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Bar Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Bar Business Plan Outline

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

Start Your Bar Business Plan Here

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

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their bar businesses.

To write a successful bar business plan , you will first need to decide what type of bar you want to open. Do you plan to open a sports bar, a wine bar or a nightclub? What kind of alcoholic beverages will you serve? Will you have live music?

You will then need to gather information about your business and the bar industry. This type of information includes data about your potential customers, marketing strategies to reach your target market, and 5-year pro-forma financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement).

Sample Bar Business Plan Template

The following bar business plan example gives you the key elements to include in a winning business plan:

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Bar Business Plan FAQs

What is a bar business plan.

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

You can  easily complete your bar business plan using our Bar Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Bars?

There are many types of bar businesses. Most bars are local bars and are known as dive bars or a neighborhood bar.  Sports bars are also a very popular business option. There are also posh and luxurious bars that offer high-end alcoholic drinks. There are trendy bars that offer the latest trends in cocktail and beer offerings. Other bars are location-focused and are unique to the area of town or location that it is in. Many bars also serve food as an option to accompany the alcoholic drink choices.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Expenses for a Bar?

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

The key expenses for a bar are the costs to purchase the alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) inventory, bar equipment and supplies, overhead expenses for the staff and rent, and any marketing costs the bar chooses to partake in.

How Do You get Funding for Your Bar Business Plan?

Bar businesses are most likely to receive funding from banks. To attract potential investors, you should have a well-crafted bar business plan with a solid business strategy and financial plan. Another option for a bar business is to obtain a small business loan to help cover startup costs. SBA loans are a popular option as they offer longer loan terms with lower interest rates. Outside investors, crowdfunding, and/or friends or family are other typical funding options.

What are the Steps To Start a Bar Business?

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

1. Write A Bar Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed business plan for a bar that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include market research on the bar industry and potential target market size, information about the services or products you will offer, the bar's concept, marketing efforts, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more about how to start a thriving bar business:

  • How to Start a Bar Business
  • How to Open a Bar Business

Where Can I Get a Bar Business Plan PDF?

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

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How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Template

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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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></center></p><h2>Step by Step Guide To Write a Bar Business Plan (with Templates) – Updated 2024</h2><ul><li>By Tam Nguyen</li></ul><p><center><img style=

Table of Contents

For many with a passion for the nightlife and hospitality, the dream to open a bar remains persistent. If you’re one of them but are unsure about navigating the complexities of the bar industry, don’t have to worry. Writing a business plan is the first step in transforming this aspiration into a tangible reality. A detailed bar business plan will help streamline your vision, ensuring you’re well-prepared to venture into the bustling world of bar businesses with clarity and confidence.

What is A Bar Business Plan?

A bar business plan is a strategic roadmap that outlines your vision and the steps required to bring it to fruition. It encompasses every aspect of your business, from the fundamental business concept down to the intricate details of daily operations. In essence, it’s the blueprint to grow your business and ensure its longevity in a competitive market.

A great business plan doesn’t merely serve as an internal guide; it’s a persuasive tool to attract stakeholders, investors, and partners. It demonstrates how your bar will attract customers, generate profits, and stand out in the crowded nightlife landscape.

One might ask, “What makes a bar business plan unique?” It’s the blend of the universal principles of business, combined with the niche requirements of the bar industry. This includes, but is not limited to, licensing, menu crafting, entertainment provisions, and safety measures.

Given the dynamic nature of the bar industry, it’s important to include not only your immediate goals but also long-term objectives and strategies for adapting to market shifts. With a clear and comprehensive bar business plan, you’re laying a solid foundation for a successful enterprise.

Why A Business Plan Is Important For A Successful Bar Business? 

Owning a bar is a dream for many, but transforming this dream into a profitable reality requires meticulous planning and foresight. This is where a business plan plays a pivotal role.

Clear Vision and Objectives: A business plan helps establish a clear vision and set measurable objectives for your bar. Whether you aim to create a niche cocktail lounge, a bustling sports bar, or any other type of establishment, your business plan outlines the specific steps you’ll take to make your bar the go-to destination for potential customers. It provides direction and keeps all stakeholders aligned with the business’s overarching goals.

Financial Planning: One of the main reasons business owners create business plans is for robust financial planning. A bar has various financial intricacies, from sourcing ingredients to staffing and marketing expenses. A business plan ensures you’re well-equipped to manage cash flows, investments, and potential financial pitfalls. Moreover, potential investors often request a detailed business plan before committing funds, making this a crucial component for securing necessary capital.

Operational Efficiency: Every bar operates uniquely, depending on its target audience and theme. However, operational efficiency remains a consistent requirement for all bar owners. A business plan is a plan, after all, and it dives deep into the day-to-day operations, ensuring that every aspect, from supplier agreements to employee shifts, runs smoothly and cost-effectively.

Step-by-step Guide To Write A Bar Business Plan.

Navigating the world of the bar industry can be intricate, and the type of bar you want to open plays a pivotal role in shaping your business plan. Whether it’s a neighborhood bar, a high-end cocktail bar, or a wine bar with live music, each requires a distinct approach. This guide is tailored to help entrepreneurs and business owners create a comprehensive plan, ensuring the grand opening of the bar you dream of is a success.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your entire business plan, acting as a snapshot that encapsulates the essence of your vision and strategy. Typically, it’s about one to two pages long and is placed at the beginning of your business plan, but it’s often written last.

What should you cover in an Executive Summary?

  • Introduce your bar business, highlighting what makes your bar unique.
  • State your mission and vision, giving clarity to the type of bar you aim to establish.
  • Outline the main objectives, from your grand opening to long-term goals.
  • Provide a financial overview, offering potential investors a glimpse into projected profits and growth.

2. Bar Description

This section delves into the specifics of your bar, painting a vivid picture of what patrons can expect and how you plan to operate.

What should you cover in the bar description section?

  • Talk about your bar concept, whether it’s a wine bar, cocktail bar, or a bar with live music.
  • Explain your unique selling proposition – what makes your bar stand out from the competition.
  • Detail the operations, from opening hours to the ambiance you intend to create.

3. Market Analysis

This segment identifies and studies your potential customers, the location for your bar, and your competitors, helping you strategize accordingly.

Factors to cover:

  • Target market: Define the demographics and preferences of those you plan to cater to.
  • Location: An existing bar might already have an established clientele, but a new location needs careful consideration for accessibility, safety, and potential customer traffic.
  • Competition: Analyze trends in the bar industry and see how competitors operate, ensuring your offerings are both competitive and unique.

