How to write a Bar

Business Plan

Executive Summary

When writing business plans for a bar, start with an executive summary. 

Since the executive summary is the first thing potential investors will see, you need to make a strong first impression. 

You can do this by keeping your summary succinct and to the point. But you must also find a way to highlight key points without dragging on. 

Here's an example of an executive summary from our free business plan template:

Each section should include a few sentences, and the entire executive summary shouldn't exceed one page.

There is no list of requirements for what to include in an executive summary. But adding these segments is a plus:

1. Key information regarding your bar
2. Financial highlights
3. Market opportunity and unique selling proposition
4. Funding requirements
5. The current state of operations (if your bar is already in business)
6. Future vision

This part of your bar business plan should serve as an introduction. It should be inspiring enough to make readers interested in the rest of your plan.

The idea is to present your business proposal in an effective manner that will capture the reader's attention.

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Business Description

You can provide more information about your bar in this section.

When describing your bar, you should explain its concept, structure, and unique features. Also, make sure to add the location of your bar, including the address and general area. 

This is where you will provide your mission and vision statement. 

The mission statement defines the purpose and primary objectives of your bar. Your mission can be to become known as a bar that offers exceptional and creative cocktails or simply a unique cultural experience. 

The vision statement should describe the long-term goals and aspirations of the bar. For example: 

To become the go-to destination for sports fans and socialisers in Sydney, known for its outstanding atmosphere and customer experience.

Make sure to write about your short-term and long-term goals as well. 

You can also add a section on critical success factors. These are key elements necessary for your bar to achieve its goals and maintain growth.

If your restaurant is already in business, you can devote a short section to its history. Explain how you started and how your experience affected what your bar has become. 

Market Analysis

This next section is all about the market in which you are launching your business. This is what to focus on:

• Industry and current trends
• Market conditions and demand
• Target customers and key demographics
• Competitive analysis
• SWOT analysis

Your market analysis should offer details on the bar industry, including current trends and market conditions.

Explain the market demand and how your bar will meet these needs. 

This part of your business plan should include a target customer analysis. Describe your primary customer base. Also, provide information on your customers' needs and preferences.

Explain the market demand and how your bar will meet these needs.

Identify other bars in the area that offer similar experiences. Based on this analysis, you can explain what advantages your bar has over the competition. You can present this information like this:

A SWOT analysis can make your bar business more viable. This is where you will list your most important:

1. Strengths
2. Weaknesses
3. Opportunities
4. Threats

All in all, this section should show potential investors that you are ready to launch your bar into the market. 

Organisation and Management

The organisation and management section gives you an opportunity to explain your bar in further detail. 

These are the three elements you need to focus on in this section:

1. Ownership structure: Detail the ownership structure and each owner's role.
2. Management team: Introduce the management team and their qualifications.
3. Staffing plan: Outline the staffing requirements and roles.

List the owners and their ownership percentages. Include brief biographies that highlight their experience and roles in the business.

You can also talk about the legal structure of your bar. For example, sole proprietorship, partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), corporation, etc. 

Next, list your most important employees, starting with the managers. 

Detail the roles and responsibilities of the management team members. You can also provide information about their backgrounds, qualifications, and roles within the bar. 

This can include a general manager, bartenders, bar managers, etc. 

Next, you're going to want to explain your staffing plan. This should include staffing requirements, training, and development. 

Outline the number and types of staff required to operate the bar efficiently. Describe the recruitment process and the training programs that will be implemented to ensure high standards of service.

Another good idea is to provide a visual representation of your organisational structure. This is how we do it:

This chart captures the hierarchy and relationships between different roles.

Products or Services

When it comes to the products or services section, you will be able to present your menu here, similar to restaurant and coffee shop business plans. 

List the offerings available at your bar, including the types of beverages, food items, and any other services. 

This section should bring attention to the uniqueness and appeal of your menu, along with pricing strategies and supplier information. 

As you are opening a bar, the most important part of the menu is the beverages. Make sure to include alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. 

This can include:

• Craft beers
• Wine
• Cocktails
• Spirits
• Mocktails
• Soft drinks
• Hot beverages

Some bars have a food menu as well, so if you plan to serve snacks or appetisers, make sure to include them in your plan.

This section isn't only for food and beverages. You can also list special features. For example, happy hour, themed nights, limited-time offerings, etc.

If you plan to offer signature cocktails, that would be a great addition to this section. Explain what makes your special drinks stand out from others.

