appendices for business plan

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix

Overlapping files, folders, charts, graphs, and documents. Represents the information included in a business plan appendix.

Candice Landau

4 min. read

Updated March 4, 2024

While not required, a well-structured business plan appendix goes a long way toward convincing lenders and investors that you have a great business idea and a viable business.

This article will cover what to include in your appendix and best practices to make it a useful part of your business plan .

What is a business plan appendix?

A business plan appendix provides supporting documentation for the other sections of your business plan .

The appendix typically comes last and includes any additional documents, spreadsheets, tables, or charts that don’t fit within the main sections of your plan.

What goes in the appendix of a business plan?

In general, here is some of the information you might include in your business plan appendix:

Charts, graphs, or tables that support sections of your business plan
Financial statements and projections
Sales and marketing materials
Executive team resumes
Credit history
Business and/or personal tax returns
Agreements or contracts with clients or vendors
Licenses, permits , patents, and trademark documentation
Product illustrations or product packaging samples
Building permit and equipment lease documentation
Contact information for attorneys , accountants, and advisors

You may include some, all, or none of these documents in your appendix. It depends on your business needs and who you share your business plan with.

Similar to your executive summary , adjusting what’s in your appendix may be helpful based on the intended audience.

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

Business plan appendix best practices

Here are a few tips to help you create an appendix that supports your business plan.

Make it easy to navigate

If your appendix is more than a few pages long or contains a variety of documents, you may want to consider adding a separate table of contents.

Don’t forget security

If you share confidential information within the business plan appendix, you will also want to keep track of who has access to it.

A confidentiality statement is a good way to remind people that the content you share should not be distributed or discussed beyond the agreed parties. You can include it as a separate page or as part of your business plan cover page .

Make the appendix work as a separate document

Given that the appendix is the last part of the business plan, it’s quite likely your readers will skip it.

For this reason, it’s important to ensure your business plan can stand on its own. All information within the appendix should be supplementary.

Ask yourself: if the reader skipped this part of my plan, would they still understand my idea or business model ? If the answer is no, you may need to rethink some things.

Connect the appendix to sections of your business plan

Make sure that anything you include in the appendix is relevant to the rest of your business plan. It should not be unrelated to the materials you’ve already covered.

It can be useful to reference which section of your plan the information in your appendix supports. Use footnotes, or if it’s digital, provide links to other areas of your business plan.

Keep it simple

This is good general advice for your entire business plan.

Keep it short.

You don’t need to include everything. Focus on the relevant information that will give your reader greater insight into your business or more detailed financial information that will supplement your financial plan.

Free business plan template with appendix

Remember, your appendix is an optional supporting section of your business plan. Don’t get too hung up on what to include. You can flag documents and information you believe are worth including in your appendix as you write your plan .

Need help creating your business plan?

Download our free fill-in-the-blank business plan template with a pre-structured format for your appendix.

And to understand what you should include based on your industry—check out our library of over 550 business plan examples .

Business plan appendix FAQ

How do you write an appendix for a business plan?

Gather relevant documents like financial statements, team resumes, and legal permits. Organize them logically, possibly mirroring your business plan’s structure. If long, include a table of contents, ensure each item is relevant, and focus on keeping it simple. If you’re sharing sensitive information, add a confidentiality statement.

Why is a business plan appendix important?

An appendix provides supporting evidence for your business plan. It keeps your main plan more concise, enhances credibility with additional data, and can house all-important business documents associated with your business.

What additional information would appear in the appendix of the business plan?

The following can appear in your appendix:

Financial projections
Marketing materials
Team resumes
Legal documents (like permits and patents)
Product details (like prototypes and packaging)
Operational documents (like building permits)
Professional contact information.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Candice Landau is a marketing consultant with a background in web design and copywriting. She specializes in content strategy, copywriting, website design, and digital marketing for a wide-range of clients including digital marketing agencies and nonprofits.

Start stronger by writing a quick business plan. Check out LivePlan

Table of Contents

What goes in the appendix?
Best practices
Free template

6 Min. Read

How to Write Your Business Plan Cover Page + Template

10 Min. Read

How to Write a Competitive Analysis for Your Business Plan

How to Set and Use Milestones in Your Business Plan

How to Write the Company Overview for a Business Plan

The Bplans Newsletter

The Bplans Weekly

Subscribe now for weekly advice and free downloadable resources to help start and grow your business.

We care about your privacy. See our privacy policy .

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

What is an Appendix in a Business Plan?

Appendix is an optional section placed at the end of a document, such as a business plan, which contains additional evidence to support any projections, claims, analysis, decisions, assumptions, trends and other statements made in that document, to avoid clutter in the main body of text.

What is Included in an Appendix of a Business Plan?

Appendix commonly includes charts, photos, resumes, licenses, patents, legal documents and other additional materials that support analysis and claims made in the main body of a business plan document around market, sales, products, operations, team, financials and other key business aspects.

The appendix is the perfect place to showcase a wide range of information, including:

Supporting documentation: References and supporting evidence to substantiate any major projections, claims, statements, decisions, assumptions, analysis, trends and comparisons mentioned throughout the main body of a business plan.
Requested documentation: Information, documents or other materials that were specially requested by the business plan readers (e.g., lenders or investors) but are too large to place in the main body of text.
Additional information: Any other materials or exhibits that will give readers a more complete picture of the business.
Visual aids: Photos, images, illustrations, graphs, charts, flow-charts, organizational charts, resumes.

After reviewing the appendices, the reader should feel satisfied that the statements made throughout the main body of a business plan are backed up by sufficient evidence and that they got even fuller picture of the business.

How Should You Write a Business Plan Appendix? (Insider Tip)

The fastest way to pull the Appendix chapter together is to keep a list of any supporting documents that come to mind while you are in the process of writing the business plan text.

For example, while writing about the location of your business, you may realize the need for a location map of the premises and the closest competitors, demographic analysis, as well as lease agreement documentation.

Recording these items as you think of them will enable you to compile a comprehensive list of appendix materials by the time you finish writing.

Remember to keep copies of the original documents.

Template: 55 Business Plan Appendix Content Samples

For your inspiration, below is a pretty exhaustive list of supporting documentation that typically gets included in the business plan appendix. But please do not feel like you have to include everything from the list. In fact, you definitely shouldn’t!

The purpose of the appendix is to paint a fuller picture of your business by providing helpful supporting information, not to inundate yourself or the readers of your business plan. So, take care to only include what is relevant and necessary .

Company Description

1. Business formation legal documents (e.g., business licenses, articles of incorporation, formation documents, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements)

2. Contracts and legal agreements (e.g., service contracts and maintenance agreements, franchise agreement)

3. Intellectual property (e.g., copyrights, trademark registrations, licenses, patent filings)

4. Other key legal documents pertaining to your business (e.g. permits, NDAs, property and vehicle titles)

5. Proof of commitment from strategic partners (e.g., letters of agreement or support)

6. Dates of key developments in your company’s history

7. Description of insurance coverage (e.g. insurance policies or bids)

Target Market

8. Highlights of relevant industry and market research data, statistics, information, studies and reports collected

9. Results of customer surveys, focus groups and other customer research conducted

10. Customer testimonials

11. Names of any key material customers (if applicable)

Competition

12. List of major competitors

13. Research information collected on your competitors

14. Competitive analysis

Marketing and Sales

15. Branding collateral (e.g., brand identity kit designs, signage, packaging designs)

16. Marketing collateral (e.g., brochures, flyers, advertisements, press releases, other promotional materials)

17. Social media follower numbers

18. Statistics on positive reviews collected on review sites

19. Public relations (e.g., media coverage, publicity initiatives)

20. Promotional plan (e.g., overview, list and calendar of activities)

21. List of locations and facilities (e.g., offices, sales branches, factories)

22. Visual representation of locations and facilities (e.g., photos, blueprints, layout diagrams, floor plans)

23. Location plan and documentation related to selecting your location (e.g., traffic counts, population radius, demographic information)

24. Maps of target market, highlighting competitors in the area

25. Zoning approvals and certificates

26. Detailed sales forecasts

27. Proof of commitment from strategically significant customers (e.g., purchase orders, sales agreements and contracts, letters of intent)

28. Any additional information about the sales team, strategic plan or process

Products and Services

29. Product or service supporting documentation – descriptions, brochures, data sheets, technical specifications, photos, illustrations, sketches or drawings

30. Third-party evaluations, analyses or certifications of the product or service

31. Flow charts and diagrams showing the production process or operational procedures from start to finish

32. Key policies and procedures

33. Technical information (e.g., production equipment details)

34. Dependency on third-party entities (e.g., materials, manufacturing, distribution) – list, description, statistics, contractual terms, rate sheets (e.g., sub-contractors, shippers)

35. Risk analysis for all major parts of the business plan

Management and Team

36. Organizational chart

37. Job descriptions and specifications

38. Resumes of owners, key managers or principals

39. Letters of reference and commendations for key personnel

40. Details regarding human resources procedures and practices (e.g., recruitment, compensation, incentives, training)

41. Staffing plans

42. Key external consultants and advisors (e.g., lawyer, accountant, marketing expert; Board of Advisors)

43. Board of Directors members

44. Plans for business development and expansion

45. Plan for future product releases

46. Plan for research and development (R&D) activities

47. Strategic milestones

48. Prior period financial statements and auditor’s report

49. Financial statements for any associated companies

50. Personal and business income tax returns filed in previous years

51. Financial services institutions’ details (name, location, type of accounts)

52. Supporting information for the financial model projections, for example:

Financial model assumptions
Current and past budget (e.g., sales, marketing, staff, professional services)
Price list and pricing model (e.g., profit margins)
Staff and payroll details
Inventory (e.g., type, age, volume, value)
Owned fixed assets and projected capital expenditure (e.g., land, buildings, equipment, leasehold improvements)
Lease agreements (e.g., leases for business premises, equipment, vehicles)
Recent asset valuations and appraisals
Aged debtor receivable account and creditor payable account summary
Global financial considerations (exchange rates, interest rates, taxes, tariffs, terms, charges, hedging)

53. Debt financing – documentation regarding any loans, mortgages, or other debt related financial obligations

54. Equity financing – capital structure documentation (e.g., capitalization table, 409A, investor term sheets, stock and capital related contracts and agreements)

55. Personal finance – information regarding owners’ capital and collateral (e.g., Personal Worth Statement or Personal Financial Statement, loan guarantees, proof of ownership)

What is bibliography?

A bibliography is a list of external sources used in the process of researching a document, such as a business plan, included at the end of that document, before or after an Appendix. For each source, reference the name of the author, publication and title, the publishing date and a hyperlink.

What are supporting documents included in a business plan appendix?

Supporting documents in a business plan appendix include graphs, charts, images, photos, resumes, analyses, legal documents and other materials that substantiate statements made in a business plan, provide fuller picture of the business, or were specifically requested by the intended reader.

Get more articles just like this straight into your mailbox.

What should you include in your business plan appendices?

entrepreneur deciding what documents to include in their business plan appendices section

So you're crafting a comprehensive business plan for your business but you are not sure about what should go in the main body of the document and what should go in the appendices? You're in the right place.

Our guide helps you decide what should go in appendices so that you can complete your business plan. Ready? Let’s get started!

In this guide:

What is the objective of the appendices section of your business plan?

What information should i include in the appendices section of my business plan.

How long should the appendices section of your business plan be?
Best tips for business plan appendices
Example of appendices in a business plan

The primary objective of the appendices section is to offer proof or supporting documentation for key claims of your business plan.

This section gives readers the ability to learn more about particular facets of your company or to check the data used to make claims. It also enables you to keep the body of your business plan to the point and clutter free.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

The Business Plan Shop's Business Plan Software

The appendices section is strategically placed at the end of the business plan to increase the validity and substance of your proposal.

You could include any of the following in this section of your business plan:

Additional financial records

While your business plan already contains substantial financial data, including additional material can offer further insight to potential investors and financial institutions:

Inventories
Asset valuations
Credit profile synopsis
Historical tax filings
Exisiting loan contracts

Monthly financial statements

It’s likely that only the yearly figures will be shown in the financial plan section of your business plan which means that if the reader wants to look deeper into the monthly figures, this has to be included in the appendices.

You can also include historical monthly management accounts if you have them.

Organizational overview and team details

You could also include further information about your management team and the business structure by covering:

A visual representation of your business’ organizational structure
Details about your corporate structure (list of subsidiaries and percentage owned, share certificate, certificate of incorporations, etc.)
Curriculum vitae (CV) of the members of your management team
Floor plans of your premises

management team CVs that can be included in the appendices section of any business plan

Legal documentation

Legal documents are frequently included in business plan appendices. These help demonstrate your business’ reliability to your readers and may include:

Incorporation papers
Permits, trademarks, licenses, and patents
Shareholder agreements
Rental agreements and leases
Vendor contracts
Equipment specifications

Market data & competitive analysis

Businesses that face intense industry competition may need to provide additional information. You could provide in-depth information about your competitors, including their strengths, weaknesses, market share, and positioning.

You could also include market research data or industry reports that back up your analysis.

Images of products and services

Including images of your products and services in the appendices section provides a visual representation that helps stakeholders better understand what your business offers.

Words alone sometimes fall short in conveying your products or services unique features, design, and value

Visuals can also bridge communication gaps and make it easier for your audience to grasp complex concepts (for example, if you were a technological business producing goods).

Potential investors, partners, and other stakeholders can quickly comprehend the nature of your products or services by viewing images, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of your business proposition.

Other supplementary resources

There are many additional resources that you can add. These help the reader in understanding the specifics of your business:

Expanded marketing collateral
Complementary financial analysis
Architectural renditions for properties

How long should the appendices section of your business plan be?

The length of the appendices section in your business plan is flexible and should be guided by the principle of providing only pertinent and meaningful information. While there is no set limit, this section typically spans from a few pages to around 20 pages.

Remember to only include items that really help the reader understand your business plan and concept. Appendices should not be confused with a dataroom which comes later in the investment process and has strong confidentiality protections in place which business plans often lack.

Think about who will read your plan. Some stakeholders, like investors or lenders, might prioritise financials. Others, like partners or staff involved in your business, might care more about contracts or market research.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

The Business Plan Shop has dozens of business plan templates that you can use to get a clear idea of what a complete business plan looks like.

The Business Plan Shop's Business Plan Templates

Tips for your business plan appendices

By adhering to a few simple yet effective practices, you can ensure that your appendices section adds value and clarity to your business plan. Let's discuss these best practices in more detail:

Create a table of contents

If your appendices section is lengthy and involves a range of documents, consider including a well-structured table of contents. This helps readers locate specific information swiftly, resulting in a smoother reading experience.

Include a confidentiality statement

Protecting sensitive information included in your business plan appendices, such as credit history records or legal documents, is essential.

Include a confidentiality statement to remind readers of the private nature of certain documents. This acts as a gentle yet firm directive, underlining the need for discretion and permission before sharing or discussing confidential data.

Remember that, unless you signed a non-disclosure agreement with the recipient (which is extremely rare), there is no garantee that your business plan won't end-up in the hands of a competitor. Avoid sharing sensitive proprietary files, and if needed ask advice from a qualified lawyer.

Example of appendices in a business plan

Below is an example of how the appendices section of your business plan might look like. As you can see, it includes a maturity profile and a monthly breakdown of the cash flow forecast.

The Business Plan Shop's online business planning software: appendices section

This example was taken from one of our business plan templates .

Crafting a concise and compelling business plan is vital in obtaining funding from banks or investors. Utilising your business plan appendices helps provide depth without overwhelming the document body.

It also underlines your commitment to business and should, therefore, be included in any business plan.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

Business Model vs. Business Plan
7 tips for writing an effective business plan

Know someone who needs help writing up the appendices section of their business plan? Share this article with them and help them out!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Create a convincing business plan

Assess the profitability of your business idea and create a persuasive business plan to pitch to investors

The Business Plan Shop | Business Plan Software

500,000+ entrepreneurs have already tried our solution - why not join them?

Not ready to try our on-line tool ? Learn more about our solution here

Need some inspiration for your business plan?

Subscribe to The Business Plan Shop and gain access to our business plan template library.

Need a professional business plan? Discover our solution

Write your business plan with ease!

It's easy to create a professional business plan with The Business Plan Shop

Want to find out more before you try? Learn more about our solution here

Investor Business Plan
SBA Business Plan
L1 Visa Business Plan
E2 Visa Business Plan
EB-5 Visa Business Plan
Strategic Business Plan
Franchise Business Plan
Call our business plan experts:
Schedule Free Consultation

What Are Appendices in a Business Plan? A Complete Guide

A comprehensive business plan is significant for all investors or business dreamers in the competitive business world. It serves as a roadmap to business success and gives entrepreneurs the right direction to follow at every critical stage of their venture. Similarly, one of the sections in a business plan has its place due to adding an essence to your plan. It is called “Appendices”. Do stick around to learn what are appendices in a business plan.

What are appendices in a business plan?

Appendices in a business plan are additional documents or materials that provide supplementary information to support the main content of the plan and appear as the final section. It validates that you have a robust business plan with detailed data, supporting documentation, charts, graphs, legal documents, resumes of key team members, and any other relevant information that is supposed to be presented outside the main body. It intends to enhance credibility through visuals, legal documents, and other supporting documentation, which is necessary for investors, stakeholders, or lenders to fully understand the business and its viability.

Importance of Appendices

As we know, an executive summary provides a snapshot of your overall plan, whereas including a well-rounded section, such as a business plan appendix, serves as the cherry on top, exuding a sense of professionalism and preparedness that should not be ignored and must be kept digestible.

Ensure you have added anything in the appendix that is relevant to the rest of your business plan. It should be separate from the materials you’ve already covered elsewhere.

