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Lounge Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

lounge business plan

Lounge Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their lounge companies. 

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a lounge business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a lounge business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your lounge business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a lounge business or grow your existing lounge company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your lounge business to improve your chances of success. Your lounge business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Lounge Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a lounge business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan (hand it to them in person or email to them as a PDF file) and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for lounge companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a lounge business.

If you want to start a lounge business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide and sample below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your lounge business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of lounge business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a lounge business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of lounge businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. 

  • Give a brief overv iew of the lounge industry. 
  • Discuss the type of lounge business you are operating. 
  • Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. 
  • Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team. 
  • Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of lounge business you are operating.

For example, you m ight specialize in one of the following types of lounge businesses:

  • Party lounge business : Any party can take on exotic or compelling variations when a special lounge is created by a party lounge business. This type of business caters to client preferences in any number of themed lounges. Design, setup, teardown and transport is typically included.
  • Corporate lounge business: Attendees at trade shows and conferences can utilize a corporate lounge for resting, collaborating with partners or holding team meetings. The lounge is constructed as small spaces, with cube tables and other semi-private places for corporate personnel. Lounges are typically delivered to the venue, with setup and teardown provided. 
  • Wedding lounge business: Wedding lounge settings can be as simple or elaborate as wedding party planners want them to be. Venues can be built to resemble Arabian tents with lanterns or grand ballrooms with Venetian chairs. This is a premium business with high-end offerings for elaborate wedding receptions and parties. Services include delivery, setup, teardown and return transport. 
  • Pop-up lounge business: Fun, vibrant temporary lounges can be set up easily for corporate meetings or trade show events. These are designed to hold several small spaces, seating 2 to 4 people, with privacy for quiet conversations. Fabric curtains or tents may be used to add privacy. All services are included for this type of lounge business.

In addition to explaining the type of lounge business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

  • When and why did you start the business?
  • What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of corporate clients served, the number of wedding receptions held, reaching X number of customers in pop-up lounge services, etc.
  • Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the lounge industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the lounge industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your lounge business plan:

  • How big is the lounge industry (in dollars)?
  • Is the market declining or increasing?
  • Who are the key competitors in the market?
  • Who are the key suppliers in the market?
  • What trends are affecting the industry?
  • What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
  • What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your lounge business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your lounge business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, couples, wedding planners, corporate event planners, community planners. 

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of lounge business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporate event planners, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers. Ideally you can speak with a sample of your target customers before writing your plan to better understand their needs.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are othe r lounge businesses. 

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes event halls, hotel ballrooms, trade show meeting rooms and outdoor picnic areas. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

  • What types of customers do they serve?
  • What type of lounge business are they?
  • What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
  • What are they good at?
  • What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

  • Will you provide appetizers and beverages within your lounges?
  • Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
  • Will you provide better customer service?
  • Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a lounge business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type o f lounge company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide indoor garden lounges, pop up breweries, or corporate gourmet coffee lounges?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of yo ur plan, yo u are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your lounge company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your lounge business located in a busy retail district, a business district, or a standalone office? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your lounge marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

  • Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
  • Reach out to event planners, wedding planners, community and corporate planners 
  • Distribute flyers
  • Engage in email marketing
  • Advertise on social media platforms
  • Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your lounge business, including answering calls, planning lounge themes and services, billing customers and maintaining furnishings, etc. 

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to build your Xth lounge, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your lounge business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your lounge business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing lounge businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a lounge business or successfully running a small themed party business.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance s heet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you see 20 customers per day in your lounge, and/or offer package pricing for large lounges ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your lounge business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. 

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a lounge business:

  • Cost of equipment, furnishings and office supplies
  • Payroll or salaries paid to staff
  • Business insurance
  • Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of secured contracts for the next 6 months.

Writing a business plan for your lounge business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the lounge industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful lounge business.

Lounge Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my lounge business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your lounge business plan.

How Do You Start a Lounge Business?

Starting a lounge business is easy with these 14 steps:

  • Choose the Name for Your Lounge Business
  • Create Your Lounge Business Plan
  • Choose the Legal Structure for Your Lounge Business
  • Secure Startup Funding for Your Lounge Business (If Needed)
  • Secure a Location for Your Business
  • Register Your Lounge Business with the IRS
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get a Business Credit Card
  • Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
  • Get Business Insurance for Your Lounge Business
  • Buy or Lease the Right Lounge Business Equipment
  • Develop Your Lounge Business Marketing Materials
  • Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Lounge Business
  • Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

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

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan writers can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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></center></p><h2>Step by Step Guide To Write a Bar Business Plan (with Templates) – Updated 2024</h2><ul><li>By Tam Nguyen</li></ul><p><center><img style=

Table of Contents

For many with a passion for the nightlife and hospitality, the dream to open a bar remains persistent. If you’re one of them but are unsure about navigating the complexities of the bar industry, don’t have to worry. Writing a business plan is the first step in transforming this aspiration into a tangible reality. A detailed bar business plan will help streamline your vision, ensuring you’re well-prepared to venture into the bustling world of bar businesses with clarity and confidence.

What is A Bar Business Plan?

A bar business plan is a strategic roadmap that outlines your vision and the steps required to bring it to fruition. It encompasses every aspect of your business, from the fundamental business concept down to the intricate details of daily operations. In essence, it’s the blueprint to grow your business and ensure its longevity in a competitive market.

A great business plan doesn’t merely serve as an internal guide; it’s a persuasive tool to attract stakeholders, investors, and partners. It demonstrates how your bar will attract customers, generate profits, and stand out in the crowded nightlife landscape.

One might ask, “What makes a bar business plan unique?” It’s the blend of the universal principles of business, combined with the niche requirements of the bar industry. This includes, but is not limited to, licensing, menu crafting, entertainment provisions, and safety measures.

Given the dynamic nature of the bar industry, it’s important to include not only your immediate goals but also long-term objectives and strategies for adapting to market shifts. With a clear and comprehensive bar business plan, you’re laying a solid foundation for a successful enterprise.

Why A Business Plan Is Important For A Successful Bar Business? 

Owning a bar is a dream for many, but transforming this dream into a profitable reality requires meticulous planning and foresight. This is where a business plan plays a pivotal role.

Clear Vision and Objectives: A business plan helps establish a clear vision and set measurable objectives for your bar. Whether you aim to create a niche cocktail lounge, a bustling sports bar, or any other type of establishment, your business plan outlines the specific steps you’ll take to make your bar the go-to destination for potential customers. It provides direction and keeps all stakeholders aligned with the business’s overarching goals.

Financial Planning: One of the main reasons business owners create business plans is for robust financial planning. A bar has various financial intricacies, from sourcing ingredients to staffing and marketing expenses. A business plan ensures you’re well-equipped to manage cash flows, investments, and potential financial pitfalls. Moreover, potential investors often request a detailed business plan before committing funds, making this a crucial component for securing necessary capital.

Operational Efficiency: Every bar operates uniquely, depending on its target audience and theme. However, operational efficiency remains a consistent requirement for all bar owners. A business plan is a plan, after all, and it dives deep into the day-to-day operations, ensuring that every aspect, from supplier agreements to employee shifts, runs smoothly and cost-effectively.

Step-by-step Guide To Write A Bar Business Plan.

Navigating the world of the bar industry can be intricate, and the type of bar you want to open plays a pivotal role in shaping your business plan. Whether it’s a neighborhood bar, a high-end cocktail bar, or a wine bar with live music, each requires a distinct approach. This guide is tailored to help entrepreneurs and business owners create a comprehensive plan, ensuring the grand opening of the bar you dream of is a success.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your entire business plan, acting as a snapshot that encapsulates the essence of your vision and strategy. Typically, it’s about one to two pages long and is placed at the beginning of your business plan, but it’s often written last.

What should you cover in an Executive Summary?

  • Introduce your bar business, highlighting what makes your bar unique.
  • State your mission and vision, giving clarity to the type of bar you aim to establish.
  • Outline the main objectives, from your grand opening to long-term goals.
  • Provide a financial overview, offering potential investors a glimpse into projected profits and growth.

2. Bar Description

This section delves into the specifics of your bar, painting a vivid picture of what patrons can expect and how you plan to operate.

What should you cover in the bar description section?

