It should be noted that there is no special software required to use these templates. All business plans come in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel format. Each business plan features:

• Excecutive Summary
• Company and Financing Summary
• Products and Services Overview
• Strategic Analysis with current research!
• Marketing Plan
• Personnel Plan
• 3 Year Advanced Financial Plan
• Expanded Financial Plan with Monthly Financials
• Loan Amortization and ROI Tools
• FREE PowerPoint Presentation for Banks, Investors, or Grant Companies!

1.0 Executive Summary

The purpose of this business plan is to raise $100,000 for the development of a candy store while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. The Candy Store, Inc. (“the Company”) is a New York based corporation that will provide sales of candy and beverages to customers in its targeted market. The Company was founded in 2009 by John Doe.

1.1 Products and Services

The primary revenue center for the business will come from the sales of candy, chocolates, nuts, and similar products throughout the Candy Store’s retail location. The business will also provide gift basket services throughout the year (and especially during holiday seasons) so that the Company can generates substantial revenues beyond the sales made in its retail location. The business will also operate a classic style soda fountain which will feature many flavors of cola and sodas. The Candy Store will also sell bottled water and beverages. The third section of the business plan will further describe the services offered by the Candy Store.

1.2 The Financing

Mr. Doe is seeking to raise $100,000 from as a bank loan. The interest rate and loan agreement are to be further discussed during negotiation. This business plan assumes that the business will receive a 10 year loan with a 9% fixed interest rate.

1.3 Mission Statement

The Candy Store’s mission is to become the recognized local leader for the sale of candy and candy gift baskets to the general public.

1.4 Mangement Team

The Company was founded by John Doe. Mr. Doe has more than 10 years of experience in the retail management industry. Through his expertise, he will be able to bring the operations of the business to profitability within its first year of operations.

1.5 Sales Forecasts

Mr. Doe expects a strong rate of growth at the start of operations. Below are the expected financials over the next three years.

1.6 Expansion Plan

The Founder expects that the business will aggressively expand during the first three years of operation. Mr. Doe intends to implement marketing campaigns that will effectively target individuals within the target market.

2.0 Company and Financing Summary

2.1 Registered Name and Corporate Structure

Candy Store, Inc. The Company is registered as a corporation in the State of New York.

2.2 Required Funds

At this time, the Candy Store requires $100,000 of debt funds. Below is a breakdown of how these funds will be used:

2.3 Investor Equity

Mr. Doe is not seeking an investment from a third party at this time.

2.4 Management Equity

John Doe owns 100% of the Candy Store, Inc.

2.5 Exit Strategy

If the business is very successful, Mr. Doe may seek to sell the business to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Most likely, the Company will hire a qualified business broker to sell the business on behalf of the Candy Store. Based on historical numbers, the business could fetch a sales premium of up to 4 times earnings.

3.0 Products and Services

Below is a description of the products offered by the Candy Store.

3.1 Sales of Candy and Candy Gift Baskets

The primary source of revenue for the business will be the sale of candy, chocolate, and gift baskets to the general public. Currently, Mr. Doe is sourcing a number of wholesalers that will provide the business with an expansive number of brands of chocolate bars and candies. As mentioned in the executive summary, the Candy Store also intends to have an extensive gift basket segment to the business for people that want to send gifts to loved ones, friends, and clients. This is an extremely important aspect to the Company’s operations as it will allow the Candy Store to substantially increase its inventory turnover. During holiday seasons, Mr. Doe expects that that 30% of the Company’s candy product sales will come from candy gift baskets. In the future, the business may also develop an online ordering platform where customers can place large orders for candy/gift baskets to be delivered to homes and businesses within the target market. This, much like the gift basket aspect of the business, would substantially increase revenues.

3.2 Sales of Beverages

The Company’s secondary streams of revenue will come from the sale of beverages including fountain sodas, bottled water, and other bottled soda/juice beverages. Mr. Doe expects that approximately 25% of the Company’s aggregate income will come from the sale of beverages.

4.0 Strategic and Market Analysis

4.1 Economic Outlook

This section of the analysis will detail the economic climate, the candy retailing industry, the customer profile, and the competition that the business will face as it progresses through its business operations. Currently, the economic market condition in the United States is in recession. This slowdown in the economy has also greatly impacted real estate sales, which has halted to historical lows. Many economists expect that this recession will continue until mid-2009, at which point the economy will begin a prolonged recovery period. However, candy stores tend to operate with a strong degree of economic stability as the pricing point for the candy products offered at these businesses is extremely low.