4. Organization and Management

This is the operational backbone of your bar, detailing the structure of your business and the team that will run it.

What should you cover in the organization and management plan?

  • Bar ownership information: Are you a sole proprietor, or is this part of a larger partnership or corporation?
  • Profiles of your Bar management team: Include bios of key team members, showcasing their expertise and how they’ll contribute to running a successful bar.

5. Sample Menu

This section teases what your bar will offer in terms of food and beverages, acting as a tantalizing preview for potential patrons and investors.

What should you consider when creating a sample menu?

  • Menu items: Detail the drinks and possibly accompanying food items.
  • Unique Selling Proposition: Highlight specials or unique mixes. For instance, a cocktail bar might focus on signature mixes, while a wine bar could emphasize rare finds.
  • Menu Pricing : Don’t forget to address pricing, taking into account costs and desired profit margins.

6. Marketing Strategy

This section delineates how you plan to attract customers to your bar and keep them coming back.

What should you cover in a marketing strategy for your bar business?

  • Define your brand: From logo to interior decor, consistency is key.
  • This could range from social media campaigns ,loyalty programs, SEO for website, or partnership with local businesses. 
  • Considering using an  online food ordering system  in your bar
  • Create a  digital menu with QR code  to make your menu easy for your customers to access online
  • Sales Strategies: Special promotions, events, or partnerships that drive sales.

7. Business Operations

This segment breaks down the day-to-day functioning of your bar, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

BWhat operational issues should you address in your business plan?

  • Supply chain: Detail your suppliers for everything from alcohol to garnish.
  • Operating hours: Will you have a late-night license? Open only on weekends?
  • Staffing: Consider the roles you need to hire for, from bartenders to security.
  • Equipment: Everything from the bar counters to the sound system.

8. Financial Plan and Loans

How Many Ways to Fund Your Bar?

Securing funds to start and grow their bar business is a concern for many aspiring bar owners. While personal savings might be the go-to for some, others might look into bank loans, angel investors, or even crowdfunding campaigns. Exploring all available options can ensure you fund your bar easily and efficiently.

Important Questions to Consider When You Create Your Funding Request

Before approaching potential investors or lenders, it’s pivotal to have a clear plan detailing how the funds will be used. What renovations or modifications are necessary? What will the initial stock and equipment cost? What provisions have been made for operational costs until the bar starts turning a profit? Having these answers ready can make your funding request more compelling.

9. Financial Projections

When diving into the world of bar entrepreneurship, understanding your financial landscape is crucial.

Break-even analysis

 It’s an evaluation that helps you determine when your bar will be able to cover all its expenses and start making a profit.

To calculate the break-even point, use this formula: Break Even Point = Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs)

Knowing this can help you write a more convincing business plan, highlighting the viability of your venture.

Projected profit and loss statement

A crucial part of your bar business plan that offers insights into potential profits and losses your business might encounter.

Cash flow analysis

This gives you the key elements to understand how cash moves in and out of your business. By following the bar business plan writing best practices, you can quickly and easily complete these projections. Ensuring that they include a winning strategy will make your financial plan more robust and appealing to potential investors.

Sample Bar Business Plan Template

The following is a comprehensive example of a bar business plan. It’s a great tool to guide you in writing your business plan.

Mission : To provide a unique drinking experience that celebrates local flavors and promotes community bonding.

Vision : To be the neighborhood’s top bar destination, known for its distinctive drinks and vibrant ambiance.

Bar Description : The Urban Vine, a wine-centric bar focusing on regional wines and locally sourced ingredients.

Costs : Estimated starting cost: $250,000.

Profits : Projected first-year net profit: $60,000.

2. Description of the Bar

Bar Concept : A contemporary wine bar featuring local wines and complementary tapas-style dishes.

Bar Name : The Urban Vine.

Bar Type : Wine bar with a secondary focus on craft beers.

Bar Location : 123 Vine Street, Downtown District.

Order Fulfillment : Table service and bar seating available, with an option for outdoor patio seating.

Working Hours : Monday to Thursday: 4 PM – 12 AM; Friday & Saturday: 3 PM – 1 AM; Sunday: 2 PM – 10 PM.

3. Menu Offer

Type of Food and Drink : Wine from local vineyards, craft beers, and tapas-style dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

Offer : Regular wine tasting events showcasing new arrivals, paired with chef-special appetizers.

Unique Selling Point : Every wine bottle tells a local story, giving drinkers a taste of the region’s vineyards.

4. Market and Competition Analysis

Market Analysis : The Downtown District has a population predominantly comprised of working professionals aged 25-45, making it a prime location for a bar or pub.

Target Customer : Young professionals and wine enthusiasts looking for a quality drinking experience in a relaxed setting.

Size of the Target Customer : Approximately 10,000 individuals fitting the profile within a 5-mile radius.

Competition Analysis : Three other wine bars operate within the district.

Size of the Competition : Among the competitors, the largest has a seating capacity of 75, while the others can host around 50 patrons each.

Competitors’ Offer : Basic wine selections, some with occasional live music nights.

Competitors’ Prices : Average price of $8 per glass of wine and $6 for beer.

5. Investment Plan (Detailed Cost Analysis)

  • Leasehold improvements: $80,000
  • Furniture & Fixtures: $30,000
  • Licensing & Permits: $20,000
  • Initial Inventory: $40,000
  • Rent: $4,000
  • Salaries: $10,000
  • Utilities: $1,500
  • Miscellaneous: $2,500
  • Total Cost : Anticipated first-year expense: $322,000.

6. Financial Forecast

 Considering the costs of starting and the projected revenue, breakeven is anticipated by month eight. The first-year projected revenue is $382,000.

Owner/Manager : Jane Doe – A passionate wine enthusiast with a background in business management.

Head Bartender : John Smith – Experienced in running a bar, skilled in crafting unique drink experiences.

Kitchen Staff : A team of three, led by Chef Anna, specializing in tapas dishes.

8. Marketing Plan

Strategies will focus on social media promotions, local partnerships, and hosting events. Ideas like wine-tasting events, collaborations with local vineyards, and monthly themed nights will be implemented. Special offers will be provided for group bookings, early bird timings, and repeat customers.

This business plan template will help prospective bar owners in crafting their unique plan to make their dream bar a reality. With a robust business strategy, The Urban Vine is set to become a renowned establishment in the Downtown District.

Tips For Creating An Effective Bar Business Plan Outline

Crafting a comprehensive bar business plan is pivotal in turning your vision into a successful venture. Here are some insightful tips to help you create an efficient outline:

Understand Your Niche : Begin by identifying the unique character of your bar. Is it a cozy neighborhood nook or a sophisticated wine bar? The specifics determine the kind of customers you’ll attract and the atmosphere you aim to create.