You are referencing the portion of your strategy that the data in your appendix supports can be helpful. If your business strategy is digital, include connections to other sections or use footnotes. If you need to learn how to do this, you can get assistance from a Professional business plan writer .

Your appendix is an optional supporting section of your business plan and does not necessarily need to be included.

However, this section may become an opportunity for you to score extra points and solidify the quality of your business plan design.

For instance, Immigration business plan writer in our company are highly experienced and promise to deliver a business plan that guarantees meeting all the requirements of USCIS. For Business plan writing cost , you can visit our website now.

Let’s further discuss each component one by one.

The common material that you can include in the appendices section of a business plan are described below.

Financial Statements : Like presenting financial projections, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow descriptions. Market Research : In-depth market research data, surveys, and reports provide insights into the industry, target market, and competition. Supporting Documentation : Any legal documents such as contracts, patents, licenses, permits, or other necessary paperwork relevant to the business. Resumes : Detailed resumes or profiles of prominent team members, including founders, executives, and advisors. Charts and Graphs : Visual data demonstration, such as market trends, sales projections, or organizational structure. Product or Service Information : Describe specifications in detail, designs, or technical information about the business’s products or services.

Examples of some information to add within appendices in a business plan

Here is some information you might include in your business plan appendix. Although it depends on your business plan’s niche requirements, a wide variety of items can prove beneficial for supporting your business plan. Such as

Charts, graphs, or tables
Financial statements and projections
Sales and marketing materials
Executive team resumes
Business and/or personal tax returns
Agreements or contracts with clients or suppliers
License, permits, patents, and trademark documentation
Product packaging samples
Building permit and equipment lease documentation
Contact numbers for attorneys, accountants, and advisors

You can include any of them in your appendix, depending on your business needs and to whom you demonstrate your business plan.

To craft a Strategic Business Plan and E2 visa business plan , what you should gather and include based on your industry—contact our team to help you through its process.

Although, our team of experts also offer Investor Business Plan services that will increase your chances of getting funded.

How to Create Effective Appendices

By meticulously organizing additional information and presenting it in the appendices, here are a few tips that will help you fit the information more appropriately in its position and assist you in catching potential investors, investors and stakeholders ‘ attention. Avoid Procrastination- Try to gather important material at hand as early as possible. You shouldn’t wait until your plan is complete, and then you start gathering your resources, as it will be time-consuming and slow down your process.

Be Mindful to cover all details – Ensure that you add relevance and coherence to the main body of the business plan; otherwise, you may go unnoticed.

Add references to locate relevant information within the section- Many organizations must pay attention to your business plan to ensure that you’re legitimate; therefore, include connections to other sections or use footnotes to avoid overloading with unnecessary details.

Keep your appendix simple and attractive – making every section count by organizing it in the same order is essential. It will serve as a guide to help locate information quickly, while the primary focus should be to ensure the plan is attractive.

Follow consistency in formatting and presentation – Another thing is to maintain the flow with a complicated mess; your readers will undoubtedly make negative assumptions if they find exaggeration and the table of contents split.

Above all is about appendices and how creating appendices can complement and supplement your main content. You should keep a balance between detail and brevity in the appendices. These additional resources you are attaching to your business plan profile should be authentic, up-to-date, well-organized, clearly labeled, and referenced appropriately within the main body of the business plan.

The appendix doesn’t just complement your strategy, it elevates its credibility and persuasiveness, reassuring your supporters that you mean business and are ready to conquer the market with confidence and authenticity.

Moreover, contact us if you’re seeking a franchise business plan writing service that can provide a comprehensive business plan that aligns with your business needs.

Q1: What type of information should be included in the appendices?

A1: Following are the type of information that should be included in your business plan appendix:

Charts, graphs, or tables that support sections of your business plan
Business and personal tax returns
Agreements or contracts with clients or vendors
License, permits, and patents

Q2: Are appendices necessary for every business plan?

A2: Not really, appendices are optional, so if you want to complement your plan, go ahead.

Q3: How should the appendices be organized within the business plan?

A3: Here is the format that generally is followed in the appendices section.

Table of Contents
Confidentiality Statement
Short & Simple

Q4: Are there any best practices for formatting appendices?

A4: Appendices should be formatted in traditional paragraph style and may feature text, figures, tables, equations, or footnotes.

Q5: How many appendices should a typical business plan include?

A5: These appendices typically include financial projections, resumes of key team members, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant materials.

Get a Free Consultation Now

For free Consultation, please make an appointment with us by filling in the details here and Clicking on the “Submit” button. We will contact you within 24 Hours.

Confidentiality of your information is our foremost priority.

I Agree to get e-mails from BPlanWriter.

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

Everything You Need to Know about the Business Plan Appendix

After taking time in writing a business plan , you want it to be read. That means the body should be no more than 15 pages in length. That’s where the business plan appendix comes in!

The appendix in a business plan is a supplementary section that contains additional information and supporting documents, such as charts, graphs, financial statements, market research, and legal papers, which complement the main body of the plan.

Although the final section of a comprehensive business plan, the appendix is an integral part of your plan. For example, suppose you are using your business plan to attract investors. In that case, the additional documents in the appendix will provide greater insight and can help convince your potential investors that you’ve got a solid business concept. You’ve done the research necessary to support the claims and forecasts included in the other sections of your plan.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the business plan appendix so that you can start developing a great appendix for your business plan.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

What is a Business Plan Appendix?

The appendix is used to provide supporting documentation for key components in your business plan, such as financial statements or market research.

The appendix is also a great place to put any other tables or charts you didn’t want to put in the main body of the business plan. Depending on the intended audience of your business plan, you may also want to include additional information such as intellectual property documentation, credit history, resumes, etc.

What is the Purpose of the Business Plan Appendix?

The purpose of the appendix is to provide supporting documentation or evidence for key components in your business plan. While you may include charts in graphs in the body of your plan, these should be summary projections, while the fully detailed charts and tables would be found in the appendix.

How to Write the Business Plan Appendix for Your Company

Several supporting documents should be included in the appendix:

Full Financial Projections

Business plans used to raise capital or loan applications will typically need more detailed projections, including monthly, quarterly and/or annual cash flow statements, balance sheets, and income statements.

Customer Lists

This can be helpful for companies looking to expand their market presence and reach new customers or clients, as well as those who are considering investing capital into your business.

Customer Testimonials

Testimonials from your current customers are a great way to help other investors and lenders feel more confident in investing or loaning money to your business. You can include online reviews, letters, personal email communications, etc.

Intellectual Property Documentation

This should be included if you have any patents or trademarks registered and might also be helpful if you are using any technologies that other businesses have patented.

Management Team

This can include organizational structure, job descriptions, resumes, certifications, advanced degrees (i.e., Master’s degree in a specialized area), etc., that will help establish the expertise and experience that supports your business’s success.

Leases & Customer Contracts

Businesses need to comply with all leases and customer contracts before seeking investors. You may include rental agreements, copies of key agreements, sample customer contracts, etc.

Building & Architectural Designs

Businesses looking to build or expand their operations will need access to building plans, architectural drawings, permits, etc.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

Quickly & easily complete your business plan: Download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template and finish your business plan & financial model in hours.

Some small business owners may also include the following documents in the appendix:

Company History and Background

Businesses with a lot of competition in their industry will need to include more detail. Business plans for major businesses should have the company history section last so that you can provide additional information about your competitors or other companies that are relevant to your business plan. Businesses planning on using their business plan as an internal document can use less detail here.

Market Analysis

Your market analysis should include relevant information about how you defined your industry, potential customers and competitors, etc. Include any identifiable risks and assumptions based on your market research.

Individual & Business Credit History

If you don’t have much experience with business credit or borrowing, it might be worth adding a short explanation of your current and past financing use, including your tax returns and incorporation papers. This is especially helpful if you plan to apply for a loan through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Marketing Materials & Plan

For some entrepreneurs, the marketing section of the business plan only provides a brief overview of their marketing strategy. Attaching the complete Marketing Plan in the appendix section of a business plan helps your reader understand if you’ve thought through your target audience, where you should target your marketing efforts, and how you will advertise to them to expand awareness of your brand and sales of your products and/or services.

Best Practices for Your Business Plan Appendix

Table of Contents : If you are including several documents in the business plan appendix, include a table of contents for your reader’s easy reference.
Confidentiality Statement : If you include credit history documents, intellectual property diagrams or applications, or any other legal documents with confidential information, have a Confidentiality Statement within the appendix to remind your readers that they are not to share or discuss the information within your plan without your written consent.
Short & Simple : This business plan section is likely to be skipped unless your reader is looking for specific information to support a claim in your business plan. Think about your intended reader and only include what is necessary to help make your request (e.g., business partner proposal, raise funding, etc.) and support your business plan.

As a business owner, you want to keep your business plan short so that it gets read. The Business Plan Appendix is a great way to include additional information about the preceding sections without adding to the length of your document.

At Growthink, we have 20+ years of experience in developing business plans for a variety of industries. We have 100+ business plan examples for you to use as a guide to help you write your business plan. You can also get our easy-to-use business plan template to help you finish your plan in less than one day.

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Other Resources for Writing Your Business Plan

How to Write an Executive Summary
How to Expertly Write the Company Description in Your Business Plan
How to Write the Market Analysis Section of a Business Plan
The Customer Analysis Section of Your Business Plan
Completing the Competitive Analysis Section of Your Business Plan
How to Write the Management Team Section of a Business Plan + Examples
Financial Assumptions and Your Business Plan
How to Create Financial Projections for Your Business Plan
Business Plan Conclusion: Summary & Recap

Have Questions? Looking To Get Started?

Your Name *
Email Address *
Phone Number

How can we help you?

Get in touch with us or visit our office

We earn commissions if you shop through the links below. Read more

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix?

Back to Business Plans

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on September 13, 2023 Updated on December 12, 2023

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix?

Launching a business involves countless tasks, and one of the crucial early hurdles is writing a business plan. Many entrepreneurs who aren’t looking for funding think they can skip this step, but that’s never a good idea.

A sharp business plan is essentially a business owner’s commitment to and preparation for the road ahead, and if you’re seeking funding from an investor or lender, having a comprehensive appendix of documents that support your plan can really provide a boost.

But what documents should you include? Lucky for you, this guide explains the key elements of a business plan appendix.

The Role of the Appendix in the Business Plan

In your business plan, you likely made many claims about various aspects of your business, and the appendix provides documentation to back up those claims.

Of course, if your reader actually gets to your appendix, you’ve done well and captured their interest. Be sure to only include documents that support your business plan claims.

Components of the Business Plan Appendix

The following components should be included if you have them, which depends on the stage of your business.

1. Financial Projections

In the body of your business plan, you summarized your financial projections and mentioned the highlights, but your appendix should provide your full financial calculations and spreadsheets.

These should include:

Profit and Loss Statement , also known as an income statement. This shows projected revenue and lists all costs, which are then deducted to show net profit or loss.
Cash Flow Statement. This shows how much cash you have on hand at any given time. It will have a starting balance, projections of cash coming in, and cash going out, which will be used to calculate cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.
Balance Sheet. This shows the net worth of the business, which is the assets of the business minus debts. Assets include equipment, cash, accounts receivables, inventory, and more. Debts include outstanding loan balances and accounts payable.

Provide monthly projected versions of each statement for the first year, then annual projections for the following two years. You should also include a chart of your break-even analysis.

If you’ve already been running your business and have made sales, include your financial statements to date.

2. Market Research and Analysis

If you have charts and graphs that support the market analysis of your business plan, include those as well. Also include any market information, such as market reports, that you used to do your market analysis.

Provide documentation about your target market , such as its size and demographics. If you’ve made a detailed profile of your target customer, create an infographic and include it as well.

3. Intellectual Property Documentation

If you have a patent, trademark , or copyright, include documentation of that intellectual property. Investors tend to appreciate patents, and will likely want to see them.

Include a brief history of when and how you obtained the patent or other intellectual property and how it benefits your business.

4. Legal Documents

Include your business entity documents, such as your articles of organization if you’ve formed an LLC, and your operating agreement . If you have agreements with suppliers or vendors, you can also include those. Documentation of any licenses and permits you’ve obtained should also be included, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to your business.

5. Resumes and Professional Biographies

Attach the resumes of founders and managers here or create professional biographies. Be sure to include all relevant experience, education, and achievements. Investors are very interested in the management team’s ability to execute the plan, so don’t skip this part.

6. Marketing Plan

If you’ve already created a full marketing plan, which is a good idea, include it here as well. How you’re going to get your product to market is critical, so having a detailed marketing plan will support the marketing summary in your business plan .

7. Customer Contracts

If you’re fortunate enough to have secured large customer contracts, include those as well.

8. Product Illustrations

If your product is in development, include an illustration of the design. If you’re manufacturing the product, provide an illustration of the manufacturing process.

Tips for Creating a Strong Business Plan Appendix

There are a few things to keep in mind when putting together your business plan appendix.

Be selective and relevant – don’t overload the reader with too much information.
Include anything that highlights the key points of your business plan.
Be clear and concise. Keep your documents short and to the point.
Use illustrations such as infographics and charts when possible.

If you’ve written a business plan that captures a potential investor’s interest enough to keep them reading all the way to the end, you’ve done great work. Now give them the cherry on top with a fantastic appendix that provides all the documentation to support your plans’ primary assertions.

Keep it relatively short, but make it strong enough to make the reader a true believer. With any luck, you’ll get the funding you need to put your business on the road to serious success!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Featured resources.

Crafting the Perfect Business Plan: A Deep Dive with Upmetrics’ Vinay Kevadiya

Carolyn Young

Published on October 13, 2023

In the first segment of our conversation with Vinay Kevadiya, the visionary behind Upmetrics, we explored the platform’s origins and itsunique ...

LivePlan Software Review

Published on September 15, 2023

When you’re starting a business, a business plan is essential whether you’re going to obtain financing or not. Creating a business plan helpsyou ...

5 Best Business Plan Software

Published on March 7, 2023

Starting a business requires completing countless tasks, and a key early hurdle is writing a business plan. Entrepreneurs who aren’t looking forfu ...

No thanks, I don't want to stay up to date on industry trends and news.

Sample Plans
WHY UPMETRICS?

Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

400+ Sample Business Plans

Customers Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Strategic Canvas Templates

E-books, Guides & More

Business consultants

Entrepreneurs and Small Business

Accelerators and Incubators

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai pitch deck generator

Stratrgic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works →

Small Business Tools

Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Strategic Planning

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix Section

Free Business Plan Template

Ayush Jalan

December 12, 2023

So you’ve successfully written a business plan for your startup. You’ve followed a business plan template and covered all the important sections as mentioned and made changes according to your unique business. Good job! But now what? Now it’s time to add the final section of your business plan: The appendix.

A business plan appendix contains all the additional documents or supporting data that you couldn’t include in the main sections of the business plan .

An appendix is necessary if an investor or a bank asks for specific information that might not fit well in any of the main sections’ formats.

Although it’s not a compulsion to add an appendix to your business plan, the latter is still incomplete without it.

An appendix essentially supports the claims you have made in your business plan in the preceding sections. As a consequence, it also helps leverage potential investors and stakeholders.

Why Do You Need a Business Plan Appendix?

A business plan appendix helps the reader get a closer look at your business. This is an opportunity for you to include any relevant information that can help you score extra points. The following are some of the reasons why you need an appendix in your business plan:

When you apply for a loan, banks can sometimes ask for specific documents such as a personal or business credit history. These usually don’t fit into the format of a generic business plan. You can include these in your appendix section.
If you wish to include additional information about your products or services like charts or tables, this is a good place. This will give readers a greater insight into your business ideas , marketing process, etc.

What Can You Include in a Business Plan Appendix?

The appendix can include almost anything that you feel is relevant to your business plan. That said, you don’t need to present every last detail of your business.

What to include in a business plan appendix

To give an idea of what you might want to include, we have put together a list of items. Take a look.

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

1. Supplementary information

Here, you can include additional information to support and expand whatever you have mentioned in other sections of your business plan. These will help the reader better understand the specifics of your company.

Charts, graphs, and tables
Marketing material
Market research
Competitor information
Illustrations of products
Property designs

2. Legal Documents

Business plan appendices usually include legal documents . These will protect your business and establish to your readers that you are trustworthy. You can include documents that are relevant or act as evidence of the information or claims present in your business plan. Some of these legal documents are:

Incorporation papers
Licenses, permits, patents, and trademarks
Important contracts
Pending contracts
Leases and rental agreements
Vendor agreements
Equipment documentation

3. Organizational and Personnel Details

In the appendix section, you can also include your organizational process and details of the people involved in your company. These will let the reader have a peek into the workings of your company and the people behind it:

Organizational chart
Executive members’ resume
Affiliates such as attorneys, accountants, etc.

4. Additional Financial Documents

Your business plan already consists of ample financial information. But in case you need to attach any extra documents, you can include them in this section of your business plan. You may also need to include some exclusive documents for your investors and banks. Some of them are:

List of assets within the business
Credit history
Tax returns
Spreadsheets of financial projections

5. Achievements, Testimonials, and News Stories

You can also include information that advocates your company’s credibility. This helps the reader to trust your products, and therefore, your brand too. Some of them are:

Media and press clippings
Customer or expert endorsements
Awards and achievements

Protect Sensitive Data via Business Plan Appendix

Businesses must protect their documents and intellectual information stringently to avoid any theft. Even though a business plan as a whole is a classified document, the appendix part of your business plan can further contain more sensitive and confidential information.

FYI, in case you haven’t yet created a confidentiality statement for your business plan , it is time you do so. A confidentiality statement protects the contents of the document and avoids misuse of your information. It also helps you manage who gets to have access to the information.