  • Talk about your bar concept, whether it’s a wine bar, cocktail bar, or a bar with live music.
  • Explain your unique selling proposition – what makes your bar stand out from the competition.
  • Detail the operations, from opening hours to the ambiance you intend to create.

3. Market Analysis

This segment identifies and studies your potential customers, the location for your bar, and your competitors, helping you strategize accordingly.

Factors to cover:

  • Target market: Define the demographics and preferences of those you plan to cater to.
  • Location: An existing bar might already have an established clientele, but a new location needs careful consideration for accessibility, safety, and potential customer traffic.
  • Competition: Analyze trends in the bar industry and see how competitors operate, ensuring your offerings are both competitive and unique.

4. Organization and Management

This is the operational backbone of your bar, detailing the structure of your business and the team that will run it.

What should you cover in the organization and management plan?

  • Bar ownership information: Are you a sole proprietor, or is this part of a larger partnership or corporation?
  • Profiles of your Bar management team: Include bios of key team members, showcasing their expertise and how they’ll contribute to running a successful bar.

5. Sample Menu

This section teases what your bar will offer in terms of food and beverages, acting as a tantalizing preview for potential patrons and investors.

What should you consider when creating a sample menu?

  • Menu items: Detail the drinks and possibly accompanying food items.
  • Unique Selling Proposition: Highlight specials or unique mixes. For instance, a cocktail bar might focus on signature mixes, while a wine bar could emphasize rare finds.
  • Menu Pricing : Don’t forget to address pricing, taking into account costs and desired profit margins.

6. Marketing Strategy

This section delineates how you plan to attract customers to your bar and keep them coming back.

What should you cover in a marketing strategy for your bar business?

  • Define your brand: From logo to interior decor, consistency is key.
  • This could range from social media campaigns ,loyalty programs, SEO for website, or partnership with local businesses. 
  • Considering using an  online food ordering system  in your bar
  • Create a  digital menu with QR code  to make your menu easy for your customers to access online
  • Sales Strategies: Special promotions, events, or partnerships that drive sales.

7. Business Operations

This segment breaks down the day-to-day functioning of your bar, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

BWhat operational issues should you address in your business plan?

  • Supply chain: Detail your suppliers for everything from alcohol to garnish.
  • Operating hours: Will you have a late-night license? Open only on weekends?
  • Staffing: Consider the roles you need to hire for, from bartenders to security.
  • Equipment: Everything from the bar counters to the sound system.

8. Financial Plan and Loans

How Many Ways to Fund Your Bar?

Securing funds to start and grow their bar business is a concern for many aspiring bar owners. While personal savings might be the go-to for some, others might look into bank loans, angel investors, or even crowdfunding campaigns. Exploring all available options can ensure you fund your bar easily and efficiently.

Important Questions to Consider When You Create Your Funding Request

Before approaching potential investors or lenders, it’s pivotal to have a clear plan detailing how the funds will be used. What renovations or modifications are necessary? What will the initial stock and equipment cost? What provisions have been made for operational costs until the bar starts turning a profit? Having these answers ready can make your funding request more compelling.

9. Financial Projections

When diving into the world of bar entrepreneurship, understanding your financial landscape is crucial.

Break-even analysis

 It’s an evaluation that helps you determine when your bar will be able to cover all its expenses and start making a profit.

To calculate the break-even point, use this formula: Break Even Point = Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs)

Knowing this can help you write a more convincing business plan, highlighting the viability of your venture.

Projected profit and loss statement

A crucial part of your bar business plan that offers insights into potential profits and losses your business might encounter.

Cash flow analysis

This gives you the key elements to understand how cash moves in and out of your business. By following the bar business plan writing best practices, you can quickly and easily complete these projections. Ensuring that they include a winning strategy will make your financial plan more robust and appealing to potential investors.

Sample Bar Business Plan Template

The following is a comprehensive example of a bar business plan. It’s a great tool to guide you in writing your business plan.

Mission : To provide a unique drinking experience that celebrates local flavors and promotes community bonding.

Vision : To be the neighborhood’s top bar destination, known for its distinctive drinks and vibrant ambiance.

Bar Description : The Urban Vine, a wine-centric bar focusing on regional wines and locally sourced ingredients.

Costs : Estimated starting cost: $250,000.

Profits : Projected first-year net profit: $60,000.

2. Description of the Bar

Bar Concept : A contemporary wine bar featuring local wines and complementary tapas-style dishes.

Bar Name : The Urban Vine.

Bar Type : Wine bar with a secondary focus on craft beers.

Bar Location : 123 Vine Street, Downtown District.

Order Fulfillment : Table service and bar seating available, with an option for outdoor patio seating.

Working Hours : Monday to Thursday: 4 PM – 12 AM; Friday & Saturday: 3 PM – 1 AM; Sunday: 2 PM – 10 PM.

3. Menu Offer

Type of Food and Drink : Wine from local vineyards, craft beers, and tapas-style dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

Offer : Regular wine tasting events showcasing new arrivals, paired with chef-special appetizers.

Unique Selling Point : Every wine bottle tells a local story, giving drinkers a taste of the region’s vineyards.

4. Market and Competition Analysis

Market Analysis : The Downtown District has a population predominantly comprised of working professionals aged 25-45, making it a prime location for a bar or pub.

Target Customer : Young professionals and wine enthusiasts looking for a quality drinking experience in a relaxed setting.

Size of the Target Customer : Approximately 10,000 individuals fitting the profile within a 5-mile radius.

Competition Analysis : Three other wine bars operate within the district.

Size of the Competition : Among the competitors, the largest has a seating capacity of 75, while the others can host around 50 patrons each.

Competitors’ Offer : Basic wine selections, some with occasional live music nights.

Competitors’ Prices : Average price of $8 per glass of wine and $6 for beer.

5. Investment Plan (Detailed Cost Analysis)

  • Leasehold improvements: $80,000
  • Furniture & Fixtures: $30,000
  • Licensing & Permits: $20,000
  • Initial Inventory: $40,000
  • Rent: $4,000
  • Salaries: $10,000
  • Utilities: $1,500
  • Miscellaneous: $2,500
  • Total Cost : Anticipated first-year expense: $322,000.

6. Financial Forecast

 Considering the costs of starting and the projected revenue, breakeven is anticipated by month eight. The first-year projected revenue is $382,000.

Owner/Manager : Jane Doe – A passionate wine enthusiast with a background in business management.

Head Bartender : John Smith – Experienced in running a bar, skilled in crafting unique drink experiences.

Kitchen Staff : A team of three, led by Chef Anna, specializing in tapas dishes.

8. Marketing Plan

Strategies will focus on social media promotions, local partnerships, and hosting events. Ideas like wine-tasting events, collaborations with local vineyards, and monthly themed nights will be implemented. Special offers will be provided for group bookings, early bird timings, and repeat customers.

This business plan template will help prospective bar owners in crafting their unique plan to make their dream bar a reality. With a robust business strategy, The Urban Vine is set to become a renowned establishment in the Downtown District.

Tips For Creating An Effective Bar Business Plan Outline

Crafting a comprehensive bar business plan is pivotal in turning your vision into a successful venture. Here are some insightful tips to help you create an efficient outline:

Understand Your Niche : Begin by identifying the unique character of your bar. Is it a cozy neighborhood nook or a sophisticated wine bar? The specifics determine the kind of customers you’ll attract and the atmosphere you aim to create.

Include Comprehensive Details : The following bar business plan components are essential: executive summary, bar description, menu offer, market analysis, investment plans, financial forecasts, team structure, and marketing strategies. Don’t skimp on details; a comprehensive plan showcases your dedication and thoroughness.

Focus on Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) : What makes your bar stand out? Maybe it’s an exclusive range of craft beer and wine, or perhaps it’s an innovative theme. Always include this unique factor in your business plan as it’s pivotal for attracting customers.

Plan Your Offerings : Are you focusing just on drinks or do you also plan to serve a variety of food items? Highlight your primary offerings, be it beer and wine or gourmet appetizers.

Keep It Adaptable : The bar industry is ever-evolving. Ensure your business plan is flexible enough to adapt to changing trends and customer preferences.

Seek Feedback : Before finalizing, share your draft with industry professionals or trusted peers. Their insights could help you include in a winning strategy that perhaps you hadn’t thought of.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what makes a bar profitable.