Include Comprehensive Details : The following bar business plan components are essential: executive summary, bar description, menu offer, market analysis, investment plans, financial forecasts, team structure, and marketing strategies. Don’t skimp on details; a comprehensive plan showcases your dedication and thoroughness.

Focus on Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) : What makes your bar stand out? Maybe it’s an exclusive range of craft beer and wine, or perhaps it’s an innovative theme. Always include this unique factor in your business plan as it’s pivotal for attracting customers.

Plan Your Offerings : Are you focusing just on drinks or do you also plan to serve a variety of food items? Highlight your primary offerings, be it beer and wine or gourmet appetizers.

Keep It Adaptable : The bar industry is ever-evolving. Ensure your business plan is flexible enough to adapt to changing trends and customer preferences.

Seek Feedback : Before finalizing, share your draft with industry professionals or trusted peers. Their insights could help you include in a winning strategy that perhaps you hadn’t thought of.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what makes a bar profitable.

A bar’s profitability hinges on multiple factors. A strategic location, a unique selling proposition, efficient cost management, and high-quality service all play pivotal roles. Moreover, understanding the preferences of your target audience and adapting accordingly, offering promotions during off-peak hours, and managing overheads effectively can significantly enhance a bar’s profit margins.

2. What is the executive summary of a bar business plan?

The executive summary is a concise overview of the bar’s business plan. It provides a snapshot of the business concept, its objectives, the financial outlook, and primary offerings. This section is particularly crucial for potential investors as it gives them a quick glance at the bar’s potential profitability and operational strategy.

3. How to write a good executive summary for a business plan with example?

When writing an executive summary, it’s essential to be clear and concise. Start with your bar’s mission and vision. Outline the primary objectives, the bar’s USP, and provide a brief financial overview.

Example: “ Sapphire Lounge aims to be the city’s premier wine bar, offering an eclectic range of international wines in a cozy, upscale environment. Located in the heart of the business district, our vision is to provide professionals a relaxing spot to unwind. We project an annual revenue of $500,000, with an initial investment of $150,000. Our unique wine-tasting events and wine-pairing dinners set us apart in the competitive landscape.”

4. Do bars make a lot of money?

The profitability of bars varies based on several factors like location, concept, management, and market demand. While some bars can yield high profits, especially those in prime locations with a unique concept, others might struggle due to competition, mismanagement, or changing market trends. However, with the right strategy, understanding of the target audience, and operational efficiency, bars can indeed be quite lucrative.  

Crafting a comprehensive business plan is the bedrock of any successful bar venture. By diligently addressing each section and meticulously detailing all elements you aim to include in your business plan, you’re not only preparing for potential challenges but also envisioning the pathway to success. Remember, a business plan is not a static document; it’s a dynamic blueprint that can evolve with the changing demands of the industry and your clientele. Every decision, from the drinks you offer to the promotions you run, should align with the vision set out in your plan, ensuring long-term growth and sustainability.

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How to Write a Winning Restaurant and Bar Business Plan (+ Template)

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Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be beneficial for restaurants and bar s that 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 key elements that every restaurant and bar owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Bar Business Plan Template

What is a restaurant and bar business plan.

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

Why Write a Restaurant and Bar Business Plan?

A restaurant and bar business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide to your business idea 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 Restaurant and Bar Business Plan

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

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a restaurant and bar 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 restaurant and bar  
  • 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 restaurant and bar. 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 before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your restaurant and bar company, mention this.

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

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a restaurant and bar 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 restaurant and bar 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 restaurant and bar business’ customers may include office workers who are looking for a place to have after-work drinks or families who are looking for a kid-friendly restaurant for dinner. 

You can include information about how your customers decide to buy from you and 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 restaurant and bar services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will differ 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 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 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, or launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your restaurant and bar business via word-of-mouth or by partnering with another business.

Operations Plan

This part of your restaurant and bar 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 restaurant and bar include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include expanding to a second location or launching a new menu.

Management Team

List your team members here, including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your establishment. 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/service offering.
  • 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 Restaurant and Bar

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 Restaurant and Bar

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 Operations
  • Cash Flow From Investments
  • Cash Flow From Financing

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

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Restaurant and Bar

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 grow your restaurant and bar . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

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

Finish Your Bar and Restaurant Business Plan in 1 Day!

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a bar business plan

  • Annabelle Amery
  • 11 min read

how to create a bar business plan

Starting a business can be an exciting and rewarding venture. However, it requires careful planning and strategizing to ensure its success. One crucial aspect of this planning process is creating a comprehensive and clear business plan . This holds true for any type of business , including a bar business.

A bar business plan is a written document that outlines the goals, strategies and financial projections for starting and operating a bar establishment. It serves as a roadmap for your team, guiding you through the various stages of setting up and managing your bar business.

Looking to take your bar business online by making a website ? Take Wix’s website builder for a spin.

How to create a bar business plan in 6 steps

Writing a comprehensive and clear business plan is crucial when starting any business. It provides a roadmap for success and helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions. A well-structured bar business plan typically consists of six main parts:

Executive summary

Business and domain names

Market analysis and research

Operations plan

Marketing and advertising plan

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary is an overview of your bar business plan. It should concisely summarize the key points and highlight the most important aspects of your business. This section is typically written last, but it appears at the beginning of the plan.

To write a clear executive summary for a bar business, include the following elements:

Brief description of your bar concept and its unique selling proposition

Overview of your target market and the demand for your services

Summary of your financial projections, including revenue and profit estimates

Outline of your marketing and advertising strategies

Mention of any key partnerships or collaborations

Example of an executive summary

“XYZ Bar is a trendy, upscale establishment located in the heart of downtown. Our mission is to provide an unforgettable experience for our patrons by offering innovative cocktails, live entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere. With a focus on quality ingredients and exceptional customer service, we aim to become the go-to destination for young professionals seeking a sophisticated nightlife experience. Our projected revenue for the first year is $1 million, with an expected profit margin of 20%. We will implement targeted marketing campaigns through social media platforms and collaborate with local influencers to build brand awareness. XYZ Bar has secured partnerships with renowned mixologists, ensuring our beverage offerings are second to none.”

02. Business and domain names

Choosing the right business name for your bar is essential for building brand awareness and trust among your target audience. The name should reflect your bar's concept and resonate with your target market. To generate name ideas, you can use a business name generator —or specifically a restaurant name generator —for inspiration.

