ktv bar business plan

How To Start A Karaoke Business Step By Step Guide | Thesofte

Describing a karaoke place or a KTV bar as what people usually call it is not impossible, for this article won’t cover it. This article will focus on how to start your own home-based karaoke business. In other words, if you have a spare room in your house or somewhere that can be used for hosting events like birthday parties, karaoke nights or even hip hop jam sessions, then you can consider yourself lucky.

Karaoke is really popular among Filipinos who want to relieve stress at the end of their working day (this article will be written based on facts concerning the Philippines). Imagine the following scenario: lights are dimmed; people start singing their hearts out, and then they record their singing performance (either with the karaoke machine itself or with their own mobile phones), and at last, they upload it to YouTube.

Indeed, this is what Filipinos do most of the time when they host a party in an undisclosed location at night. And because of its increasing popularity, many people are now thinking about starting their own karaoke business.

“As what other people say, if you want to start a business, then choose one that will give you not only money but also something that will bring happiness to others.”

So if you are planning to buy your first karaoke machine or even the second or third, I urge you to read this article carefully.

And who knows, after reading everything I have written in this text, your business may flourish, and you will be able to earn a decent income.

How to start a karaoke business

1: set up the right mood for your ktv business.

According to surveys about Filipino karaoke lovers, it has been revealed that the most important factor that motivates people to sing is the atmosphere.

Indeed, this is what makes karaoke very popular worldwide, even in its birthplace in Japan, where people tend to be more reserved when it comes to singing in front of others.

Here are a few tips that can help set up a good party mood for your guests:

• Dimming the lights

If you have tried karaoke before, you know that people tend to feel nervous when it comes to singing in front of many people. This is the main reason why a dark room with dimmed lights can help reduce everyone’s anxiety.

• Playing instrumental music during breaks between songs

Playing instrumental music (e.g. smooth jazz) during breaks between songs is advisable to create a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. This will give people the time to relax and recuperate after singing before they take another turn at singing their favourite tunes.

• Playing songs that everyone likes

It has been observed that Filipino karaoke singers prefer oldies than new songs and those in Tagalog or English than those sung in foreign languages like Japanese and Korean. If you want your guests to be happy with the selection of songs available to them, then I advise you to play popular songs from different eras and genres, so no one becomes bored throughout the party.

2: Set the Right Price for Your Karaoke Party

Setting the right price can mean a lot of differences between success and failure for your karaoke business. If you set it too high, then many people may not be able to afford it; if you put it too low, then your guests won’t get their money’s worth, and competitive local KTV bars will eat up most of your profits.

To avoid such problems from happening to you, here are some valuable tips that I urge you to follow:

• Open up during off-peak hours

According to experts in the field of entrepreneurship, what they say is true when it comes to starting a karaoke business – “Don’t bite more than you can chew”. In other words, open up only when there are few competitors around. This will give you time to discover your customers’ needs before other karaoke bars start opening up in your area or local market.

• Don’t be greedy

Always remember that setting the price too high can lead to poor sales, so always set it at a moderate rate. Another thing is not to open during peak hours when your competitors are around because people will not be able to patronize you. Thus, by choosing the right time and setting the price accordingly, you can ensure that there is never a shortage of customers who would want to sing in your KTV bar.

3: Hire Talented Singers to Make Your Establishment More Popular

One of the best ways to make your karaoke business more popular is to hire singers who can perform well and give customers a good time. By doing this, you will be able to enthral your guests and provide them with an unforgettable party experience.

However, finding talented and skilled Filipino singers won’t be easy, especially if you do not know anyone who can sing well. My advice is to make it a point to hire singers with good voices, entertaining people and fun to be with (like stand-up comedians), and those who hype up the party atmosphere by dancing energetically while singing their songs.

4: Provide Adequate Equipment for Your Karaoke Party

Although it may seem like an afterthought, providing good equipment for your karaoke business is crucial when it comes to making guests happy with their party experience.

It goes without saying that having good sound systems are important for every music playing establishment, but in the case of karaoke establishments, it is even more important because you want to make the guests feel like they are in a real live concert. Right?

Aside from professional sound systems, be sure to have enough microphones in case your party gets packed with singers. There is nothing more irritating than waiting for hours before you finally get a chance to sing in front of an audience. That’s why I highly recommend getting several mics to make sure everyone gets their turn right away.

Of course, it’s also wise to invest in other karaoke equipment like lighting systems (this affects the overall atmosphere) and screen projectors (so you can put song lyrics on them).

5: Provide Customers with Good Service

We all know that good service goes a long way in building a strong customer base and keeping them coming back to your establishment. Why? Because good service produces satisfied customers who will compulsorily become raving fans of your business because you gave them an experience that they can’t forget.

But what does good service mean for a karaoke bar like yours? It means providing quick and attentive service that will ensure that your guests are satisfied with their party experience. This means properly attending to them, making sure they get their requests on time and giving them the assistance they need so they can sing happily.

You can’t expect people to enjoy themselves singing in front of an audience if you don’t give them good service. That’s just common sense.

6: Lastly, Know How to Handle Difficult Customers

Every karaoke business owner dreads the idea of dealing with difficult customers, but this is a part of life that you have to learn how to handle if you want your business to succeed. Learn how to take control of the situation by dealing with them effectively.

People can be difficult, especially if they’re drunk, but don’t expect them to change their ways all of a sudden because you gave them an attitude or made it appear that you are not happy with their actions. All you have to do is calmly tell them that the rules of your establishment do not allow for this kind of behaviour, so they have to either comply or leave.

If nothing works, follow your security guard’s lead and tell the guests that they are no longer welcome in your business. If you think about it, there is no other way for you to deal with difficult customers other than by being firm and reminding them of your rules.

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Conclusion:

Running a karaoke business is a fun and exciting thing, but it’s also a lot of hard work. But if you have enough passion for this kind of business, then you will surely enjoy every minute of it.

Remember that if you want your karaoke establishment to be successful, you have to have a lot of hard work, patience, time, dedicated staff who are passionate about their line of work, and the right mindset.

Do you have what it takes to start your own karaoke business? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Step By Step Guide To Write A Bar Business Plan

Opening a new bar requires grit and determination - as well as a fantastic bar business plan to act as your roadmap. This document can determine the future success of your new venture, so it’s essential to make it as comprehensive as possible.

But for first-time bar owners, figuring out where to start can be challenging. Our step-by-step guide to writing a business plan will help you pinpoint the finer details to consider when building a thriving bar business.

How to Write a Bar Business Plan in 9 Steps

1. bar overview.

The first step in writing a bar business plan is to establish an overview of the type of bar you want to open. You need a concept and location to shape your business model and create an executive summary for your new venture:

One of the defining aspects of your establishment is its concept and theme, which you’ll need to describe clearly in your business plan. Whether it’s a simple sports bar, speakeasy, or high-end nightclub, have a fully developed idea of what your venue will be and what purpose it will serve.

You also need to consider how to meet market needs. If you’re following trending concepts, you’ll know that roof-top bars and lounges are popular now. Or, perhaps you want your venue to be an activity-based bar that offers an art gallery, board games, or mini-golf?  

Part of your business plan also includes setting your mission statement and goals. These should outline your vision and will influence who invests in your bar. Your mission statement should be a comprehensive statement that details what sets you apart from other bars and should include your company’s values.

It’s important to link your statement to your business concept. You should consider how your values and goals are influenced by what makes your bar unique - including your overall purpose.