A bar’s profitability hinges on multiple factors. A strategic location, a unique selling proposition, efficient cost management, and high-quality service all play pivotal roles. Moreover, understanding the preferences of your target audience and adapting accordingly, offering promotions during off-peak hours, and managing overheads effectively can significantly enhance a bar’s profit margins.

2. What is the executive summary of a bar business plan?

The executive summary is a concise overview of the bar’s business plan. It provides a snapshot of the business concept, its objectives, the financial outlook, and primary offerings. This section is particularly crucial for potential investors as it gives them a quick glance at the bar’s potential profitability and operational strategy.

3. How to write a good executive summary for a business plan with example?

When writing an executive summary, it’s essential to be clear and concise. Start with your bar’s mission and vision. Outline the primary objectives, the bar’s USP, and provide a brief financial overview.

Example: “ Sapphire Lounge aims to be the city’s premier wine bar, offering an eclectic range of international wines in a cozy, upscale environment. Located in the heart of the business district, our vision is to provide professionals a relaxing spot to unwind. We project an annual revenue of $500,000, with an initial investment of $150,000. Our unique wine-tasting events and wine-pairing dinners set us apart in the competitive landscape.”

4. Do bars make a lot of money?

The profitability of bars varies based on several factors like location, concept, management, and market demand. While some bars can yield high profits, especially those in prime locations with a unique concept, others might struggle due to competition, mismanagement, or changing market trends. However, with the right strategy, understanding of the target audience, and operational efficiency, bars can indeed be quite lucrative.  

Crafting a comprehensive business plan is the bedrock of any successful bar venture. By diligently addressing each section and meticulously detailing all elements you aim to include in your business plan, you’re not only preparing for potential challenges but also envisioning the pathway to success. Remember, a business plan is not a static document; it’s a dynamic blueprint that can evolve with the changing demands of the industry and your clientele. Every decision, from the drinks you offer to the promotions you run, should align with the vision set out in your plan, ensuring long-term growth and sustainability.

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How to write a Bar Business Plan: Complete Guide

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  • January 3, 2023
  • Food & Beverage

bar business plan

Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your bar, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in your bar business plan. Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary of a business plan gives a sneak peek of the information about your business plan to lenders and/or investors.

If the information you provide here is not concise, informative, and scannable, potential lenders and investors may lose interest.

Why do you need a business plan for a bar?

The purpose of a business plan is to secure funding through one of the following channels:

  • Obtain bank financing or secure a loan from other lenders (such as a SBA loan )
  • Obtain private investments from investment funds, angel investors, etc.
  • Obtain a public or private grant

How to write your bar business plan’s executive summary?

Provide a precise and high-level summary of every section that you have included in your bar business plan. The information and the data you include in this segment should grab the attention of potential investors and lenders immediately. Ensure that the executive summary doesn’t exceed 2 pages in total.

The executive summary usually consists of the five major sub-sections that include:

  • Business overview : introduce your bar and provide a brief of the products and services you will offer. For instance, it may be a sports bar, a social hub, a music venue, or something else. Also mention the number of customers your bar can host at once.
  • Market overview : the market overview section will contain an overview of the expected market size and growth of the bar industry in your area as well as your target audience and its demographics. Another important part of any market overview is a clear and thorough analysis of your competitors
  • People : introduce your bar’s management and employee structure. Provide a brief (no more than a couple of sentences each) of the knowledge and experience of the team. Also, speak about your hiring plans: who will you hire and who will report to whom?
  • Financial plan : how much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach break-even point and start making profits? Include here your key financials such as revenue, gross profits, and net profit
  • Funding ask : what loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much do you need? How long will this last?

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Bar Financial Model

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

2. Bar Business Overview

This is the section of your bar business plan where you properly introduce your bar and its business model.

Here is a sample list of questions that you must try to answer in this section:

  • What is the rationale behind the bar?
  • What’s the bar’s location and why did you select that location?
  • Why did you select the type of bar you want to open?
  • What will be the products and services you will offer?
  • What will be your pricing strategy and why?
  • Will your operating hours be the same as your competitors?
  • Who is your target audience?
  • How many customers can you serve at once (capacity)?
  • What will be the legal structure of your company?

a) History of the Project

Here you should explain the background of your project, more importantly:

  • The passion & experience of the business owner for the bar industry
  • The rationale behind the business: why did you decide to create a bar today?

Passion & Experience

You may or may not have prior experience. If you have experience, speak about it and how it will help you to run your business. For instance, you may have been a senior manager in a bar for say 5 years, and now you want to start your own bar and use your knowledge to run it more efficiently.

However, if you don’t already have experience, that’s fine. You must demonstrate your passion and some industry knowledge (you may have conducted thorough research).

Is there a certain problem (or perhaps, a set of problems) that your bar will try to solve when it comes into existence? For example, there may not be any sports bar in your area where sports enthusiasts can enjoy sports on a big screen while enjoying drinks and food.

But that’s not all! The market must be suitable for a business to exist and thrive. For instance, if the area has a high rate of hooliganism and vandalism, opening a bar in the area might not be a good idea. Similarly, if the population of the target market has a high percentage of under-aged people and non-drinkers, you may not receive enough customers to keep the bar profitable.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

b) Business Model

This sub-section of the Business Overview will explain your business model. Describe the following points briefly:

  • Will you buy an existing bar and do some remodeling, or will you start a new bar and design it from scratch?
  • The type of bar you want to open and why

What are the different types of bars?

There are multiple types of bars. Some of them that you may consider include, but are not limited to:

  • Specialty Bar: They specialize in one or two things. For instance, it can be a Martini Bar or a Cigar Bar. If you decide to open a Martini Bar, expect to have more women customers since the drink is popular among women. Again, a Cigar Bar will attract people who want to enjoy a smoke while drinking
  • Sports Bar: This is a type of bar that will televise sporting events continuously on a big TV screen. Usually, these bars remain crowded, and the male species will usually flock to these bars. Things can get raunchy and drunk men can pick up fights.
  • College Bar: This type of bar attracts the college crowd – people who have just turned 21. With drinking becoming legal for them, you can expect people to have lots of fun and order a lot of booze. Sorority girls, frat boys, cheerleading squad, football team – you will find them all. But they aren’t among the most responsible drinkers. So, expect some mess
  • Concept/Cocktail Bar: These bars are specially for people with big spending capacity. Usually, the bars have something unique to offer and often attract tourists. For example, you may consider an open-air rooftop bar offering a sweeping view of the city. These bars are more about expensive thrills and new trends, and they often tend to be very extravagant
  • Irish Pub: They specialize in offering alcoholic drinks that come straight from Ireland. Usually, they have a great ambiance, and they are perfect for relaxation and de-stressing. They have that typical Irish feel complete with decorations and pleasant music

There are many more types of bars that you may consider. However, remember that the bar you are opening must have a high percentage of the target audience. For instance, if you are located in an area popular for expensive tourism, a Cocktail Bar Bar may be a better choice.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

c) Products

Of course, the products you will offer in your bar will depend on the type of bar you are opening.

Here, you should provide an overview of the products you are selling, drinks and/or food. Whilst it’s always good to add details, keep the detailed menu for the appendix instead.

Instead, explain here what are the main products you will sell (if you’re specializing in specific drinks for example) which shall tie into how you differentiate yourself vs. competitors later (see Market Overview ).

d) Pricing Strategy

In this sub-section, you must explain the pricing strategy of your bar. If you have multiple competitors in the vicinity, you cannot have huge pricing variation, especially for the drinks. Pricing will, of course, depend on the type of bar you are opening. 

For instance, if you are going for a College Bar with a major focus on beers, you will most likely charge the standard beer rates. However, if you are offering additional entertainment services, you can charge for that, too.

Similarly, you cannot expect to charge super high like the concept bars if you are opening a Sports Bar. Yes, there can be significant price variations in the food that you are offering.

Create a pricing chart and ensure to provide an average price range for your products. You don’t need to provide exact pricing for each product. For example, if you are selling beer, you don’t need to list each beer brand and its price. You can just use a range instead (e.g. $6 to $9 for a pint).

