Deli business plan template

Download this deli business plan template in PDF or Word format, or tailor it to your project directly in our business plan software.

Discover our deli business plan template

Our deli business plan template gives you the structure to write a professional plan

Not accustomed to writing business plans? Our deli business template will turn a typically challenging process into a total breeze.

Modelled on a complete business plan of a deli in France, our template features both the financial forecast and the written part that presents the project, its team, the local market and the business strategy implemented by the management.

Cast your eyes on this template to achieve a better understanding of what your bank and investors would like to see, so that you can create a business plan that meets their expectations.

deli businesss plan template
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How to use this deli business plan template

Edit the deli business plan template online, or download it

There are 3 ways to use this template:

  • Edit it online: you can adapt this template to your business idea by changing the text or the financial forecast directly in our business planning software
  • Download in PDF: if you're just after a little inspiration, you can download the deli business plan template in PDF to read over it
  • Download in Word format: want to edit your plan on Word? Simply export the deli business plan template to Ms Word (.docx) format
online editor for deli business plan template

Deli business plan template content

This template includes a complete deli business plan example, with a financial forecast and the following sections:

  1. Executive summary: the executive summary gives the reader a clear and concise overview of your business idea
  2. Company: this section lays out the structure of your business, including its location, management team and legal form
  3. Products and services: here, you'll give an overview of the sandwiches, drinks, snacks, desserts and meal deals offered by your deli
  4. Market analysis: the market analysis is where you’ll demonstrate that there is a strong demand for your products and services through a thorough assessment of the industry (customer profile, hot trends, regulation, competition, etc.)
  5. Strategy: this section highlights the company's game plan when it comes to pricing, marketing and mitigating risks along the way
  6. Operations: this step lays out the company's operational organisation, including the recruitment plan
  7. Financial plan: the financial plan includes a table of sources & uses (initial funding plan), and complete financial statements (P&L, balance sheet and cash flow statement).
  8. Appendices: this part provides the opportunity to include multiple financial appendices generated by our software (debt maturity profile, monthly financial statements, financial analysis, etc.).
cover page and table of contents for the deli business plan template by The Business Plan Shop
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Executive summary of the deli's business plan

The executive summary gives the reader a clear and concise overview of your business idea.

Our deli business plan example's executive summary is formed of the following subsections:

  1. Business overview: in this subsection, we outline who the deli founders are, what legal form they've chosen for the business, and the rationale behind the choice of their location
  2. Market overview: in this subsection, we summarize the conclusions of the market analysis performed by the deli's owners and explain who they might target (our deli business plan template targets employees in downtown Caen, passers-by and bargoers)
  3. Financial highlights: in this subsection, we give an overview of the forecasted financial performance of the deli over the first 3 years of operation
  4. Our ask: in this subsection, we outline the amount of financing required to start the deli and how it's going to be funded (the founders are seeking a bank loan to start their deli)
executive summary for deli business plan sample

Company overview included in our deli business plan sample

This section lays out the structure of your business, including its location, management team and legal form.

Our deli business plan template's company section is formed of the following subsections:

  1. Structure & Ownership: in this subsection, we outline who the deli shareholders are, what legal form they've chosen for the business
  2. Location: in this subsection, we present the area surrounding the location chosen for the business and the layout and main features of the premises
  3. Management Team: in this subsection, we give an overview of the background of each of the deli's founders and explain how they met and why they decided to start a company together
company overview included in deli business plan template
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Products and services offered by the deli

The products and services section is where you will present the different types of food and beverages sold by your deli.