Next, you need to propose a location for your bar. Venues close to stores, shopping, centers, and tourist attractions, typically get good visibility and attract a lot of foot traffic. Because of the number of people moving through these areas daily, they also usually offer a decent level of security for your customers.

Another consideration for location is to avoid suburban areas where neighbors might lodge noise complaints. Should this happen, it can mean regulations stipulate earlier closing times for your venue so as not to disturb the peace.  

Finally, look for a space where there’s low competition, and your business can shine. There are plenty of strips crowded with bars and nightclubs. While these might attract a decent amount of foot traffic, you’ll need to work much harder to draw people into your place if one establishment has already made a name for itself.

For this reason, aim to secure a spot with little competition. It could mean having a unique concept bar that overshadows the competition. Or it could mean selecting a space where your type of bar doesn’t yet exist.

Ease of Accessibility

Potential customers need to be able to access your bar easily, or they will go elsewhere. They might drive, take public transport, or use a ridesharing company to travel to your venue. It’s up to you to ensure there are ways and means to get them conveniently to the front door.

Here, you should be looking for a venue where you can offer parking to your patrons. It should also be accessible to ride-hailing services and close to public transport.

2. Customer Overview

No bar establishment would be successful without its customers. As part of your bar business plan, include a profile of the type of customer you hope to attract. Consider who your target market is and how it aligns with your bar concept.

You should also outline your demographic's age, income, and interests. You’ll need this information later when developing marketing strategies for your business.  

3. Management Overview

The next step in your bar business plan is building a team structure. Your crafty bar concept requires talented people to execute it properly.

Your bartenders are the face of your establishment. Essentially, they can make or break your customer’s impression of your venue. When going through the hiring process, you’ll need to consider each individual’s personality, qualifications, experience, and skills.

Ideally, you want at least one experienced bartender who knows the ropes and can help set up operations, deal with bar management, and train the team. They will also be able to help streamline any teething issues that come up as a result of starting a new business.

From the get-go, outline your bartending teams’ possible responsibilities and the duties they’ll need to undertake. This can help set expectations ahead of advertising jobs and interviewing potential candidates.

Bar-backs don’t need as much experience as bartenders or servers as they aren’t in the customer eye as much. But they must be willing and eager to learn. They are essential to keeping everything running smoothly and work closely with the bartender as an assistant.

For this reason, they need a solid foundational knowledge of the industry, ingredients, and barware in general.

Depending on your business concept and operational model, you may or may not need to employ servers. Some high-end venues have servers to reduce the crowd around the bar and deliver drinks to the table. Additionally, you’ll need to hire servers if you offer any food.

When building out your staffing plan, you’ll need to determine where your establishment lands with that requirement. Make a note here to look for bar industry candidates with alcohol training who know how to serve alcohol safely and legally.

4. Drinks Menu Plan

Your drinks menu is your bar’s product. To be successful, it’s essential to get this offering right.

While your beverage list will undoubtedly change over time, don’t neglect to include a sample menu in your business plan. This will give potential investors an idea of what’s in store and possibly help you secure funding.

Descriptions

Your drinks menu is the selling point of your bar business and the star of the show. If you can excite and entice patrons with promises of wonderful flavors, you’ll be onto a gold mine.

So, it’s important to include product descriptions in your menu, particularly for signature drinks. Each listing should detail the ingredients of individual drinks, any garnishes they may come with, and add-ons your customers can choose from.

Beverage Names

A successful bar is only as strong as its product. So, aligning your drinks with your bar’s brand and concept is important. Get together with a mixologist to create one or several signature drinks that will be uniquely your own. Give these drinks names that play to the overall theme of your business.

Product Sourcing

Many establishments lean on particular products as their claim to fame. For example, you might want to be known as a French wine bistro, local brewery, or craft cocktail spot. Decide what you wish your unique story to be and reflect this in your plan for product sourcing.

Of course, sourcing locally is the most sustainable way to go. You can also build relationships with vendors in your community, which can help bring people into your venue.  

Industry Trends

It’s essential to do your research and stay abreast of industry trends. Note what these are in your business plan, as this will help keep customers walking through your doors.

For example, one of the most popular cocktail trends in the bar scene is smoke-infused or smoked cocktails. Some mixologists may also use smoke bubbles to infuse the cocktail with a smoky aroma. This trend has gained fame in the last few years and adds a new twist to the cocktail-drinking experience.

Small Food Menu (Small Bites)

Food and beverages go hand in hand. If you plan a small menu with, say, tapas or easy eats, you can increase your revenue. It will prevent your guests from leaving to find something to eat.

Suppose you don’t want the hassle of food storage and preparation. In that case, consider formulating a partnership with a local eatery or small food business that can deliver a menu of select freshly-made items to your establishment.

5. Licenses

It’s key to plan out your business licenses carefully. If you don’t have the right ones in place, you won’t be able to operate.

Tavern License

When putting together your bar business plan, it’s important to research whether you need a tavern license. It’s a government-issued license for restaurants, bars, or businesses with more than 50% liquor sales.  

Beer and Wine License

If you’re planning on starting a beerhouse or wine lounge, you may only need to apply for a beer and wine license. This will restrict your sales to wine and malt beverages, as you won’t be able to sell hard liquors like spirits. Whether you need to apply for this license depends on your bar's concept.

Health/Food Service License

With a small food menu, you’ll likely need to note on your restaurant and bar business plan to apply for a food service license. It’s a requirement to serve any type of food within your establishment. To obtain a food service license, you’ll need to ensure that your bar follows strict rules and regulations laid out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .

Music License

Music is one of the key elements of creating ambiance in a venue. But did you know that streaming music from your digital subscription with Spotify or Deezer is not actually operating within the law? This is true even if you’re playing music through a TV or radio.

The right way to go about this is to pay a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) or music service that will send royalties to the relevant artists. For the most part, this doesn’t apply to bands or performers who play live at your venue.

6. Market Research

Performing market research as part of your bar business plan is key to understanding your opportunities and how to capitalize on them.  

Industry Research

Part of your research should be to determine the market size you can potentially snag. Look at other bars already operating in the area, consider the industry as a whole, and determine what trends are driving it forward.  

Target Market

What needs will your bar solve for your target market? You can find out who they are and what they want by considering the local neighborhood and bar type.

It’s also an idea to look at census data to see how many potential customers within a certain demographic live within a reachable radius of your proposed location.

Market Share and Price Point

When doing your market analysis, consider similar bar businesses that have come before you. What do their successes and failures look like? Why did they crash and burn, or soar to new heights? Take these lessons and figure out how to apply them so your business can succeed.

Furthermore, what will your entry into the market mean for the local community? Are you creating new job opportunities? Or are you going to bring in an unruly crowd of patrons they hope to avoid? Knowing this information will help you be accepted and create connections rather than catastrophes.

Lastly, consider what your ‘competitors’ or other similar industry businesses are charging for their drinks and services. Run a competitive analysis in the area to determine your potential price point and how you can stand out.

7. Bar Marketing

Utilizing a marketing plan in the right way helps you take measured steps to get your establishment in front of potential customers. Here are the strategies to get started:

Create a Brand

The key to starting a successful business - and keeping it open - is to create a memorable brand identity. Your toolbox for promoting your brand should include your logo, colors, and ‘personality.’ Use these in a way that becomes synonymous with your bar, no matter where people interact with it.

Marketing Tools

Besides developing your brand identity, consider the channels you can market on to attract customers. At the very least, it should include your social channels, website, and media influencers.