Adding prices to your bar business plan is very important: it will allow investors to tie your pricing strategy with your financial projections later on (see Financial Plan ).

e) Legal Structure

Finally, your business overview section should specify what type of business structure you want. Is this a corporation or a partnership (LLC)? Who are the investors? How much equity percentage do they own? Is there a Board of Directors? If so, whom? Do they have experience in the industry?

3. Bar Market Overview

A complete understanding of the market where you want to operate is important for the success of your business.

For example, if you intend to open an Irish Pub in an area teeming with a college crowd, that will be a foolish choice. Similarly, if you want to open a Nostalgia Bar and try to attract a music-loving crowd, it will not work.

Only when you understand your target audience and weave your service offerings according to their needs, you will succeed.

Therefore, you must cover 3 important areas in the market overview or market analysis section of your bar business plan:

  • Bar industry status quo : how big is the bar industry in your area? What is its growth rate (or decline rate) and what are the factors contributing to its growth or decline?
  • Competition overview : how many competitors are there? How do they compare vs. your business? How can you differentiate yourself from them?
  • Customer analysis : who is your target audience? What type of bars do they prefer? How regularly do they drink? What type of drinks do they prefer? How much do they spend at bars every month?

a) Bar Industry Status Quo

How big is the bar industry in the us.

The US bar industry is estimated to be at $26.7bn in 2022 , and it registered a growth of 16.4% in 2022. The primary factor driving the growth is the increased per capita expenditure on alcohol. Also, there are approximately 71,634 bars and nightclubs in the country.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

How big is the bar industry in your area?

Once you provide the overall picture of the US, divert your attention to the area where you want to operate.

Yet, it might not be possible to find region or area-specific numbers online. In such case, you must estimate the size yourself. Read our article on how to estimate TAM, SAM and SOM for your startup.

For example, if there are 71,634 bars and nightclubs in the country with total annual revenue of $26.7bn, the average annual revenue for each establishment is $372,728. Therefore, if the area where you want to open your bar has 30 operational establishments, you can safely assume that the bar industry in your area is worth approximately $11.2 million.

How fast is the bar industry growing in the area?

You must show the expected growth rate of the bar industry in your area. This information may not be available via online research papers. However, assessing the growth rate will not be difficult.

You can approach each bar separately and ask for their year of establishment. You will get a clear picture of the overall growth rate. For instance, if there were 20 bars in 2018 and 30 bars in 2022, the average annual growth rate is 11%.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

What are the current bar market trends in your area?

It is vital to understand the trends of the bar industry in your area. Understanding trends will allow you to devise marketing strategies.

Understanding trends won’t be easy. You must conduct research and talk with your target audience. Additionally, you must also study your competitors to understand their target audience, the products they sell, etc.

Some common questions you may ask the target audience include:

  • What type of bars do they prefer?
  • At what time of the day do they prefer to visit a bar?
  • How frequently do they visit bars?
  • What type of drinks and food do they usually order?

You can ask as many questions as you need to understand the evolving trends.

b) Competition Overview

Studying your competitors’ business models is vital. You need to understand what makes them successful or why they fail. A clear understanding of their products and services, marketing strategies, etc., will allow you to provide a better service.

If your competitors are offering nearly the same products & services, then what is their market share and how do they market their products & services to attract new customers?

It is always a good idea to do some research (if necessary, physically visit your competitors without revealing your business intentions) and create a comparative table summarizing their product & service offerings, marketing strategies, target audience, etc.

Here is a sample table that you can use as a reference:

Bar SWOT Analysis

Try to provide a SWOT analysis as part of your competitor analysis too. It must be crisp and highly focused. SWOT stands for Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats.

Here is a sample that you can use as a reference:

  • Strengths : 8 years of experience bartender experience and 6 years of senior management experience in a reputed bar, experienced staff with a minimum of 4 years of experience
  • Weaknesses : Startup cost, no initial brand reputation
  • Opportunities : A massive campus crowd of legal drinking age, no college bar catering to the specific needs of the campus crowd
  • Threats : Increasing rent due to increased demand for commercial spaces, a high street brand will start operations shortly

A clear understanding of your strengths and weakness along with opportunities and threats in the real market can help you to design your marketing strategy . It also helps potential investors to assess the risk and reward profile of your business.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

c) Customer Analysis

This is the sub-section where you will provide a detailed analysis of your target audience. You will expand the data points your provided earlier in the Business Overview segment.

Some important points that you must include in your customer analysis include:

  • Age and gender distribution (you can get local demographic data from census.gov )
  • Per capita expenditure on alcohol
  • Frequency of bar visits
  • Average monthly income and disposable income
  • Average bill size per visit
  • Average yearly or monthly spending on alcohol and food at bars
  • Type of bars preferred
  • The expected price range for drinks and food
  • Inclination towards loyalty programs & free perks
  • Things they dislike about existing bars and what they expect to be improved

You can add as many data points as required to validate your business decision. The idea here is to display your deep understanding of the target audience and the needs, preferences, and expectations. This knowledge can help you to tailor your products & services to attract new customers.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

4. Bar Sales & Marketing

This is the segment where you outline your customer acquisition strategy. Try to answer the following questions:

  • What are the different marketing strategies you will use?
  • How do you intend to track the success of your marketing strategy?
  • What is your CAC or customer acquisition cost?
  • What are your USPs?
  • What is your marketing budget?
  • What promos and offers do you intend to provide for attracting new customers?

Let’s expand a bit on a few questions below:

What marketing channels do bars use?

A few marketing channels that bars typically use are:

  • Content marketing (share content like best foods that pair with beer, wine, whiskey, rum, and vodka; how to make crystal clear ice balls or cubes at home, etc.) on platforms like blogs, social media, etc.
  • Word of mouth
  • Local listing
  • Instagram/Facebook ads, etc.

It is not necessary to use all channels. You can start by focusing on a few of them. You can include other marketing strategies later.

Also, you must have a fair and nearly accurate estimate of your marketing budget. Failure to display a well-planned and adequate cash flow for advertising and marketing can lead to investors losing confidence.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

What are your Unique Selling Propositions (USPs)?

In other words, how do you differentiate yourself vs. competitors? This is very important as you might need to win customers from competitors.

A few examples of USPs are:

  • Happy Hours : Enjoy a 30% discount on all drinks at food between 2 PM and 4 PM
  • Free Drinks : 2 drinks on the house for bills above $200
  • Price Match : Find a bar with a lower price for the same drinks and we will match the price

Your USP will depend on your business model, competitor analysis, and target audience. Whatever your USP be, it should appeal to your potential customers and attract them. Plus, The USP you offer should be convincing enough for investors and lenders.

5. Management & Organizational Structure

You must address 2 things here:

  • The management team and their experience/track record
  • The organizational structure: different team members and who reports to whom?

a) Management

Small businesses often fail because of managerial weaknesses. Thus, having a strong management team is vital. Highlight the experience and education of senior managers that you intend to hire to oversee your bar business.

Describe their duties, responsibilities, and roles. Also, highlight their previous experience and explain how they succeeded in their previous roles.

It is also important that you explain how their experiences and qualifications help you in implementing the bar you are proposing. If they have specialized training and education (such as business management, bartender certification, etc.), add that information.

b) Organizational Structure

Even if you haven’t already hired a senior manager, bartender, waitress or waiter, barback, security guard & bouncer, and other relevant staff members, you must provide a flowchart of the organizational structure defining the hierarchy of reporting.

Such a flowchart will demonstrate your management skills and plans to the interested investors or lenders. If necessary, they may even suggest changes to improve the management structure.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

6. Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any bar business plan.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your bar is an attractive investment.

There should be 2 sections to your financial plan section:

  • The startup costs of your project (if you plan to start a new bar, purchase new equipment, renovate your bar, etc.)
  • The 5-year financial projections

a) Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project. For a bar, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you open your bar and starting making sales. These expenses typically are:

  • The renovation / refurbishment of the building / space
  • Equipment & furniture
  • Initial inventory
  • Licenses & permits

As an example, it costs on average $148,500 to $239,000 to open a hard liquor bar with 80 seats in a premium location.

Note that these costs are for illustrative purposes and may not be fully relevant for your business. For more information on how much it costs to open and run a bar, read our article here .

b) Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will now need to build a solid 5-year financial model for your bar.