Make the Business Plan Appendix Optional

Your business plan appendix is an auxiliary section of your business plan. This indicates that your business plan should be able to convey everything you aim to, without the support of an appendix. This can be a bit tricky to actualize but needs to be done nonetheless.

While making a business plan , you must keep in mind all the possibilities. The reader will probably skip some parts of the plan. Most probably, the appendix. So it’s advisable that it doesn’t contain any major details and that skipping it should not make a big difference.

In other words, you must draft your business plan such that even if the reader skips the appendix, they should understand the contents without feeling like you failed to mention an important piece of info.

Win over Investors with a Business Plan Appendix

We know that it can be quite exhausting to draft an elaborate business plan. And more often than not, the appendix is easily the one neglected. But it can also be a great opportunity to let your readers know that you are indeed serious about your business idea.

Build your Business Plan Faster

with step-by-step Guidance & AI Assistance.

About the Author

Ayush is a writer with an academic background in business and marketing. Being a tech-enthusiast, he likes to keep a sharp eye on the latest tech gadgets and innovations. When he's not working, you can find him writing poetry, gaming, playing the ukulele, catching up with friends, and indulging in creative philosophies.

How to Write a Business Plan Complete Guide

How to Design a Cover Page for a Business Plan?

How to Prepare a Financial Plan for Startup Business (w/ example)

Reach your goals with accurate planning.

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Popular Templates

If you still have questions or prefer to get help directly from an agent, please submit a request. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please fill out the contact form below and we will reply as soon as possible.

Business Management & Operations
Strategy, Entrepreneurship, & Innovation

Business Plan - Appendices

Appendices to the Business Plan

Written by Jason Gordon

Updated at August 5th, 2023

Marketing, Advertising, Sales & PR Principles of Marketing Sales Advertising Public Relations SEO, Social Media, Direct Marketing
Accounting, Taxation, and Reporting Managerial & Financial Accounting & Reporting Business Taxation
Professionalism & Career Development
Law, Transactions, & Risk Management Government, Legal System, Administrative Law, & Constitutional Law Legal Disputes - Civil & Criminal Law Agency Law HR, Employment, Labor, & Discrimination Business Entities, Corporate Governance & Ownership Business Transactions, Antitrust, & Securities Law Real Estate, Personal, & Intellectual Property Commercial Law: Contract, Payments, Security Interests, & Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Insurance & Risk Management Immigration Law Environmental Protection Law Inheritance, Estates, and Trusts
Business Management & Operations Operations, Project, & Supply Chain Management Strategy, Entrepreneurship, & Innovation Business Ethics & Social Responsibility Global Business, International Law & Relations Business Communications & Negotiation Management, Leadership, & Organizational Behavior
Economics, Finance, & Analytics Economic Analysis & Monetary Policy Research, Quantitative Analysis, & Decision Science Investments, Trading, and Financial Markets Banking, Lending, and Credit Industry Business Finance, Personal Finance, and Valuation Principles

What is the Appendix to my Business Plan?

Material that adds to the business plan, but doesn't belong in the body. The appendices allow you to include valuable information to your business plan that does not fit neatly within the body of the plan. Generally, it is used to include exemplars of the material or information that is referenced within the business plan but does not need to be included in the body. You can include material that will serve a functional purpose in the business or that evidence key relationships. Generally, you can include any outside information necessary to support the propositions or assumptions within the business plan.

Please enable JavaScript

Back to: Entrepreneurship

Consider including the following information or materials in the appendix of the business plan.

Marketing Material (Advertising) - The ability to drive sales is a critical part of the business plan. Providing samples of marketing material can provide an understanding of the brand that you are attempting to build around your product or service.
Primary and Secondary Research - In order to effectively market your product (and establish a brand) you have to understand your target market. Further, you will need market estimates in order to accurately evaluate the market potential and potential profit from pursuing the venture. This material should support the figures that you introduce within the business plan.
Designs or Property Layout Material - Perhaps you have designs, artwork, facility plans, etc., that provide a picture of your intended venture location, buildings, image. This can help third parties to understand your vision.
Important Contracts - Providing proof of key contracts (such as leases, supplier contracts, etc.) add substance to otherwise seemingly hypothetical plans. Again, this will provide comfort to potential their-party investors.
List of Key Assets - Providing a list of key assets within the business plan would be too large and cumbersome. While you will include the collective value of the assets within the plan, it may be a good idea to attach an itemized index for review. This can help in budget planning.
Organization Chart and Employee Backgrounds - Within the business plan you provide a concise background of your employees and an organizational chart. Here, can provide a more in-depth background on your key employees and their curriculum vitae. If you have many other employees, you may want to provide their backgrounds, key roles, and responsibilities.
Customer or Expert Endorsements - Customer or expert endorsements can serve as excellent credibility for your product/service. While you will mention these or provide brief quotations within the business plan body, you may wish to include the entirety of the endorsement or letter within the appendix.

Business Plan Section 9: Appendix

The appendix section of your business plan provides information to support the 8 preceding sections. Here’s how to organize the appendix.

By now, we hope you’ve read through our series on business planning and have reached this final installment, which is what to include in Business Plan Section 9: Appendix. Think of your business plan as the narrative that tells the story, while the appendix is where you put the factual information that supports it. The appendix fleshes things out with details that help corroborate and support the plan you have presented.

Maybe you’re wondering why, if each of the preceding sections is covered so thoroughly, you even need an appendix. Why wouldn’t you just include all the information in the appropriate section? The appendix makes the rest of the plan easier to read, without taking a detour for credentials and corroboration.

In addition, your business plan can serve several different functions, and each requires a different set of documentation. Your plan can serve as a roadmap for your internal planning purposes only, it can be a recruitment tool for employees or investors, or it can support a request for funding from a financial institution. Each of these would require different documentation, and in many cases, you might not want to share some of the information with everyone. Having an appendix allows you to insert and remove items depending on who will be reading your plan.

What Goes Into Business Plan Appendix?

Again, not everything might need to be shown to everyone who reads your plan, but here is a full list of items you might want to prepare for your appendix:

Credit histories for both the business and its owners
Business and personal tax returns
Resumes of the owners and key management
Photos of your products or their prototypes
Samples of marketing materials, logos, and mockup ads
Reference letters from business associates and community leaders
Details of your market research studies
Information about your competitors
Press clippings about you and the business
Any relevant news articles on your product or industry
Legal documents such as your incorporation papers, shareholder certificates, etc.
Copies of patents, permits or licenses you hold
Copies of your property and equipment leases or rental agreements
Contact info for your professional staff, including your accountant and attorney
Contracts for current or future work
Spreadsheets and documentation for financial projections

The appendix will be the final section of your business plan, and just as with every other part, take the time to meticulously prepare these supporting materials, especially if you’re presenting the information to a potential lender or investor . The care and thoroughness you put into your backup documents will be a big clue to your readers about your general approach to business and could help sway opinion one way or the other.

The Small Business Administration suggests keeping a record of who has copies of your plan and what items you’ve included in the appendix. That way, you can update items as necessary. Do keep tight control over who you distribute it to. You may want to consider having your readers sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, or NDA, to help protect the confidentiality of your information. SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, has a free template on its website.

And again, because of the highly privileged nature of some of what you’re providing, be very particular who you share what with. Creditors will likely need to have access to all of your documentation, but more casual readers, who might just want a bit of information about your business, don’t need to see the appendix at all, or at most, just a few select items.

How to Organize a Business Plan Appendix

Because the documents substantiate the information presented in your business plan, it’s best to keep them in the same order as they are referred to in the plan. If you have more than a few pages of documentation in the appendix, start with a table of contents page that lists each section of the business plan, broken up with letters or Roman numerals; then list each item you’ve included in the appendix for that particular section.

This will make it easier to refer to the items as you need to in the plan. For example, when you talk about your planned advertising campaign in the Sales and Marketing section, you can refer to “Appendix, Section IV” for copies of what the ads may look like.

If the appendix contains a lot of material, you can also consider using tabs to break it up, which will make it even easier to locate things. Have each document clearly labeled so readers will know exactly what they’re looking at when they refer to them, and make sure your copies are high quality, clear and legible. Do not include original documents.

Business Plan Recap

Don’t rush through the work of putting your business plan together. Whether it’s for your own use or a lender has asked for it, the information it contains and the work you do to put it together will be extremely valuable to the success of your company. It does take a lot of time and effort to research and write a solid plan, but it will come back to you in spades.

A business plan follows a specific format, so follow the guidelines we’ve set out for you in the following articles:

Business Plans 101
Section 1: Business Plan Executive Summary
Section 2: Business Plan Company Description
Section 3: Business Plan Organization and Management
Section 4: Business Plan Products and Services
Section 5: Business Plan Market Analysis
Section 6: Business Plan Sales and Marketing
Section 7: Business Plan Funding Request
Section 8: Business Plan Financial Plan
Section 9: Business Plan Appendix

If you’ve already read the series, you’ve heard this before: it’s imperative to always keep your audience in mind. Your goals for what you want the business plan to accomplish will dictate who your audience is, and the information you present will be shaped by that.

Finally, remember the importance of presentation. This is a reflection on you and your business, so make sure it represents you well. Proofread and check for errors in grammar and spelling. Consider hiring a writer or editor if you’re not particularly skilled with words. The business concept is yours, but a professional can help you articulate it in a way you may not be able to.

Use a standard business font for the body copy so that it’s easy to read, and be judicious in your use of italics, underlining, and bold. Business News Daily offers links to several free templates you can check out. You can follow one to put your plan together or just look at them for ideas that might work for you. There is also software available that can walk you through the process.

Have the plan printed on good paper and bind it in some fashion, whether into a booklet, in a high-quality binder or spiral binding. Add a cover with the name of your business and make sure to have your contact information easily available. Include a cover letter with the plan, because it may get passed around to other people who aren’t as familiar with your venture.

Remember the old adage, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” Make yours count.

Next Article: 5 Tips for Sticking to Your Business Plan

Apply for a loan, get started.

Loans from $5,000 - $100,000 with transparent terms and no prepayment penalty. Tell us a little about yourself, your business and receive your quote in minutes without impacting your credit score.

Thanks for applying!

Loans are originated and funded through our lending arm, Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development. By clicking “Continue to Application,” you consent to, Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy ; and to receive emails, calls and texts , potentially for marketing purposes, including autodialed or pre-recorded calls. You may opt out of receiving certain communications as provided in our Privacy Policy .

What Is an Appendix in a Business Plan?

Small Business
Business Planning & Strategy
Business Plans
')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

Steps to Writing a Business Proposal

What are the components of a good business plan, how to simply write a business plan for a loan.

3 Types of Business Documents
How to Format a Business Plan in Writing

It's doubtful that Violet Fane was referring to an appendix in a business plan when she wrote that “all things come to those who wait.” After all, Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie – as she was formally known – was an English poet who made her mark in the late 1800s. Then again, small-business owners wrote business plans during her lifetime, and her oft-repeated phrase captures almost perfectly the bounty of information that can be found at the very end of what is usually a lengthy document.

">For the Body, Stick to Your Business Plan

While you're not obligated to include an appendix in your business plan, it's difficult to imagine a plan without one. This is the section that includes all the supporting documents that will substantiate, clarify and help your readers visualize points that you make in your business plan.

These documents are crucial, but they make up the very last section of a business plan for good reason: Tucking them into the actual business plan could distract your readers from the primary points you're trying to make in the body of your report. As ancillary information, they would interrupt the natural flow of the narrative.

An Appendix in a Business Plan Affords Choices

Emphasize the best accomplishments and most notable achievements of your management team in this section of your business plan. Then, at some point early in this section, you can place a parenthetical reference to the inclusion of their resumes. For example: “See Appendix, page XX, for management team resumes.”

This way, your business plan will stand on its own merits. The reader can decide for himself whether to:

Keep reading the business plan, uninterrupted. Stop reading the plan temporarily so he can jump to the pertinent page in the appendix. Read the entire appendix, or parts of it, when he is done reading the business plan.* Skip the appendix altogether.

Skipping Should Be an Option

As difficult as this last scenario may be to contemplate, the possibility definitely exists. As the business plan creator – The most important thing to remember – is that you fulfill your role to the best of your ability: You must present a thoughtful, comprehensive business plan that anticipates and addresses the reader's questions.

The reader should be able to skip the appendix without encountering any gaps in understanding. The information he will find there is intended to be supplementary – not perfunctory.

The reader may also be guided by his interests or motivations – and will make his decision accordingly. For example, an attorney may actively read the appendix to scour patent and trademark information. A lender may not find this information as compelling as a business' credit history. In this instance, the appendix could end up being the very first thing he reads.

Consider Business Appendix Examples

When an appendix is thoughtfully and creatively presented, it can be the most entertaining part of a business plan, exactly as Lady Mary had suggested.

Content should always be your guide, just as surely as you should include copies rather than original documents in the appendix. Consider your options, which depend on the content in your business plan:

Building permits.
Charts and graphs.
Competitor information.
Credit reports.
Equipment documentation.
Incorporation papers.
Leases or rental agreements.
Legal documents.
Letters of recommendation.
Licenses, permits, trademarks and patents.
List of business affiliates, such as your accountant and attorney.
Marketing reports and studies.
Pending contracts.
Pictures or illustrations of your product line.
Press clippings, feature articles and other media coverage.
Spreadsheets.
Tax returns.
Vendor agreements.

Streamline the Appendix in Your Business Plan

If your appendix becomes robust – say, more than 10 pages long – it might be helpful to create a table of contents on a preceding page to guide your readers through it. And if you're worried about confidentiality, it might be wise to include a privacy statement that reminds readers that they are not authorized to distribute copies of your business plan to third parties.

All good things may indeed come to those who wait – or at least those who ask for permission first.

The Phrase Finder
U.S. Small Business Administration: Write your business plan
Bplans: What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix

Mary Wroblewski earned a master's degree with high honors in communications and has worked as a reporter and editor in two Chicago newsrooms. Then she launched her own small business, which specialized in assisting small business owners with “all things marketing” – from drafting a marketing plan and writing website copy to crafting media plans and developing email campaigns. Mary writes extensively about small business issues and especially “all things marketing.”

How to write the management team section of a business plan, why is an effective business plan introduction important, what does "abridged" mean on a business plan, what is an executive summary business plan, what are the major parts of a business letter, how to write an executive summary on a marketing plan, final summary for a marketing plan, how to write a preface for a business plan, what is the importance & purpose of a business plan, most popular.

1 How to Write the Management Team Section of a Business Plan
2 Why Is an Effective Business Plan Introduction Important?
3 What Does "Abridged" Mean on a Business Plan?
4 What Is an Executive Summary Business Plan?

What Is an Appendix in a Business Plan?

by M.T. Wroblewski

Published on 22 Aug 2019

Some small-business owners seem to know what they're talking about. It's tempting to ask them to rate their pain on a scale of 1 to 10, as in "Just how painful was it for you to write your business plan?" Chances are, you're not going to like their answers.

Since entrepreneurs are creative thinkers, try upending the paradigm by telling them you've come up with an ingenious way to ease the pain, write a comprehensive business plan and even feel gratified by the insights you've uncovered: Talk your way through the plan and reserve the background information for the appendices.

Appendices Can Be Fun to Read

At first glance, this may not seem to be a revolutionary idea. An appendix is that fun section in the back of a report or book that contains supporting documentation – anything and everything that could derail the flow of the content. Charts, graphs, plats of a survey, financial statements and resumes from your right-hand people are examples of supporting documents in a business plan. They're natural fits for an appendix, which is where readers look for information that amplifies, clarifies, illustrates and otherwise shows them what you mean.

When readers choose to thumb to the appendix in a business plan is a matter of preference that underscores why it may help to think of an appendix as an adjunct to your business plan, capable of standing on its own and, perhaps, preceded by its own table of contents.

Based on your experience with flipping through appendices, you may know there are several ways to consult the contents:

Read the business plan, and when prompted, flip to the specified page in the back before returning to the business plan.
Read the business plan from start to finish, ignoring prompts to "see Appendix, page XX" for more information.
Read the business plan from start to finish and then read the appendix in the same manner.

Think of Your Business Plan as a Story

Of course, you may be unconcerned with how readers peruse your business plan; you just want to get through it. Since you're facing the prospect of a 25- to 100-page project, it may seem less daunting to talk your way through it.

Viewing your business plan as the story of your business makes more than practical sense. It may help prepare you for the marketing outreach efforts that lie in your future. Consumers like to read and share stories, and the story of your business vision is probably one you can tell in a compelling way.

As an entrepreneur, chances are that you're highly verbal and articulate – skills that lend themselves well to either:

talking and writing your way through the business plan simultaneously.
forgoing the actual writing to focus on the narrative, recording the story and then having someone else transcribe the tape.

Focus on a Sensible Format

Either way, without having to worry about what to do with all that supporting documentation, you are free to focus on the structure of the business plan, following a the business plan sample format recommended by the U.S. Small Business Administration:

Part 1: Introduction (including the executive summary)
Part 2: Market analysis
Part 3: Company description
Part 4: Product or service
Part 5: Management and organization
Part 6: Sales and marketing strategies
Part 7: Financial information
Part 8: Investments and/or funding requests

Take a Tip From Your Talk

As you talk (or dictate), you may find easy ways to "bookmark" inclusions for the appendix as you find yourself:

Stopping to elaborate on the information
Referring to documents to jog your memory or make a point
Going off on a tangent, as everyone is prone to do

The chances are good that this is the type of information you should set aside for the appendix to round out your business plan and greatly reduce your personal pain at the same time.

When you finish writing your business plan, you want it to make sense when someone, probably an investor or a shareholder in your business, reads it. That’s where the exhibits and appendices section comes in!