8. Other Avenues to Increase Revenue

Besides being a bar and welcoming guests who come in with reservations or foot traffic, there are other avenues to increase your revenue.

Hosting events such as karaoke nights, wine tastings, or live music is an excellent way to attract larger crowds to your bar. You are guaranteed certain sales, can charge a cover fee, and get new people walking through the door.

If you go this route, we recommend using event management software to keep everything on track and work effortlessly with your team.

It’s no surprise that all businesses go through an ebb and flow of customer traffic. A great way to increase cash flow during slower periods is to introduce ideas like drink specials and happy hour discounts.

When you’re writing up a business plan, don’t forget to brainstorm ideas for a pre-opening promotion as a way to test the market. This can be as simple as a soft launch or as elaborate as a grand-opening celebration.

9. Financials

An important aspect of your business plan is to outline your potential start-up costs. These, along with the costs of day-to-day business operations, and financial projections, will attract or deter potential investors.

Your business plan should also highlight possible funding options like loans and investment opportunities you have available. Additionally, you’ll need to draw up a break-even analysis to determine how much revenue it will take to turn profits.  

Realizing your dream of owning the hottest bar in town starts with a great business plan. It will need to cover everything from your mission statement to your concept and drinks menu. This will help you build a sturdy management team, hire great employees, and attract people to your venue.

Want to know more about Perfect Venue for event management? Try it free to find out how it can be a fit for your new business.

Have thoughts on the article? Feel free to email us at [email protected] - we'd love to hear it!

The Provi Guide: How to Write a Bar, Restaurant or Retail Shop Business Plan

Build your dream bar, restaurant or retail shop business with Provi

The key to a successful bar, restaurant or retail business starts with an effective and enticing business plan. Whether you’re looking to open your dream business or already running one, Provi's business plan guide includes valuable information for any aspiring or practicing entrepreneur.

Here's what's inside

• An in-depth guide on the key elements of a hospitality business plan
• Tips on how to craft a mission statement, perform an industry & competitive landscape analysis and define a concept's service model
• Includes an essential list of financial overview and projection needs to help secure funding

Fill out the form below to download the guide to writing a bar or restaurant business plan

Corey hines.

Career bartender turned Content Marketing Manager at Provi, covering all things beer, wine and spirits.

[email protected]

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How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Template

Bar businesses are growing. Especially due to the increase in alcohol consumption and nightlife culture amongst the younger population.

But all of us know that a bar business is much more than just alcohol. It is also a good profession for people who like to socialize, talk to new people, and are lively and cheerful more often than not.

And the best part is no industry giant holds a huge chunk of the market in this business.

Sounds good, right? But before you go ahead and fulfill your long-standing dream of having a bar, you’ll need a bar business plan and we are here to help you with that, Here’s a quick overview of the industry.

Industry Overview

The bar industry stood at a massive market value of 25.09 billion dollars in the US in 2021. And is going through a phase of rapid recovery after being hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

The bar industry covers the broad spectrum of nightclubs, bars, and other such establishments that serve alcohol and snacks. The revenue for nightclubs also comes mainly from the sales of alcohol.

Increased acceptance of alcohol and an increase in disposable income of the younger population, mainly the millennials has led to the growth of the bar business.

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Things to Consider Before Writing a bar business plan

Get all the necessary licenses.

As a bar business staying on the right side of the law is more important than anything. Having all the necessary licenses and permits lets you run your business smoothly and without any chaos.

Here’s a list of licenses that you’ll need:

• Liquor License
• Food Safety Permit
• Fire Safety Certificate
• Music license

You might need more depending on the laws of your state and locality. Get all the necessary permits to avoid hassles as well as to ensure your customers and your own safety.

The location matters ( A lot )

In the case of a bar business, the location is usually the whole and soul of your business. The right location would be a preferred hangout spot for your target audience, easy to access, and not overly crowded.

The factor that the locality has your target audience or not would be a major deciding factor in your bar business’s success.

Know your target audience and their preferences

Knowing about your target audience gives your business the head start it deserves. Study everything from what your target audience prefers when it comes to food and beverages, what additional services they expect, What kind of vibe they prefer, and obviously, what is the right location to cater to them.

Have a unique theme

A major aspect of the bar industry is that it doesn’t really have any big players but several small businesses that compete with each other. And if you want to stand out amongst all the hustle and bustle it is important to have a unique theme that appeals to your target audience.

How Can a Bar Business Plan Help You?

A business plan helps you develop the right perspective toward the industry you plan on entering.

It not only helps you with market analysis and management but also acts as a guide in your business journey.

If you plan your business well, you get an edge over poorly managed entities and unaware owners who did not conduct market research before starting the business.

Specifically, when starting a bar business, a business plan helps you in making cost-effective decisions when you begin, so you don’t have to worry about haphazard finances later.

And as you know the benefits of having a business plan now, let’s discuss how to write an effective plan .

How to write an effective bar business plan?

Although you can write a business plan on your own from scratch, it is always good to get a little guidance when writing one.

Thanks to technology, there are several options available, and you can choose the one that fits the best for you.

You can either go to a business consultant, design your plan based on a predesigned template, or get a customized plan for your business through an online business plan software without going anywhere.

Chalking Out Your Business Plan

All businesses like bars, pubs, lounges, and nightclubs come under the aegis of the bar business. All of these are drinking places that primarily serve and prepare alcoholic beverages.

Moreover, it is an industry where there are no market leaders who hold a big share in the industry’s value, but small fragmented units amongst whom the industry’s value is distributed.

Now it might look like a lucrative business to enter, but a lot of bar businesses fail due to bad financial and employee management. They end up overspending and working their employees to the point of exhaustion.

You don’t have to worry about it though, the above problem has a quick and easy solution: A business plan.

Yes, you heard it right, a bar business plan can help you solve all the management and planning-related problems.

If you are planning to start a new bar business , the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample Bar business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Bar Business Plan Outline

This is the standard bar business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Business Overview
• Mission Statement
• Guiding Principles
• Keys to Success
• Start-Up Summary
• Location and Facilities
• Products/Services Description
• Competitive Comparison
• Product/Service Sourcing
• Inventory Management
• Future Products/Services
• Market Size
• Industry Participants
• Market Share
• Applebee’s Pinto’s Bar and Grill 6706
• Cococabana Bar & Grill
• Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill
• Market Segments
• Market Tests
• Market Needs
• Market Trends
• Market Growth
• Positioning
• SWOT Analysis
• Strategy Pyramid
• Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
• Competitive Edge
• Positioning Statement
• Pricing Strategy
• Promotion and Advertising Strategy
• Marketing Programs
• Sales Forecast
• Sales Programs
• Exit Strategy
• Organizational Structure
• Management Team Gaps
• Personnel Plan
• Important Assumptions
• Startup Expenses
• Startup Assets
• Source And Use Of Funds
• Profit & Loss Statement
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow Statement

Before you get started with writing your business plan, let’s understand each section in detail:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the most important document of your business plan. It is crucial to get you funded as a business as it sums up everything your business stands for.

Chances are that the investors might not even read beyond this section.

Therefore, when you write it make sure you sum up your business idea and its functions properly.

2. Business Overview

In this section, you will include an overview of all the chief needs of your business.

In a bar business plan, the chief aspects would include the location and its accessibility, the legal rules regarding alcohol followed by the area as well as the primary legal formalities involved in running a bar.

3. Products and services

This section includes all the products and services you’ll offer.

Resources for getting the products, especially in the case of a bar business the formal procedures involved in acquiring alcohol should be included.