Your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in the business plan of your bar.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics, key assumptions used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

  • How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
  • When do you expect to break even?
  • How much cash will you burn until you get there?
  • What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 20%) on your margins?
  • What is your average customer acquisition cost?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

  • The number of customers over time ;
  • Your expected revenue ;
  • Operating costs to run the business ;
  • Any other cash flow items (e.g. capex, debt repayment, etc.).

When projecting your revenue, make sure to sensitize pricing and the number of customers as a small change in these assumptions will have a big impact on your revenues.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

7. Funding Ask

This is the last section of your bar business plan. Now that we have explained what your bar is about, the products you sell and to whom, what’s your strategy, where you go and how you get there, this section must answer the following questions:

  • How much funding do you need?
  • What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, or even a free-money public grant?
  • How long will this funding last?
  • Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

  • What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
  • What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

  • What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
  • What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any bar business plan should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment in paying your employees’ salaries? Or will it cover mostly the cost for the lease deposit and the renovation?

Those are very important questions you should be able to answer in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry, this should come straight from your financial projections. If you’ve built solid projections like in our Bar financial model template , you won’t have any issues answering these questions.

For the use of funds, we also recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

Privacy Overview

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Step By Step Guide To Write A Bar Business Plan

Opening a new bar requires grit and determination - as well as a fantastic bar business plan to act as your roadmap. This document can determine the future success of your new venture, so it’s essential to make it as comprehensive as possible.

But for first-time bar owners, figuring out where to start can be challenging. Our step-by-step guide to writing a business plan will help you pinpoint the finer details to consider when building a thriving bar business.

How to Write a Bar Business Plan in 9 Steps

1. bar overview.

The first step in writing a bar business plan is to establish an overview of the type of bar you want to open. You need a concept and location to shape your business model and create an executive summary for your new venture:

One of the defining aspects of your establishment is its concept and theme, which you’ll need to describe clearly in your business plan. Whether it’s a simple sports bar, speakeasy, or high-end nightclub, have a fully developed idea of what your venue will be and what purpose it will serve.

You also need to consider how to meet market needs. If you’re following trending concepts, you’ll know that roof-top bars and lounges are popular now. Or, perhaps you want your venue to be an activity-based bar that offers an art gallery, board games, or mini-golf?  

Part of your business plan also includes setting your mission statement and goals. These should outline your vision and will influence who invests in your bar. Your mission statement should be a comprehensive statement that details what sets you apart from other bars and should include your company’s values.

bar and restaurant business plan

It’s important to link your statement to your business concept. You should consider how your values and goals are influenced by what makes your bar unique - including your overall purpose.

Next, you need to propose a location for your bar. Venues close to stores, shopping, centers, and tourist attractions, typically get good visibility and attract a lot of foot traffic. Because of the number of people moving through these areas daily, they also usually offer a decent level of security for your customers.

Another consideration for location is to avoid suburban areas where neighbors might lodge noise complaints. Should this happen, it can mean regulations stipulate earlier closing times for your venue so as not to disturb the peace.  

Finally, look for a space where there’s low competition, and your business can shine. There are plenty of strips crowded with bars and nightclubs. While these might attract a decent amount of foot traffic, you’ll need to work much harder to draw people into your place if one establishment has already made a name for itself.

For this reason, aim to secure a spot with little competition. It could mean having a unique concept bar that overshadows the competition. Or it could mean selecting a space where your type of bar doesn’t yet exist.

Ease of Accessibility

Potential customers need to be able to access your bar easily, or they will go elsewhere. They might drive, take public transport, or use a ridesharing company to travel to your venue. It’s up to you to ensure there are ways and means to get them conveniently to the front door.

ease of accessibility

Here, you should be looking for a venue where you can offer parking to your patrons. It should also be accessible to ride-hailing services and close to public transport.

2. Customer Overview

No bar establishment would be successful without its customers. As part of your bar business plan, include a profile of the type of customer you hope to attract. Consider who your target market is and how it aligns with your bar concept.

You should also outline your demographic's age, income, and interests. You’ll need this information later when developing marketing strategies for your business.  

3. Management Overview

The next step in your bar business plan is building a team structure. Your crafty bar concept requires talented people to execute it properly.

Your bartenders are the face of your establishment. Essentially, they can make or break your customer’s impression of your venue. When going through the hiring process, you’ll need to consider each individual’s personality, qualifications, experience, and skills.

Ideally, you want at least one experienced bartender who knows the ropes and can help set up operations, deal with bar management, and train the team. They will also be able to help streamline any teething issues that come up as a result of starting a new business.

From the get-go, outline your bartending teams’ possible responsibilities and the duties they’ll need to undertake. This can help set expectations ahead of advertising jobs and interviewing potential candidates.

barbacks

Bar-backs don’t need as much experience as bartenders or servers as they aren’t in the customer eye as much. But they must be willing and eager to learn. They are essential to keeping everything running smoothly and work closely with the bartender as an assistant.

For this reason, they need a solid foundational knowledge of the industry, ingredients, and barware in general.

Depending on your business concept and operational model, you may or may not need to employ servers. Some high-end venues have servers to reduce the crowd around the bar and deliver drinks to the table. Additionally, you’ll need to hire servers if you offer any food.

When building out your staffing plan, you’ll need to determine where your establishment lands with that requirement. Make a note here to look for bar industry candidates with alcohol training who know how to serve alcohol safely and legally.

4. Drinks Menu Plan

Your drinks menu is your bar’s product. To be successful, it’s essential to get this offering right.

While your beverage list will undoubtedly change over time, don’t neglect to include a sample menu in your business plan. This will give potential investors an idea of what’s in store and possibly help you secure funding.

Descriptions

Your drinks menu is the selling point of your bar business and the star of the show. If you can excite and entice patrons with promises of wonderful flavors, you’ll be onto a gold mine.

So, it’s important to include product descriptions in your menu, particularly for signature drinks. Each listing should detail the ingredients of individual drinks, any garnishes they may come with, and add-ons your customers can choose from.

Beverage Names

Name cocktails

A successful bar is only as strong as its product. So, aligning your drinks with your bar’s brand and concept is important. Get together with a mixologist to create one or several signature drinks that will be uniquely your own. Give these drinks names that play to the overall theme of your business.

Product Sourcing

Many establishments lean on particular products as their claim to fame. For example, you might want to be known as a French wine bistro, local brewery, or craft cocktail spot. Decide what you wish your unique story to be and reflect this in your plan for product sourcing.

Of course, sourcing locally is the most sustainable way to go. You can also build relationships with vendors in your community, which can help bring people into your venue.  

Industry Trends

It’s essential to do your research and stay abreast of industry trends. Note what these are in your business plan, as this will help keep customers walking through your doors.

For example, one of the most popular cocktail trends in the bar scene is smoke-infused or smoked cocktails. Some mixologists may also use smoke bubbles to infuse the cocktail with a smoky aroma. This trend has gained fame in the last few years and adds a new twist to the cocktail-drinking experience.

Small Food Menu (Small Bites)

Food and beverages go hand in hand. If you plan a small menu with, say, tapas or easy eats, you can increase your revenue. It will prevent your guests from leaving to find something to eat.

Suppose you don’t want the hassle of food storage and preparation. In that case, consider formulating a partnership with a local eatery or small food business that can deliver a menu of select freshly-made items to your establishment.

tapas bar

5. Licenses

It’s key to plan out your business licenses carefully. If you don’t have the right ones in place, you won’t be able to operate.

Tavern License

When putting together your bar business plan, it’s important to research whether you need a tavern license. It’s a government-issued license for restaurants, bars, or businesses with more than 50% liquor sales.  

Beer and Wine License

If you’re planning on starting a beerhouse or wine lounge, you may only need to apply for a beer and wine license. This will restrict your sales to wine and malt beverages, as you won’t be able to sell hard liquors like spirits. Whether you need to apply for this license depends on your bar's concept.

Health/Food Service License

With a small food menu, you’ll likely need to note on your restaurant and bar business plan to apply for a food service license. It’s a requirement to serve any type of food within your establishment. To obtain a food service license, you’ll need to ensure that your bar follows strict rules and regulations laid out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .

