Roughly 39% of the U.S. population reportedly consume dessert once or more times a week. Those with the sweetest tooth are between the ages of 25-34 (49%) and 18-24 (45%). That’s probably more than 172 million people. If you’re planning to venture into the food business, that’s a huge demographic.
Going for an ice cream franchise or starting your brand for a company might be a no-brainer decision, as ice cream ranks first as America’s favorite dessert. But there are other options as well. Chocolate cake, apple pie, Jell-O, and cheesecake takes the 2nd to 5th spot, respectively.
One writer was brave enough to imagine what would happen if every state was assigned an official dessert. No country gets apple pie or chocolate chip cookies. But Alabama would get Lane cake, and Texas would have pecan pie. So, if it’s the food business you want to get into, and you’re aiming for America’s love for sweets, why not open a dessert bar?
Here are a few things you should consider when starting a dessert bar business:
Americans Can’t Say No to Desserts
If the portions were smaller, a survey result indicated that 36% of Americans are more likely to purchase desserts. That’s just a 3% dip compared to the national average. American’s aren’t saying “No” to sweets. They’re just saying no to maybe half a dessert.
And if you think ice cream is rocking it at number one, you better put gelatin on your menu too, as more than 154 million Americans in 2019 consumed flavored gelatin for dessert. And that’s just up to July 2019.
Starting Your Sugar Machine
Baking cakes or pies is one way to create your dessert menu. There are also fruits, nuts, chocolates, and a host of other ingredients that can be turned into something delightfully sweet. Here are more things to note when starting your dessert bar business:
- Broaden your knowledge. You need to become knowledgeable and an expert as well in making other desserts. Broaden your knowledge and learn by studying under a mentor who can teach you not only about creating new dishes but also about handling the business aspect of things, like understanding why a particular item sells more than others.
- A great location. Identifying the best location for your business should your primary focus. Do not rush into settling for a specific place just because the rent is cheap. If foot traffic is low and there are no establishments that enhances your chances of selling (e.g., proximity to schools or restaurants), hold off on signing the checks for the deposit. Tomorrow is another day for you to go location hunting.
- Sourcing. Save on operations cost by finding a good source for your supplies, be it the consumables or equipment. Also, think carefully before purchasing brand new and expensive equipment. Scout for pre-owned items that can take you one or two years into your operation. When your business is doing well, you can retire your old equipment and purchase a new one.
- Market and competition. Find out what the community is offering in terms of desserts. If there are businesses selling plenty of chocolate candies and pies, try going for something unique but will still appeal to a broad range of customers. If you’re near a school or a park, find out what’s the most popular dessert.
All of these things need to be part of your business plan. You must consult your county or city office to find out about permits and licensing requirements. But these points will put you in the right direction for your dessert bar business.