It is also good to note down the differentiating factor between your and your competitor’s product.

4. Market analysis

Market analysis is another crucial aspect of a business plan. It comes in handy while assessing strategies and techniques that work and do not work by analyzing your competitors.

It also helps you get information about the size of the market and its growth potential.

It helps you to know your target audience and segment of the market that forms the majority of your client base.

5. Marketing strategy and implementation

Based on market analysis, next up you’ll formulate your marketing strategy.

While formulating your marketing strategy you should always keep your unique selling point and target market in mind.

Apart from that your positioning in the industry is also a critical aspect of your strategy implementation.

In addition to all of the above, advertising strategy is an aspect a bar business has to pay special attention to, as a direct advertisement of alcohol isn’t allowed on various media platforms.

6. Organizational Management

This step is also especially important in a bar business plan to avoid overworking employees, create good and respectful relations amongst the team, and have strong teamwork.

You should also include various roles and responsibilities of different people in your organization as well as ways of tracking their performance in this section.

7. Financial Plan

A financial plan is important because it prevents you from overspending and optimally distributes your cash flow amongst various segments of your business.

Apart from that in a financial plan, you can also carry out an analysis of your financial history as well as  funding options for your business.

The above-mentioned order can help you write a well-rounded plan. But most importantly, while starting a bar business it is important to keep the legalities involved in mind.

You should always watch out for the current and potential alcohol laws that would have an impact on your business and frame your business strategy accordingly.

Hence, you should frame a business plan that is flexible and dynamic and thus, can help you succeed in the bar and pub industry.

Download a sample bar business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free bar business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your bar business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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Bar Business Plan Summary

A bar business can be extremely successful and smooth if you go about it with a business plan.

A business plan helps you keep all the facets from legal to financial ones in mind while running a bar business, thus making the process easier and quicker.

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample bar business plan template into your business plan, modify the required information, and download your bar business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

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About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Bar and Tavern Business Plan

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Foosball Hall

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Foosball Hall is a new gaming hall and bar serving the Madison, Wisconsin community. Foosball or table soccer is an exciting table game originating from 1920’s Germany. The game involves two to four people in an exciting match that tests skill, strategy, and willingness to have fun. People, primarily male students, play foosball as an exciting alternative to pool. They are looking for skill oriented game that they can play in the social setting of a bar. While there are many different pool hall bars in Madison, there are no foosball bars even though the demand is quite apparent. Demand can be witnessed anywhere there is a foosball table. There are always lines of people waiting to play, and it is extremely rare to be able to walk up to an unused foosball table. Foosball Hall will meet the unmet demand in Madison, Wisconsin with a bar offering beer, food, beverages and plenty of foosball tables for casual play as well as tournaments.

Keys to Success Foosball Hall has identified three keys that will be critical for their success. The first is the need to design and implement strict financial controls. This is particularly important for an establishment that serves alcohol, as employee theft is one of the largest drains on this type of business. The financial controls will help minimize this risk. The second key is the behavior of all employees toward customers – that each customer is treated as if they were the most important customer of Foosball Hall. The last key to success will be the constant analysis for improvement of the business model. It will be management’s task to continually analyze the business model looking for ways that it can be adjusted to increase profitability for the business. Foosball Hall will not assume that this business model is static, rather, they believe that in order to improve it must be dynamic.

Target Market Customers Foosball Hall has identified two population target segments. The first segment is casual players of table games. This segment enjoys playing table games such as foosball or pool in a bar setting. They appreciate the opportunity to play a fun game while they consume beverages (alcoholic or not) and socialize with friends or strangers. This group is growing at the annual rate of 8% with 54,889 potential customers. The second segment of the population that will be targeted is competitive players. These people appreciate foosball for the same reasons as the casual players, however, this group is also quite competitive. They play foosball to win, either with friends or in a tournament and continually work on their skills to become better players. This segment has an annual growth rate of 7% and 12,445 potential customers.

Management Foosball Hall will be lead by Stan Spinner. Stan received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. While in college, Stan managed a pool hall. This was Stan’s first experience in a retail establishment and provided him with invaluable experience in tavern operations, as well as insight into customer habits and preferences. Recognizing that one day he wanted to run his own business, but was not comfortable with his incomplete skill set, Stan enrolled in the University of Wisconsin’s MBA Entrepreneurship Program. Stan went through the two year program with the intention of opening a foosball bar upon graduation. Having this goal in his head while taking the course work proved to be quite valuable as it became a lens through which Stan studied all the new material.

Foosball Hall is a start-up gaming (foosball) bar primarily serving the students of Madison. Sales have been forecast to be approximately $200,000 for year two, increasing to approximately $290,000 in year three. Net profit will be negative in year one, rising to a positive % in years two and three.

1.1 Keys to Success

Foosball Hall has identified several business elements that must be implemented in order to succeed in this competitive market.

• Employ strict financial controls. This is especially important for a bar where, without financial controls, employ theft could bring the business to bankruptcy.
• Treat every customer as though they are the most important customer to Foosball Hall.
• Continually look for improvements in the business model as well as operating systems.

1.2 Mission

It is Foosball Hall’s mission to become a premier night spot for Madison students and locals who are interested in playing table games and drinking. Foosball Hall will accomplish this by offering abundant foosball tables, beer, and food at reasonable prices. By providing the Madison market with the opportunity to participate in this increasingly popular table game, Foosball Hall will become a Madison favorite. The business will be operated on the premise that satisfied customers are imperative to a sustainable business.

1.3 Objectives

• To become one of the premier venues in Madison that offers table games (in this case specifically foosball), beer and food.
• To grow the game of foosball in Madison, adding legitimacy to the game and increasing the number and participation levels of the tournaments.
• Reach the point of sustainable profitability by year two.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Foosball Hall, a start-up business has been formed as a Wisconsin Limited Liability Corporation (L.L.C.) with the main purpose as a table game (foosball) operation that offers soft drinks, beer, and light food.

2.1 Company Ownership

Foosball Hall is an L.L.C. registered in Wisconsin. The L.L.C. business formation structure was chosen as a personal liability shield for the owner Stan Spinner. While Stan has outside investors who possess a note securing their investment, Stan is the majority owner.

2.2 Start-up Summary

The following list details the expenses associated with the start up of this organization:

• Foosball tables: There are 10 U.S.-based manufacturers of tables. The specific vendor will be chosen soon based on a competitive bidding process. All of the manufacturers produce high quality tables and compete primarily on price. Foosball Hall is in need of 10 tables @ approximately $3,000 each. In addition to the tables, two large white boards will be needed for tournament play.
• Lighting: While the chosen space has lights for the area in general, additional lighting will need to be set up for proper table play.
• Stools, tables, counter top and chairs: These items will be purchased to provide a place for non-players to relax and socialize.
• Kitchen equipment: These are the items necessary for serving a bar menu and liquid refreshments. Needed items include: glasses, silverware, plates, microwave, convection oven, refrigerator and freezer, serving/cooking utensils, a beer tap system, a fountain dispenser for soft drinks.
• Attorney fees: The needed legal services include business formation advice and assistance, basic contract reviews, and general business advice.
• Consultants: A business consultant will be utilized for assistance in setting up various operating systems for the entity.
• Various marketing information such as brochures, stationery, etc.
• Website: The website will be developed as a form of communication regarding the activities of Foosball Hall and the game of foosball. This includes disseminating information regarding tournaments as well as advertising the fact that there is a place that offers foosball. There are numerous foosball associations that will then link Foosball Hall’s site to theirs for general game promotion.

