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 an ice cream shop while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. The Ice Cream Shop, Inc. (“the Company”) is a New York based corporation that will provide sales of ice cream, smoothies, and beverages to customers in its targeted market. The Company was founded in 2009 by John Doe.

1.1 Products and Services

Management’s vision for the Ice Cream Shop is to operate a small location that will provide a wide selection of ice creams and smoothies. Additionally, the Ice Cream Shop, vis-à-vis food and beverage sales, will generate substantial gross margins that will allow the business to generate profitable revenue throughout the course of the calendar year. Mr. Doe expects that a significant portion of the Company’s net profits will accrue through the very hot summer months. The third section of the business plan will further describe the services offered by the Ice Cream Shop.

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

Management is committed to providing customers with quality ice cream, smoothies, and beverages at reasonable prices while conforming to all laws regarding the sale of food on both the state and local level.

1.4 Mangement Team

The Company was founded by John Doe. Mr. Doe has more than 10 years of experience in the retail food establishment 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

Ice Cream Shop, Inc. The Company is registered as a corporation in the State of New York.

2.2 Required Funds

At this time, the Ice Cream Shop 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 Ice Cream Shop, 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 Ice Cream Shop. Based on historical numbers, the business could fetch a sales premium of up to 4 times earnings.

3.0 Products and Services

The Ice Cream will serve several flavors of ice cream as well as many flavors/combinations of smoothies. The Company will also provide a number of fountain drinks including Coke and Root Beer floats. Furthermore, the Owner’s top priority (along with serving quality food) is to comply with all state and local laws regarding the sale of food and beverages the general public. Within the Ice Cream Shop’s facility, the Company will always properly handle dairy products, which have higher incidences of spoilage. The Owner will ensure, at all times, the Company’s facility is in compliance with all health and food safety laws. Management intends to further the support for the business by sourcing inventories of ice cream, ice, and other food products from local stores that will provide the Ice Cream Shop with bulk discounts. This will allow the business to further its ties to the local economy. Currently, Mr. Doe is sourcing a number of inventory and equipment suppliers for the ongoing and one time costs associated with this business. Management anticipates that the kitchen equipment required in this business plan will total $35,000 to $45,000.

4.0 Strategic and Market Analysis

4.1 Economic Outlook

This section of the analysis will detail the economic climate, the ice cream and quick service food 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 moderate. The meltdown of the sub prime mortgage market coupled with increasing gas prices has led many people to believe that the US is on the cusp of an economic recession. This slowdown in the economy has also greatly impacted real estate sales, which has halted to historical lows.

4.2 Industry Analysis

The coffee and non-alcoholic retail shop industry has experienced a healthy level of growth over the past decade. The U.S. Economic Census estimates that there are over 190,000 individual cafes and specialty health food restaurants in the United States. This number is expected to increase at a rate of 5% per annum. While the growth rate of the number of establishments has increased 5% per year, the revenues generated per establishment have increased at a rate of 10% per year.

4.3 Customer Profile

As the business offers an expansive menu of ice cream and smoothies, it is difficult to categorize the average customer of the Ice Cream as many people, of all walks of life, enjoy the products offered by the Company. However, Management expects that the average customer will be a middle to upper middle class man or woman (usually with children) living in the Company’s target market.

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 Ice Cream Shop 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 Ice Cream Shop.

5.1 Marketing Objectives

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

• • Build a large word-of-mouth referral network through existing customer base.

• • Establish connections with local suppliers and vendors.

5.2 Marketing Strategies

Retail marketing will be the most difficult portion of the marketing strategy. This is because one of the essential elements to reaching a retail food and beverage purchasing audience is that the Company must build a brand affinity with the customer. The Ice Cream Shop will maintain a moderate level of traditional print and media advertising among local channels. These promotional campaigns will provide customers with coupons and special savings deals that will entice consumers to come to the Company’s location. Prior to opening the Company’s location, Management intends to send mailing and circulars to local residents within the Woodlands so that the business has instant traffic and visibility upon its grand opening. As stated earlier, the business will also heavily benefit from the high visibility location which Mr. Doe is currently sourcing. Management anticipates that a vast majority of the Company’s revenues will come from passers-by and shoppers.

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 Ice Cream Shop will have an annual revenue growth rate of 10% 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

The Company’s revenues are somewhat sensitive to the overall conditions of the economy. During times of economic recession, the Company may have a decrease in its top line revenues as people will demand fewer beverages/food products from retail locations. However, the Company’s revenues provide high levels of operating income for the business, and the Ice Cream Shop would need to have a significant decrease in its top line income before the Company becomes unprofitable.

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