Music License

Music is one of the key elements of creating ambiance in a venue. But did you know that streaming music from your digital subscription with Spotify or Deezer is not actually operating within the law? This is true even if you’re playing music through a TV or radio.

group of friends enjoying music at rooftop bar

The right way to go about this is to pay a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) or music service that will send royalties to the relevant artists. For the most part, this doesn’t apply to bands or performers who play live at your venue.

6. Market Research

Performing market research as part of your bar business plan is key to understanding your opportunities and how to capitalize on them.  

Industry Research

Part of your research should be to determine the market size you can potentially snag. Look at other bars already operating in the area, consider the industry as a whole, and determine what trends are driving it forward.  

Target Market

What needs will your bar solve for your target market? You can find out who they are and what they want by considering the local neighborhood and bar type.

It’s also an idea to look at census data to see how many potential customers within a certain demographic live within a reachable radius of your proposed location.

Market Share and Price Point

When doing your market analysis, consider similar bar businesses that have come before you. What do their successes and failures look like? Why did they crash and burn, or soar to new heights? Take these lessons and figure out how to apply them so your business can succeed.

Furthermore, what will your entry into the market mean for the local community? Are you creating new job opportunities? Or are you going to bring in an unruly crowd of patrons they hope to avoid? Knowing this information will help you be accepted and create connections rather than catastrophes.

Bar marketshare

Lastly, consider what your ‘competitors’ or other similar industry businesses are charging for their drinks and services. Run a competitive analysis in the area to determine your potential price point and how you can stand out.

7. Bar Marketing

Utilizing a marketing plan in the right way helps you take measured steps to get your establishment in front of potential customers. Here are the strategies to get started:

Create a Brand

The key to starting a successful business - and keeping it open - is to create a memorable brand identity. Your toolbox for promoting your brand should include your logo, colors, and ‘personality.’ Use these in a way that becomes synonymous with your bar, no matter where people interact with it.

Marketing Tools

Besides developing your brand identity, consider the channels you can market on to attract customers. At the very least, it should include your social channels, website, and media influencers.

8. Other Avenues to Increase Revenue

Besides being a bar and welcoming guests who come in with reservations or foot traffic, there are other avenues to increase your revenue.

Hosting events such as karaoke nights, wine tastings, or live music is an excellent way to attract larger crowds to your bar. You are guaranteed certain sales, can charge a cover fee, and get new people walking through the door.

Wine tasting event

If you go this route, we recommend using event management software to keep everything on track and work effortlessly with your team.

It’s no surprise that all businesses go through an ebb and flow of customer traffic. A great way to increase cash flow during slower periods is to introduce ideas like drink specials and happy hour discounts.

When you’re writing up a business plan, don’t forget to brainstorm ideas for a pre-opening promotion as a way to test the market. This can be as simple as a soft launch or as elaborate as a grand-opening celebration.

9. Financials

An important aspect of your business plan is to outline your potential start-up costs. These, along with the costs of day-to-day business operations, and financial projections, will attract or deter potential investors.

Your business plan should also highlight possible funding options like loans and investment opportunities you have available. Additionally, you’ll need to draw up a break-even analysis to determine how much revenue it will take to turn profits.  

Realizing your dream of owning the hottest bar in town starts with a great business plan. It will need to cover everything from your mission statement to your concept and drinks menu. This will help you build a sturdy management team, hire great employees, and attract people to your venue.

Want to know more about Perfect Venue for event management? Try it free to find out how it can be a fit for your new business.

Have thoughts on the article? Feel free to email us at [email protected] - we'd love to hear it!

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

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Foosball Hall

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Foosball Hall is a new gaming hall and bar serving the Madison, Wisconsin community. Foosball or table soccer is an exciting table game originating from 1920’s Germany. The game involves two to four people in an exciting match that tests skill, strategy, and willingness to have fun. People, primarily male students, play foosball as an exciting alternative to pool. They are looking for skill oriented game that they can play in the social setting of a bar. While there are many different pool hall bars in Madison, there are no foosball bars even though the demand is quite apparent. Demand can be witnessed anywhere there is a foosball table. There are always lines of people waiting to play, and it is extremely rare to be able to walk up to an unused foosball table. Foosball Hall will meet the unmet demand in Madison, Wisconsin with a bar offering beer, food, beverages and plenty of foosball tables for casual play as well as tournaments.

Keys to Success Foosball Hall has identified three keys that will be critical for their success. The first is the need to design and implement strict financial controls. This is particularly important for an establishment that serves alcohol, as employee theft is one of the largest drains on this type of business. The financial controls will help minimize this risk. The second key is the behavior of all employees toward customers – that each customer is treated as if they were the most important customer of Foosball Hall. The last key to success will be the constant analysis for improvement of the business model. It will be management’s task to continually analyze the business model looking for ways that it can be adjusted to increase profitability for the business. Foosball Hall will not assume that this business model is static, rather, they believe that in order to improve it must be dynamic.

Target Market Customers Foosball Hall has identified two population target segments. The first segment is casual players of table games. This segment enjoys playing table games such as foosball or pool in a bar setting. They appreciate the opportunity to play a fun game while they consume beverages (alcoholic or not) and socialize with friends or strangers. This group is growing at the annual rate of 8% with 54,889 potential customers. The second segment of the population that will be targeted is competitive players. These people appreciate foosball for the same reasons as the casual players, however, this group is also quite competitive. They play foosball to win, either with friends or in a tournament and continually work on their skills to become better players. This segment has an annual growth rate of 7% and 12,445 potential customers.

Management Foosball Hall will be lead by Stan Spinner. Stan received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. While in college, Stan managed a pool hall. This was Stan’s first experience in a retail establishment and provided him with invaluable experience in tavern operations, as well as insight into customer habits and preferences. Recognizing that one day he wanted to run his own business, but was not comfortable with his incomplete skill set, Stan enrolled in the University of Wisconsin’s MBA Entrepreneurship Program. Stan went through the two year program with the intention of opening a foosball bar upon graduation. Having this goal in his head while taking the course work proved to be quite valuable as it became a lens through which Stan studied all the new material.

Foosball Hall is a start-up gaming (foosball) bar primarily serving the students of Madison. Sales have been forecast to be approximately $200,000 for year two, increasing to approximately $290,000 in year three. Net profit will be negative in year one, rising to a positive % in years two and three.

1.1 Keys to Success

Foosball Hall has identified several business elements that must be implemented in order to succeed in this competitive market.

  • Employ strict financial controls. This is especially important for a bar where, without financial controls, employ theft could bring the business to bankruptcy.
  • Treat every customer as though they are the most important customer to Foosball Hall.
  • Continually look for improvements in the business model as well as operating systems.

1.2 Mission

It is Foosball Hall’s mission to become a premier night spot for Madison students and locals who are interested in playing table games and drinking. Foosball Hall will accomplish this by offering abundant foosball tables, beer, and food at reasonable prices. By providing the Madison market with the opportunity to participate in this increasingly popular table game, Foosball Hall will become a Madison favorite. The business will be operated on the premise that satisfied customers are imperative to a sustainable business.

1.3 Objectives

  • To become one of the premier venues in Madison that offers table games (in this case specifically foosball), beer and food.
  • To grow the game of foosball in Madison, adding legitimacy to the game and increasing the number and participation levels of the tournaments.
  • Reach the point of sustainable profitability by year two.

Bar and tavern business plan, executive summary chart image

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Foosball Hall, a start-up business has been formed as a Wisconsin Limited Liability Corporation (L.L.C.) with the main purpose as a table game (foosball) operation that offers soft drinks, beer, and light food.

2.1 Company Ownership

Foosball Hall is an L.L.C. registered in Wisconsin. The L.L.C. business formation structure was chosen as a personal liability shield for the owner Stan Spinner. While Stan has outside investors who possess a note securing their investment, Stan is the majority owner.

