Bakery business is like venturing into spreading your labor of love. A love that is devoured by millions for its freshness & taste and the warmth that it leaves behind.

“If baking is any labor at all, it’s a labor of love.”
– Regina Brett

A bakery venture requires an eclectic amalgamation of culinary finesse innovative marketing techniques. It is not easy as it may sound, especially, if you follow the bakery trends in India.

The very first step you have to take after you have decided on starting your very own bakery and café venture in India is to conduct community research. It is indeed a fact that the concept of the cakes, biscuits and bread came in this with the British colonization. And thank goodness for that!

Since that period, the popularity and affinity of baking have remained constant, just like the other universal truths! Many people took up baking as their venture under the western influence. Bread became a staple here as well. Birthdays became synonymous with cakes and the morning tea with cookies and biscuits.

But, to start a bakery in India comes with its fair share of glitches as well. We all have come across numerous withering local bakeries that just ran out of business because of lack of creativity and marketing ideas.

Urban bakeries of India have to do a lot of planning and spadework to meet the ever-evolving preferences of the people. People have shifted beyond the basic preference of opting for eggless baked wonders. Now, they love it customized, personalized with their picture (of course edible!) printed on the cake.

So plan your baking venture accordingly so that it does not have to face the pitfall of going out of business. With the wave of the startup concept, numerous big and small bakeries are mushrooming in the economy of the country. The entrepreneurs, needless to say, are finding it difficult to make it big in the crowd.

To wipe off your frowns of worry, FusionResto brings you the detailed investment breakup in the Q&A format for your bakery startup that will indeed achieve success ahead:

What should be my approximate amount of total investment for the bakery business?

Right now, the estimate adds up to around 15 lakhs, but do keep in mind that there are chances of encountering variances in it. So, coming back to the details, you can go through the following estimate:

• Renting the location (Rs. 60K/month)
• Licensing for your business (30k initial expense)
• Recruitment (Rs 1.42 lakhs/month)
• Equipment for the kitchen (Rs 8.45 lakhs initial expense)
• Uniform for the staff (Rs 20k initial expense)
• Display area (Rs 2.65 lakhs initial expense)
• Marketing (Rs 55k/month)

What to look for while choosing a location?

To open a bakery, it is ideal to choose a place that is located in or around a marketplace or where there occurs a lot of footfall. Front area shops that are on the ground floor and quickly visible or accessible, make the best places. Idea area must be around 500 sq. Meters minimum, with two floors, of which one will be a dedicated kitchen and the other for serving.

What permits and food license do I need?

It is mandatory for the bakeries to acquire five licenses from FSSAI, GST, Local Municipality, Police Eating House and Fire Department. Out of the 5, the FSSAI, GST and local Municipal Health permits are of priority before going live with the shop. It is advised to acquire all the fives before opening the outlet, especially for the startup’s enthusiasts in India.

What should be my recruitment list for the bakery?

Head chef, Chefs de parties, commi level chefs, helpers, service boys and cashier; recruit them by their experience or talent and then, you are right to go!

Is display area important?

Of course, it is! A well-designed and well-decorated display area will attract customers towards your fresh, tasty and creative baked wonders from the display itself. Other than a fridge, you should get an impressive storage as well as a display rack.

What should I decide on my kitchen equipment and raw materials?

Bakeries require kitchen equipment that is really, really expensive because they are all made up of stainless steel for durability. For the raw materials, you can register with a local supplier or a departmental store so that you are replenished all the time.

How do I setup my branding and marketing aspects?

You have to hire professionals at every stage of branding. Design logo, write and print attractive displays, design a charming and uncomplicated bakery menu, spread the word through pamphlets, sign up with delivery and restaurant rating apps and also go online.

Is it mandatory to dress up the staff in uniform?

Okay, it is not a school, but then instilling a sense of belonging among the employees has never harmed the business. In fact, a uniform makes staff look professional and also speaks about the brand. It is crucial for the team to look organized, hygienic and well-dressed with a smile while attending to the customers.

Do I also need a POS & billing software for my bakery?

Yes, you indeed do! You have to understand that POS software is not just billing software anymore. With the powerful technology of integrations, POS software can manage your stock, take up online orders, queue in the requests and create lesser wastage. The new age POS Software has numerous advantages which can be beneficial for your bakery business as well.

Okay, understood…am I missing anything else?

It is a bakery. You have to have multiple contact numbers to take up orders. As mentioned earlier, have online tie-ups to spread your word digitally and also take feedback from your customers.

To conclude, urban bakeries have a lot of scope in India due to the western influences. In the areas of skill, craftsmanship and creativity, the bakery business will continue to spread its might further and reach a lot more people. Be wise with your choices while planning for the venture and always learn to be creative and evolve to attract customers.