In our deli business plan template products and services section, we cover:

  • Sandwiches: a selection of French classic sandwiches, including ham and cheese, brie and saucisson, original sandwich recipes and a build your own sandwich option.
  • Salads: a variety of salads with different bases including pasta, rice, lettuce and quinoa.
  • Drinks and snacks: a range of cold drinks and snacks, such as soda, fruit juice, mineral water, chips, and peanuts.
  • Desserts: a selection of desserts including tiramisu, cheesecake, cookies, and panna cotta.
  • Deals: a selection of deals offering a sandwich and dessert or drink or all three.
  • Fast ordering: an option to place sandwich orders in advance for nearby businesses.
product and services description of the deli business plan example

Market analysis for the opening of the deli

The market analysis is where you’ll demonstrate that there is a strong demand for your products and services through a thorough assessment of the industry (customer profile, hot trends, regulation, competition, etc.)

Our deli business plan example's market analysis section is formed of the following subsections:

  1. Demographics and Segmentation: in this subsection, we explore the market in depth. We look at the supply and demand sides both at the national and local level, analyse the hot trends perceived by the founders, and the key statistics that will help the founders build their positioning
  2. Target market: in this subsection, our founders explain who they view as their ideal customers (our deli business plan template targets employees in downtown Caen, passers-by and bargoers) and why they chose to target them
  3. Competition: in this subsection, we take a look at the direct (bakeries offering sandwiches and a burger fast-food restaurant) and indirect (grocery stores selling sandwiches and ready meals, traditional restaurants, bars that offer food and delivery platforms) local competition to ensure we have a differentiated positioning and that the market is large enough to accommodate the arrival of a new deli
  4. Regulation: in this subsection, we give an overview of the main regulation applicable to our deli
market analysis section of the deli business plan template
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Setting the strategy for our deli

This section highlights the company's game plan when it comes to pricing, marketing and mitigating risks along the way.

Our deli business plan template strategy section is formed of the following subsections:

  1. Pricing: in this subsection, we explain how we set the prices of our main categories of products (sandwiches, salads, desserts, drinks, snacks and meal deals) and the rationale behind our choice
  2. Marketing plan: in this subsection, we explain what action we'll put in place to build awareness and loyalty among deli customers
  3. Milestones: in this subsection, we give an overview of the main goals we set for ourselves for the next 3 years
  4. Risks and Mittigants: in this subsection, we perform an assessment of the medium and long-term risks that could jeopardize the financial viability of our deli and outline how we intend to mitigate them
deli business plan example: stragtegy section

Operations section of the deli business plan template

This part lays out the company's operational organisation, including the recruitment plan.

Our deli business plan example's operations section is formed of the following subsections:

  1. Personnel plan: in this subsection, we explain what our opening hours will be and explain the responsabilities of each of our deli staff members
  2. Key assets and IP: in this subsection, we list the assets and intellectual property rights which are critical to our business operations and explain how we will secure and protect each of these
  3. Suppliers: in this subsection, we give an overview of the main suppliers we will use our what commercial terms have been negotiated with them
deli business plan template: operations section
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Financial plan included in our deli business plan template

This section presents the expected financial performance of the deli over the next 3 years.

Our deli business plan example's financial plan is formed of the following subsections:

  1. Start-up funding: in this subsection, we list the cost of each item required to launch the deli
  2. Important assumptions: in this subsection, we explain the methodology and the main assumptions used to build the deli's financial forecast
  3. Sales forecast: in this subsection, we detail the expected revenues and growth rate for our deli in the coming years
  4. Cost structure: in this subsection, we list all the expenses required for our deli to operate smoothly
  5. Projected Profit & Loss statement: in this subsection, we analyse our forecasted P&L and comment on the expected profitability of our deli over the next 3 years
  6. Projected cash flow statement: in this subsection, we analyse the expected cash generation of the deli
  7. Projected balance sheet: in this section we give an analysis of the liquidity and solvability implied from our balance sheet
deli business plan forecasted P&L

Appendices of the deli business plan template

This part provides the opportunity to include multiple financial appendices generated by our software (debt maturity profile, monthly financial statements, financial analysis, etc.).