2.2 Start-up Summary

The following list details the expenses associated with the start up of this organization:

  • Foosball tables: There are 10 U.S.-based manufacturers of tables. The specific vendor will be chosen soon based on a competitive bidding process. All of the manufacturers produce high quality tables and compete primarily on price. Foosball Hall is in need of 10 tables @ approximately $3,000 each. In addition to the tables, two large white boards will be needed for tournament play.
  • Lighting: While the chosen space has lights for the area in general, additional lighting will need to be set up for proper table play.
  • Stools, tables, counter top and chairs: These items will be purchased to provide a place for non-players to relax and socialize.
  • Kitchen equipment: These are the items necessary for serving a bar menu and liquid refreshments. Needed items include: glasses, silverware, plates, microwave, convection oven, refrigerator and freezer, serving/cooking utensils, a beer tap system, a fountain dispenser for soft drinks.
  • Attorney fees: The needed legal services include business formation advice and assistance, basic contract reviews, and general business advice.
  • Consultants: A business consultant will be utilized for assistance in setting up various operating systems for the entity.
  • Various marketing information such as brochures, stationery, etc.
  • Website: The website will be developed as a form of communication regarding the activities of Foosball Hall and the game of foosball. This includes disseminating information regarding tournaments as well as advertising the fact that there is a place that offers foosball. There are numerous foosball associations that will then link Foosball Hall’s site to theirs for general game promotion.

Bar and tavern business plan, company summary chart image

Foosball Foosball, or table soccer is a popular table game that looks sort of like a soccer game. The name is derived from the German word for field soccer which is fubball. The adopted name in the States is foosball or table soccer. The game itself originated in Germany during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.

A fact that may come as a surprise to many is that foosball is played on a competitive (professional) level. There are several tours which exist with regional, national and international competitions. Within the U.S. there are two well established associations, United States Table Soccer Association and the American Table Soccer Federation. So while most participants are recreational players, there are many people who play foosball at a competitive level. The bulk of Foosball Hall customers are the recreational players.

Foosball Hall offers 10 different tables for foosball. Five days a week the tables are open to first-come/first-served play. Two days a week half of the tables will be reserved for league/tournament play. Customers are able to play foosball by paying an hourly rate. Players can either play games with people within their party or have pickup opponents. Foosball Hall serves a rotating tap of three beers as well as several bottled varieties. Other beverages include fountain soft drinks. Foosball Hall offers a light bar food menu of sandwiches and several different appetizer items.

So while foosball is the main attraction, i.e. why customers would choose Foosball Hall over another bar, the main source of revenue is from the offered food and beverages. The foosball revenue, both from individual play and from tournaments will help supplement the business, profitability depends on selling sufficient levels of food and drinks.

Offering foosball is an attractive service as many people enjoy participating in some sort of game while they are at a bar drinking and socializing. Foosball provides this entertainment, similar to pool and darts. Foosball offers the same challenge in terms of strategy and skill as pool and darts but makes the experience more fun and action oriented. So foosball can be said to be the best of both worlds, requiring skill and thought but at the same time being fun,  fast paced action.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Foosball Hall has identified two target customer segments which are particularly attractive. The first segment customers are the more casual players who are looking for some sort of activity (such as foosball, pool, darts) to occupy their time as they socialize and drink. The second group comprises the competitive foosball players. This group travels to where ever there are tables.

While the two groups share the same interest in foosball, they are distinct groups and each one will need to be reached via different methods. Foosball Hall participates within the general pool hall industry, businesses that offer beer and pool typically. The foosball parlor industry is too small and new to have its own industry classification. While foosball is a very popular table game, there are just not enough foosball dedicated halls to have its own industry. Here lies the attractiveness of the industry, most of the foosball playing occurs on college campuses, there are few outside establishments that offer a pool-like foosball hall.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Foosball Hall has identified two distinct customer segments that they will target:

Casual players This segment is typically made up of  college men who enjoy playing foosball with their colleagues. This group of individuals typically plays to pass time and have fun as opposed to playing at a competitive level in tournaments. Characteristics of the individuals that make up this group are:

  • Gender 85% male.
  • Ages 17- 28.
  • College students- 74% of the participants are in college or recently graduated from college.
  • 69% play pool but prefer foosball because it combines similar levels of skill but at a much faster, exciting pace.

Competitive players This group plays to win. Foosball is not about a fun way to pass time but a serious game at which they work hard, developing competitive skills. This group is far smaller but the individuals are active participants. There are two different manufacturer based associations for foosball and numerous different player based associations. In fact, as a testament to the level of seriousness, size and participation levels of these players, almost all states in the U.S. have their own associations. It is this group of people that will be the most active participants in the offered tournaments.

  • Generally male- 89%.
  • Ages 25-48.

The bulk of Foosball Hall’s customers are casual recreational players.

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4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Foosball Hall will successfully target two distinct segments of the market. While both groups play foosball, the reasons that they play are different. Understanding this will help Foosball Hall accurately target the specific group. The first group while smaller in size is far more organized and will therefore be much easier to reach. Although seriously competitive players are growing in number, it is a select group of people that compete in foosball. With the advent of the Internet, this group has become quite organized in terms of associations, tournaments, and general awareness of each other. This being said, it is easy to reach this group through advertisements and networking with the different associations. The competitive players are always looking for new places to play, there are generally not enough tables to accommodate them. This will be the easiest group to reach. This group is talkative amongst themselves and always looking for new places and new tournaments.

The casual players will be more difficult to target. This group of people comes from a fairly large cross section of the population, people that like some sort of table game while they hang out with friends and drink beer. The obvious group to try to reach are college students. Madison was chosen in part because of its population of foosball players as well as the huge student population to draw off of. Students are the perfect segment of the population that likes to drink, play games, has disposable income, and has extra time for leisure activities. Additionally, foosball is a social game that requires two- four players. Even beyond the requirement for multiple players, when people play foosball it is typically in a social setting with socializing occurring during play. While there are some other casual players, most are or recently were college students.

4.3 Industry Analysis

Foosball is an untapped game market. While it is not uncommon to have a foosball table in a fraternity house, it is far less common to have one in a public place such as a bar. Most bar owners rationalize that not a lot of people really know how or care to play, therefore if they have to come up with a large capital expense of several thousand dollars, they would rather spend it on something that will appeal to a larger population. It is this mentality that has created the current state where there are many active players that play in one or two places all the time, and generally do not have other options of playing venues. The situation can be seen from a microlevel if you observe party goers at a party that has a foosball table. With one table at the entire party, the table is always in use. There are always more people that want to play than can play. It is a popular, fun game and there are never enough tables available.

There are few commercial playing areas for foosball. Most foosball tables reside in private settings, either a home, fraternity house, etc. The real competitor in terms of industry are pool halls. While the games themselves are not similar, the reason people play and the type of people that play are quite similar. As mentioned previously, people play either as a source of game competition, or they play as a way to have fun and socialize. The users are quite similar as well, however, pool tends to attract an older crowd, or at least some older people. The pool hall/ table game hall industry operates primarily by selling  beer and alcoholic beverages. Food and fountain drinks generate supplemental income. Most business occurs in the evening/ night time, as people use the occasions as a way to relax.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

Competition is predominantly from pool halls and foosball tournaments.

Pool Halls The pool halls are the alternative places, other than typical bars, that people go to to socialize and play games to pass the time. There are many different pool halls that serve the Madison student population. They are typically grouped by some sort of theme, maybe concentrating on the lower price point beer selection, maybe on the music, sometimes on the quality of the pool and billiards tables (typically a function of the skill level of the players and the use of the tables for tournaments). The pool halls are competitors for the casual players, people that are playing as a way to socialize, have fun, and pass the time.

Foosball Tournaments Currently, the several tournaments that are held for the Madison area players take place in a community center recreation room that has six tables. There are no other public or semi-public areas that have more than a couple of tables available for play. So while the community center will still have tournaments, the facilities at Foosball Hall will be nicer and have more things to offer such as food and beer. By virtue of more and better tables, Foosball Hall will be able to attract plenty of people for the tournaments.

Indirect competition comes from other evening recreation activities, such as bars, movies, theatres, bowling alleys, etc.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Foosball Hall will leverage the fact that they offer the finest (as well as the only) facility of numerous, nice, good condition foosball tables. This will be especially useful when competing for customers against the pool halls. Foosball has the same draw as pool, a game that is fun, social, and requires some skill, but is much more fun than pool. To be competitive at foosball, players must develop a strong skill set, however, the level of fun is accessible to all skill levels. Therefore, foosball generates more fun than pool, a distinction that is valuable to a hall that is attracting people to come play games, eat, and drink.  

