I'm planning opening a pasty shop - what are the profit expectations?

Conrad

Something on my horizon.

I notice the bakers near me are always packed despite only an average offering.

By nature I have extreme OCD tendancies and feel I should focus these on a new venture - based around the best hot pasties, coffee, fruit juice and other complimentary food stuffs, TAKE AWAY ONLY. Probably need to offer sandwiches - but I am extremely detailed by naturte and will 100% ensure the products I offer are unsurpassed.

The environment will be uber clean, like you would rarely if ever have encountered before. Even the high up light bulbs will get a regular wipe.


http://www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk/

Anyone had any experience of such a business?

Dave101t

dont charge greggs prices and you will do well

Really2

what are the profit expectations

Inflated if you use puff pastry,

Flat for short crust.

Not the most healthy meal but still can't beat one when you are starving or hung over.

As far as I know food as always been good margin, but know nothing about the industry, sorry.

lostinrates

shops/stands always sem popular. Frankly I found them a bit samey, the ''branded'' ones. They never sell ''girls sizes'' either.

Last time I had one would be ...five-ish years ago at...London Bridge? station....I remember because it was so profounly disappointingly....bland, and I was really hungry.


I went through a phase of making pasties: meat in one end, fruit in t'other.

tek-monkey

Why are the bakers packed? Is this because they are very cheap, or because there are no other food premises around? If its price that gets the customers, stay out of it. If its due to lack of competition you may be on to something.

Do you know anyone that uses them? If so ask why, but do not tell them your idea first as that will colour the response.

Are there enough customers for you both to survive? Don't start your business in a price war!

edgex

& what happens when people decide they dont want a pasty that day?
or they have to cut their living costs, so make something at home, or buy something cheaper?

Really2

lostinrates wrote: »

: meat in one end, fruit in t'other.

Don't google it.

Really2

Thinking back to my home town it may be worth befriending a butcher.

Boasting good local meat etc should help (also should taste better)

The butcher may be a good outlet for cold goods also.

Dave101t

bk & McD's - overpriced and not 'snack food'
pizza - night time shops only
pies/pasty - quick nigh on instant food, usually hot, little packaging, 20p biscuit to 2 quid family apple pie. students love them, as do other shop workers on their lunch, i found a great one and i walk past 2 greggs shops to get to it every time, cheaper and nicer because its family run, not a franchise.
of course, full market research and testing would be best.

carolt

Think it's a great idea - I'm a big pasty fan - or little pasty fan, I'm not fussy.

The brand you mention has quite nice pasties - better than Greggs. Did read that Greggs had stopped including trans fats in its offerings - made me breathe a sigh of relief, I can tell you.

I've often thought of opening something similar but independent myself as I'm a mean pie-maker/tart-maker, except for the obvious fact I know nothing whatsoever about running such a business.

But seriously, the world is crying out for hot pies - hence Greggs' profits shooting up, even in (or because of?) a recession.

Cheap treats.

Go for it - much more honest way to earn a buck than BTL, IMHO.

Really2

carolt wrote: »

Go for it - much more honest way to earn a buck than BTL, IMHO.

BTL to BLT.