Often overlooked, the appendix section is an integral part of any business plan. Let’s imagine you are writing your business plan to woo some investors. In that case, the quality of the exhibits and appendices section in your plan will matter a lot.

The appendix offers your target readers great insights about your plan. Ideally, you should use this section to convince the investors that you have a robust business concept.

If you want your potential investors to take your business concept seriously you must invest a lot of time and research to prepare a great exhibits and appendices section for your business plan.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to complete a convincing exhibits and appendices section in a business plan.

Key Takeaways

Before completing the exhibits and appendices section in a business plan, think of what you want to achieve with your plan. This way, you know what supporting documents to include
Key documents to include in this section are financial statements – cash flow, income statements, balance sheets, and general financial projections, market analysis, company information and background, and marketing materials and plan
Provide detailed documentation to make it easy to convince any reader to take the desired action
Add a table of contents for ease of navigation from one section to the other

What Is a Business Plan Exhibits and Appendices Section?

The appendix, which is the last part in a business plan, offers supporting documentation for critical components in your plan. For instance, here you include any market research analysis you’ve done and financial statements.

Additionally, if there are any charts and tables, you should capture them in the exhibits and appendices section.

You can, as well, include other information in this section such as resumes, credit history, and intellectual property documentation. However, the limit of what to capture in the appendix section should be informed by the audience you are targeting.

What’s the Purpose of the Exhibits and Appendices Section in a Business Plan?

The exhibits and appendices section in a business plan has a defined purpose. It offers evidence and supporting documentation for your business concept.

For instance, while you can include charts and graphs in the body of your business plan, they are best captured in detail in the exhibits and appendices section.

How to Complete the Exhibits and Appendices Section in a Business Plan?

Now that you know the importance of having an appendix section, the next step is learning how to complete it successfully.

The most important success factor when completing a business plan appendix is knowing what goes into this section.

Here are some of the supporting documents to include in this section:

1. Financial Projections

If you are writing a business plan for loan applications or raising capital, you better have clear and strong financial projections. Include detailed monthly, quarterly and annual cash financial projections in the appendix section.

The most critical financial information to focus on here include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

2. List of Customers

When preparing a business plan for expansion purposes, you will need to include a list of customers. Such information gives a potential investor and shareholders a clear snap chat of your present clientele base.

3. Market Analysis

Analyzing the target market is a critical step when preparing a business plan. Whether you are starting out or expanding, you need a clear understanding of the market you are entering . Include all the relevant information about your market in the appendix section.

Some of the aspects to consider here include a clear definition of the industry, a brief description of the potential customers and competitors.

Additionally, add any potential risks you might have identified during the market research. Such information helps you make the right decisions towards achieving the set goals.

4. Marketing Materials and Plan

How do you plan to market your business concept? What materials will you need? The exhibits and appendices section is a great place to expand the marketing section you have already covered in your plan.

Here, you need to attach a detailed marketing plan. It helps convince your readers that you have a clear understanding of your target audience, where to put marketing efforts, as well as how you intend to create awareness of your business concept.

Best Practices When Completing the Exhibits and Appendices Section in a Business Plan

Crafting a successful exhibits and appendices section isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Here are a few best practices to guide you as you complete the appendix section in your business plan:

Include a table of contents : When the appendix section covers several documents, it is advisable to include a table of contents. This way, it helps a reader access the different sections easily.
Confidentiality Statement : where you include legal documents, intellectual property applications or diagrams, and credit history documents, ensure that you have a Confidentiality Statement. It reminds anybody reading the business plan that they should not share or disclose such information with your consent.
Short and Simple : You have covered a lot of information about your concept in the other sections of the business plan. Ensure that you keep this section as short and simple as possible. However, it is important to provide all the necessary information to support your business plan.

Final Thoughts

As a business owner, you want to write a business plan that gets read and convinces the readers –whether they are investors or shareholders – to take some action. The exhibits and appendices section is a great place to make this possible by including all the necessary information to back up any claims in the preceding sections of your business plan.

Whereas it is important to keep the appendix section as short as possible, it is equally necessary to ensure that it covers enough documents to support your business concept. Are you stuck writing the exhibits and appendices section in your business plan? Leave us a comment below.

Apply as a Writer
Privacy policy
Terms of use
SBA business plans
Non-profit business plans
Startup business plans

Customer Reviews
Net 30 Account
Wise Services
Steps & Timeline
Work at a Glance
Market Research at a Glance
Business Plan Writing Services
Bank Business Plan
Investor Business Plan
Franchise Business Plan
Cannabis Business Plan
Strategic Business Plan
Corporate Business Plan
Merge and Acquisition Business Plan (M&A)
Private Placement Memorandums (PPM)
Sample Business Plans
Professional Feasibility Study
PowerPoint Presentations
Pitch Deck Presentation Services
Business Plan Printing
Market Research
L-1 Business Plan
E-2 Business Plan
EB-5 Business Plan
EB-5 Regional Centers
Immigration Attorneys
Nonprofit Business Plan
Exit Business Planning
Business Planning
Business Formation
Business License
Business Website
Business Branding
Business Bank Account
Digital Marketing
Business Funding Resources
Small Business Loans
Venture Capital
Net 30 Apply

Frequently Asked Questions
Business Credit Cards
Talk to Us 1-800-496-1056

What to Include in a Business Plan Appendix

Get our business plan professional services now.

A business plan appendix is the last section that includes all the details that didn’t have a place in the business plan.

What is Included in a Business Plan Appendix?

Detailed financial projections, customer feedback, intellectual property details, key people & management, lease, contracts, and agreements, market analysis, credit history and credit score, marketing plan details, suggested resources for writing a business plan.

An appendix business plan can be short or lengthy. What goes into an appendix depends on the type of business plan and your goal of writing the business plan.

For example, suppose you are writing a business plan to attract investment. In that case, the appendix may include greater details of the financial projections, and information about your personal or business credit score.

Here, we will discuss appendix meaning in the business plan, what goes into a business plan appendix, how to create an appendix in the business plan, and the best practices you should follow.

You might be wondering how to write a business plan appendix. We have made it easy for you. Put data for each of these business sections and your business plan appendix is ready.

You have included the income statement, balance sheet, and P&L statement in the business plan. Investors and lenders might be interested in knowing more about the expected financials of your business.

Add financial reports for intervals like a quarter, bi-annual, or annual.

Access our free business plan examples now!

Free: income statement template.

Create a financial statement for your franchise business by downloading our free income statement templates.

Are you an old player in the market and people have already used your products or services? You can include the feedback or review of some of your evangelists in the appendix section of a business plan.

Customer feedback shows the value your product or service offers and the problem it solves. It can also increase your chances of getting investment for your business idea.

If your business has any intellectual property rights, this is the place to add them. You may have a patent, a trademark, a brand name, or a license. Add the verifiable details of your business intellectual property here.

The people section in your business plan included only the top management/owners. Here, you can mention the people with execution skills who are not among the top management but necessary for business success.

You can also add employees’ CVs here. Some investors look at a company’s key people to see if they can make the business idea a financial success. If you have a strong team, show them here.

Some businesses get into contracts with suppliers and vendors in the beginning before they apply for funding. If you are one of them, include any contracts or agreements here.

Did you conduct thorough research on the potential market for your business? The business plan couldn’t host your full market analysis but the appendix can.

Include charts, presentations, documents, or anything else from your market analysis here. You can put all the data you have about your target market in the appendix. Give it a try!

Lenders may be interested in knowing your credit history to see if it is safe to give you a credit line. You can add credit reports here. This will help you build a good rapport with the lenders and may help you secure business credit.

No Credit History and Looking to Build Business Credit?

if you are a small business and looking to buide business credit, Here is a step by step guide on how to build your business credit fast by credit experts.

Many businesses create a very detailed marketing plan. Since you have limited space available in the business plan, an appendix is a place to add your marketing plan details.

Interested in checking the business plan appendix example? See our sample business plan for inspiration.

How to write a company overview for a business plan
How to write a market analysis for a business plan?
How to write products and services section of business plan
How to write an operational plan in business plan?
How to write management team section in business plan
How to write the financial section of a business plan
How to write the marketing plan in business plan

Get our professional business plan services now!

The business plan appendix may include documents such as resumes of key team members, market research data, financial statements, legal agreements, permits and licenses, product or service brochures, and any additional supporting documents relevant to the business.

Not all supporting documents need to be included in the business plan appendix. Include documents that are essential for understanding and validating the information presented in the main body of the business plan.

Organize the documents in the business plan appendix in a logical and coherent manner. Consider using numbered sections or tabs to make it easy for readers to locate specific documents.

Yes, including a table of contents for the business plan appendix can help readers navigate through the various documents and sections. It provides a quick overview of what is included in the appendix.

The business plan appendix is typically included as a separate attachment to the main business plan document. This allows readers to focus on the core content of the business plan while having easy access to the supporting documents in the appendix.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Quick Links

Investor Business Plans
M&A Business Plan
Private Placement
Feasibility Study
Hire a Business Plan Writer
Business Valuation Calculator
Business Plan Examples
Real Estate Business Plan
Business Plan Template
Business Plan Pricing Guide
Business Plan Makeover
SBA Loans, Bank Funding & Business Credit
Finding & Qualifying for Business Grants
Leadership for the New Manager
Content Marketing for Beginners
All About Crowdfunding
EB-5 Regional Centers, A Step-By-Step Guide
Logo Designer
Landing Page
PPC Advertising

Business Entity
Business Licensing
Virtual Assistant
Business Phone
Business Address
E-1 Visa Business Plan
EB1-A Visa Business Plan
EB1-C Visa Business Plan
EB2-NIW Business Plan
H1B Visa Business Plan
O1 Visa Business Plan
Business Brokers
Merger & Acquisition Advisors
Franchisors

Proud Sponsor of

1-800-496-1056

(613) 800-0227

+44 (1549) 409190

+61 (2) 72510077

What is a Business Plan
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Mission Statement
Marketing Section
Operating Plan
Management & Staffing Section
Financial Section
Business Plan Tips
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Break-even Analysis
Ratio Analysis
Sensitivity Analysis
Notes to Financials
Financial Budgets
Forecasting Cash Flow
Break-Even Analysis
Operation Issues
Marketing Issues
Licenses, Permits, Inspections & Taxes
Management/Staffing
Financial Issues

Main Menu Items

Home Writing a Business Plan Financial Statements Forecasting Statements Business Checklist

Appendix of a Business Plan

Email a Friend

APPENDICES OF A BUSINESS PLAN

The appendices section of your business plan is used to provide readers with information and documents that support your claims made throughout the business plan. Many entrepreneurs neglect to develop this section, thinking that bankers and other investors will never read it. In realty through, most investors want to see the information sources used by the business plan writer/entrepreneur.

By creating a well organized and thoughtout appendices, you are ultimately enhancing your credibility as a person and an entrepreneur. And you must be a creditable source before an investor will trust you with their money.

The documents placed in your appendices may include, but not restricted to, the following items:

demographic information and statistics,
weighted average selling price calculations,
weighted average product cost calculations,
charts and diagrams to better illustrate and/or compare variables,
sample of advertisements or publicity ads,
partnership agreement (if establishing a partnership),
resumes of each owner and key management personnel,
product pictures, photograph, blue print, etc.....
map of area where your planned business venture will operate,
floor plan of facility or production plant,
detailed budgets for marketing expenses and administrative expenses,
detailed pricing schedule,
patent, copyright, and/or trademark confirmation,
supplier's letters of intent,
clippings from newspapers articles etc, supporting any claims made,
personal credit report of owner(s),
personal balance sheet (assets and liabilities) of owners,
customer letters of intent (customers willing to buy your product),
letters of intent from future shareholders or investors,
survey or questionnaire along with results,
organizational chart,
market research reports,
detailed technical descriptions of product or service,
leasing agreements,
letters patent,
personal references (past employers, banks, other professionals),
consultants reports, and
any other information relevant to your particular business venture.

TWO FINAL NOTES:

- Be sure to make reference, in the body of your business plan, to each appendices item. Don't include a document or other information sources in the appendices just to occupy space. If its needed include it; if it's not needed exclude it.

- Be sure to prepare a table of contents for your appendices. This will provide the reader with a quick view of your appendix items. Organize your appendices' table of contents in the order in which they are referred to in the body of the business plan.

FREE Marketing Guide

About - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Disclaimer - Sitemap - Login - Admin

Sources of Business Finance
Small Business Loans
Small Business Grants
Crowdfunding Sites
How to Get a Business Loan
Small Business Insurance Providers
Best Factoring Companies
Types of Bank Accounts
Best Banks for Small Business
Best Business Bank Accounts
Open a Business Bank Account
Bank Accounts for Small Businesses
Free Business Checking Accounts
Best Business Credit Cards
Get a Business Credit Card
Business Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Build Business Credit Fast
Business Loan Eligibility Criteria
Small-Business Bookkeeping Basics
How to Set Financial Goals
Business Loan Calculators
How to Calculate ROI
Calculate Net Income
Calculate Working Capital
Calculate Operating Income
Calculate Net Present Value (NPV)
Calculate Payroll Tax

12 Key Elements of a Business Plan (Top Components Explained)

Starting and running a successful business requires proper planning and execution of effective business tactics and strategies .

You need to prepare many essential business documents when starting a business for maximum success; the business plan is one such document.

When creating a business, you want to achieve business objectives and financial goals like productivity, profitability, and business growth. You need an effective business plan to help you get to your desired business destination.

Even if you are already running a business, the proper understanding and review of the key elements of a business plan help you navigate potential crises and obstacles.

This article will teach you why the business document is at the core of any successful business and its key elements you can not avoid.

Let’s get started.

Why Are Business Plans Important?

Business plans are practical steps or guidelines that usually outline what companies need to do to reach their goals. They are essential documents for any business wanting to grow and thrive in a highly-competitive business environment .

1. Proves Your Business Viability

A business plan gives companies an idea of how viable they are and what actions they need to take to grow and reach their financial targets. With a well-written and clearly defined business plan, your business is better positioned to meet its goals.

2. Guides You Throughout the Business Cycle

A business plan is not just important at the start of a business. As a business owner, you must draw up a business plan to remain relevant throughout the business cycle .

During the starting phase of your business, a business plan helps bring your ideas into reality. A solid business plan can secure funding from lenders and investors.

After successfully setting up your business, the next phase is management. Your business plan still has a role to play in this phase, as it assists in communicating your business vision to employees and external partners.

Essentially, your business plan needs to be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the needs of your business.

3. Helps You Make Better Business Decisions

As a business owner, you are involved in an endless decision-making cycle. Your business plan helps you find answers to your most crucial business decisions.

A robust business plan helps you settle your major business components before you launch your product, such as your marketing and sales strategy and competitive advantage.

4. Eliminates Big Mistakes

Many small businesses fail within their first five years for several reasons: lack of financing, stiff competition, low market need, inadequate teams, and inefficient pricing strategy.

Creating an effective plan helps you eliminate these big mistakes that lead to businesses' decline. Every business plan element is crucial for helping you avoid potential mistakes before they happen.

5. Secures Financing and Attracts Top Talents

Having an effective plan increases your chances of securing business loans. One of the essential requirements many lenders ask for to grant your loan request is your business plan.

A business plan helps investors feel confident that your business can attract a significant return on investments ( ROI ).

You can attract and retain top-quality talents with a clear business plan. It inspires your employees and keeps them aligned to achieve your strategic business goals.

Key Elements of Business Plan

Starting and running a successful business requires well-laid actions and supporting documents that better position a company to achieve its business goals and maximize success.

A business plan is a written document with relevant information detailing business objectives and how it intends to achieve its goals.

With an effective business plan, investors, lenders, and potential partners understand your organizational structure and goals, usually around profitability, productivity, and growth.

Every successful business plan is made up of key components that help solidify the efficacy of the business plan in delivering on what it was created to do.

Here are some of the components of an effective business plan.

1. Executive Summary

One of the key elements of a business plan is the executive summary. Write the executive summary as part of the concluding topics in the business plan. Creating an executive summary with all the facts and information available is easier.

In the overall business plan document, the executive summary should be at the forefront of the business plan. It helps set the tone for readers on what to expect from the business plan.

A well-written executive summary includes all vital information about the organization's operations, making it easy for a reader to understand.

The key points that need to be acted upon are highlighted in the executive summary. They should be well spelled out to make decisions easy for the management team.

A good and compelling executive summary points out a company's mission statement and a brief description of its products and services.

An executive summary summarizes a business's expected value proposition to distinct customer segments. It highlights the other key elements to be discussed during the rest of the business plan.

Including your prior experiences as an entrepreneur is a good idea in drawing up an executive summary for your business. A brief but detailed explanation of why you decided to start the business in the first place is essential.

Adding your company's mission statement in your executive summary cannot be overemphasized. It creates a culture that defines how employees and all individuals associated with your company abide when carrying out its related processes and operations.

Your executive summary should be brief and detailed to catch readers' attention and encourage them to learn more about your company.

Components of an Executive Summary

Here are some of the information that makes up an executive summary:

The name and location of your company
Products and services offered by your company
Mission and vision statements
Success factors of your business plan

2. Business Description

Your business description needs to be exciting and captivating as it is the formal introduction a reader gets about your company.

What your company aims to provide, its products and services, goals and objectives, target audience , and potential customers it plans to serve need to be highlighted in your business description.

A company description helps point out notable qualities that make your company stand out from other businesses in the industry. It details its unique strengths and the competitive advantages that give it an edge to succeed over its direct and indirect competitors.

Spell out how your business aims to deliver on the particular needs and wants of identified customers in your company description, as well as the particular industry and target market of the particular focus of the company.