Our deli business plan template's appendices include:

  1. A Maturity profile chart showing the principal repayments of their loans over the next 3 years
  2. A monthly cash flow forecast: showing how much cash is being generated or consumed each month over the first 3 years of operations
deli business plan template: monthly cash flow forecast

Deli business plan template sample

Executive Summary

Business Overview

Les Sandwiches de Sophie will be a deli located at 45 rue Écuyère in downtown Caen.

Our deli will offer classic French sandwiches, our own sandwich inventions, and a build-your-own-sandwich service, using the wide variety of ingredients available for sale.

The bread available will include baguette, wholemeal bread, and cereal bread. The loaves will be supplied by a local baker and our fresh, quality ingredients will be the main focus of our concept.

In addition to sandwiches, we will also offer salads, alcohol-free drinks and homemade pastries.

Our deli will provide quality food service to working professionals looking for a place to quickly grab lunch, passers-by doing their shopping or visiting the city, and customers of the 11 bars on Rue Écuyère.

Rue Écuyère is located in the heart of downtown, between Place Saint-Sauveur and Rue Saint-Pierre, two of Caen's most popular shopping areas.

The street is very busy, especially due to the many bars, shops and restaurants that attract students, passers-by, and tourists. Crowded on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings when student parties are in full swing, Rue Écuyère is a real city hotspot.

The deli will be a limited company with a capital of €8,000, managed by Sophie C. Thanks to a degree in Team and Quality Management and her 8 years of experience in the quality control team of a sandwich chain, Sophie has the skills required to operate a deli.

Market Overview

Domestic Market

In 2015, 2.26 billion sandwiches were sold in France, an increase of 3.2% over the previous year. In the same year, the market generated total sales of 7.77 billion euros.

According to snacking.fr, sandwiches make up the majority of types of food offered within the fast-food industry - with 42.5% of the types of food being in sandwich form.

Essential in the day-to-day lives of the French, it's impossible to visit a mini-market, deli, bakery, or supermarket without spotting a sandwich.

With an average price of €3.40 per sandwich, as indicated by a study conducted by Gira Conseil, it offers the perfect, budget-friendly lunch option.

There are 25,000 delis in France. With more than 50% of sandwiches sold within this type of establishment, they hold first place as the leading distributor within the sandwich market. Next come supermarkets and bakeries, with 24% and 17.5% market share respectively.

According to a survey carried out by NPD Group in 2018, 60% of daily sandwich sales are made at lunchtime.

French people, who have an average of 31 minutes for lunch, want a relaxed lunch experience that allows them to combine three main criteria: a balanced, homemade, and meat-based meal.

Finding the ideal lunch location depends predominantly on proximity and quality. According to BFM Business, takeaway sales are nothing like they were ten years ago. People are increasingly willing to pay more for a quality sandwich than pick one just because it's cheap.

Local Market

With a total of 108,000 inhabitants and 72,000 in employment, Caen has an affluent city centre.

For those working within more industrial areas, the presence of shopping centres gives them a wide range of restaurants to choose from.

The variety of lunch offers within the city itself depends on the neighbourhood. Residential areas are conducive to take-away lunches in bakeries, whilst the city centre offers a vast choice between fast food outlets, mini-markets, and restaurants.

Financial Highlights

We expect to be profitable in our first year of operation, during which we expect to achieve sales of €154,715 and EBITDA of €6,636 (and 4.29% of margin).

For the second year, we expect to grow by 1.30% to €156,720 in sales and €6,789 in EBITDA (and 4.33% of margin). The improvement in EBITDA margin is mainly due to a better absorption of fixed costs as a result of the increase in sales.

For the third year, we expect growth of 2.86%, with sales of €161,195 and EBITDA of €10,116 (and 6.28% of margin).

We expect positive cash generation over the entire plan. The cash flow generated by the business should enable us to cover loan repayments while maintaining sufficient flexibility to deal with unforeseen events.

Our Ask

The opening of our deli will require an initial investment of €47,000. 

