Who doesn’t love cookies? From soft and tender sugar cookies to crunchy oatmeal and walnut-studded delights, cookies are an absolute must for almost everyone. In fact, over 250 million people ate cookies in the USA during 2021, so you can see why we think a startup cookie business will be a snap…a crunch…or a tender bite of success. Let’s get started!
First Things First: Build Your Business Plan
Although it might seem easier to skip the business plan and simply start baking cookies, you’ll want to first consider who you’ll sell cookies to, how much your customers should pay for them, and what kinds of cookies your customers will want. You’ll also need to have the framework of your business in place. Follow these steps to get your homework done before launching your cookie business.
1: Research Your Target Audience and Your Competitors
When starting a cookie business, it is important to identify the audience who will buy your cookies and your competitors in the same business. Start by determining the boundaries of your company: online or retail store, local, regional or national? From there, consider the types of cookies you’d like to offer: Here are some questions to ask yourself that will help define your target audience and competitors:
- What type(s) of cookies do my customers like?
- Will I provide cookies for large events?
- How much per cookie will my typical customer want to pay?
- Will cookie delivery be included in my business?
- What offers do my competitors make and how much do they charge?
Answering these questions will position your targeted customer and competitors, both of which will assist in defining your company.
Step 2: Create Your Business Plan
You are now ready to complete your business plan. If you do not yet have a plan, use this comprehensive plan and business plan template as your guide.
When your cookie business plan is complete, you’ll be prepared to approach investors, lenders, banks or financial institutions for funding, if needed, and your blueprint for your cookie business will be firmly established.
Step 3: Define Your Brand and Create Marketing Strategies
Every cookie deserves an identifiable, eye-catching brand name. Why? Your brand establishes your company identity and also issues an invitation to return for more cookies. Create a logo, if desired and use a graphic designer to help set up the colors and look of your logo and brand messaging.
It’s now time to decide how you will market your cookies. Depending on your audience, you will want to set up a website with ordering capabilities, and you’ll want to include social media callouts and website specials to engage with your customers. If you want further assistance in these areas, check out how to start your own cookie business for tools to market strategically. Create custom cookies for holidays or choose your cookies to market in your own way. Cookies are universal; connect with your cookie lovers by sending the message that your business is here to serve their cookie wants and needs. Now, let’s move on to check out some cookie business ideas:
Here are 10 Startup Ideas for Your Cookie Business
- Online Favorites – think chocolate chip, snickerdoodles and sugar cookies. The gang’s all here in the online structure. Package and send a dozen cookies at a time; a yummy idea.
- Specialty Cookies – create a niche cookie theme, such as cookies decorated with the flag of different countries, first responder flags, law enforcement flags, sporting team flags…the list goes on with this category of cookies.
- Homemade to Retail Cookies – Deliver batches of favorite homemade cookies to local retail coffee shops and restaurants; their customers will thank you for your service.
- Wedding & Party Cookies – Yes! Deliver bride and groom custom-baked cookies for weddings and anniversary parties.
- Corporate Cookies – Deliver jumbo sugar cookies for corporate events (the extra sugar will keep folks alert).
- Ready-to-Bake Cookie Dough – Sell wrapped cookie dough in a roll with instructions to slice and bake. Make it easy on yourself and skip the baking part.
- Big Batch Cookies to Sell – Consider selling 12 dozen cookies per order to larger event venues; you’ll see higher profit ratios with high-quantity sales.
- Custom Birthday Cookies – Write a birthday message on a giant custom cookie. These usually sell individually for $6, which will offer a good profit for you.
- Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Cookies – bring oatmeal scotchies, rum raisin and shortbread cookies back to our homes. It’s never too late to bring back the collectibles.
- Giant & Super-Huge Brownies – Provide custom orders of massive, uncut brownies, sold on extra-large trays, along with a brownie cutting knife. A unique idea for parties, right?
With 10 different startup ideas for your cookie business and a solid business plan to support you, we know you’ll be well on your way to sweet success very soon. Congratulations!