Include trends and significant competitors within your particular industry in your company description. Your business description should contain what sets your company apart from other businesses and provides it with the needed competitive advantage.

In essence, if there is any area in your business plan where you need to brag about your business, your company description provides that unique opportunity as readers look to get a high-level overview.

Components of a Business Description

Your business description needs to contain these categories of information.

Business location
The legal structure of your business
Summary of your business’s short and long-term goals

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section should be solely based on analytical research as it details trends particular to the market you want to penetrate.

Graphs, spreadsheets, and histograms are handy data and statistical tools you need to utilize in your market analysis. They make it easy to understand the relationship between your current ideas and the future goals you have for the business.

All details about the target customers you plan to sell products or services should be in the market analysis section. It helps readers with a helpful overview of the market.

In your market analysis, you provide the needed data and statistics about industry and market share, the identified strengths in your company description, and compare them against other businesses in the same industry.

The market analysis section aims to define your target audience and estimate how your product or service would fare with these identified audiences.

Market analysis helps visualize a target market by researching and identifying the primary target audience of your company and detailing steps and plans based on your audience location.

Obtaining this information through market research is essential as it helps shape how your business achieves its short-term and long-term goals.

Market Analysis Factors

Here are some of the factors to be included in your market analysis.

The geographical location of your target market
Needs of your target market and how your products and services can meet those needs
Demographics of your target audience

Components of the Market Analysis Section

Here is some of the information to be included in your market analysis.

Industry description and statistics
Demographics and profile of target customers
Marketing data for your products and services
Detailed evaluation of your competitors

4. Marketing Plan

A marketing plan defines how your business aims to reach its target customers, generate sales leads, and, ultimately, make sales.

Promotion is at the center of any successful marketing plan. It is a series of steps to pitch a product or service to a larger audience to generate engagement. Note that the marketing strategy for a business should not be stagnant and must evolve depending on its outcome.

Include the budgetary requirement for successfully implementing your marketing plan in this section to make it easy for readers to measure your marketing plan's impact in terms of numbers.

The information to include in your marketing plan includes marketing and promotion strategies, pricing plans and strategies , and sales proposals. You need to include how you intend to get customers to return and make repeat purchases in your business plan.

5. Sales Strategy

Sales strategy defines how you intend to get your product or service to your target customers and works hand in hand with your business marketing strategy.

Your sales strategy approach should not be complex. Break it down into simple and understandable steps to promote your product or service to target customers.

Apart from the steps to promote your product or service, define the budget you need to implement your sales strategies and the number of sales reps needed to help the business assist in direct sales.

Your sales strategy should be specific on what you need and how you intend to deliver on your sales targets, where numbers are reflected to make it easier for readers to understand and relate better.

6. Competitive Analysis

Providing transparent and honest information, even with direct and indirect competitors, defines a good business plan. Provide the reader with a clear picture of your rank against major competitors.

Identifying your competitors' weaknesses and strengths is useful in drawing up a market analysis. It is one information investors look out for when assessing business plans.

The competitive analysis section clearly defines the notable differences between your company and your competitors as measured against their strengths and weaknesses.

This section should define the following:

Your competitors' identified advantages in the market
How do you plan to set up your company to challenge your competitors’ advantage and gain grounds from them?
The standout qualities that distinguish you from other companies
Potential bottlenecks you have identified that have plagued competitors in the same industry and how you intend to overcome these bottlenecks

In your business plan, you need to prove your industry knowledge to anyone who reads your business plan. The competitive analysis section is designed for that purpose.

7. Management and Organization

Management and organization are key components of a business plan. They define its structure and how it is positioned to run.

Whether you intend to run a sole proprietorship, general or limited partnership, or corporation, the legal structure of your business needs to be clearly defined in your business plan.

Use an organizational chart that illustrates the hierarchy of operations of your company and spells out separate departments and their roles and functions in this business plan section.

The management and organization section includes profiles of advisors, board of directors, and executive team members and their roles and responsibilities in guaranteeing the company's success.

Apparent factors that influence your company's corporate culture, such as human resources requirements and legal structure, should be well defined in the management and organization section.

Defining the business's chain of command if you are not a sole proprietor is necessary. It leaves room for little or no confusion about who is in charge or responsible during business operations.

This section provides relevant information on how the management team intends to help employees maximize their strengths and address their identified weaknesses to help all quarters improve for the business's success.

8. Products and Services

This business plan section describes what a company has to offer regarding products and services to the maximum benefit and satisfaction of its target market.

Boldly spell out pending patents or copyright products and intellectual property in this section alongside costs, expected sales revenue, research and development, and competitors' advantage as an overview.

At this stage of your business plan, the reader needs to know what your business plans to produce and sell and the benefits these products offer in meeting customers' needs.

The supply network of your business product, production costs, and how you intend to sell the products are crucial components of the products and services section.

Investors are always keen on this information to help them reach a balanced assessment of if investing in your business is risky or offer benefits to them.

You need to create a link in this section on how your products or services are designed to meet the market's needs and how you intend to keep those customers and carve out a market share for your company.

Repeat purchases are the backing that a successful business relies on and measure how much customers are into what your company is offering.

This section is more like an expansion of the executive summary section. You need to analyze each product or service under the business.

9. Operating Plan

An operations plan describes how you plan to carry out your business operations and processes.

The operating plan for your business should include:

Information about how your company plans to carry out its operations.
The base location from which your company intends to operate.
The number of employees to be utilized and other information about your company's operations.
Key business processes.

This section should highlight how your organization is set up to run. You can also introduce your company's management team in this section, alongside their skills, roles, and responsibilities in the company.

The best way to introduce the company team is by drawing up an organizational chart that effectively maps out an organization's rank and chain of command.

What should be spelled out to readers when they come across this business plan section is how the business plans to operate day-in and day-out successfully.

10. Financial Projections and Assumptions

Bringing your great business ideas into reality is why business plans are important. They help create a sustainable and viable business.

The financial section of your business plan offers significant value. A business uses a financial plan to solve all its financial concerns, which usually involves startup costs, labor expenses, financial projections, and funding and investor pitches.

All key assumptions about the business finances need to be listed alongside the business financial projection, and changes to be made on the assumptions side until it balances with the projection for the business.

The financial plan should also include how the business plans to generate income and the capital expenditure budgets that tend to eat into the budget to arrive at an accurate cash flow projection for the business.

Base your financial goals and expectations on extensive market research backed with relevant financial statements for the relevant period.

Examples of financial statements you can include in the financial projections and assumptions section of your business plan include:

Projected income statements
Cash flow statements
Balance sheets
Income statements

Revealing the financial goals and potentials of the business is what the financial projection and assumption section of your business plan is all about. It needs to be purely based on facts that can be measurable and attainable.

11. Request For Funding

The request for funding section focuses on the amount of money needed to set up your business and underlying plans for raising the money required. This section includes plans for utilizing the funds for your business's operational and manufacturing processes.

When seeking funding, a reasonable timeline is required alongside it. If the need arises for additional funding to complete other business-related projects, you are not left scampering and desperate for funds.

If you do not have the funds to start up your business, then you should devote a whole section of your business plan to explaining the amount of money you need and how you plan to utilize every penny of the funds. You need to explain it in detail for a future funding request.

When an investor picks up your business plan to analyze it, with all your plans for the funds well spelled out, they are motivated to invest as they have gotten a backing guarantee from your funding request section.

Include timelines and plans for how you intend to repay the loans received in your funding request section. This addition keeps investors assured that they could recoup their investment in the business.

12. Exhibits and Appendices

Exhibits and appendices comprise the final section of your business plan and contain all supporting documents for other sections of the business plan.

Some of the documents that comprise the exhibits and appendices section includes:

Legal documents
Licenses and permits
Credit histories
Customer lists

The choice of what additional document to include in your business plan to support your statements depends mainly on the intended audience of your business plan. Hence, it is better to play it safe and not leave anything out when drawing up the appendix and exhibit section.

Supporting documentation is particularly helpful when you need funding or support for your business. This section provides investors with a clearer understanding of the research that backs the claims made in your business plan.

There are key points to include in the appendix and exhibits section of your business plan.

The management team and other stakeholders resume
Marketing research
Permits and relevant legal documents
Financial documents

Was This Article Helpful?

Martin luenendonk.

Martin loves entrepreneurship and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs by validating the business idea, finding scalable customer acquisition channels, and building a data-driven organization. During his time working in investment banking, tech startups, and industry-leading companies he gained extensive knowledge in using different software tools to optimize business processes.

This insights and his love for researching SaaS products enables him to provide in-depth, fact-based software reviews to enable software buyers make better decisions.

USF Libraries Hours by campus

Libraries locations.

Libraries Hours
Outages & Maintenance Alerts

RESEARCH TOOLS

Subject & Course Guides
USF Libraries Catalog
Quicksearch All-in-one-search
Citing Sources
Find my Librarian

GUIDES / HOW-TO

Tutorials & Workshops
Finding Books and Articles
Finding Reserves
Checking Out & Renewing
Reserve a Study Room
Additional Help Topics
star Other Services
For Faculty
For Graduate Students
For Undergrads
Requesting Books & Articles (ILL)
Textbook Affordability (TAP)
Library Instruction
Laptop Checkout
Schedule Research Help
Geographic Information Systems
Data Management Planning
Copyright & Intellectual Property
Scholarly Publishing
Other Services

COLLECTIONS

What are Collections?
Special Collections
Digital Collections
Digital Heritage & Humanities
Digital Commons @ USF
Oral Histories
Online Exhibitions
Printing in the Library
IT Help Desk
Digital Media Commons (DMC)
Writing Studio
Office of Development
Office for Undergraduate Research
Directions to the Library
Library Info & Floor Maps
Connect From Off Campus
Renew Materials Online
Check UBorrow Status
Printing Help
Report a Problem
About the USF Libraries

Business Plan & Pitch Presentation

#1. Executive Summary
#2. Description, Objectives, and Product/Services
#3. Market Research
#4. Marketing and Sales Plan
#5. Financial Analysis and Projections
#6. Appendix
How To Pitch Your Business Plan

If deemed relevant, add content to support, confirm, and reinforce conclusions you reach in the business plan. An appendix is where you give greater details about aspects covered in the plan, and you can include specific details regarding market research, technology, location, and so forth.

Appendix content may include, but is not limited to:

Letters of Intent/Key Contracts (to display customer interest/demand)
Endorsements (to reinforce that company is capable and the product or service is desirable)
Resumes of Key Managers (if resumes of key managers are impressive, consider including them)
Technical Information (if using or developing technology, more detailed descriptions can be added here)
Manufacturing information (detailed description of manufacturing process or flow chart describing process)
Floor Plan (layout and use of space, factory, etc.)
<< Previous: #5. Financial Analysis and Projections
Next: How To Pitch Your Business Plan >>
Last Updated: Feb 20, 2024 8:39 AM
URL: https://guides.lib.usf.edu/business_plan

Appendix: A Sample Business Plan

The following business plan for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue was built using Business Plan Pro software. It is for the purpose of illustration and does not represent the full capabilities of the software.

Executive Summary

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has operated for decades in the southern Connecticut shore region. With a tradition of superlative food at fair prices served in a family-friendly atmosphere, the owners now believe it is time to open a second restaurant and expand the production and the distribution of Frank’s signature barbecue sauces. This second restaurant will be in Darien, Connecticut, and will be nearly twice as large, in terms of seating capacity, as the current Fairfield restaurant. The company also plans to ramp up production of its sauces and increase their sales fourfold in the next three years.

The owners of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue and other investors plan to put $160,000 of their own money into the second restaurant and expand the production of the signature sauces. They seek to raise an addition $175,000 from a bank loan that will be repaid in two years.

Vision Statement

To produce the best barbecue food in New England.

Mission Statement

The mission of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is to provide the southern Connecticut shore region with the finest barbecue food in four major regional styles at affordable prices in a family-friendly setting. As we grow, we will never forget and remain faithful to those factors that have made us a success.

Keys to Success

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has been in business for nearly forty years. It has weathered good times and bad times through all types of economic conditions. We have survived because Frank’s has remained committed to several principles.

The only objective of a restaurant is to serve the finest food it can prepare. Good food—not more gimmicks or advertising—brings in customers and, more importantly, keeps customers.
Preparing the finest foods means a commitment to excellence, which means obtaining the best ingredients and a dedication to cooking barbecue properly, which means cooking carefully and slowly .
In addition to providing the finest food, we remain committed to providing excellent service. To us, this means friendly and knowledgeable staff members who make the customers feel like they are dining with family.
We provide the right atmosphere. Our goal is to have a setting that says “barbecue.” We do not provide a fancy setting; our basic setting complements the food we serve.

Company Summary

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has been a highly successful restaurant in Fairfield, Connecticut, for nearly forty years. It was started and is still managed by Frank Rainsford. Its food and sauces have won awards at both regional and national barbecue cook-offs. In addition, Frank’s has been voted the best barbecue establishment in Connecticut numerous times by many local newspapers and magazines.

The management team of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has decided that now is the time to expand to an additional location. After careful analysis, a second Frank’s All-American BarBeQue can and should be opened in Darien, Connecticut. This restaurant will be larger and geared to better tap into the growing premade, take-home dinner market.

In the last few years, Frank’s has been selling its four signature barbecue sauces—Texan, Memphis, Kansas City, and Carolina—in local supermarkets. Although this represents a small portion of overall revenues, sales have been growing at a remarkable pace. This market must be exploited. Preliminary market research indicates that this segment of the business will grow at 20 percent per year for the next five years.

Company Ownership

Presently, Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is a limited liability partnership with Frank Rainsford and his wife Betty as owners. Each has a 50 percent share in the business.

The plans for expansion will bring in capital from three other investors: Robert Rainsford, Susan Rainsford Rogers, and Alice Jacobs. Robert Rainsford and Susan Rainsford Rogers are the son and daughter of Frank and Betty. Both have extensive work experience at Frank’s. Alice Jacobs has been the restaurant’s accountant for over twenty years.

To assist the financing of the expansion, Robert Rainsford and Susan Rainsford Rogers will each invest $50,000, while Alice Jacobs will invest $60,000.

The new limited liability partnership will result in the investors holding the following equity percentages:

Company History

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue was founded in 1972 by Frank Rainsford. Although a native New Englander, Frank learned about cooking barbecue while serving in the US Air Force. During his twelve years of service, he traveled across the country and learned about the four major styles of American barbecue—Texas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Carolina. His plan was to introduce people in southern Connecticut to real barbecue that entailed high-quality meats properly cooked and smoked over an appropriate length of time.

In the beginning, Frank’s All-American BarBeQue was a small facility; it could seat about thirty people. It was located near the Fairfield railroad station and was the first full-service barbecue restaurant in Fairfield. Frank’s placed an emphasis on featuring the food; it had a highly simplified decor where the tables were covered with butcher paper, not linen tablecloths. The restaurant was an immediate hit, received considerable local press, and won several food awards. This success enabled Frank’s to move to a larger facility in Fairfield on the town’s main thoroughfare—Boston Post Road. The new location was a midsize restaurant of about eighty seats. Frank has built this location into a relatively successful and locally well-known enterprise. It has been at the present location since the early 1980s. It shares a parking lot with several other stores in the small mall in which it is located.

Frank’s has won many awards at regional and national barbecue cook-offs (for both the food and the sauces), which is unusual for a barbecue business in New England. The restaurant has been written up, repeatedly, in the local and New York papers for the quality of its food and its four signature barbecue sauces. In the last few years, Frank’s has sold small lots of these sauces in local supermarkets. They have been distributed because of Frank’s personal connections with the store managers. Frank Rainsford has been approached by a major regional supermarket to sell his sauces. The supermarket is willing to find a facility that could produce Frank’s sauces in significantly larger volumes, which would represent a substantial increase in the sales of sauces. “Past Performance of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue” provides a summary of key financial figures for the last three years—2008 to 2010. “Past Performance Chart” illustrates these key numbers for that period of time.

Past Performance of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue

Past Performance Chart

Company Locations and Facilities

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has been in Fairfield, Connecticut, for decades. It has a reputation throughout the southern Connecticut shore region for excellent food and has received numerous awards. The management team determined that a second location could tap into this local name recognition. Several towns in the region were evaluated for total population, population density, family income, and home value. These factors were considered because of their impact on generating traffic and consumers being able to pay for meals that are priced slightly higher than typical fast-food outlets. In addition, the average family size and the percentage of family households were considered because Frank’s is a family restaurant. Lastly, data were gathered on the average travel time to and from work for residents and the real estate tax rate. Because the new location of Frank’s will emphasize prepared meals, we felt that individuals with longer commutes would be more likely to order meals and pick them up at Frank’s. A summary of these data is provided in “Demographic Data for Selected Connecticut Towns—Part 1” and “Demographic Data for Selected Connecticut Towns—Part 2”.

After thorough analysis, it was concluded that Darien, Connecticut, would be the best location for the new branch of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. It has a high-income population and a high population density, and a large percentage of its inhabitants are members of family households. They have longer commuting times, which increase the potential need for prepared meals.

Demographic Data for Selected Connecticut Towns—Part 1

Demographic Data for Selected Connecticut Towns—Part 2

A specific location has been identified in Darien for the second Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. It is in a small mall and is large enough to have a seating capacity of 150–160 plus takeout facilities. The mall has more than adequate parking for future customers. The mall is located three blocks from the Metro-North Darien railroad station and is four blocks from the I-95 exit. It is therefore well-positioned to attract traffic from both car and rail commuters. The lease fee for a three-year contract is very reasonable for a property of this size.