When selecting a domain name for your bar business, keep it short, memorable and easy to spell. Include relevant keywords where possible and avoid hyphens or numbers. Make sure that the name is available and can be registered—follow the necessary steps for registering your business .

03. Market analysis and research

Including a market analysis and research section in your bar business plan is crucial for understanding the competitive environment and developing effective business strategies. Conduct thorough market research to identify your target market, their preferences and the demand for your services. Analyze your competitors to understand their strengths, weaknesses and pricing strategies.

Key elements to include in this section:

Overview of the target market demographics and psychographics

Analysis of competitors, including their offerings and pricing

Description of your unique selling proposition and how you differentiate from competitors

Outline of your marketing strategies, such as social media marketing, partnerships and events

04. Operations plan

The operations plan outlines the logistical aspects of running your bar business. It includes details about the location, premises, equipment and staffing needs.

In this section, address the location of your bar and why it was chosen. This can include details about the premises including its layout and design. Then, incorporate necessary equipment and furnishings. You’ll also want to include staffing requirements, such as the number of employees, including their roles and responsibilities.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

The marketing and advertising plan outlines your strategies for promoting your bar business and attracting customers. It should include a mix of online and offline marketing tactics that are most effective for reaching your target audience. An effective way to market your bar business could be through social media marketing, a strategy that worked for Wix user, Strathcona Spirits ,

Our primary focus has always been social media—we use Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The main thing for us, on social media, our website, and even the experience in the shop, is to be as inclusive as possible. Keeping the language of our spirits as simple as we can. Being transparent with our barrel routine and how things are aged. Using terms that are unnecessary, or trying to overcomplicate things, excludes people, and we would never want to do that. Our spirits are for everyone. Andrea Shubert, Co-founder Strathcona Spirits.

You can consider also including here an overview of your branding strategy, including your logo, colors and tone of voice. If you don’t have a logo yet, check Wix’s restaurant logo maker for inspiration.

Then, think about which marketing strategies to lead with. You can additionally consider traditional marketing tactics—such as print ads, radio spots or billboards—if applicable.

06. Financial plan

The financial plan is a pivotal aspect of a business plan, offering a detailed roadmap of how the bar business will be funded, its projected revenue and expenses, and the anticipated time frame for achieving profitability. This section provides stakeholders with crucial insights into the financial feasibility and sustainability of the bar business. It will likely include:

Startup costs and funding sources: Starting a bar business involves various upfront costs that need to be accurately estimated for proper financial planning. These costs encompass elements like lease or purchase of the premises, renovation and interior design, licensing and permits ( how to start an LLC and cost, for example), furniture and fixtures, bar equipment, initial inventory, marketing and staff training. Funding for these startup costs can come from a combination of sources, including personal savings, business loans, grants or investments from partners or stakeholders.

Revenue projections: Revenue projections provide a forecast of the expected income over a specific period, typically the first few years of the bar's operation. These projections should be based on careful market research, competitor analysis and realistic expectations.

Operating expenses: Operating expenses encompass costs associated with running the bar business on a day-to-day basis. These include rent or mortgage payments, utilities, staff salaries, marketing and advertising expenses, maintenance and repairs, supplies, insurance and other overhead costs.

Profit and loss projection: The profit and loss projection, also known as the income statement , provides an overview of the business's revenue, expenses and net profit or loss over a specific period. It offers insights into the financial health of the bar business and its potential profitability.

Timeframe for profitability: The timeframe for achieving profitability in a bar business can vary significantly based on factors such as location, target market, marketing strategies and operational efficiency. Typically, bars aim to reach profitability within the first year or two of operation.

Break-even analysis: The break-even point is the level of revenue at which the bar business covers all its expenses, resulting in zero net profit or loss. This is a critical milestone as it indicates the point at which the business starts generating profits.

Example of a break-even analysis calculation:

Fixed costs (annual): total fixed costs (rent, utilities, salaries, etc.)

Average revenue per month: estimate average revenue generated per month

Break-even point: fixed costs / average revenue per month

7 steps to developing a business plan

Bar business plan templates

To help you get started, here are two draft business plans for hypothetical bar businesses. Customize these templates according to your specific concept, target market and goals—and create a plan that’s all your own.

Bar business plan template 1: Upscale cocktail lounge

The Upscale Cocktail Lounge is a sophisticated bar concept located in the heart of a bustling city. Our mission is to provide an elevated drinking experience through expertly crafted cocktails, a curated selection of spirits, and a refined ambiance. With a target market of young professionals seeking upscale socializing environments, we aim to become the go-to destination for after-work drinks and weekend gatherings. Our projected revenue for the first year is $1.5 million, with an expected profit margin of 25%. We will implement marketing strategies targeting our ideal customers through social media platforms and collaborate with local influencers to build brand awareness.

Company name and domain name

The company name for this upscale cocktail lounge is "Elevate Lounge." The domain name chosen is www.elevatelounge.com, which reflects the concept's goal of providing an elevated experience to its customers.

Marketing analysis and research

Target market: Young professionals aged 25-40 with disposable income seeking upscale socializing experiences.

Competitors: Analyze other upscale cocktail lounges in the area, their offerings, pricing and target demographics.

Unique selling proposition: Highlight the unique features of Elevate Lounge that set it apart from competitors, such as signature cocktails or exclusive partnerships.

Marketing strategies: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes social media marketing, influencer collaborations and hosting exclusive events to attract the target audience.

Location: Choose a prime location in the city center with high foot traffic and proximity to other upscale establishments.

Premises: Design a sleek and modern interior with comfortable seating arrangements and a well-stocked bar.

Equipment: List the necessary equipment for the bar, including high-quality glassware, cocktail-making tools and refrigeration units.

Staffing: Determine the number of bartenders, servers and support staff required to provide excellent service to customers.

Operating hours: Set operating hours based on customer demand and local regulations.

Target audience: Define the target audience more specifically, such as young professionals in specific industries or neighborhoods.

Branding strategy: Develop a unique brand identity with a logo, color scheme and tone of voice that aligns with the upscale nature of the lounge.

Social media marketing: Utilize platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase the ambiance, signature cocktails and upcoming events.

Influencer partnerships: Collaborate with local influencers who resonate with the target audience to promote Elevate Lounge through sponsored posts or event appearances.

Exclusive events: Organize special events like mixology workshops or live music nights to attract new customers and create buzz around the lounge.

The financial plan outlines how Elevate Lounge will be funded initially and its timeframe for reaching profitability. It includes projected revenue, expenses and cash flow for the first year, as well as a break-even analysis. Additionally, it should address potential funding sources, such as personal investment, loans or partnerships.