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Foosball Foosball, or table soccer is a popular table game that looks sort of like a soccer game. The name is derived from the German word for field soccer which is fubball. The adopted name in the States is foosball or table soccer. The game itself originated in Germany during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.

A fact that may come as a surprise to many is that foosball is played on a competitive (professional) level. There are several tours which exist with regional, national and international competitions. Within the U.S. there are two well established associations, United States Table Soccer Association and the American Table Soccer Federation. So while most participants are recreational players, there are many people who play foosball at a competitive level. The bulk of Foosball Hall customers are the recreational players.

Foosball Hall offers 10 different tables for foosball. Five days a week the tables are open to first-come/first-served play. Two days a week half of the tables will be reserved for league/tournament play. Customers are able to play foosball by paying an hourly rate. Players can either play games with people within their party or have pickup opponents. Foosball Hall serves a rotating tap of three beers as well as several bottled varieties. Other beverages include fountain soft drinks. Foosball Hall offers a light bar food menu of sandwiches and several different appetizer items.

So while foosball is the main attraction, i.e. why customers would choose Foosball Hall over another bar, the main source of revenue is from the offered food and beverages. The foosball revenue, both from individual play and from tournaments will help supplement the business, profitability depends on selling sufficient levels of food and drinks.

Offering foosball is an attractive service as many people enjoy participating in some sort of game while they are at a bar drinking and socializing. Foosball provides this entertainment, similar to pool and darts. Foosball offers the same challenge in terms of strategy and skill as pool and darts but makes the experience more fun and action oriented. So foosball can be said to be the best of both worlds, requiring skill and thought but at the same time being fun,  fast paced action.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Foosball Hall has identified two target customer segments which are particularly attractive. The first segment customers are the more casual players who are looking for some sort of activity (such as foosball, pool, darts) to occupy their time as they socialize and drink. The second group comprises the competitive foosball players. This group travels to where ever there are tables.

While the two groups share the same interest in foosball, they are distinct groups and each one will need to be reached via different methods. Foosball Hall participates within the general pool hall industry, businesses that offer beer and pool typically. The foosball parlor industry is too small and new to have its own industry classification. While foosball is a very popular table game, there are just not enough foosball dedicated halls to have its own industry. Here lies the attractiveness of the industry, most of the foosball playing occurs on college campuses, there are few outside establishments that offer a pool-like foosball hall.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Foosball Hall has identified two distinct customer segments that they will target:

Casual players This segment is typically made up of  college men who enjoy playing foosball with their colleagues. This group of individuals typically plays to pass time and have fun as opposed to playing at a competitive level in tournaments. Characteristics of the individuals that make up this group are:

• Gender 85% male.
• Ages 17- 28.
• College students- 74% of the participants are in college or recently graduated from college.
• 69% play pool but prefer foosball because it combines similar levels of skill but at a much faster, exciting pace.

Competitive players This group plays to win. Foosball is not about a fun way to pass time but a serious game at which they work hard, developing competitive skills. This group is far smaller but the individuals are active participants. There are two different manufacturer based associations for foosball and numerous different player based associations. In fact, as a testament to the level of seriousness, size and participation levels of these players, almost all states in the U.S. have their own associations. It is this group of people that will be the most active participants in the offered tournaments.

• Generally male- 89%.
• Ages 25-48.

The bulk of Foosball Hall’s customers are casual recreational players.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Foosball Hall will successfully target two distinct segments of the market. While both groups play foosball, the reasons that they play are different. Understanding this will help Foosball Hall accurately target the specific group. The first group while smaller in size is far more organized and will therefore be much easier to reach. Although seriously competitive players are growing in number, it is a select group of people that compete in foosball. With the advent of the Internet, this group has become quite organized in terms of associations, tournaments, and general awareness of each other. This being said, it is easy to reach this group through advertisements and networking with the different associations. The competitive players are always looking for new places to play, there are generally not enough tables to accommodate them. This will be the easiest group to reach. This group is talkative amongst themselves and always looking for new places and new tournaments.

The casual players will be more difficult to target. This group of people comes from a fairly large cross section of the population, people that like some sort of table game while they hang out with friends and drink beer. The obvious group to try to reach are college students. Madison was chosen in part because of its population of foosball players as well as the huge student population to draw off of. Students are the perfect segment of the population that likes to drink, play games, has disposable income, and has extra time for leisure activities. Additionally, foosball is a social game that requires two- four players. Even beyond the requirement for multiple players, when people play foosball it is typically in a social setting with socializing occurring during play. While there are some other casual players, most are or recently were college students.

4.3 Industry Analysis

There are few commercial playing areas for foosball. Most foosball tables reside in private settings, either a home, fraternity house, etc. The real competitor in terms of industry are pool halls. While the games themselves are not similar, the reason people play and the type of people that play are quite similar. As mentioned previously, people play either as a source of game competition, or they play as a way to have fun and socialize. The users are quite similar as well, however, pool tends to attract an older crowd, or at least some older people. The pool hall/ table game hall industry operates primarily by selling  beer and alcoholic beverages. Food and fountain drinks generate supplemental income. Most business occurs in the evening/ night time, as people use the occasions as a way to relax.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

Competition is predominantly from pool halls and foosball tournaments.

Pool Halls The pool halls are the alternative places, other than typical bars, that people go to to socialize and play games to pass the time. There are many different pool halls that serve the Madison student population. They are typically grouped by some sort of theme, maybe concentrating on the lower price point beer selection, maybe on the music, sometimes on the quality of the pool and billiards tables (typically a function of the skill level of the players and the use of the tables for tournaments). The pool halls are competitors for the casual players, people that are playing as a way to socialize, have fun, and pass the time.

Foosball Tournaments Currently, the several tournaments that are held for the Madison area players take place in a community center recreation room that has six tables. There are no other public or semi-public areas that have more than a couple of tables available for play. So while the community center will still have tournaments, the facilities at Foosball Hall will be nicer and have more things to offer such as food and beer. By virtue of more and better tables, Foosball Hall will be able to attract plenty of people for the tournaments.

Indirect competition comes from other evening recreation activities, such as bars, movies, theatres, bowling alleys, etc.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Foosball Hall will leverage the fact that they offer the finest (as well as the only) facility of numerous, nice, good condition foosball tables. This will be especially useful when competing for customers against the pool halls. Foosball has the same draw as pool, a game that is fun, social, and requires some skill, but is much more fun than pool. To be competitive at foosball, players must develop a strong skill set, however, the level of fun is accessible to all skill levels. Therefore, foosball generates more fun than pool, a distinction that is valuable to a hall that is attracting people to come play games, eat, and drink.  

The marketing effort will rely on advertisements and sponsorships to reach the desired market segments. For the casual users the venue will be advertised as a place to eat, drink, and play fun games. To reach the competitive players, Foosball Hall will have to generate visibility among the different individuals and groups that compete. This will be done with advertising as well as sponsoring tournaments, arguably the best way to get this segment introduced to Foosball Hall.

The sales strategy is formulated on the hypothesis that there are a large number of people that will try Foosball Hall once, and that a successful sales effort will be one that captures the people and turns them into repeat customers. This philosophy is grounded in the solid marketing maxim that it is more costly to attract new customers than it is to maintain current ones.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Foosball Hall will rely on their competitive edge of offering a large number of foosball tables to patrons. Pool halls are relatively popular. They offer patrons a source of self entertainment (based on skill and strategy) while they drink and socialize. Foosball takes this value one step further by offering a game that has similar skill requirements, but injects much more fun and thrill into the game. Currently, there are no other public places that offer more than one or two foosball tables for play. This competitive edge could diminish if it becomes so popular that competitors take notice and offer similar game options. However, Foosball Hall will enjoy the market leader position and will not rest on its laurels, continually looking for new ways to add value for their customers. Foosball Hall will be always looking for new ways to appeal to their target market by both secondary research, and through primary research in the form of observation of their customers.