Products and Services

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue specializes in the finest barbecue served in a family-friendly format. It uses the finest cuts of meats that are free of any growth hormones. It is known for a variety of slow-smoked and slow-cooked meats, such as ribs, beef, pulled pork, and chicken. These are served with Frank’s famous and award-winning sauce varieties, which represent the four major styles of barbecue cooking. Frank’s is also noted for its side dishes and desserts.

Our goal is to expand operations to a second location in Darien, Connecticut. This outlet will be significantly larger and will have a section devoted to takeout meals.

Competitive Comparison

There are approximately forty specialty barbecue restaurants in Connecticut. They are spread throughout the state, but only four (including Frank’s All-American BarBeQue) are in the southern shore region. The three competitors are smaller operations. None of the barbecue restaurants in Connecticut have the history, reputation, acclaim, or awards that match Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. It is not an exaggeration to say that Frank’s is the preeminent barbecue restaurant in Connecticut. It has a loyal following that reaches as far as New York City.

Frank’s is the only barbecue restaurant in Connecticut where supermarkets are vying for the right to market Frank’s signature barbecue sauces. This sideline business promises to be extremely profitable and support the overall marketing efforts for both locations of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue.

Fulfillment

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has always been committed to providing the absolute best in barbecue food. This has meant assuring the highest quality ingredients in food preparation. Frank has established a decades-long relationship with suppliers in the New York and Connecticut areas. He selects nothing but the choicest selections of beef, pork, and chicken. He has always made sure that his meats come from suppliers who are committed to quality ingredients and who never use growth hormones. This long-term relationship with a variety of key suppliers enables Frank to secure the best cuts at reasonable prices. Frank is equally careful in using the finest spices for his barbecue sauces. The same is true for all the side dishes that Frank’s All-American BarBeQue offers its customers.

This commitment to quality is not limited to the selection of meats and ingredients. Frank and his staff recognize that top-quality barbecue food requires a knowledgeable and deep commitment to cooking the food properly. All meats must be cooked and smoked slowly. This requires time, effort, expense, and commitment, but the results are spectacular. Some cuts of meat at Frank’s may require as many as eleven hours of preparation and cooking. Excellence is not achieved without a commitment to effort. This effort has been recognized with numerous awards at national barbecue cook-offs. Frank has clearly recognized that the meal is clearly a function of the quality of the meat, quality ingredients, and careful preparation.

Future Products and Services

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is ready to accept new challenges. Opening a second restaurant will significantly increase sales, but the second location is only the beginning of new directions for Frank’s. Although Frank has been selling his regional barbecue sauces in local outlets for years, he is now ready to sign a contract with a major regional supermarket chain to market and sell these sauces throughout New England. Preliminary studies indicate that Frank can anticipate a 20 percent annual growth rate in the sales of sauces for the next five years.

With the growth of two-income families, less and less time is available to prepare meals at home. Recognizing this simple fact, Frank’s All-American BarBeQue plans to offer a variety of prepackaged barbecue meals that can be picked up at the restaurant and reheated at home. As part of its new commitment to a web-based presence, customers will be able to order these meals by regular phone, with smartphones, or through the Internet. Customers will be able to select from a list of prepackaged dinner meals or any combination of items. Customers can designate the time to pick up the meals, and the meals will be ready for them. This service promises significant revenue growth.

Market Analysis Summary

Since the 1930s, the American public has spent at least 5 percent of its disposable income on eating out. Even with annual fluctuations, this is a strong indicator of the viability of this industry. This can be best illustrated by reviewing industry results for the last few years.

Both 2009 and 2010 were difficult years for the restaurant industry. In 2008, sales increased by 3.8 percent. However, sales fell by nearly 0.75 percent in 2009. This was the first year in the history of the industry that sales actually declined. The restaurant industry’s sales in 2009 were $566 billion, down from over $570 billion. Prices rose by 2.2 percent in 2009. The increase in sales for 2010 was 0.5 percent, and price increases stabilized at 0.75 percent.

It is anticipated that there will be significant price competition in every segment of the restaurant industry. Some analysts argued that the poor performances for the restaurant industry in both 2009 and 2010 could be attributed to declines in both business and personal travel. Hotel occupancy rates in 2009 were down by nearly 10 percent. A study conducted by the National Restaurant Association argued that 20 percent of the sales in casual dining restaurants might be due to travelers and visitors. Frank’s All-American BarBeQue relies to a far lesser extent on travelers as customers. A rough estimate based on credit card receipts, for the period 2006–2010, indicated that travelers represented less than 2 percent of Frank’s sales. The pressure on the restaurant industry has been felt by many chain restaurants, which significantly curtailed their expansion plans.

Even though the recession was in full bloom in 2009, many food prices rose and rose significantly. Beef prices rose between 4 percent and 12 percent, while pork prices rose between 5 percent and 13 percent. Numerous studies have indicated that the increase in commodity prices will not be a transitory phenomenon.

With 925,000 food service locations in operation in the United States, this translates into 1 restaurant for every 330 Americans.

The health-care reform bill passed in 2010 should, in the near future, provide some relief for restaurants by creating a system that will assume greater responsibility by individuals to pay for their own health-care coverage.

Restaurants must also be much more cautious in the future about the possibility of hiring illegal aliens. As a whole, the National Restaurant Association supports immigration reform. However, it is concerned that any legislation should not limit a restaurant’s ability to hire workers. It is also concerned about the cost to assure worker eligibility.

The Mintel Group, a market research firm, found that consumers who are interested in quality opt for independent restaurants over chain outlets. An increasing consumer focus on health translates into an emphasis on natural ingredients. In the barbecue industry, this translates into naturally raised meats (i.e., the avoidance of artificial growth hormones in cattle), which are a hallmark of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue.

The National Restaurant Association estimated that sales in full-service restaurants in 2010 would exceed $184 billion—an increase of 1.2 percent from 2009 sales.

Several macroeconomic factors make opening a restaurant in Darien attractive, including the following:

Increases in the growth domestic product (GDP). The GDP is estimated to grow 1.7 percent in 2011 and 1.5 percent in 2012. The estimates for Fairfield County are significantly higher.
Disposable personal income. The national level of personal income should rise nearly 4 percent in 2011, and there is an expectation of 3 percent growth in 2012. These numbers appear to be much stronger in the Fairfield County area.

Although 2010 was not a banner year for the restaurant industry—it was one where more restaurants closed than opened each month—there was one bright spot: Chain barbecue restaurants grew between 2 percent and 3 percent—an auspicious sign even for independent operators.

The home meal replacement market and the existing investment in restaurant equipment provide a nice growth opportunity for restaurants. It is been estimated that takeout sales in limited-service chain restaurants might be as large as 60 percent of total sales. The same study found that takeout food has been growing twice as fast as the overall restaurant industry. Natural competitors in this market are supermarkets that offer prepackaged meals. However, we feel that few—if any—supermarkets provide the quality barbecue food that can be found at Frank’s.

Market Segmentation

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue views its major market segment as suburbanites in the south shore region of Connecticut. One way of further segmenting the market is by the type of meal being provided. “Market Analysis 1” provides estimated growth rates for each type of meal (plus sauce sales) and projected number of meals (and jars of sauce) for the period 2011 to 2015. “Market Analysis 2” illustrates the relative contributions.

Market Analysis 1

Market Analysis 2

Market Needs

We believe that the market centers on excellent barbecue food served at reasonable prices and served in a family-friendly manner. We further believe that a growing segment of the market will want prepared meals that can be conveniently picked up and served at home. “Market Analysis” provides a projected breakdown of the potential customers for the next five years. This breakdown is predicated on the type of meals served and includes the sale of sauces. We provide estimated growth rates and forecasted sale of meals (and bottles of sauces) for the period 2011 to 2015. “Market Analysis” shows the breakdown of the number of meals by type in 2015.

Web Plan Summary

Presently, Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has a very simple website. The website provides minimal information—listing some of the menu items and the restaurant’s telephone number. It was created eight years ago by a college student who was working at Frank’s.

Robert Rainsford’s professional expertise is in the area of website development. After graduating from college, Robert was hired by a firm that specialized in developing web and social media presences for other companies. He worked for that firm in New York City for seven years. Robert rose rapidly through the company’s ranks, eventually becoming one of its vice presidents. His expertise in this area will enable Frank’s All-American BarBeQue to significantly enhance its web presence. Rather than just having a website that identifies the restaurant’s location and telephone number, along with a brief summary of its menu, the new website will be far richer in content and capability. It will provide a complete menu listing, identifying all items with corresponding images. The new website will enable customers to place orders through the Internet for lunch, dinner, or takeout items. The section devoted to takeout items will enable a customer to purchase prepared meals or choose from all items on the menu to develop a prepackaged meal. Customers will be able to identify the time that they will arrive for the pickup.

The website will have links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. These connections will enhance its social media presence. Customers will be asked to post comments about their dining experience and suggestions on how Frank’s can improve its operations and service. It will enable Frank’s to expand operations and still maintain the same close customer relationship that currently exists at the Fairfield restaurant.

Website Marketing Strategy

The new web presence for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue will be geared to developing a new level of customer relationships. Customers at both restaurants will be asked to fill out forms where they will supply an e-mail address and a birthdate. (This information can also be supplied through Frank’s new website.) This information will enable Frank’s to keep customers informed of specials and offer coupons and the new rewards card program for special occasions, such as holidays or birthdays.

We view the website of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue as a major component of enhancing our relationship with our customers. It should provide convenience to customers through their ability to see what is on the menu, identify new specials, and order meals and pick them up at their convenience. The use of social media will expand awareness of Frank’s and enable it to develop closer relationships with present and future customers.

Development Requirements

Robert Rainsford tapped into his expertise in social media and has already developed a far more sophisticated website for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. He has secured the necessary server capacity to handle additional traffic on the website. In addition, he has set up several social media accounts for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue, including Facebook and Twitter. Robert also created a program linked to a database that will monitor customer purchases through the rewards card program. This program will send out birthday notices and discounts to customers and will inform them of their current status in the rewards card program.

Robert contacted several former colleagues at his former place of employment and has identified several candidates for the role of website manager. This individual will be responsible for updating the website and the social media sites on a daily basis. He or she will also be responsible for analyzing the flow of information that comes through these sites and preparing management reports.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

The core strategy of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is to continue what has made it a success at a new location. Simply put, our strategy is to provide our customers with the finest barbecue food in Connecticut, at reasonable prices, in a family-friendly environment. In addition, we hope to improve our ability to meet customer needs by making life more convenient for our customers. We believe that these fundamentals are universally applicable.

SWOT Analysis

A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was undertaken for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue.

The key strength of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is the quality of its food and service. It has been the recipient of numerous local and national awards for its foods and sauces. Other strengths include a highly knowledgeable management team with expertise in operating a barbecue restaurant, a close working relationship with suppliers of premier cuts of meats, and a loyal clientele in the south shore region.

The weaknesses associated with this business plan center on operating an additional restaurant with a much larger capacity than the Fairfield, Connecticut, restaurant. The second location will require an experienced restaurant manager. This plan calls for a significant increase in prepared (takeout) meals. Orders will be placed either by phone or through the website. Current personnel have little experience in ratcheting up the takeout portion of the business.

Opportunities

This business plan offers significant opportunities for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. A second, larger location will translate into a significant increase in sales. Finalizing a business relationship with the regional supermarket chain will enable Frank’s to significantly increase the production and the sales of its signature sauces. The sales of sauces are expected to increase by 20 percent per year for the next five years.

Any expansion with the opening of a new location always entails some risk. The principals of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue will be investing a significant amount of capital and will be borrowing money from a bank to open a second location. It is strongly believed that the second location will capitalize on the success of the Fairfield restaurant and will become a success.

Competitive Edge

The competitive edge of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue resides mainly in the quality of its food and its commitment to serve the food in a family-friendly environment. The quality of its food is unmatched in the entire state. No other barbecue restaurant has received the awards and the accolades that Frank’s All-American BarBeQue has received for the past forty years. Its reputation for quality gives it an edge that no other barbecue restaurant or chain can match.

Marketing Strategy

The target market for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is essentially suburban families in the south shore region of Connecticut. These people appreciate the finest barbecue food at reasonable prices. It is expected that an important group within this target market will be families with two incomes whose busy schedules would make prepared meals a very attractive option. We further assume that this market is technically sophisticated and will appreciate the convenience of ordering these meals via the Internet.

A key component of the marketing strategy of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is to use the Internet and technology to enhance the relationship with its customer base. Frank’s will use the website, Facebook, Twitter, and e-mails to inform customers of special food items or discounts based on holidays and customers’ birthdays. We intend to use the website as a mechanism to gain an improved insight into customer needs and wants.

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue will also initiate a rewards card program. Customers will sign up for the rewards card program either at the two locations or online. They can use this program every time they make a purchase either at the restaurants or online. After a set number of visits (seven), customers will be entitled to either discounts or free items. The rewards card program will enable Frank’s All-American BarBeQue to track customers’ buying patterns and anticipate the ways in which they can better serve their customers.

Sales Forecasts

We provide a five-year forecast of the dollar value of sales broken down by the two restaurants and the sauces in the following tables. “Sales”Monthly Sales for Two Restaurants and Sauces” illustrates a forecast for the breakdown of sales on monthly basis in 2011, and “Five-Year Forecast of Sales for Two Restaurants and Sauces” illustrates the breakdown of sales for the next five years.

Sales Forecast

Monthly Sales for Two Restaurants and Sauces

Five-Year Forecast of Sales for Two Restaurants and Sauces

Management Summary

Currently, Frank Rainsford is the CEO and chief operating officer of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. He is also the restaurant manager at the Fairfield restaurant. During the week, his daughter (Susan Rainsford Rogers) often replaces Frank as the restaurant manager. The Fairfield restaurant has a full-time cook who operates under Frank’s supervision, and two other full-time employees function as waiters and waitresses. These full-time employees are supplemented by six part-time employees.

Under the new management structure, Frank Rainsford will hold the position of CEO. His wife, Betty Rainsford, will be designated the president and chief operating officer. Their daughter, Susan Rainsford Rogers, will be given the title vice president for operations. She will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Darien, Connecticut, restaurant. Robert Rainsford will have the title of vice president of marketing. He will be responsible for all marketing activities and the operation of the website. Alice Jacobs will be the vice president of finance and the comptroller of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue.

Organizational Structure

The new management structure of Frank’s All-American BarBeQue is a basic functional layout appropriate for this type of business.

Organizational Chart

Personnel Plan

“Forecasts of Personnel” is a five-year breakdown of the types and costs of personnel.

Forecasts of Personnel

Financial Plan

Frank’s All-American BarBeQue will be financing the creation of a second restaurant through a combination of private investment and a bank loan. The private investment will raise $160,000, and Frank’s will seek another $175,000 as a two-year loan. These funds will be used to pay for equipment and leasing expenses associated with opening a second restaurant.

Important Assumptions

The assumptions associated with the grow rates of sales each year for the next five years are the keys to the financial planning process. We began with very modest assumptions of 8 percent growth in lunch sales and 5 percent growth in dinner sales. We anticipate fairly vigorous growth in takeout meals (20 percent) and sauces (15 percent). Although these are large growth rates, we do not feel that they are unrealistic.

Key Financial Indicators

“Key Financial Indicators” provides historical (2008–2010) and forecasted (2011–2015) values for the key financial indicators.

Breakeven Analysis

In “Breakeven Analysis 1” and “Breakeven Analysis 2”, we show the results of our breakeven analysis for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. The results indicate that with sales of approximately $110,000 each month, Frank’s All-American BarBeQue will break even.

Breakeven Analysis 1

Breakeven Analysis 2

Projected Profit and Loss

Our analysis anticipates significant growth in profits in the next five years with the opening of a second Frank’s All-American BarBeQue in Darien. The profit margins should increase from in excess of $850,000 in 2011 to nearly $1,600,000 by 2015 and should be in excess of 20 percent for all five years. A complete analysis of the profit and loss statements is in “Profit and Loss”. The annual profits are illustrated in “Yearly Profits”.

Profit and Loss

Yearly Profits

Projected Cash Flow

“Cash Flow Forecast” is a five-year forecast of cash flows for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue. The forecast shows extremely strong and positive cash flows for each year.

Cash Flow Forecast

Projected Balance Sheet

“Balance Sheet Forecast” is a balance sheet forecast for Frank’s All-American BarBeQue.

Balance Sheet Forecast

These figures clearly demonstrate that the proposed opening of a second restaurant is more than economically viable; it is an extremely lucrative project that promises to increase the net worth of the firm by 500 percent in five years.

Share This Book

Ecommerce Business Plan Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success

Crafting a well-thought-out ecommerce business plan is a fundamental step in laying the groundwork for any successful online store. It acts as a roadmap, guiding us through the initial establishment, the management, and the growth of our ecommerce business. By setting clear goals, defining our vision and mission, and understanding our market, we create a framework that helps us navigate the competitive landscape of online retail.

A comprehensive ecommerce business plan encompasses every aspect of our business, from an executive summary that encapsulates our business essence to in-depth financial projections that forecast our potential for profitability. This document serves not only as an internal guide to align our team’s efforts but also as an essential communication tool for potential investors and partners. By thoroughly outlining the structure of our business, products and services we offer, and our marketing and operational strategies , we provide a clear picture of our business intentions and the mechanisms by which we intend to succeed.

Key Takeaways

Our ecommerce business plan serves as a strategic guide for establishing and growing our online store.
It details our vision and goals, providing a clear framework for operational success.
The plan communicates our business structure and anticipated financial health to stakeholders.

Executive Summary

In crafting our business strategy, we aim to distill the essence of our vision and the pathway to our objectives for stakeholders in a concise manner through this executive summary. At the heart of our plan are the core elements that define who we are, what we intend to achieve, and how we plan to do so.

