You want to open your bakery but don’t know how to do it? Where to start?
In this article you will find an overview of all the steps and procedures necessary to open your business. From training as a baker craftsman to applying for funds and registering your company, we will explain how to get started!
The required training
To obtain the title of “Bakery”, it is necessary that the manager, an employee or an employee of the company has obtained the professional qualification of artisan baker.
The most well known training is the CAP Boulanger. It takes two years and allows you to learn how to produce and present bread and pastries in compliance with the quality, hygiene and safety standards in force.
Following this training, you can take a Supplementary Mention in one year to specialize and gain in competence.
For adults undergoing retraining, there are accelerated courses to take this CAP in 4 or 6 months.
It is also possible to pass a Professional Baker’s Certificate, in 2 years, to acquire the knowledge necessary for the management and the management of a bakery.
If you do not have a diploma in business management (Bac +2 in management, master’s degree,…) or more than three years’ experience in business management, you must undergo an introductory internship before you can be registered in the trades directory. The objective of this internship is to train you in accounting and the economic, legal and social environment of the craft business. The training is organised by the Chamber of Trades of your department.
The definition of the project
Before you start looking for a location, it is essential to take the time to define your project precisely. This reflection should focus on:
- The identity of the bakery: What name? What slogan? What slogan? What logo? What kind of interior atmosphere?
- The products on offer: Which breads and pastries? What pastries? Do I offer light food products (sandwiches, pizza parts, salads)?
- Originality: What makes my added value? How do I differentiate myself from the competition? What will I highlight in my communication?
- Asking all these questions will help you to know what you are really looking for in your business. You can then start looking for a premises/business to acquire.
The choice of location and market research
The choice of location and the corresponding catchment area is crucial for a bakery.
To ensure that your location is relevant, you will need to conduct a market research study. The objective of this study will be to measure the relevance of your project: with the chosen location, how many customers will I have each day? What will be the profile of these customers? Their average basket?…..
You will then have a better knowledge of your location, your competition and your customers. This will help you define your strategy and make the first financial forecasts for your business.
Administrative procedures
You will first have to choose your legal status. To do this, you need to ask yourself some questions
- Do I want to separate my personal assets from those of the company?
- Will I bring money personally?
- Do I undertake alone or do I partner?
- What tax regime do I want to adopt?
Once you have answered these questions and found the legal status that best suits your situation (SARL ? EURL?….) you must draft the articles of association of your company and then register them with the tax authorities.
You can then deposit the funds from your share capital that will be released when the company is registered.
Check with the INPI to find out if your bakery’s name is not already a registered trademark of a company in the same sector, in which case it will have to be changed.
Finally, once all these steps have been completed, you can register in the job directory (the management initiation course must have been completed before this registration).
The drafting of the business plan and the search for funds
If you cannot provide the necessary funds to open your bakery yourself, you must ask for funds from banks or investors.
To do this, you must present them with a business plan that details your project, your team, your market research and your financial forecasts. The objective of this business plan is to show that your business is viable and profitable and that you will be able to repay your loan.