Bar business plan template 2: Neighborhood sports bar

The Neighborhood Sports Bar is a casual bar concept located in a residential area with a strong sense of community. Our mission is to create a welcoming environment where locals can gather to watch sports, enjoy good food and drinks and socialize. With a target market of sports enthusiasts and neighborhood residents, we aim to become the go-to spot for game nights and community events. Our projected revenue for the first year is $800,000, with an expected profit margin of 15%. We will implement marketing strategies targeting the local community through direct mail campaigns, partnerships with local sports teams and hosting trivia nights.

The company name for this neighborhood sports bar is "The Game Zone." The domain name chosen is www.thegamezonebar.com, which reflects the bar's focus on providing a space for sports enthusiasts to gather and enjoy their favorite games.

Target market: Sports enthusiasts of all ages residing in the local neighborhood.

Competitors: Analyze other sports bars in the area, their offerings, pricing and target demographics.

Unique selling proposition: Highlight the unique features of The Game Zone, such as multiple large screens for game viewing or a menu featuring specialty burgers named after local sports teams.

Marketing strategies: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes direct mail campaigns targeting local residents, partnerships with local sports teams for cross-promotion and hosting regular trivia nights or game-watching parties.

Location: Choose a location in close proximity to the target neighborhood and easily accessible for residents.

Premises: Design a casual and comfortable interior with ample seating, multiple large screens for game viewing and a well-stocked bar.

Equipment: List the necessary equipment for the bar, including audiovisual systems, kitchen appliances and draft beer systems.

Staffing: Determine the number of bartenders, servers, kitchen staff and support staff required to provide excellent service during peak hours.

Operating hours : Set operating hours based on game schedules and customer demand.

Target audience: Define the target audience more specifically, such as sports enthusiasts in a specific age range or fans of particular sports teams.

Branding strategy: Develop a brand identity that reflects the casual and community-focused nature of The Game Zone.

Direct mail campaigns: Send targeted direct mail campaigns to local residents to promote special offers, game nights or trivia events.

Sports team partnerships: Collaborate with local sports teams to offer exclusive discounts or host pre-game events for fans.

Trivia nights and game-watching parties: Organize regular trivia nights or game-watching parties to attract customers during popular sporting events.

The financial plan outlines how The Game Zone will be funded initially and its timeframe for reaching profitability. It includes projected revenue, expenses and cash flow for the first year, as well as a break-even analysis. Additionally, it should address potential funding sources, such as personal investment, loans or partnerships.

Why create a bar business plan? Top benefits to consider

Creating a business plan is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it provides a clear vision and direction for the new venture. Beyond this, it helps you to:

Attract funding: A well-crafted business plan is essential for attracting investors and securing funding for your bar business. Potential investors and lenders want to see a clear and comprehensive plan that demonstrates the viability and potential profitability of your venture. By showcasing your market research, financial projections and growth strategies, you can instill confidence in investors and increase your chances of raising money for your business .

Outline resource requirements: One of the primary benefits of writing a business plan is gaining a thorough understanding of the resources, supplies and staff required to start and operate your bar business. By conducting detailed research and analysis, you can identify the necessary equipment, licenses, permits and staffing needs.

Plan more strategically: A business plan provides a roadmap for success by outlining your goals, strategies and tactics. It helps you define your target market, understand customer preferences, and develop effective marketing strategies.

Identify potential challenges: Writing a business plan forces you to consider potential challenges and risks that may arise during the course of your bar business. By conducting a thorough SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, you can identify potential obstacles and develop contingency plans to mitigate them.

Monitor progress: A business plan serves as a benchmark for measuring your bar business's performance. By regularly reviewing your financial projections, sales targets and marketing strategies, you can track your progress and make necessary adjustments.

Enhance collaboration and communication: A comprehensive business plan serves as a communication tool for stakeholders, employees and potential partners. It clearly conveys your vision, mission, and objectives to all parties involved. Additionally, it facilitates collaboration by providing a shared understanding of the business's direction and goals. This enhanced communication fosters teamwork and alignment among all stakeholders.

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Bar Business Plan Template

Our free bar business plan template can help you create a solid plan for success. It guides you through researching your target market, determining startup costs, and developing a marketing strategy. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, our template gives you the tools to turn your bar into a profitable venture.

business plan for bar template

Get the Free bar business plan template today!

We're excited to offer you a free bar business plan template that can help you launch a successful bar. Whether you're an experienced entrepreneur or new to the industry, our template will guide you through the entire process.

A well-crafted business plan is the foundation for any successful bar. Our template covers all the important aspects of planning your bar, from researching your target market to creating a financial plan. With our help, you'll be able to develop a comprehensive plan that outlines your goals, objectives, and strategies for success.

Researching your target market is crucial to understanding what your potential customers want and need. Our template will help you identify your target market and provide you with the tools to craft a marketing strategy that resonates with them.

One of the most important elements of starting a bar is determining your startup costs. Our template will help you understand all the expenses that come with launching a bar, from buying equipment to hiring staff. We'll show you how to estimate your initial investment and ongoing costs, so you can set a realistic budget and avoid surprises down the line.

Creating a solid marketing plan is also essential for the success of your bar. Our template will help you identify your unique selling proposition (USP) and develop a plan to reach your target audience. We'll show you how to promote your bar through various channels such as social media, advertising, and events, so you can attract customers and keep them coming back.

Finally, our bar business plan template will help you identify your business's key performance indicators (KPIs) so that you can track your progress and make informed decisions. You'll be able to measure your success against industry benchmarks and adjust your strategy as needed to ensure you meet your goals.

So what are you waiting for? Download our free bar business plan template today and get started on your path to success!

Bar Business Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Q: why do i need a business plan for my bar.

A: A well-crafted business plan is the foundation for any successful bar. It provides a roadmap for your business and outlines your goals, objectives, and strategies for success. Additionally, a business plan is necessary if you plan to secure funding from investors or lenders.

Q: What should I include in my bar business plan?

A: Your bar business plan should include sections on your target market, your unique selling proposition, your marketing strategy, your financial plan, and your key performance indicators. It should also include a competitive analysis and a section on your management team.

Q: How do I estimate my startup costs for a bar?

A: Estimating your startup costs for a bar can be challenging, but our business plan template will help you through the process. You'll need to consider expenses such as equipment, inventory, rent, permits, licenses, and marketing costs. It's important to be as detailed as possible to ensure you have a realistic budget.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a bar business plan?

A: One common mistake is not conducting thorough market research. You need to understand your target market and your competition to create an effective marketing strategy. Another mistake is not including financial projections or not being realistic about your financial plan. It's important to be transparent and accurate about your numbers to avoid surprises down the line.

