for the business. This is a simple format where the bakery is located inside a home, and selling is done online. It also gives the owner flexibility since it allows him to offer his products at a farmer’s market.
Finalize the Menu and Design
After selecting the format, the bakery owner should finalize the menu. Since people tend to buy products they recognize, it’s best to start with a simple menu offering basic bakery products. The bakery should also provide descriptions and prices of the products.
To entice potential customers to buy the products, the bakery should also create an eye-catching design for the menu. If the bakery sells its products online, it should also make it easy to buy the products. Bakery owners should include high-quality images of the products to increase their appeal in the market.
Look for a Competitive Advantage
Looking for a competitive advantage for the business is vital to allow the bakery to stand out in the market. One of the best ways to have a competitive advantage in the market is by making the product different from the ones offered by competitors.
For instance, the bakery will offer health-conscious products in the market. Instead of using sugar in the recipe, business owners should use fruit purees due to the health benefits they offer. They have a high concentration of vitamins and minerals, which keeps the body healthy.
Another option is offering products that are cheaper compared to similar products in the market. This competitive advantage is ideal for home bakeries since the capital required for the business is lower compared to a counter-style bakery or a café-bakery hybrid.
Develop the Brand
Developing the brand allows the bakery to catch the attention of its market. With the increasing number of competitors in the market, the bakery needs to catch the attention of its customers. To develop the brand, the owner should make the bakery appealing to potential customers. Its products should also look enticing to encourage people to buy them. Additionally, the bakery should work on increasing brand awareness so more people will recognize the brand once they see it.
Get Help When Necessary
Since it is challenging to set up a bakery, the owner should get help whenever necessary. Getting in touch with a bookkeeper or accountant is necessary to have someone work on the business’s finances. This is particularly true if the bakery owner is not good with numbers. It also allows the owner to focus on developing and making the products.
The bakery owner should also look for a bakery assistant when the business grows. The bakery assistant helps the owner in making the products and serving customers at the counter. The assistant also gives the owner an extra set of hands when the business becomes popular in the market.
Additionally, getting a bakery manager allows the owner to delegate tasks that he is not good at. This is particularly true if the owner is not keen on performing administrative tasks in the business.
Starting a bakery is a good option for people looking to start a business amid the pandemic’s challenges.