4.2 Industry Analysis

Within the United States, there are 3,500 companies that specialize in the retail sale of candy and nuts. Each year, these businesses aggregately generate more than $1.5 billion of revenue while providing jobs to more than 20,000 people. Aggregate payrolls in each of the last five years have exceed $220 million. This is a mature industry, and the expected future growth rate is expected to mirror that of the general economy. However, with the advent of the internet, many candy stores are now developing online ordering platforms so that people from all around the country can place orders for candy and gift baskets. Once retail operations commence, Mr. Doe may develop this platform to further boost revenues.

4.3 Customer Profile

In this section of the analysis, you should describe the type of customer you are seeking to acquire. These traits include income size, type of business/occupation; how far away from your business is to your customer, and what the customer is looking for. In this section, you can also put demographic information about your target market including population size, income demographics, level of education, etc.

4.4 Competitive Analysis

This is one of the sections of the business plan that you must write completely on your own. The key to writing a strong competitive analysis is that you do your research on the local competition. Find out who your competitors are by searching online directories and searching in your local Yellow Pages. If there are a number of competitors in the same industry (meaning that it is not feasible to describe each one) then showcase the number of businesses that compete with you, and why your business will provide customers with service/products that are of better quality or less expensive than your competition.

5.0 Marketing Plan

The Candy Store intends to maintain an extensive marketing campaign that will ensure maximum visibility for the business in its targeted market. Below is an overview of the marketing strategies and objectives of the Candy Store.

5.1 Marketing Objectives

• • Establish relationships with event planners so that the Company can produce gift baskets for guests of parties.

• • Implement a local campaign with the Company’s targeted market via the use of flyers, local newspaper advertisements, and word of mouth advertising.

• • Develop an online presence by developing a website and placing the Company’s name and contact information with online directories.

5.2 Marketing Strategies

Mr. Doe intends on using a number of marketing strategies to ensure maximum visibility for the Candy Store. Foremost, he intends to source a highly visible retail location from which the Company will conduct business. This location will feature highly visible signage that will inform the public of the Company’s candy offerings and its grand opening. The business will also maintain a sizeable amount of print/media advertisement in local newspapers, journals, and flyers that are distributed throughout the community. The Candy Store will also develop ongoing relationships with event planners and corporate gift companies that will outsource their candy basket needs to the Company. These relationships will be an invaluable source of referrals for the business. Finally, the Candy Store intends to develop its own online website that will showcase the Candy Store, its hours of operation, contact information, and location information. In the future, e-commerce functionality may be added to this website so that people from all over the country can order gift baskets for local and long distance delivery. This functionality will not be added to the Company’s website until after retail operations have commenced.

5.3 Pricing

In this section, describe the pricing of your services and products. You should provide as much information as possible about your pricing as possible in this section. However, if you have hundreds of items, condense your product list categorically. This section of the business plan should not span more than 1 page.

6.0 Organizational Plan and Personnel Summary

6.1 Corporate Organization

6.2 Organizational Budget

In this section of the business plan, you should write a two to four paragraph biography about your work experience, your education, and your skill set. For each owner or key employee, you should provide a brief biography in this section.

7.0 Financial Plan

7.1 Underlying Assumptions

• • The Candy Store will have an annual revenue growth rate of 8% per year.

• • The Owner will acquire $100,000 of debt funds to develop the business.

• • The loan will have a 10 year term with a 9% interest rate.

7.2 Sensitivity Analysis

In the event of an economic downturn, the business may have a decline in its revenues. However, the pricing point for the Company’s candy products is very low, and as such, only a severe economic downturn would result in a decline in top line revenues. Additionally, the Candy Store earns substantial margins for each sale, and despite a moderate drop in revenues, the business will be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive.

7.3 Source of Funds

7.4 General Assumptions

7.5 Profit and Loss Statements 

7.6 Cash Flow Analysis

7.7 Balance Sheet

7.8 General Assumptions

7.9 Business Ratios

Expanded Profit and Loss Statements

Expanded Cash Flow Analysis