We Know a Good Business Plan When we See One

Collectively, our team has reviewed thousands of business plans and has nearly 20 years of experience making SBA loans. We've also helped more than 50,000 businesses create financial projections across many industries and geographies.

business plan for bar template

Adam served as Executive Director for a SBA microlender in Indiana for over 10 years helping businesses and reviewing thousands of business plans.

business plan for bar template

Grace has built hundreds of custom financial models for businesses as well as our projection templates which are used by thousands of businesses every year.

business plan for bar template

Kyle served as an SBA loan officer for 7 years working directly with startups and business owners to review their business plans, projections, and prepare their loan package.

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Bar business plan template

Download this bar business plan template in PDF or Word format, or tailor it to your project directly in our business plan software.

Discover our bar business plan template

bar business plan template

Not accustomed to writing business plans? Our bar business template will turn a typically challenging process into a total breeze.

Modelled on a complete business plan of a bar in Normandy, our template features both the financial forecast and the written part that presents the project, its team, the local market and the business strategy implemented by the management.

Cast your eyes on this template to achieve a better understanding of what your bank and investors would like to see, so that you can create a business plan that meets their expectations.

Template only available to paying subscribers of our online business planning software . Get a 7-day trial for free.

Edit the bar business plan template online, or download it

Available in pdf.

Just after a little inspiration? Download the business plan template in PDF to print and have a read over it.

Download in Word format

Want to edit your plan on Word? Simply export the bar business plan template to MS Word (.dox) format.

Tailor it to your own project

Adapt this template to your personal project by changing the written part or the financial forecast in our online business plan software .

Bar business plan template content

This template includes a complete business plan, with a financial forecast and the following sections:

  • Executive summary: The executive summary gives the reader a clear and concise overview of your business idea
  • Company: This section lays out the structure of your business, including its location, management team and legal status
  • Products and services: Here, you'll give an overview of the services or products offered by the company
  • Market analysis: The market analysis is where you’ll demonstrate that there is a strong demand for your products and services through a thorough assessment of the industry (customer profile, hot trends, regulation, competition, etc.)
  • Strategy: This section highlights the company's game plan when it comes to pricing, marketing and mitigating risks along the way
  • Operations: This step lays out the company's operational organisation, including the recruitment plan
  • Financial plan: The financial plan includes a table of sources & uses (initial funding plan), and complete financial statements (P&L, balance sheet and cash flow statements).
  • Appendices: This part provides the opportunity to include multiple financial appendices generated by our software (debt maturity profile, monthly financial statements, financial analysis, etc.).

business plan template bar summary

Template only available to paying subscribers of our online software. Get a 7-day trial for free

Bar business plan template extract

Executive summary, business overview.

Gina Cocktail Bar will be a cocktail bar located on rue Ecuyère in Caen.

The bar will have a menu of 150 cocktails with and without alcohol, as well as bar snacks to accompany the drinks. Such snacks will include cocktail sausages, olives, crisps and peanuts.

Once renovated, the bar will have a seating capacity of 16 and a heated outdoor terrace with a seating capacity of 25.

One of the liveliest streets in Caen, Rue Ecuyère is famous for its wide range of bars, therefore benefiting from an extensive catchment area.

Gina Cocktail Bar will be a limited company. It will be managed by Ms. Gina T, a cocktail enthusiast who acquired an in-depth knowledge of the industry during her 10-year career as a bartender.

Market Overview

French Market

According to a 2013 report by INSEE, sales in the French bar market reached €6.6bn in 2013, a 4.4% decrease compared to 2012.

The sector, which includes 42,232 companies, has faced challenges for several years.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, cocktail bars are on the upswing. While other types of pubs are closing down, cocktail bars are increasingly popping up within France.

Benefiting from an aspirational and trendy image, cocktail bars attract a wide target market. Young people, notably young professionals, are the number one consumers of cocktails within France.

The average price of an alcoholic cocktail is €8.40, whilst non-alcoholic cocktails tend to cost around €6.20.

Local Market

In 2012, the city of Caen had a population of 111,342, with the urban area of Caen la Mer including 242,182, enabling the bar to benefit from a large pool of potential customers nearby.

With over fifty bars in the city centre, Caen has an established nightlife culture. Most of the bars are situated around rue Ecuyère, the port, rue Saint Pierre, and place Saint Sauveur.

Target Market

We have identified two types of potential customers:

  • 66% of direct reservations (at the front desk of a hotel or over the phone)
  • 10% of online reservations via the hotel's website

Competition

There are already 10 bars, as well as 2 brasserie bars, on Ecuyère street.

Although they're in direct competition, the close concentration of bars brings an attractive and lively atmosphere that makes rue Ecuyère the epicentre of Caennaise nightlife.

Although some already offer a limited number of cocktails, most of the nearby places are traditional bars. As a result, the radically different atmosphere and menu (of over 150 cocktails) that Gina Cocktail Bar offers should allow us to set ourselves apart from the street's existing bars, consequently enabling us to develop loyal and regular customers.

Financial highlights

We expect to achieve a turnover of €324,094 in the first year, and €360,893 in years 2 and 3.

We anticipate the business will be profitable at the operational level from year 1, however due to the high level of D&A we will record a loss of €-3,397in year 1.

Based on the current plan, EBITDA should represent €6,437 (or 1.99% of sales) in year 1, and we believe that better bar occupancy in subsequent years will allow us to achieve an EBITDA of €28,172 (margin of 7.81% of sales) in years 2 and 3.

The business should be sufficiently capitalized to allow us to honor our loan repayments while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet any unforeseen events, whilst investing regularly to maintain the bar's standing.

The objective of this business plan is to obtain a bank loan of €52,750 to finance part of the renovation work and the purchase of equipment needed to open the bar.

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How to Write a Food and Beverage Business Plan + Sample Business Plan PDF

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Elon Glucklich

7 min. read

Updated February 17, 2024

Free Download: Sample Food and Beverage Business Plan Templates

The food and beverage sector is booming. Restaurant openings rose 10% in 2023 compared to 2022 — even higher than in pre-pandemic years.

From fine dining to food trucks, farmers to brewers, and wholesalers to coffee makers, there are opportunities across the food and beverage industry. 

But starting a business without covering the basics — your operations plan, marketing tactics, financial strategy, and more — carries huge risks. 

That’s why we recommend you write a business plan.

  • Why write a food and beverage business plan?

Writing a business plan is an easy first step that you can start for free. Plus, businesses that take time to plan are significantly more successful than those that don’t.

