How to Open a Bakery: 6 Steps to Success

There’s no shortage of career options once you’ve graduated from a baking and pastry school. Depending on the direction you want to take, you might be prepared to work for a restaurant or catering company, run your own food truck, or consider opening a bakery.

Baking is a huge industry in the United States. And according to Future Market Insights, the global bakery products market size is projected to reach over $354 billion by 2032!

If you’re wondering how to open a bakery, following these steps can give you a good start.

1. Determine Your Product Niche
   If you’re thinking of opening a bakery, you’ll want to make sure your product stands out in the crowd. Take time to do some market research—either informally or professionally—to figure out the product line that will appeal to your market and underscore your strengths and skills.

Do you want to focus on wedding cakes or cookies? Doughnuts or savory pastries? Will you cater to a kosher market or perhaps go gluten-free? One of the best ways to determine your specialty is by assessing what you most enjoyed during your training or education.

Students enrolled in Escoffier’s baking & pastry program can explore the fundamentals of baking, as well as business concepts such as menu design, restaurant management, and cost control. Towards the end of the program, students can also secure an industry externship to gain hands-on experience in the kitchen that may mirror their future work in the industry.

This pivotal experience in culinary school might help you get laser-focused on your niche and your brand. It can give you the leg-up you need over the competition when opening a bakery.

2. Consider Location, Location, Location
   It probably seems like obvious advice, but really scrutinize the size and demographic of your desired location to make sure your market is a match. Be optimistic…and also realistic. Think about your plan for growth and whether you desire to stay small and mighty. If you want to expand, consider how you might acquire more resources to support this expansion, such as more ovens, bigger refrigeration units, and a larger staff.
3. Raise the Dough. Like any other start-up, launching a bakery won’t be cheap. The process of securing the capital you need to start your business can be extensive, so it’s a good idea to get started as early in the process as possible. Additionally, check out your local Chamber of Commerce or small business association. There are sometimes start-up grants or tax incentives for new businesses. These organizations can also prove to be very helpful in connecting you with local businesses that may look to partner with your new bakery or even local investors who want to support businesses within the community.
4. Get Your Permits
   Check in with your city planning department and ask questions. Any food service establishment will need special permits and licenses, and typically you’ll need to get an inspection from the Health Department.
5. Equip Your Facility
   Baking certainly requires specialized equipment. You may need to consider your baking specialty—are you making cakes, cookies, or croissants? You’ll also need to consider the size of your facility—can your space hold industrial-sized fridges, freezers, mixers, and ovens, as well as cooling racks and display cases. Find out what you need, what you can fit, and where to obtain this equipment. To stay within budget, many budding bakery owners might scour the internet for secondhand equipment that’s still in relatively good condition.
6. Build Your Team
   Finally, you may need to hire employees to help you run your shop. This task in itself can require a lot of time, consistent job marketing, interviewing, and follow-up communication, and typically some trial and error. One key—and we can’t stress this enough—is to start small, ensuring that you can support the salaries of anyone you hire. The last thing you want to do is overestimate what you’ll be bringing in and end up having to let go of the people you just hired.

Take the Next Step to Open a Bakery

Opening your own bakery is no small feat. Each of these steps requires grit and determination. But beyond that, having foundations of knowledge in writing business plans, networking, and of course, baking itself, can significantly impact the success of your future operation.

Escoffier’s degree and diploma programs in the baking and pastry arts or food entrepreneurship can help you further explore how to open a bakery and potentially turn your dream into a reality.