Sophie C. has planned to contribute an amount of €22,000, i.e. 46.80% of the total amount, and we would like to obtain a loan to finance the remaining €25,000.

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Deli Business Plan Template FAQ

What is a deli business plan and do I need one?

A deli business plan is a written document that sets out the commercial, operational and financial objectives of the company over the next 3 to 5 years.

It consists of two main parts:

  • A written part that presents, in detail, your deli business, the team, your strategy, and your medium-term objectives.
  • A financial forecast that highlights the expected profitability of the deli and the initial funding requirements.

The lack of business planning is one of the main reasons why more than 50% of startups fail within 5 years. If you're starting a deli, writing a business plan is a must-have in order to reduce the risk of failure of your project.

Business plans are also required by most lenders and investors in order to secure financing, therefore a business plan is also highly recommended if you're seeking a loan or equity investment for your deli.

How do I write a business plan for a deli and is it difficult?

Writing a deli business plan without The Business Plan Shop can be both error-prone and time-consuming - whether you're new to entrepreneurship or experienced:

  • You'll need to research the structure of a business plan, what to include in each section, and what key elements investors and lenders expect to see
  • You may encounter writer's block (especially if it's the first time you're writing a business plan for your deli)
  • You'll need to create a financial forecast on a spreadsheet which requires a solid understanding of accounting and financial modelling in order to be done without error
  • You'll need to spend hours formatting financial data on Excel or Sheets before it's ready to integrate into your business plan
  • Any updates to your deli business plan or financial forecast will need to be done manually

Luckily for you, The Business Plan Shop's online platform and deli business plan template guide you through every stage of writing a business plan, so that you can spend more time managing and growing your business instead.

Our editor follows a best-in-class structure for professional business plans. Each section and subsection includes examples and instructions to help you, while our business plan templates provide further inspiration if you're stuck.

Our financial forecasting software helps you create a forecast and integrate it into your business plan with ease. Anytime you update your data, your business plan automatically updates.

And with our forecasting software all the calculations are done for you, without errors.

What is the budget for a deli and how much does it cost to get started?

The budget to start and run a deli will depend on the exact concept and location.

If you choose to set up your deli in a suburban location, the cost of renting or purchasing a retail space is typically lower compared to prime urban areas. This can save on startup costs and ongoing rental expenses.

Hiring a web designer to create your website would also increase startup costs considerably. Experienced web designers can create a stylish website that matches your brand's logo and theme and looks a lot better than a normal website.

As an example, in our deli business plan template the total initial funding requirement amounted to €47,000 (c. $50,000 or £40,000), with the founders contributing €22,000 (c. $23,500 or £19,000).

In order to assess the exact budget for your deli idea, you need to do a financial forecast using a financial projection tool such as the one we offer.

Is The Business Plan Shop the best deli business plan template for me?

The package we offer at The Business Plan Shop goes way beyond a simple blank template you need to fill. With our platform you get:

  • Access to one of the best business plan software on the market
  • Access to our deli business plan template which contains a complete example of a written business plan and financial forecast to start a deli
  • Access to our entire business plan templates library - giving you dozens of examples to take inspiration from
  • Access to our financial planning and analysis platform so that you can track the actual performance of your business against what you had planned in your business plan and re-plan easily

But you shouldn't take our word for it: try our solution for free and make your own opinion!

How does the free trial of The Business Plan Shop work?

The free trial enables you to try the software for free during 7 days in order to verify that it meets your requirements before buying.

Some features are limited during the free trial, the main limits are:

  • You can only create one business plan
  • The financials of the first year are visible, but data for other years are hidden
  • You can export your plan in PDF but not in Word or CSV
  • No access to our business plan templates

You can create your account and start your free trial here.

How much does The Business Plan Shop’s deli business plan template cost?

Access to our template is included with all our paid subscriptions.

Please visit our pricing page to learn about this in more detail.

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