You can also include your pricing strategy here. 

When it comes to suppliers, name how you will be getting your beverages. Highlight any commitments to sourcing locally or sustainably.

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Marketing and Sales Strategies

The marketing and sales section is one of the most important aspects of your bar business plan.

Your investors will want to know how you plan on finding and keeping customers. 

A thorough marketing strategy should include the following:

1. Brand positioning
2. Key marketing channels
3. Promotions and special offers
4. Customer experience
5. Success metrics

You can begin by explaining how you will position your bar in the market. This is a great example:

The Huddle Sports Bar will be positioned as the premier destination for sports fans, offering an exciting and friendly environment with top-quality beverages and food.

The next step is to outline key marketing channels, including online and offline channels. This can include social media, email marketing, local advertising, events, sponsorships, etc. 

Describe any promotions or special offers you will use to attract customers.

When it comes to customer experience, focus on providing an exceptional customer experience to encourage repeat business.

Explain which success metrics you will use to measure the success of your bar. 

As for your sales strategy, you must set goals. This includes realistic sales targets for the first year and subsequent years.

Operations Plan

Writing business plans for a bar includes an operations plan.

It involves detailing the day-to-day functions, processes, and systems that will be implemented so the bar runs smoothly and efficiently. 

This section should cover:

• The operational structure
• Hours of operation
• Technology and equipment
• Inventory management
• Quality control measures

The operational structure should include daily operations and management responsibilities. 

Outline the daily tasks and activities required to keep the bar running smoothly. For instance, opening and closing, cleaning, preparing beverages, welcoming customers, taking orders, etc.

Make sure to specify the bar's hours of operation.

Describe the POS system that will be used for transactions and inventory management. Also, list the essential equipment needed for the bar and kitchen.

Devote a short section on inventory management. Explain how inventory will be managed and monitored.

Don't forget to describe the process for ordering supplies and managing relationships with suppliers.

For quality control, you can list all the important standards and procedures to maintain high standards. This can also include safety measures. 

Financial Plan

A financial plan for a bar business plan is as important as any.

The point of this section is to prove your bar's viability and financial health. Here's what to include:

1. A cash flow statement
2. An income statement (profit and loss statement)
3. Balance sheet
4. Startup costs
5. Break-even analysis
6. Funding requirements
7. Funding sources

Here's how you can present an income statement for your bar:

You can create similar tables for other important financial information.

Provide a detailed list of startup costs, including renovations, equipment, and initial inventory.

If you're writing a business plan for funding, the funding requirements table is essential. State the amount of funding needed and how it will be used.

It's also advisable to list potential sources of funding. 

If you don't have any experience in financial planning, we advise you to talk to a professional.

This part of your business plan is very important if you're seeking funds, which is why you should hire someone to help you.

Conclusion

The conclusion is your final chance to make a lasting impression on your readers. 

You can use the conclusion to:

• Express your future vision 
• Note your future milestones
• Summarise your key points
• Reinforce your potential for success
• Reiterate your executive summary
• Add a call to action

The goal is to be persuasive and achieve the purpose of your business plan. If it's to seek funding, we recommend adding a call to action. 

Here's a short example of a conclusion for a bar business plan:

The Huddle Sports Bar is set to become the premier destination for sports fans in downtown Sydney. 

We offer a unique selection of local craft beers, gourmet pub food, and a fun atmosphere. 

Our market analysis shows a growing demand for upscale sports bars, and with our prime location and unique offerings, we are well-positioned to capitalise on this opportunity.

Our experienced management team, combined with a well-structured operations plan, ensures that The Huddle Sports Bar will run smoothly and efficiently. 

With projected revenues of $1.2 million in the first year and a steady growth rate, we anticipate reaching profitability within 18 months and achieving a net income of $720,000 by year three.

Our vision is to create a social hub where sports enthusiasts can enjoy high-quality drinks, delicious food, and exceptional service. We aim to expand our presence and become a beloved fixture in the community. 

We invite you to join us in bringing this exciting vision to life. Your investment will not only support a promising business but also contribute to creating a unique and cherished destination in Sydney.

Appendix

The appendix is optional, but it's ideal if you want to attach supporting documents. 

These can include:

1. Employee resumes
2. Lease agreement
3. Market research data
4. Detailed financial statements
5. Liquor license
6. Health and safety permits
7. Marketing materials

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