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A brewery business plan is a key component of preparing and managing the process of how to open up a brewery. Your brewery business plan is the place you start laying out the specifics of your business. Those specifics can include your brewery manager job description, your brewery management software plan, and your brewery license needs.
This BinWise blog post covers the ins and outs of a brewery business plan. Not every business owner writes a business plan when they’re starting out, but starting with a business plan helps set you up for success.
How to Write a Brewery Business Plan
Learning how to write a brewery business plan is helpful for your business plan. That extends to helping you find out what you need for your business. The steps of a business plan include everything you need to start with. When you sit down to write a business plan, you’ll learn the areas you need to pay more attention to. You'll also discover what you need to do before opening day.
These 10 factors within a brewery business plan showcase the different areas of business development you’ll work with. Within these sections, you’ll cover everything from how to work at a brewery to how a brewery works. You’ll talk about brewery cleaning supplies, brewery staff, and the cost to open a brewery. It all goes into your brewery business plan.
10. Executive Summary
The executive summary is the first part of your brewery business plan. It’s a concise summary of the business, with introductory information for the rest of the plan. Your executive summary is the place for the key highlights of your business, from the product to the commercial space to the market.
9. Company Overview
The company overview in your business plan works in conjunction with the executive summary. It serves as a glossary for your business plan. In your company overview, you should define the operations of your business and the specific products and services. It’s also a good place for information about the ownership structure and hiring plans, as well as inventory plans.
8. Team and Management
The team and management section of your business plan is where you go into detail about the structure of ownership and management. This covers the order of operations as well as the responsibilities of each tier of management. This is also the place to discuss staffing, and how you’ll hire people.
7. Menu Sample
A menu sample is vital for any business plan if the business is putting up menus. It gives you an idea of what you’ll need for the menu offerings, and it’s often required for getting a food service license. This is the place to share ingredients, menu structure, and food supply chain plans.
6. Market Analysis
Your market analysis focuses on three factors: your target consumer, your location, and your competition. This part of your business plan is where you dive into who your competition is and what they have working for them. It’s also where you outline your buyer persona and make a plan for how you’ll sell in your market.
5. Publicity and Marketing
The publicity and marketing section of your brewery business plan is the place to talk about how you’ll spread the word about your business. From email marketing to content marketing to the importance of branding, it's how you’ll get the news of your business out into the world.
4. Business Operations
The business operations section is the place for the daily routine of the business. It covers expectations for the customer service experience, and the general operations that go into the regular success and smooth sailing of the business. It’s a good place to include information about the technological support you’ll use as well. It may even contain information about beer expiration.
3. Finances
The finances section of your business plan is one of the most important parts. It’s the place to outline the finances you’ll need and how you intend to get them. You’ll need a full budget for this section, and an outline of the funding you’ll need and the options available.
2. Sales Forecasting
Your sales forecasting section is a subsection of the financial plan. It’s a place for a break-even analysis. That's where you dive into specific pricing from the supply chain to the taproom–where you serve up the best beer on tap.
1. Operational Costs
Your operational costs are another subsection of the financial section of your brewery business plan. Operational costs, including overhead expenses, are something you need a firm grasp on when you’re planning your budget. This is the place to outline what they are and how they may change as you run your business.
The Importance of a Brewery Business Plan
The importance of a brewery business plan lies in its ability to show you where you need the most support for your business. There are plenty of businesses out there that don’t write a business plan. When you have a written plan, however, it’s that much easier to see where you need work, and what your pain points are.
"Key Takeaway: The importance of a brewery business plan lies in its ability to show you where you need the most support for your business."
Frequently Asked Questions About Brewery Business Plans
Writing a brewery business plan is the starting point of a successful brewery business. A lot goes into it, and there are always more questions to be asked about your business plan. Our answers to these frequently asked questions will give you further insight into building your plan.
What Is a Brewery Business Plan?
A brewery business plan is the written plan of how your brewery will work, what you need, and what your goals are. Every business benefits from a business plan–restaurant business plan options are crucial in the hospitality industry. A brewery business plan shows you where you need support, and how your business will be structured.
What Is the Best Business Structure for a Brewery?
A limited liability company or LLC is often the best business structure for a brewery. An LLC offers flexibility for any business. It can cover a lot of business needs within a somewhat loose structure. Ultimately, an LLC is often the best option for any new company, including breweries.
How Do I Break Into the Brewing Industry?
To break into the brewing industry, you need some level of experience and a brewery business plan. Your experience can come from certifications and courses, internships, or self-directed learning. Is it hard to break into a new industry? Yes. Is it possible with dedication and education? Yes!
How Do I Start a Successful Brewery?
To start a successful brewery business, begin with a business plan and build up from there. You’ll need licensing, capital, and employees. You’ll also need a brand plan. From branding and marketing to business branding specific to brewing, outlining the structure of your business will help you plan for the future.
How Do I Raise Capital for a Brewery?
There are three ways you can raise capital for a brewery:
- Self-funding: with savings or a full-time job, you can get the starting costs of a brewery together on your own.
- Finding investors: from venture capitalists to individuals with the capital to invest, investors are one of the most common ways of starting a business.
- Working with an institution: an institution like a bank or other lending institution can give you capital upfront.
Which one of these options works for you will depend on your situation and your plans for the brewery. A combination of the three is often what works best.
Brewery Business Plans: Build Your Brew Plan
Your brewery business plan is the place to start and it will be an integral part of the backbone of your brewery business. When it’s written up and you’re ready to implement it, reach out to BinWise and BlueCart.
BinWise Pro, alongside the BinScan mobile app, eases the process when you take inventory. The BlueCart order management system gives you peace of mind when it comes to order management software.