Many food and beverage establishments fail because of one of the following:

  • Poor inventory management
  • Underestimated expenses
  • High employee turnover
  • Misjudged the size of their market

Writing a business plan can help you:

  • Develop processes for managing inventory and logistics
  • Understand your cash flows and create a realistic expense budget
  • Budget for competitive employee pay that increases worker retention
  • Analyze your competition and determine how big your market is  

If you’re looking for funding from investors for your business, you’ll definitely need a business plan.

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  • How to write a food and beverage business plan

Many business plans follow a standard format and you can use it as a starting point when writing your own plan. Here’s what that includes:

Executive summary

  • Company summary and funding needs
  • Products and services
  • Marketing plan
  • Management team

Financial plan

For food and beverage companies, you must give extra attention to your market analysis, operations plan, and financial forecasts.

If you’re ready to start, download a free business plan template and fill it out as you read this article.

A sample business plan outline for a food and beverage business.

Every business plan should include an executive summary . It’s a brief outline summarizing the plan, no more than one or two pages.

We recommend that you write the executive summary last after fleshing out the details of your plan. 

Just summarize the vision for your business, describe your offerings and target market , and touch on your management team and financials. Don’t go into tons of detail — just provide a high-level sense of what you want your business to accomplish.

Opportunity: problem and solution

This section of your food and beverage business plan describes the opportunity you hope to capture.

Maybe you’re a farmer looking to diversify your revenue streams by distributing to grocery stores. Or a bar owner with high-end liquor that competitors in the market aren’t serving. 

Whatever your business is, describe the gap in the market and how you aim to fill it.

If you’re operating a more common type of business, like a restaurant , you can probably keep this section short. But it’s useful to document what makes your business unique and it will help focus your sales and marketing efforts later on.

Market analysis

In a field as crowded with competitors as the food and beverage space, a detailed market analysis is essential. 

Your focus should be on identifying the specific customer segments you aim to serve. 

Maybe you’re a butcher with connections to fresh livestock. Will you be more successful selling directly to consumers, or should you focus on selling to grocery stores and markets in your area?

Or, you’re opening  a diner. Should your menu focus on healthy meals or easy-to-make child-friendly options?

These are the types of questions that market research helps you answer. This section should detail the defining characteristics of your target market, including the demographics and preferences of your ideal customer and the size of the market you’re targeting. Market research questions specific to a food and beverage business could include:

  • Business location and characteristics
  • Area income
  • Local food and beverage preferences
  • Existing food and beverage options 

Elaborate on how your food and beverage offerings align with that target market ’s needs. Remember, you can’t please everyone, so focus on a specific group of people or type of person and build out from there.

Marketing and sales

For food and beverage businesses promotions are how you stand out and seize a share of your market.

The marketing and advertising chapter of your business plan is where you’ll detail your strategies for capturing the attention — and loyalty — of the customers you identified as your target market in the previous section.

With so many options for consumers in the food and beverage space, you’ll likely have to rely on multiple marketing channels , including::

  • Advertising on websites, television, and in relevant publications.
  • Content marketing — developing an engaging website and writing blog content that’s search engine optimized to drive traffic to your site.
  • Engaging with your customers on social media.
  • Offering discounts and customer loyalty programs.
  • Appearing at food and beverage industry trade shows and community events.

It doesn’t matter how delicious your recipes are, how fresh your crops are, or how innovative your cocktails are — if you don’t operate efficiently, your business probably won’t last long.

The operations strategy may be the most detailed section of your business plan, especially if you’re writing it for a bank loan or investment. This section describes how you will run your business day to day.

When writing the operations section, describe the following:

Physical space

Whether it’s a restaurant, a farm, or a food transportation business, describe the space you’re operating in, and all of the physical assets and equipment you’ll need to be successful. 

If it’s a sit-down restaurant, consider including a floorplan mockup in your appendix.

Supply chain 

List the suppliers and partners that get your product to customers. Think about the businesses you purchase ingredients from, the warehouses that goods are stored in, and the trucking companies that deliver your products to grocery stores. 

These are your supply chain partners. It’s crucial that you maintain good relationships with them.

Production processes

How long it takes to make your product, and what materials and equipment are required. Documenting how you produce your goods or services demonstrates that you understand the costs of making them. 

You may also uncover ways to produce them more quickly, or at a lesser cost.

Detail how you’ll handle matters of efficiency like order fulfillment, storage, shipping, and returns, as well as customer satisfaction. If you provide delivery services, document how you will handle the process of getting your product to customers’ homes or businesses.

List your staffing needs, training, and experience requirements for key staff. Also, document the management structure of your business. 

This helps ensure that important tasks you don’t have time to monitor are being done and that workers are being supervised.

Describe investments in payment processing systems, inventory management software, and other tools that support sales or operations in your business. Cataloging your technology systems will help you determine where it might make sense to invest in upgrades for efficiency.

Take some time to write a financial plan . Create detailed financial projections, including sales , expenses , and profitability .

If that sounds intimidating, take a deep breath, and remember that financial forecasts are really just best guesses. If you’re running an existing business, you can start with your previous year’s numbers. If you’re starting, make an educated guess about where you hope to be financially a year from now.

Investors will want to see a: 

  • Sales forecast
  • Income statement (also called a profit and loss statement )
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet 

If you use a tool like LivePlan , you’ll be able to build out your financial forecasts relatively quickly, even if you don’t have experience with business numbers.

Even if you aren’t seeking investment, the financial plan is crucial for understanding the viability of your business. It allows you to adjust your business model based on projected performance, and make informed decisions about where to spend your money.

  • Food and beverage business plan templates and examples

If you want to see how other food and beverage businesses have created their plans, check out our free library of food and beverage business plans . 

You can download all of them in Word format and jump-start your own business plan.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Content Author: Elon Glucklich

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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Wine Bar Business Plan PDF Example

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  • February 19, 2024
  • Business Plan

the business plan template for a wine bar

Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful wine bar. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your wine bar’s identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

This article not only breaks down the critical components of a wine bar business plan, but also provides an example of a business plan to help you craft your own.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or new to the food and beverage industry, this guide, complete with a business plan example, lays the groundwork for turning your wine bar concept into reality. Let’s dive in!

Our wine bar business plan is crafted to include all key components necessary for a thorough strategic framework. It outlines the bar’s operational guidelines, marketing approaches, industry landscape, competitive analysis, management team structure, and financial outlook.