5.2 Marketing Strategy

Foosball Hall will use two different forms of marketing communication as a way to reach the target market and raise their  awareness of Foosball Hall and their product offerings. The casual users will be reached through a series of advertisements, generally in the student newspapers. The student rags are a source of information that most students consult in determining activities and events. There are two main student papers, each with a slightly different readership demographic. The advertising space in the papers is fairly inexpensive and is targeted to reach the right audience.

In order to reach the competitive users, Foosball Hall will rely on a tournament sponsorship strategy to attract the serious players. Foosball Hall will sponsor several different tournaments, at least two days a week that will be a haven for the competitive players. The beauty (for Foosball Hall) of the competitive tournaments is that most players require practice to remain competitive or improve and the large number of tables at Foosball Hall will encourage this customer segment to use Foosball Hall as a place to train as well as compete. The tournament sponsorship will generate visibility on the local (city as well as state) foosball association websites. The visibility will take the form of activity by members of the Foosball Hall staff in association based activities. Becoming active within this association of people is valuable networking that is likely to bring many new customers to the Hall. Foosball Hall believes that this grassroots approach will be particularly effective for this unusual but tight knit group of people.

5.3 Sales Strategy

Consistent, customer-centric service is the requirement for Foosball Hall employees. Every employee will have the idea drilled into them that they cannot let a customer leave dissatisfied. Employees will be empowered to remedy most situations that come up. Problem solving will be encouraged throughout the organization. It would also be fair to say that everyone within the organization is part of the sales staff.

5.3.1 Sales Forecast

The sales forecast is a conservative projection. It has been kept conservative to ensure that, with the worst case scenario, we are able to cover our expenses. The first three months have a sales forecast that is pretty grim (relative to the standard month). This can be explained by the fact that the first few months will be slow, a function of being a start-up business, fighting to become more visible within the community, going from nothing to achieving a regular clientele. A slow but steady growth cycle with occur as the months toll. Profitability is projected to occur during the later half of the second year. As a rule of thumb for this industry, if profitability occurs before the second year than it is unlikely to be a sustainable profit, and if it does not occur by the end of the second year than the chance of it ever happening is pretty slim.

The following table and charts represent the breakdown of the sales for the first year as well as graphical representations of sales by month and year.

5.4 Milestones

Foosball Hall has identified several different milestones that will act as obtainable goals, providing the organization with benchmarks that they must reach. The following table details the different milestones, the timeline for them and the responsible party.

Web Plan Summary

The website will be used as a form of communication aimed primarily at the competitive players. The competitive players are those that use the Internet to stay in touch with the rest of the foosball community. This community, as perviously mentioned, is somewhat small but close knit. The Internet provides the perfect communication medium. The casual players are unlikely to use the website much, they will be looking for a casual place to have fun and pass the time and an Internet search is usually not used to find new places. 

The website will provide viewers with information regarding the services and products offered by Foosball Hall. In addition to providing information, the website will be linked into the different associations websites as a venue for tournament play.

6.1 Website Marketing Strategy

The website will be marketed in two ways. The first will be submissions to popular search engines such as Google. This will allow people who are searching for Madison based foosball to reach Foosball Hall’s website. The second marketing strategy is the complimentary linking of sites with the local and regional foosball associations. With complimentary links used, surfers who are already on a complimentary website such as the associations website will be guided to Foosball Hall’s site and hopefully made aware of the new venue for foosball play.

6.2 Development Requirements

The development requirements for the site will be met by a computer science student. This type of student will be used for two reasons: the typical below market rates, and the technical expertise that they offer.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Foosball Hall is being led by Stan Spinner. Stan received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It was here that Stan was first introduced to foosball. His fraternity had a table and he immediately enjoyed the game. At his fraternity there were always people lined up waiting to play.

During his undergraduate days, Stan managed a pool hall. This was valuable because it taught him general business skills, paid well, and required his time at night, preventing a conflict with his schooling. Stan recognized that his ultimate dream was to create his own business, to be his own boss. With this in mind, and recognizing his reasonable assessment that his business skill set was not totally complete, Stan decided to enroll in The University of Wisconsin’s MBA Entrepreneurship Program.

At this point Stan was aware that having a foosball hall was a viable business opportunity. While the immediacy of starting it as soon as possible to be the first to market was valuable, he recognized his deficiencies in his skill set and ultimately decided to continue school and begin his business after his degree was completed. Having this insight as to his work passion and how to execute it was invaluable to Stan as he went through all his course work with the goal of starting his own business when he graduated.

7.1 Personnel Plan

Stan will be the driving force behind Foosball Hall. His responsibilities include but not limited to: vendor relations and product procurement, marketing, sales, accounting (initially), tournament formation and management, and bar tending. In addition to Stan the following positions will need to be filled:

• Bartender: In addition to tending bar and serving drinks, this position will help with the cleaning and busing of tables as well as opening and closing activities. When it is slow the position will also assist in the limited food preparation. There will be multiple bartenders, typically having part-time shifts.
• Bartender assistant: This position will back up the bartender in any activities that are needed such as cleaning, busing tables, assistance will table rental. This position will also help out with many of the back-end activities. There will be multiple people holding this position.
• Bookkeeper: This position will be filled during month five when business begins to pick up. Initially Stan will be taking care of these functions, however once business picks up there is no value added for Stan to do these functions so he will hire someone on a part-time basis.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections outline important financial information.

8.1 Important Assumptions

The following table details important Financial Assumptions.

8.2 Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis indicates that monthly revenue of approximately $12,000 will be needed to reach the break-even point.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table and charts show the Projected Profit and Loss.

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table display Projected Cash Flow.

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table presents the Projected Balance Sheet.

8.6 Business Ratios

Foosball Hall’s Business Ratios. SIC industry class: Pool parlor – 7999.0403.

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How to write a business plan for a cocktail bar?

Putting together a business plan for a cocktail bar can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing cocktail bar, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a cocktail bar?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a cocktail bar?
• How do I build a financial forecast for a cocktail bar?

The written part of a cocktail bar business plan

• What tool should I use to write my cocktail bar business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a cocktail bar business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Running a small business is tough! Economic cycles bring growth and recessions, while the business landscape is ever-changing with new technologies, regulations, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging constantly.

In such a dynamic context, operating a business without a clear roadmap is akin to driving blindfolded: it's risky, to say the least. That's why crafting a business plan for your cocktail bar is vital to establish a successful and sustainable venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to assess your current position (if you're already in business) and define where you want the business to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your cocktail bar, you'll have to:

• Identify the necessary resources (human, equipment, and capital) needed to reach your goals,
• Determine the pace at which the business needs to progress to meet its objectives as scheduled,
• Recognize and address the potential risks you may encounter along the way.

Engaging in this process regularly proves advantageous for both startups and established companies. It empowers you to make informed decisions about resource allocation, ensuring the long-term success of your business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your cocktail bar's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your cocktail bar business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your cocktail bar's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

A detailed business plan becomes a crucial tool when seeking financing from banks or investors for your cocktail bar.