Our Mission : We are committed to revolutionizing the e-commerce landscape by providing innovative solutions that simplify online transactions for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our mission is to empower these businesses by unlocking new opportunities through technology that streamlines their operations and expands their reach.

Objectives :

To establish a robust e-commerce platform tailored to SMEs.
To achieve a steady growth in our user base and transaction volume within the first two years.
To foster collaboration and synergy between manufacturing-based SMEs through our services.

Business Model : We have developed a business model that hinges on three pillars: accessibility, scalability, and support. Our platform leverages a Collaborative Process that motorizes partnership and efficiency. Importantly, we have designed a Toolset that complements this model, facilitating e-business for manufacturing oriented SMEs.

We offer a cohesive architecture that simplifies e-commerce for SMEs.
Our primary aim is to enhance the operational capabilities of these businesses.
The business model we adopt is specially engineered to align with manufacturing-centric SME needs.
Key strategies include fostering an Amazon-esque approach adapted for traditional businesses moving towards e-commerce.

Within the first minute, one should grasp that our strategy is focused, our goals are clear, and our model is tailored for the specific challenges and opportunities faced by SMEs in the e-commerce sector.

Market Analysis

Before we launch into the specifics of our market analysis, it’s crucial for us to understand the e-commerce landscape, pinpoint our ideal customers, and dissect our competition. Gaining insights in these areas will inform our strategic decisions and help us carve out a viable position in the marketplace.

Industry Overview

The e-commerce industry is vast and continually evolving, with projections indicating sustained growth. Key industry trends include the rise of mobile commerce, the increasing importance of social media as a sales channel , and the acceleration of personalized shopping experiences. Our market research indicates that embracing these trends could be pivotal for the success of our business model.

Target Market

Identifying an accurate target audience is essential in creating an effective business plan. Our target market consists of tech-savvy consumers aged 20-40, who prioritize convenience and are inclined to shop online for a wide variety of products. We’ve gathered extensive data on their shopping habits and preferences, which should guide our marketing and operational strategies.

Competitive Analysis

Competitors in the e-commerce space range from large marketplaces to niche online stores. We’ve meticulously catalogued our primary competitors and analyzed their business models, strengths, and weaknesses. It’s evident that to distinguish ourselves, we must offer unique value propositions such as exclusive products, superior customer service, or innovative loyalty programs. By keeping an eye on industry trends and shifting consumer expectations, we can stay ahead of the curve and maintain relevance in a competitive market.

Business Structure

Before we begin, it’s crucial to recognize that the business structure we choose affects every aspect of our operations, from taxes to liability and from fundraising to decision-making processes.

Legal Structure

When it comes to establishing our ecommerce business, selecting the appropriate legal structure is foundational. The options typically include sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company (LLC). Corporations and LLCs , for example, offer limited liability protection but come with varying tax implications and administrative requirements. Sole proprietorships and partnerships could be simpler to set up but may expose the founders to personal liability. Always ensure we obtain the necessary permits and licenses relevant to our ecommerce business, as these vary by industry, state, and locality.

Sole Proprietorship : Just one owner bears all the responsibilities
Partnership : Two or more individuals share ownership and responsibilities
Corporation (C-corp or S-corp) : A separate legal entity that shields its owners from personal liability
Limited Liability Company (LLC) : Offers protection with more flexibility in management and taxes

Management Team

Our management team is the pillar that sustains the business operations, ensuring that every aspect runs smoothly and professionally. A coherent team structure is pivotal, with founders often taking on executive roles during the early stages. It’s beneficial to clearly outline the organizational hierarchy:

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) : Sets the strategic direction and oversees all operations.
COO (Chief Operating Officer) : Manages day-to-day operations and reports to the CEO.
CFO (Chief Financial Officer) : Handles financial planning, risk management, and record-keeping.
CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) : Leads marketing initiatives and customer engagement strategies.

Organizational Chart Example:

It’s essential that every leader understands their specific responsibilities and how it ties into the company’s success. Regular meetings and open communication channels help ensure our goals are met and all team members are aligned with our business strategy.

Products and Services

In our e-commerce business plan, the “Products and Services” section outlines what we will offer to our customers and details how these offerings will satisfy their needs, while also addressing inventory management and supplier relations to maintain robust profit margins.

Product Lineup

Our e-commerce platform features a diverse product lineup catering to specific market demands. We carefully select each product for its quality and profit potential , ensuring that the items we offer not only meet but exceed customer expectations. Our inventory spans multiple categories, and we work with suppliers who are aligned with our standards for excellence.

Electronics : In-demand gadgets with high turnover rates.
Fashion : Trendsetting apparel sourced from reputable manufacturers.
Home Essentials : Daily use products with a focus on sustainable materials.

Service Offerings

We complement our product lineup with a range of service offerings that enhance the customer experience. Our services are designed to provide added value and support our product sales while optimizing our operational efficiency.

Customer Support : Our team provides expert assistance, ensuring customer satisfaction with every interaction.
Returns Management : A hassle-free returns system boosts customer trust and loyalty.
Supplier Coordination : We maintain strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure timely restocks and high-quality inventory.

By focusing on these key areas, we aim to build a solid foundation for our e-commerce business. Our products and services will not only appeal to our target customers but will also position us to achieve sustainable growth and profitability.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

In this section, we’ll guide you through creating a comprehensive marketing plan and selecting the right sales channels to increase traffic and sales.

Marketing Plan

Our marketing strategies will harness the power of social media to bolster brand presence and customer engagement. We’ll target popular platforms where our demographic congregates, dedicating resources to both organic content and targeted advertising. Notable strategies include:

Content Marketing : Regular blog posts and videos that add value and drive organic traffic.
Social Media Campaigns : Tailored campaigns across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to increase brand visibility.
Email Marketing : Personalized newsletters to nurture leads and inform existing customers of promotions and new products.
SEO : Optimization of website content to improve visibility in search engine results.

We’ll closely monitor metrics to assess the effectiveness of our strategies and pivot as necessary.

Sales Channels

Selecting the right sales channels is crucial for maximizing revenue. Our approach includes a combination of online marketplaces and our e-commerce store. Key considerations:

E-commerce Store : Our main sales hub, optimized for conversions, with an excellent user experience.
Online Marketplaces : Presence on platforms like Amazon and eBay to reach broad audiences and leverage their massive traffic.
B2B Sales : Direct sales to businesses for bulk orders or partnerships.

We’ll leverage analytics to track sales performance across these channels and adjust our strategy to focus on the most profitable avenues.

Operations Plan

In our e-commerce business plan, the Operations Plan is crucial for ensuring product fulfillment and providing exceptional customer support. We align our logistics and customer service strategies to maintain efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Fulfillment

Dropshipping Model:

Pros : We don’t maintain inventory, reducing overhead costs.
Cons : Less control over stock and longer delivery times.

Shipping and Fulfillment:

We partner with reliable couriers for timely deliveries .
Order tracking is standard for customer reassurance.

Table 1: Fulfillment Partners and Services

Customer Support

Our customer support operates round-the-clock to assist with order inquiries, tracking, and service issues. We adhere to the following principles:

Efficiency : Quick response times and resolutions.
Communication : Clear and proactive updates on orders and issues.

List of Customer Support Channels:

Phone Support : Available 24/7 for direct assistance.
Email : For non-urgent inquiries, with a 48-hour response time.
Live Chat : Real-time support on our website.

By prioritizing these operational components, we ensure a smooth e-commerce experience for our customers.

Financial Projections

In our ecommerce business plan, we focus on detailed financial projections to guide our financial strategy.

Budget and Funding

Our financial plan begins with a comprehensive budget that outlines projected costs and expenses tied to business operations. We have meticulously itemized our startup costs , including website development, inventory purchases, marketing, and staffing. The funding needed to cover these costs is outlined in this section, specifying the mix of equity, debt financing, and any angel investments or venture capital.

Website Development: $50,000
Inventory Purchase: $100,000
Marketing and Advertising : $50,000
Staffing and Operations: $50,000
Owner’s Equity: $100,000
Business Loan: $100,000
Angel Investor: $50,000

Financial Statements

Financial statements provide a snapshot of our business’s financial health. We present our projected cash flow for the next five years, ensuring that we maintain adequate liquidity to meet our short-term obligations. The profit and loss statement offers a breakdown of our expected revenue streams and associated costs, showing how we move towards profitability.

In constructing our ecommerce business plan, we include an Appendix as it serves to provide readers with supporting documents and detailed analyses that buttress our strategy. The Appendix is essential for showcasing the depth of our research and the robustness of our framework .

Financial Projections: We present tables summarizing projected revenue, costs, and profits to provide a clear and quantifiable foundation for our financial forecasts. These tables demonstrate the scalability and sustainability of our model.

Quarterly Revenue Forecast
Cost Analysis
Profit Margin Calculations

Market Research : Our comprehensive market analysis is evidenced through graphs and charts, enabling stakeholders to visualize the market size, growth trends, and potential opportunities within the ecommerce space.

Market Size and Growth Charts
Competitor Analysis Summary
Consumer Demographics and Behavior Patterns

Resources: Detailed listings of resources encompass software tools, human capital, and physical assets that power our operations. This transparency ensures that external parties understand how we’re equipped to achieve our goals.

Software and Technology Stack
Organizational Chart
Inventory and Supply Chain Management Details

We also include the full contents of surveys, questionnaires, and interviews that have informed our strategies, underscoring our thorough approach to customer understanding and market demand.

Customer Survey Samples
Interview Transcripts

To facilitate the reader’s navigation, our ecommerce business plan template charts an easy-to-follow path through the complexities of our strategy. We provide this robust Appendix, confident that our meticulous planning is evident, and our preparation is thorough for the road ahead.

Google Activity

What can we do for you.

Hello & Welcome!

My name is Shaheen , and I’m the Founder and President of WebUpon . We’re a digital marketing agency focused on our customers and even more focused on our customer’s customers. I’ve been programming and executing digital marketing strategies for more than 10 years.

The only thing that has stayed the same in that time is the need to innovate and test. We’re excited to share the latest information, perspective, and research from our work with you!

Popular Resources

How Websites Work
Image Enlarger
3000×3000 Image Converter
1800×1800 Image Converter
How Kerning Works

Our Favorite Tools

Best All-in-One SEO Tool: SEMrush
SEO Audits: Screaming Frog
Payroll Software: Gusto
Email Marketing: ConvertKit
Graphic Design: Adobe Suite
Competitor Research & Analysis: SimilarWeb
Phone Call Tracking & Analytics: CallRail
Personal Task List: Monday
ADA Compliance: Accessibe
GDPR & CCPA Compliance: Termly

Our website uses cookies to give you the most optimal experience online by: measuring our audience, understanding how our webpages are viewed and improving consequently the way our website works, providing you with relevant and personalized marketing content. You have full control over what you want to activate. You can accept the cookies by clicking on the “Accept all cookies” button or customize your choices by selecting the cookies you want to activate. You can also decline all non-necessary cookies by clicking on the “Decline all cookies” button. Please find more information on our use of cookies and how to withdraw at any time your consent on our privacy policy .

Managing your cookies

Our website uses cookies. You have full control over what you want to activate. You can accept the cookies by clicking on the “Accept all cookies” button or customize your choices by selecting the cookies you want to activate. You can also decline all non-necessary cookies by clicking on the “Decline all cookies” button.

Necessary cookies

These are essential for the user navigation and allow to give access to certain functionalities such as secured zones accesses. Without these cookies, it won’t be possible to provide the service. Matomo on premise

Marketing cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements more relevant for you, limit the number of times you see an advertisement; help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign; and understand people’s behavior after they view an advertisement. Adobe Privacy policy | Marketo Privacy Policy | MRP Privacy Policy | AccountInsight Privacy Policy | Triblio Privacy Policy

Social media cookies

These cookies are used to measure the effectiveness of social media campaigns. LinkedIn Policy

Our website uses cookies to give you the most optimal experience online by: measuring our audience, understanding how our webpages are viewed and improving consequently the way our website works, providing you with relevant and personalized marketing content. You can also decline all non-necessary cookies by clicking on the “Decline all cookies” button. Please find more information on our use of cookies and how to withdraw at any time your consent on our privacy policy .

Market update – April 9, 2024

Atos announces the parameters of its refinancing framework, based on its full business perimeter of tech foundations and eviden:, €600 million of cash needed to fund the business over the 2024-25 period. funds to be provided in the form of debt and/or equity by existing stakeholders or third-party investors, €300 million in new revolving credit facility and €300 million in additional bank guarantee lines, targeting bb credit profile by 2026, which assumes a financial leverage [1] below 3x by year-end 2025 and below 2x by year-end 2026 and implies a gross debt reduction of €2.4 billion, remaining debt maturities extended by 5 years, existing stakeholders of atos se and third-party investors can submit financing proposals including new money by april 26, 2024. given the group’s needs, a global refinancing agreement will trigger significant dilution of existing shareholders., targeting to reach a refinancing agreement with financial creditors by july 2024, agreement in-principle with a group of banks, a group of bondholders and the french state on interim financing of €450 million for additional liquidity until refinancing agreement is reached, refinancing framework based on a new long-range business plan, with the following assumptions:, for 2024: revenue of circa €9.9 billion, with organic revenue evolution at circa -2%; operating margin at circa 4% and free cash flow of €-0.4 billion before the unwinding of about €1.8 billion working capital actions as of december 2023, in 2027: revenue of approximately €11.4bn, with an operating margin of around 10% and free cash flow of about €0.5 billion, paris, france – april 9, 2024.

Further to its press release dated April 2, 2024, and as part of the discussions initiated by Atos SE with its financial creditors under the aegis of the conciliator appointed on March 25, 2024, Atos SE presented its updated business plan and the parameters of its refinancing framework to its financial creditors on Monday April 8, 2024.

2024-2027 business plan of the Atos Group

Atos SE provided key strategic and prospective financial information about the Group’s 2024-2027 business plan, the details of which can be found on the Company’s website [2] .

The 2024-2027 business plan has been analyzed by the independent consulting firm Accuracy.

Key highlights 2024 [3]

The Group 2024 revenue of €9.9 billion represents an organic revenue evolution of circa -2% compared with 2023:

Eviden revenue of €5.0 billion represents an organic growth of about +2%, reflecting the current market slowdown notably in Americas and the uncertainty facing the Group, with Digital revenue of €3.5 billion and BDS revenue of €1.6 billion.
Tech Foundations revenue of €4.9 billion represents an approximately -6% organic decline, reflecting the impact of the financial situation of the Company on its sales momentum, which may include a slow-down of contract renewals and new client acquisitions, as well as potential termination or rescoping of existing contracts. The revenue decline also reflects the deliberate reduction of non-core activities such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Value-Added Resell (VAR).

Operating margin of €0.4 billion or 4.3% of revenue:

Eviden operating margin of €0.3 billion represents 6.0% of revenue, a slight improvement compared with 2023 pro forma and consisting in Digital operating margin at €0.2 billion and BDS operating margin at €0.1 billion.
Tech Foundations operating margin rate of €0.1 billion represents 2.5% of revenue, slightly below 2023 pro forma, reflecting the impact of lower revenues.

Free cash flow after interest and taxes of €-0.4 billion excludes the full unwind of the working capital actions of circa €1.8 billion, as of December 31, 2023, which will be covered from cash on the balance sheet.

Free cash flow after interest and taxes for 2024 based on the Accuracy analysis is expected to be €-0.6 billion.

Key highlights 2027 [4]

The Group’s revenue of €11.4 billion in 2027 represents a revenue CAGR [5] of +3.1% over the 2023PF [6] – 2027 period, in line with the market and reflects a recovery in commercial activities starting from the end of 2024.

Strong market demand for generative AI solutions and cloud HPC computing capabilities;
Increased demand, including for AI-powered cyber offerings, due to regulatory compliance and greater cyber threat intensity;
Growth from indirect channels and marketplace for SaaS sales;
Demand driven by continued cloud adoption and hyperscaler platform consumption;
New controlled, trusted or sovereign cloud offerings boosted by increasing regulatory compliance and data security focus;
Accelerated demand for digital transformation;
New industry solutions powered by generative AI and big data analytics;
Digital revenue growth of 5.9% CAGR and BDS growth of 12.0% CAGR.
Tech Foundations’ revenue of €4.8 billion in 2027 represents a revenue CAGR of -1.9% over the 2023PF – 2027 period.
Negative organic growth in 2024 and 2025 with a turnaround from 2026 onwards;
Redefined core portfolio addressing key customer priorities, including sustainability, and capitalizing on market trends such as distributed workforce post-Covid, fast move to multi-cloud and hybrid configurations, and heightened importance of sovereign cloud and AI.

The Group’s operating margin of €1.2 billion in 2027 represents 10.3% of revenue.

Shift to higher-margin activities, including generative AI solutions, digital cyber offerings and technology consulting;
Increased share of subscription and maintenance revenue;
Value based pricing, particularly on generative AI platforms, sovereign cloud capabilities and IP differentiated offerings;
Improvement in workforce management, with labor pyramid optimization, best-shore delivery model and span of control optimization;
Productivity improvements driven by notably to higher utilization and billability of resources, reduction of indirect support costs and tighter supply chain management;
Digital operating margin of €0.5 billion represents 12.2% of revenue and BDS operating margin of €0.3 billion represents 12.0% of revenue.
Delivery modernization, including restructuring in high-cost locations and data-driven autonomous operations;
Turnover of under-performing accounts and deployment of AI-based contract management;
Supplier consolidation and renegotiation;
Rationalization of SG&A, including increased self-service and automations.