  • Executive Summary: Provides a concise overview of the Wine Bar’s proposition, emphasizing a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere for wine enthusiasts, market analysis showcasing the sector’s growth and demand, the expertise of the management in wine selection and business operations, and a financial strategy that outlines investment opportunities and revenue forecasts.
  • Wine Bar & Location: Describes the wine bar’s strategic location and elegant space, designed to offer guests a tranquil setting to enjoy a diverse range of wines sourced from local vineyards and international regions for example.
  • Supply & Operations: Details the wine bar’s supply chain management, emphasizing partnerships with local wineries and global importers to curate an extensive wine list, and outlines efficient inventory management and operations to enhance the guest experience.
  • Key Stats: Presents data highlighting the market size, growth trends, and statistics that underscore the potential and necessity for sophisticated wine bars.
  • Key Trends: Highlights significant trends such as the growing interest in organic wines, experiential dining with curated tastings, and food pairings.
  • Key Competitors: Analyzes the main competitors in the vicinity, their offerings, and how the wine bar’s unique approach and services set it apart.
  • SWOT Analysis: Conducts a comprehensive analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to strategically position the wine bar.
  • Marketing Plan: Details marketing strategies aimed at building brand visibility, attracting new guests, and retaining them through superior service, educational experiences, and targeted marketing efforts.
  • Timeline: Sets forth key milestones and objectives from the wine bar’s setup to its launch and key growth phases.
  • Management: Highlights the experienced team leading the wine bar, from certified sommeliers to business operations managers, emphasizing their roles in ensuring high-quality wine selection, guest satisfaction, and smooth operations.
  • Financial Plan: Projects the financial outlook for the wine bar over the next few years, detailing revenue models from wine sales, events, and potentially retail products, cost management strategies, profit margins, and expected return on investment, ensuring a clear route to financial sustainability and growth.

the business plan template for a wine bar

Wine Bar Business Plan

Download an expert-built 30+ slides Powerpoint business plan template

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary introduces your wine bar’s business plan, providing a succinct overview of the establishment and its offerings. It should outline your market positioning, the variety of wines and related services you offer, its location, size, and a brief on daily operations. 

This section should also delve into how your wine bar will integrate into the local community, including an analysis of direct competitors in the vicinity, identifying who they are, along with your wine bar’s distinctive selling points that set it apart from these competitors. 

Moreover, you should include information about the management and founding team, detailing their roles and contributions to the wine bar’s success.

Additionally, a summary of your financial projections, including revenue and profits over the next five years, should be presented here to give a clear view of your wine bar’s financial strategy.

Make sure to cover here _ Business Overview _ Market Overview _ Management Team _ Financial Plan

Wine Bar Business Plan executive summary1

Dive deeper into Executive Summary

Business Overview

For a Wine Bar, the Business Overview section can be succinctly divided into 2 main components:

Wine Bar & Location

Briefly describe the wine bar’s physical environment, focusing on its design, ambiance, and the inviting atmosphere that greets guests. Highlight the wine bar’s location, emphasizing its accessibility and the convenience it provides to patrons, such as proximity to cultural centers or ease of parking. Discuss why this location is strategic in attracting your target clientele.

Supply & Operations

Detail the range of wines and related offerings available, from local and international selections to pairings with small plates or artisanal snacks. Outline your sourcing strategy, emphasizing relationships with vineyards and distributors to ensure a diverse and high-quality wine selection. Present your pricing strategy, making sure it reflects the value of the experience provided and aligns with the market you’re targeting. Highlight any unique experiences, membership clubs, or loyalty programs that offer added value to your patrons, encouraging repeat visits and customer loyalty.

Make sure to cover here _ Wine Bar & Location _ Supply & Operations

Business Plan_Wine Bar Business Overview

Market Overview

Industry size & growth.

In the Market Overview of your wine bar business plan, start by examining the size of the wine industry and its growth potential. This analysis is essential for understanding the market’s breadth and identifying opportunities for expansion.

Key market trends

Proceed to discuss recent market trends, such as the increasing consumer interest in artisanal and boutique wines, organic and biodynamic vineyards, and unique wine-tasting experiences.

For example, highlight the demand for wine bars that offer curated selections from small producers, educational wine-tasting events, and pairings with gourmet snacks or meals.

Key competitors

Then, consider the competitive landscape, which includes a range of establishments from upscale wine lounges to casual, neighborhood wine bars, as well as the trend of at-home wine tasting kits.

For example, emphasize what makes your wine bar stand out, whether it’s through an unparalleled wine selection, exceptional customer service, or a unique ambiance that enhances the wine-tasting experience. This section will help articulate the demand for wine bar services, the competitive environment, and how your wine bar is positioned to succeed within this vibrant market.

Make sure to cover here _ Industry size & growth _ Key market trends _ Key competitors

Wine Bar Business Plan market overview

Dive deeper into Key competitors

First, conduct a SWOT analysis for the wine bar, highlighting Strengths (such as an exclusive wine selection and knowledgeable staff), Weaknesses (including potential high operational costs or strong competition in the area), Opportunities (for example, a growing interest in wine culture and pairing experiences), and Threats (such as economic downturns that may reduce consumer spending on dining and entertainment).

Marketing Plan

Next, develop a marketing strategy that outlines how to attract and retain customers through targeted advertising, promotional events like wine tastings, an engaging social media presence that showcases your wine selections and events, and involvement in community activities to enhance local visibility.

Finally, create a detailed timeline that outlines critical milestones for the wine bar’s opening, marketing initiatives, customer base growth, and expansion goals, ensuring the business advances with clear direction and intent.

Make sure to cover here _ SWOT _ Marketing Plan _ Timeline

Wine Bar Business Plan strategy

Dive deeper into SWOT

Dive deeper into Marketing Plan

The management section focuses on the wine bar’s management and their direct roles in daily operations and strategic direction. This part is crucial for understanding who is responsible for making key decisions and driving the wine bar toward its financial and operational goals.

For your wine bar business plan, list the core team members, their specific responsibilities, and how their expertise supports the business.

Wine Bar Business Plan management1

Financial Plan

The Financial Plan section is a comprehensive analysis of your financial projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability. It lays out your wine bar’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving breakeven.

This section typically includes detailed forecasts for the first 5 years of operation, highlighting expected revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures.

For your wine bar business plan, provide a snapshot of your financial statement (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statement), as well as your key assumptions (e.g. number of customers and prices, expenses, etc.).

Make sure to cover here _ Profit and Loss _ Cash Flow Statement _ Balance Sheet _ Use of Funds

Wine Bar Business Plan financial plan

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Mobile Bar Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

mobile bar business plan

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 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

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.

Finish Your Mobile Bar Business Plan in 1 Day!

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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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