Investing and lending to small businesses are very risky activities given how fragile they are. Therefore, financiers have to take extra precautions before putting their capital at risk.

At a minimum, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap and a solid understanding of your future cash flows (like we just explained above). But they will also want to ensure that your business plan fits the risk/reward profile they seek.

This will off-course vary from bank to bank and investor to investor, but as a rule of thumb. Banks will want to see a conservative financial management style (low risk), and they will use the information in your business plan to assess your borrowing capacity — the level of debt they think your business can comfortably handle — and your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation will determine whether they'll provide credit to your cocktail bar and the terms of the agreement.

Whereas investors will carefully analyze your business plan to gauge the potential return on their investment. Their focus lies on evidence indicating your cocktail bar's potential for high growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you recognize the importance of creating a business plan for your cocktail bar, let's explore what information is required to create a compelling plan.

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Information needed to create a business plan for a cocktail bar

Drafting a cocktail bar business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for a cocktail bar

As you consider writing your business plan for a cocktail bar, conducting market research becomes a vital step to ensure accurate and realistic financial projections.

Market research provides valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other key factors that can significantly impact the commercial success of your business.

Through this research, you may uncover trends that could influence your cocktail bar.

You may find that customers are increasingly looking for specialty cocktails that feature local ingredients, or that they are leaning towards healthier options that don't rely heavily on sugary mixers. Additionally, customers might be showing interest in drinks that are designed to pair with specific dishes, or those that are associated with particular occasions.

Such market trends play a significant role in forecasting revenue, as they offer valuable data about potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By incorporating these findings into your financial projections, you can present investors with more accurate information, helping them make informed decisions about investing in your cocktail bar.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a cocktail bar

As you embark on creating your cocktail bar business plan, it is crucial to budget sales and marketing expenses beforehand.

A well-defined sales and marketing plan should include precise projections of the actions required to acquire and retain customers. It will also outline the necessary workforce to execute these initiatives and the budget required for promotions, advertising, and other marketing efforts.

This approach ensures that the appropriate amount of resources is allocated to these activities, aligning with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a cocktail bar

As you embark on starting or expanding your cocktail bar, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is essential for ensuring your business's success.

Both the recruitment and investment plans must align with the timing and level of growth projected in your forecast, and they require appropriate funding.

Staffing costs may include wages for bartenders, waitstaff, and barbacks, as well as taxes and benefits. Equipment costs may include bar tools, glassware, liquor and beer, ice, and any other necessary ingredients for the cocktails. Additionally, a cocktail bar may need to invest in furniture, small kitchen appliances, dishware, and other supplies.

To create a realistic financial forecast, you also need to consider other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day running of your business, such as insurance and bookkeeping.

With all the necessary information at hand, you are ready to begin crafting your business plan and developing your financial forecast.

What goes into your cocktail bar's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your cocktail bar's  business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a cocktail bar are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a cocktail bar shows how much revenue and profits your business is expected to generate in the future.

Ideally, your cocktail bar's P&L statement should show:

• Healthy growth - above inflation level
• Improving or stable profit margins
• Positive net profit

Expectations will vary based on the stage of your business. A startup will be expected to grow faster than an established cocktail bar. And similarly, an established company should showcase a higher level of profitability than a new venture.

The forecasted balance sheet of your cocktail bar

The projected balance sheet of your cocktail bar will enable the reader of your business plan to assess the overall financial health of your business.

It shows three elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: are productive resources owned by the business, such as equipment, cash, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors, lenders, and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers).
• Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the profits and losses accumulated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Analysing your cocktail bar projected balance sheet provides an understanding of your cocktail bar's working capital structure, investment and financing policies.

In particular, the readers of your plan can compare the level of financial debt on the balance sheet to the equity value to measure the level of financial risk (equity doesn't need to be reimbursed, while financial debt must be repaid, making it riskier).

They can also use your balance sheet to assess your cocktail bar's liquidity and solvency:

• A liquidity analysis: focuses on whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to cover its liabilities due in the next 12 months.
• A solvency analysis: takes and longer view to assess whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debts over the medium-term.

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a cocktail bar shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

• The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
• The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
• The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your cocktail bar business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting a cocktail bar.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

This table helps size the investment required to set up the cocktail bar, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your cocktail bar business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

The Business Plan Shop has dozens of business plan templates that you can use to get a clear idea of what a complete business plan looks like.

The written part of a cocktail bar business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of a cocktail bar business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

In your cocktail bar's business plan, the first section is the executive summary — a captivating overview of your plan that aims to pique the reader's interest and leave them eager to learn more about your business.

When crafting the executive summary, start with an introduction to your business, including its name, concept, location, how long it has been running, and what sets it apart. Briefly mention the products and services you plan to offer and your target customer profile.

Following that, provide an overview of the addressable market for your cocktail bar, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Next, include a summary of key financial figures like projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, in the "ask" section, detail any funding requirements you may have.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your cocktail bar business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your cocktail bar, you may want to emphasize the potential it has to attract a wide range of customers. You could highlight its proximity to a major shopping district, its accessibility to public transportation, and its visibility from the main street. You may also want to discuss the diverse demographic of the area, which could provide a steady stream of customers. Furthermore, you could discuss the potential for increased foot traffic due to its close proximity to other popular establishments. Finally, you might want to discuss the potential of the area to further develop, which could bring even more customers to the area.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your cocktail bar could offer an extensive menu of signature cocktails crafted with quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations. You could also offer a variety of wines and craft beers, as well as a selection of small plates to accompany drinks. And for those looking for something a bit different, you could offer a selection of mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages. Ultimately, your goal is to provide a unique and memorable experience for your customers with a wide selection of flavors and options.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your cocktail bar business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your cocktail bar, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your cocktail bar aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include people in their 20s-30s looking for a lively night out. This could include college students, young professionals, and newly married couples. They would be looking for a fun atmosphere with interesting drinks and good music.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your cocktail bar.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your cocktail bar business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your cocktail bar faces a variety of risks that must be managed carefully. For example, there may be a risk of theft due to the presence of valuable liquor and equipment. You could also face the risk of a lawsuit if an intoxicated customer causes an accident or injury. Such scenarios might be rare, but it is important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate measures to protect your business.

6. The operations section

The operations of your cocktail bar must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your cocktail bar - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You may have key assets such as the bar equipment, like blenders, shakers, and other tools needed to make drinks. Additionally, you might have a unique IP, such as your own recipes and signature cocktails. These could be the result of years of experimentation and trial and error, and are exclusive to your bar.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we discussed earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes into a cocktail bar business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my cocktail bar's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your cocktail bar business plan:

• Using specialized business planning software,
• Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your cocktail bar's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a cocktail bar business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Need a solid financial forecast?

The Business Plan Shop does the maths for you. Simply enter your revenues, costs and investments. Click save and our online tool builds a three-way forecast for you instantly.

Hiring a business plan writer to write your cocktail bar's business plan

Outsourcing your cocktail bar business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are experienced in writing business plans and adept at creating financial forecasts without errors. Furthermore, hiring a consultant can save you time and allow you to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.

However, hiring business plan writers is expensive as you are paying for the software used by the consultant, plus their time, and their profit margin of course.

From experience, you need to budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders or investors).

You also need to be careful when seeking investment. Investors want their money to be used to grow the business, not spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services (and other consulting services such as legal services) needs to be negligible relative to the amount raised.

The other drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself: you just get the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business plan software - which makes it difficult to maintain the document up to date without hiring the consultant on a retainer.