Free cash flow after interests and taxes of €0.5 billion in 2027 reflects a €0.9 billion improvement compared with 2024 from:

€0.7 billion operating margin improvement;
€0.3 billion reduction in capex;
€-0.2 billion negative contribution from change in working capital requirements;
€0.2 billion reduction in cash out related to other operating expenses, acquisition and separation costs;
€0.1 increase in interests and taxes.

Group Free cash flow after interest and taxes based on Accuracy analysis is €0.3 billion in 2027.

The evolution of the Group’s revenue, operating margin, and free cash flow is summarized in the table below:

Free cash flow may vary based on interest expense related to the new refinancing solution. Please refer to the disclaimer in this press release.

Parameters of Atos’ refinancing framework

As indicated in its press release of March 26 th , 2024, Atos SE has entered into an amicable conciliation procedure in order to frame discussions with its financial creditors. This is to facilitate the emergence of a global agreement regarding the restructuring of its financial debt within a short and limited timeframe of four months, which could be further extended by one month if needed.

In this context, Atos SE presented on Monday April 8, 2024 to its financial creditors the Company’s key parameters of its refinancing framework, which included:

€600 million of cash needed to fund the business over the 2024-25 period. Funds to be provided in the form of debt and/or equity by existing stakeholders or third party investors;
€300m revolving credit facility, and €300m of guarantee lines;
Targeting a BB credit profile by 2026, which implies a financial leverage [7] below 3x by year-end 2025 and below 2x by year-end 2026 and a gross debt reduction of €2.4 billion;
A 5-year maturity extension for the residual financial debt.

These parameters are based on the Group’s current perimeter, which includes the assets of Eviden and Tech Foundations without taking into account the impact of any potential asset disposals.

These parameters act as guidelines for all interested parties who will ultimately present their proposals to the company and the conciliator.

The Group’s refinancing framework aims to achieve the following objectives:

To protect the social interest of the Company, including its employees, clients, suppliers, shareholders, and other stakeholders and preserve the strategic interests of the French State
Ensure business continuity of the Group and its long-term sustainability;
Reassure clients, employees and suppliers on Atos’ counterparty credit worthiness;
Provide adequate time to implement Atos’ strategic plan and deliver results;
Have a fully funded business plan over the 2024-2027 period;
Align capital structure with Company’s future cash flow generation;
Implement a debt structure that will support future successful refinancing;
Consistent with Atos’ quality of assets;
Enhance access to capital markets.

The main figures of Atos’ financial debt and the coming maturities of Atos SE’s borrowings are detailed in Appendix 1 of this press release and in the presentation.

Interim financing

Atos has reached an agreement in principle with a group of banks and a group of bondholders regarding an interim financing in the amount of €400 million, consisting of:

€300 million factoring facility provided by the banks;
€100 million revolving credit facility provided by the bondholders.

In addition, provided the Group’s financing banks grant a waiver, the French State has agreed in principle to extend a €50 million loan through the FDES (Fonds de Développement Economique et Social) to a subsidiary of Atos, Bull SA, which controls sovereign sensitive activities. This loan shall be reimbursed in full at the closing of the refinancing.

Atos will commit, in return, to sign an agreement at the level of Bull SA for the benefit of the French State which together with the issuance of a preferred share ( action de préférence ) by Bull SA will give the French State protection rights on such sovereign sensitive activities, under a legal documentation to be finalized. This agreement in principle provides for a right for the French State to purchase sovereign sensitive activities if a third-party has acquired 10% or a multiple of 10% of Atos’ share capital or voting rights and Atos and the French State have not reached a reasonable agreement on how to protect national interests in relation to these sovereign sensitive activities (without prejudice to the application of the French FDI regime). It also provides for governance rights for the French State at the level of Bull SA (with no voting rights at this stage).

With these new facilities, Atos believes it has adequate liquidity until its long-term refinancing plan is set up.

Next steps and refinancing discussions’ process

Existing stakeholders of Atos SE and third-party investors can submit proposals for new money by April 26, 2024 in order to allow a global agreement on the new capital structure of the Company to be finalized by July 2024.

Atos will evaluate all proposals, under the aegis of the conciliator Maître Hélène Bourbouloux in the best corporate interest of the Company including its employees, clients, suppliers, shareholders, and other stakeholders, while maintaining an attractive business mix. Atos will also take into consideration the sovereign imperatives of the French state.

Atos will inform the market in due course of the progress of the refinancing discussions, which will result in a change in its capital structure arising from a final global refinancing agreement, including the potential issuance of new equity which will result in a dilution of the existing shareholders.

Shareholders and financial creditors will be consulted in compliance with French legal requirements.

Atos SE confirms that information that could be qualified as inside information within the meaning of Regulation No. 596/2014 of 16 April 2014 on market abuse and that may have been given on a confidential basis to its financial creditors in the context of the presentation held on Monday April 8, 2024 has been published to the market, either in the past or in the context of this press release, with the aim of re-establishing equal access to information relating to the Atos Group between the investors.

Conference call

Atos’ Management invites you to an international conference call on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 08:00 am (CET – Paris) .

You can join the webcast of the conference:

via the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/r4mhigey
by telephone with the dial-in, 10 minutes prior the starting time. Please note that if you want to join the webcast by telephone, you must register in advance of the conference using the following link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIbb8cac21bc124265adae510d10eeb672 Upon registration, you will be provided with Participant Dial In Numbers, a Direct Event Passcode and a unique Registrant ID. During the 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the call, you will need to use the conference access information provided in the email received upon registration.

After the conference, a replay of the webcast will be available on atos.net , in the Investors section.

The debt structure of the Group as of 31 December 2023, taking into account drawings on the remaining available RCF (drawn in January 2024) is as follows:

(1) Pro Forma €320M RCF draw and maturity extension of Term Loan A to January 2025 (2) Excluding accrued interest on LT Borrowing

Note: the €1.5 billion term loan A, maturing in July 2024, provides for another 6-month extension option until January 2025 available to Atos SE under standard conditions (notably no event of default and payment of an extension fee); it should be noted that under French law, any events of defaults triggered by the opening of mandat ad hoc or conciliation proceedings are considered void.

The debt principal schedule of the Group from 31 December 2023, taking into account drawings the remaining available RCF and assuming TLA second extension option exercised would be as follows:

Maturity Profile of Gross Debt as of 31 Dec. 2023, Pro Forma(1)

(1) Pro Forma €320M RCF draw and maturity extension of Term Loan A to January 2025

Appendix 2 : expected guarantee needs

Appendix 3: fy23 actual – fy23 proforma revenue and operating margin reconciliation.

The tables below present the reconciliation between the FY 2023 actual revenue and operating margin and the 2023 pro forma revenue and operating margin, for the Group, Eviden, Tech Foundations and the two components of Eviden, Digital and BDS. Elements in reconciliation correspond to businesses disposed in 2023.

(in € million)

Appendix 4: Free cash flow reconciliations

Download the PDF document

This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including references, concerning the Group’s expected growth and profitability in the future which may significantly impact the expected performance indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are linked to factors out of the control of the Company and not precisely estimated, such as market conditions or competitor’s behaviors. Any forward-looking statements made in this document are statements about Atos’s beliefs and expectations and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include statements that may relate to Atos’s plans, objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or synergies, or performance, and other information that is not historical information. Actual events or results may differ from those described in this document due to a number of risks and uncertainties that are described within the 2022 Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on April 21st, 2023 under the registration number D.23-0321 and within the 2023 Consolidated financial statements published by Atos SE on March 26, 2024. Atos does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation or responsibility to update or amend any of the information above except as otherwise required by law. This document does not contain or constitute an offer of Atos’s shares for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in Atos’s shares in France, the United States of America or any other jurisdiction.

This document includes information on specific transactions that shall be considered as projects only. In particular, any decision relating to the information or projects mentioned in this document and their terms and conditions will only be made after the ongoing in-depth analysis considering tax, legal, operational, finance, HR and all other relevant aspects have been completed and will be subject to general market conditions and other customary conditions, including governance bodies and shareholders’ approval as well as appropriate processes with the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws.

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 95,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), and listed on Euronext Paris.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

Investor relations : David Pierre-Kahn | [email protected] | +33 6 28 51 45 96

Individual shareholders : 0805 65 00 75

Press contact : [email protected]

[1] Ratio net debt pre-IFRS16 over EBITDA pre-IFR16; EBITDA computed as OMDA pre-IFRS16 minus anticipated RRI (restructuring, rationalization, interagtion) costs and Other changes

[2] Investors – Atos

[3] Please refer to the disclaimer of this press release

[4] Please refer to the disclaimer of this press release

[5] CAGR : Compound annual growth rate

[6] PF : Pro forma

[7] ratio net debt pre-IFRS16 over EBITDA pre-IFR16; EBITDA computed as OMDA pre-IFRS16 minus anticipated RRI costs and Other changes

IMAGES

Appendix A: Business Plan Template
Appendix: A Sample Business Plan
Business Plan Appendix
Appendix Template Word
36 Top Images Business Plan Appendix Template
36 Top Images Business Plan Appendix Template

VIDEO

What are the two appendices under CMS?
Appendices of a Research Proposal
How To Write A Business Plan In 10 Simple Steps!
Wells Comprehensive Plan Update Committee Meeting 9/21/23
Business Plan
How to use an Advanced Business Plan Template by Paul Borosky, MBA

COMMENTS

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix
In general, here is some of the information you might include in your business plan appendix: Charts, graphs, or tables that support sections of your business plan. Financial statements and projections. Sales and marketing materials. Executive team resumes. Credit history. Business and/or personal tax returns.
What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix
The appendix of a business plan might include: Detailed Financial Projections: As a cornerstone of appendices in business plan, this includes comprehensive revenue forecasts, cash flow statements, and break-even analysis. These documents elevate your financial strategy from theory to actionable insights. Market Research Data: Your business plan ...
Template: 55 Business Plan Appendix Content Samples
The appendix is the perfect place to showcase a wide range of information, including: Supporting documentation: References and supporting evidence to substantiate any major projections, claims, statements, decisions, assumptions, analysis, trends and comparisons mentioned throughout the main body of a business plan. Requested documentation: Information, documents or other materials that were ...
What should you include in your business plan appendices?
Legal documents are frequently included in business plan appendices. These help demonstrate your business' reliability to your readers and may include: Incorporation papers. Permits, trademarks, licenses, and patents. Shareholder agreements. Rental agreements and leases. Vendor contracts. Equipment specifications.
What Are Appendices in a Business Plan? A Complete Guide
Appendices in a business plan are additional documents or materials that provide supplementary information to support the main content of the plan and appear as the final section. It validates that you have a robust business plan with detailed data, supporting documentation, charts, graphs, legal documents, resumes of key team members, and any ...
Business Plan Appendix [Updated 2024]
The appendix in a business plan is a supplementary section that contains additional information and supporting documents, such as charts, graphs, financial statements, market research, and legal papers, which complement the main body of the plan. Although the final section of a comprehensive business plan, the appendix is an integral part of ...
Five Best Practices for Creating a Business Plan Appendix
Adapting a solid business plan outline helps organize the appendices into a document that substantiates factual and clear information. Keep It Short and Simple: An appendix should only include relevant information about a business to keep it concise. For example, the business plan's financial plan should be supported with additional financial ...
What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix?
You should also include a chart of your break-even analysis. If you've already been running your business and have made sales, include your financial statements to date. 2. Market Research and Analysis. If you have charts and graphs that support the market analysis of your business plan, include those as well.
What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix Section
A business plan appendix contains all the additional documents or supporting data that you couldn't include in the main sections of the business plan. An appendix is necessary if an investor or a bank asks for specific information that might not fit well in any of the main sections' formats. Although it's not a compulsion to add an ...
Business Plan
The appendices allow you to include valuable information to your business plan that does not fit neatly within the body of the plan. Generally, it is used to include exemplars of the material or information that is referenced within the business plan but does not need to be included in the body. You can include material that will serve a ...
Business Plan Section 9: Appendix
Section 9: Business Plan Appendix. If you've already read the series, you've heard this before: it's imperative to always keep your audience in mind. Your goals for what you want the business plan to accomplish will dictate who your audience is, and the information you present will be shaped by that. Finally, remember the importance of ...
What Is an Appendix in a Business Plan?
An Appendix in a Business Plan Affords Choices. Emphasize the best accomplishments and most notable achievements of your management team in this section of your business plan. Then, at some point ...
Business Plan
Here is a basic template that any business can use when developing its business plan: Section 1: Executive Summary. Present the company's mission. Describe the company's product and/or service offerings. Give a summary of the target market and its demographics.
What Is an Appendix in a Business Plan?
An appendix is that fun section in the back of a report or book that contains supporting documentation - anything and everything that could derail the flow of the content. Charts, graphs, plats of a survey, financial statements and resumes from your right-hand people are examples of supporting documents in a business plan.
What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix Section
Business Plan Appendix Section A business plan appendix contains all the additional documents or supporting data that you couldn't include in the main sectio...
What Is a Business Plan Exhibits and Appendices Section?
Here are some of the supporting documents to include in this section: 1. Financial Projections. If you are writing a business plan for loan applications or raising capital, you better have clear and strong financial projections. Include detailed monthly, quarterly and annual cash financial projections in the appendix section.
Business Plan Appendix
A business plan appendix is the last section that includes all the details that didn't have a place in the business plan. An appendix business plan can be short or lengthy. What goes into an appendix depends on the type of business plan and your goal of writing the business plan. For example, suppose you are writing a business plan to attract ...
Appendix of a Business Plan
The appendices section of your business plan is used to provide readers with information and documents that support your claims made throughout the business plan. Many entrepreneurs neglect to develop this section, thinking that bankers and other investors will never read it. In realty through, most investors want to see the information sources ...
Appendix A
This page titled Appendix A - Business Plan Development Checklist and Project Planner is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lee A. Swanson via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.
12 Key Elements of a Business Plan (Top Components Explained)
Here are some of the components of an effective business plan. 1. Executive Summary. One of the key elements of a business plan is the executive summary. Write the executive summary as part of the concluding topics in the business plan. Creating an executive summary with all the facts and information available is easier.
LibGuides: Business Plan & Pitch Presentation: #6. Appendix
If deemed relevant, add content to support, confirm, and reinforce conclusions you reach in the business plan. An appendix is where you give greater details about aspects covered in the plan, and you can include specific details regarding market research, technology, location, and so forth. Appendix content may include, but is not limited to:
Business Plan: What It Is + How to Write One
1. Executive summary. This short section introduces the business plan as a whole to the people who will be reading it, including investors, lenders, or other members of your team. Start with a sentence or two about your business, development goals, and why it will succeed. If you are seeking funding, summarise the basics of the financial plan. 2.
Appendix A
This was the first year in the history of the industry that sales actually declined. The restaurant industry's sales in 2009 were $566 billion, down from over $570 billion. Prices rose by 2.2 percent in 2009. The increase in sales for 2010 was 0.5 percent, and price increases stabilized at 0.75 percent.
Ecommerce Business Plan: A Strategy for Online Store Success
Crafting a well-thought-out ecommerce business plan is a fundamental step in laying the groundwork for any successful online store. It acts as a roadmap, guiding us through the initial establishment, the management, and the growth of our ecommerce business. By setting clear goals, defining our vision and mission, and understanding our market ...
Market update
Refinancing framework based on a new long-range business plan, with the following assumptions: For 2024: revenue of circa €9.9 billion, with organic revenue evolution at circa -2%; operating margin at circa 4% and free cash flow of €-0.4 billion before the unwinding of about €1.8 billion working capital actions as of December 2023

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix

What goes in the appendix of a business plan?

Create a professional business plan

Business plan appendix best practices

Make it easy to navigate

Don’t forget security

Make the appendix work as a separate document

Connect the appendix to sections of your business plan

Keep it simple

Free business plan template with appendix

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

The Bplans Weekly

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

What is an Appendix in a Business Plan?

What is Included in an Appendix of a Business Plan?

How Should You Write a Business Plan Appendix? (Insider Tip)

Template: 55 Business Plan Appendix Content Samples

Company Description

Target Market

Competition

Marketing and Sales

Products and Services

Management and Team

Related Questions

What is bibliography?

What are supporting documents included in a business plan appendix?

Related Posts

What should you include in your business plan appendices?

What is the objective of the appendices section of your business plan?

Additional financial records

Monthly financial statements

Organizational overview and team details

Legal documentation

Market data & competitive analysis

Images of products and services

Other supplementary resources

How long should the appendices section of your business plan be?

Tips for your business plan appendices

Create a table of contents

Include a confidentiality statement

Example of appendices in a business plan

Also on The Business Plan Shop

What Are Appendices in a Business Plan? A Complete Guide

What are appendices in a business plan?

Importance of Appendices

Let’s further discuss each component one by one.

Examples of some information to add within appendices in a business plan

How to Create Effective Appendices

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Get a Free Consultation Now

Everything You Need to Know about the Business Plan Appendix

What is a Business Plan Appendix?

What is the Purpose of the Business Plan Appendix?

How to Write the Business Plan Appendix for Your Company

Full Financial Projections

Customer Lists

Customer Testimonials

Intellectual Property Documentation

Management Team

Leases & Customer Contracts

Building & Architectural Designs

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

Company History and Background

Market Analysis

Individual & Business Credit History

Marketing Materials & Plan

Best Practices for Your Business Plan Appendix

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

Other Resources for Writing Your Business Plan

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Have Questions? Looking To Get Started?

How can we help you?

What to Include in Your Business Plan Appendix?

1. Financial Projections

2. Market Research and Analysis

3. Intellectual Property Documentation

4. Legal Documents

5. Resumes and Professional Biographies

6. Marketing Plan

7. Customer Contracts