For these reasons, outsourcing the cocktail bar business plan to a business plan writer should be considered carefully, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of hiring outside help.

Ultimately, it may be the right decision for some businesses, while others may find it beneficial to write their business plan using online software.

Why not create your cocktail bar's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a cocktail bar business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my cocktail bar business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

• Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
• Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
• Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating a cocktail bar business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

• Using business plan software is a modern and cost-effective way of writing and maintaining business plans.
• A business plan is not a one-shot exercise as maintaining it current is the only way to keep visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 main parts: a financial forecast outlining the funding requirements of your cocktail bar and the expected growth, profits and cash flows for the next 3 to 5 years; and a written part which gives the reader the information needed to decide if they believe the forecast is achievable.

We hope that this in-depth guide met your expectations and that you now have a clear understanding of how to write your cocktail bar business plan. Do not hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have questions additional questions we haven't addressed here.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a business plan to secure a bank loan?
• Key steps to write a business plan?
• Top mistakes to avoid in your business plan

Do you know entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing a cocktail bar? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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How to Write a Winning Bar and Grill Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be beneficial for bars and grill s who want to improve their strategy or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan outlines your company’s vision and documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you will accomplish it. To create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the critical elements that every bar and grill owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a bar and grill business plan.

A bar and grill business plan is a formal written document describing your company’s business strategy and feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a critical document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Bar and Grill Business Plan?

A bar and grill business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide to your business and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Bar and Grill Business Plan

The following are the critical components of a successful bar and grill business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a bar and grill business plan is a one- to two-page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your bar and grill  
• Provide a summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

You may not have a long company history if you are just starting your bar and grill business. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company or been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your bar and grill company, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen bar and grill business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is a crucial component of a bar and grill business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the bar and grill industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and, if applicable, how do these trends support your company’s success)?

You should also include sources for your information, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, a bar and grill business’ customers may include:

• ​​ Business professionals in their 30s and 40s who are looking for a happy hour spot after work.
• Families with young children who are looking for a kid-friendly restaurant for dinner.
• Couples who are looking for a romantic night out.

You can include information about how your customers decide to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or bar and grill services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your bar and grill business via PR, events, or word-of-mouth marketing.

Operations Plan

This part of your bar and grill business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

You also need to include your company’s business policies in the operations plan. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, your Operations Plan will outline the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a bar and grill business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include expanding to a second location, launching a new menu, or partnering with a local brewery.

Management Team

List your team members here, including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific bar and grill industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here, you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs and the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Bar and Grill  

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : Everything you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Bar and Grill  

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include cash flow from:

• Investments

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup bar and grill .

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Bar and Grill  

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your bar and grill . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

Creating a well-crafted business plan is essential for any bar and grill owner looking to start or grow their business. This guide provides an overview of the key components of a successful business plan as well as helpful tips for putting together your own. Be sure to include detailed financial projections, information about your management team, and marketing strategy, among other important details.

A well-written bar and grill business plan is a must for any new bar owner. It’s a great tool for attracting investors and keeping the company focused.  

Finish Your Bar and Grill Business Plan in 1 Day!

Mobile Bar Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Mobile Bar Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their mobile bar companies. 

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a mobile bar business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a mobile bar business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Mobile Bar Business Plan?

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

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Mobile Bar Business

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

Sources of Funding for Mobile Bar Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a mobile bar business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan (hand it to them in person or email to them as a PDF file) and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for mobile bar companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a mobile bar business.

If you want to start a mobile bar business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide and sample below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your mobile bar business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of mobile bar business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a mobile bar business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of mobile bar businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. 

• Give a brief overv iew of the mobile bar industry. 
• Discuss the type of mobile bar business you are operating. 
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. 
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team. 
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of mobile bar business you are operating.

For example, you m ight specialize in one of the following types of mobile bar businesses:

• Beer or Tap Truck : A beer truck is simply a good-sized truck or van that is equipped to transport and sell beer by the glass from the truck. Often customized, beer trucks are easy to maintain and offer a variety of beer choices for customers. 
• Cocktail Cart Service: Used at upscale outdoor events or fundraising evenings, a mobile bar is one that can be transported in a truck or van and is designed to serve several guests with a variety of favorite cocktails produced on order. Some cocktail carts serve only champagne and a variety of champagne cocktails in specialty glassware.
• Full Bar Table: A wedding reception or fancy-dress dinner may call for a full bar table, which is typically transported by truck. A full bar table is usually built with a custom-made design on wheels, with a length of four to six feet, and is covered in elegant fabric. Offerings may include a wide variety of alcohol and mixed drink ingredients.
• Custom-made Mobile Bar: From a bathtub on wheels to a custom-fitted horse trailer, custom-made bars are showcased at casual gatherings as the center of attention. Often stocked with beer and wine, these unique, fun custom-made mobile bars are popular with all ages.

In addition to explaining the type of mobile bar business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of mobile bars your business owns, reaching X number of clients served, etc.
• What is your legal business structure? Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the mobile bar industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the mobile bar industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your mobile bar business plan:

• How big is the mobile bar industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your mobile bar business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your mobile bar business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: wedding receptions, barn dance parties, corporate events, and college grad parties.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of mobile bar business you operate. Clearly, a wedding party seeking a full bar table would respond to different marketing promotions than those customers planning a barn dance, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers. Ideally you can speak with a sample of your target customers before writing your plan to better understand their needs.

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are othe r mobile bar businesses. 

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes wedding venues with bars, cocktail lounges, and home parties with beer kegs. You need to mention direct competition, as well. 

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of mobile bar business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for the uninsured?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a mobile bar business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type o f mobile bar company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide more than one bartender for each cocktail bar? Will you offer a craft beer variety of ales and lager from your beer truck?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of yo ur plan, yo u are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your mobile bar company. Document where your company will operate and mention the general region and your scope of business. Mention how your portability and custom features will positively impact your success and add to the interest of potential customers who will bring in future business. For example, is your mobile bar business adjacent to a dance hall or nightlife area? Do you travel in a regular pattern throughout an area saturated with sports parks and outdoor venues? Do your customers know where to find you if you regularly cruise to several locations in one evening? Discuss how your mobile bar is perfectly situated to conveniently travel to your customer’s party site. 

Promotions : The final part of your mobile bar marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites 
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your mobile bar business, including answering calls, taking mobile bar reservations, restocking supplies and glassware, cleaning and maintaining your vehicle and mobile bar. 

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth mobile bar event, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your mobile bar business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your mobile bar business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing mobile bar businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a mobile bar business or successfully running a restaurant bar.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance s heet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you book at least 5 mobile bar events each week, or will you offer snack foods for purchase with your beer truck to increase revenue?  And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your mobile bar business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. 

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a mobile bar business:

• Cost of mobile bar ingredients, barware, equipment and/or vehicle
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and other equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include the party bookings you have had in the last year or a list of potential customers reviewing your offerings and services.

Writing a business plan for your mobile bar business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the mobile bar industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful mobile bar business.

Mobile Bar Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my mobile bar business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your mobile bar business plan.

How Do You Start a Mobile Bar Business?

Starting a mobile bar business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Mobile Bar Business
• Create Your Mobile Bar Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Mobile Bar Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Mobile Bar Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Mobile Bar Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Mobile Bar Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Mobile Bar Business Equipment
• Develop Your Mobile Bar Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Mobile Bar Business
• Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here  to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template.  Click here to learn more about it.  The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.  Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Mobile Bar business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan advisors can give you a winning business plan.  

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