The marketing effort will rely on advertisements and sponsorships to reach the desired market segments. For the casual users the venue will be advertised as a place to eat, drink, and play fun games. To reach the competitive players, Foosball Hall will have to generate visibility among the different individuals and groups that compete. This will be done with advertising as well as sponsoring tournaments, arguably the best way to get this segment introduced to Foosball Hall.

The sales strategy is formulated on the hypothesis that there are a large number of people that will try Foosball Hall once, and that a successful sales effort will be one that captures the people and turns them into repeat customers. This philosophy is grounded in the solid marketing maxim that it is more costly to attract new customers than it is to maintain current ones.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Foosball Hall will rely on their competitive edge of offering a large number of foosball tables to patrons. Pool halls are relatively popular. They offer patrons a source of self entertainment (based on skill and strategy) while they drink and socialize. Foosball takes this value one step further by offering a game that has similar skill requirements, but injects much more fun and thrill into the game. Currently, there are no other public places that offer more than one or two foosball tables for play. This competitive edge could diminish if it becomes so popular that competitors take notice and offer similar game options. However, Foosball Hall will enjoy the market leader position and will not rest on its laurels, continually looking for new ways to add value for their customers. Foosball Hall will be always looking for new ways to appeal to their target market by both secondary research, and through primary research in the form of observation of their customers.

5.2 Marketing Strategy

Foosball Hall will use two different forms of marketing communication as a way to reach the target market and raise their  awareness of Foosball Hall and their product offerings. The casual users will be reached through a series of advertisements, generally in the student newspapers. The student rags are a source of information that most students consult in determining activities and events. There are two main student papers, each with a slightly different readership demographic. The advertising space in the papers is fairly inexpensive and is targeted to reach the right audience.

In order to reach the competitive users, Foosball Hall will rely on a tournament sponsorship strategy to attract the serious players. Foosball Hall will sponsor several different tournaments, at least two days a week that will be a haven for the competitive players. The beauty (for Foosball Hall) of the competitive tournaments is that most players require practice to remain competitive or improve and the large number of tables at Foosball Hall will encourage this customer segment to use Foosball Hall as a place to train as well as compete. The tournament sponsorship will generate visibility on the local (city as well as state) foosball association websites. The visibility will take the form of activity by members of the Foosball Hall staff in association based activities. Becoming active within this association of people is valuable networking that is likely to bring many new customers to the Hall. Foosball Hall believes that this grassroots approach will be particularly effective for this unusual but tight knit group of people.

5.3 Sales Strategy

The sales strategy is based on the belief that there will a regular flow of first time customers. The real sales effort must concentrate on the conversion of each first-time customer into a long-term customer relationship where the customer comes regularly to Foosball Hall and also brings new friends to share the experience. This focus recognizes the fact that it costs Foosball Hall less money to convert a customer into a long-term relationship than it does to attract another new customer. With this in mind, sales activities concentrate on keeping existing customers happy.

Consistent, customer-centric service is the requirement for Foosball Hall employees. Every employee will have the idea drilled into them that they cannot let a customer leave dissatisfied. Employees will be empowered to remedy most situations that come up. Problem solving will be encouraged throughout the organization. It would also be fair to say that everyone within the organization is part of the sales staff.

5.3.1 Sales Forecast

The sales forecast is a conservative projection. It has been kept conservative to ensure that, with the worst case scenario, we are able to cover our expenses. The first three months have a sales forecast that is pretty grim (relative to the standard month). This can be explained by the fact that the first few months will be slow, a function of being a start-up business, fighting to become more visible within the community, going from nothing to achieving a regular clientele. A slow but steady growth cycle with occur as the months toll. Profitability is projected to occur during the later half of the second year. As a rule of thumb for this industry, if profitability occurs before the second year than it is unlikely to be a sustainable profit, and if it does not occur by the end of the second year than the chance of it ever happening is pretty slim.

The following table and charts represent the breakdown of the sales for the first year as well as graphical representations of sales by month and year.

Bar and tavern business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

5.4 Milestones

Foosball Hall has identified several different milestones that will act as obtainable goals, providing the organization with benchmarks that they must reach. The following table details the different milestones, the timeline for them and the responsible party.

Bar and tavern business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

Web Plan Summary

The website will be used as a form of communication aimed primarily at the competitive players. The competitive players are those that use the Internet to stay in touch with the rest of the foosball community. This community, as perviously mentioned, is somewhat small but close knit. The Internet provides the perfect communication medium. The casual players are unlikely to use the website much, they will be looking for a casual place to have fun and pass the time and an Internet search is usually not used to find new places. 

The website will provide viewers with information regarding the services and products offered by Foosball Hall. In addition to providing information, the website will be linked into the different associations websites as a venue for tournament play.

6.1 Website Marketing Strategy

The website will be marketed in two ways. The first will be submissions to popular search engines such as Google. This will allow people who are searching for Madison based foosball to reach Foosball Hall’s website. The second marketing strategy is the complimentary linking of sites with the local and regional foosball associations. With complimentary links used, surfers who are already on a complimentary website such as the associations website will be guided to Foosball Hall’s site and hopefully made aware of the new venue for foosball play.

6.2 Development Requirements

The development requirements for the site will be met by a computer science student. This type of student will be used for two reasons: the typical below market rates, and the technical expertise that they offer.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Foosball Hall is being led by Stan Spinner. Stan received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It was here that Stan was first introduced to foosball. His fraternity had a table and he immediately enjoyed the game. At his fraternity there were always people lined up waiting to play.

During his undergraduate days, Stan managed a pool hall. This was valuable because it taught him general business skills, paid well, and required his time at night, preventing a conflict with his schooling. Stan recognized that his ultimate dream was to create his own business, to be his own boss. With this in mind, and recognizing his reasonable assessment that his business skill set was not totally complete, Stan decided to enroll in The University of Wisconsin’s MBA Entrepreneurship Program.

At this point Stan was aware that having a foosball hall was a viable business opportunity. While the immediacy of starting it as soon as possible to be the first to market was valuable, he recognized his deficiencies in his skill set and ultimately decided to continue school and begin his business after his degree was completed. Having this insight as to his work passion and how to execute it was invaluable to Stan as he went through all his course work with the goal of starting his own business when he graduated.

7.1 Personnel Plan

Stan will be the driving force behind Foosball Hall. His responsibilities include but not limited to: vendor relations and product procurement, marketing, sales, accounting (initially), tournament formation and management, and bar tending. In addition to Stan the following positions will need to be filled:

  • Bartender: In addition to tending bar and serving drinks, this position will help with the cleaning and busing of tables as well as opening and closing activities. When it is slow the position will also assist in the limited food preparation. There will be multiple bartenders, typically having part-time shifts.
  • Bartender assistant: This position will back up the bartender in any activities that are needed such as cleaning, busing tables, assistance will table rental. This position will also help out with many of the back-end activities. There will be multiple people holding this position.
  • Bookkeeper: This position will be filled during month five when business begins to pick up. Initially Stan will be taking care of these functions, however once business picks up there is no value added for Stan to do these functions so he will hire someone on a part-time basis.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections outline important financial information.

8.1 Important Assumptions

The following table details important Financial Assumptions.

8.2 Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis indicates that monthly revenue of approximately $12,000 will be needed to reach the break-even point.

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8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table and charts show the Projected Profit and Loss.

Bar and tavern business plan, financial plan chart image

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table display Projected Cash Flow.

Bar and tavern business plan, financial plan chart image

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table presents the Projected Balance Sheet.

8.6 Business Ratios

Foosball Hall’s Business Ratios. SIC industry class: Pool parlor – 7999.0403.

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Bar Business Plan Guide + Free Example

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

July 6, 2023

Adam Hoeksema

Embarking on the journey of opening a bar is an exciting and sometimes difficult endeavor. However, among the necessary steps to transform your vision into reality, crafting a business plan may not be the first thing that comes to mind. It's understandable if you'd rather immerse yourself in creating the unique ambiance, concocting signature cocktails, and building an atmosphere for your customers.

Yet, in the world of potential lenders and investors, the expectations for a well-structured business plan is often a requirement. Especially if you're seeking financial support, such as an SBA loan, having a compelling business plan with accurate projections becomes an invaluable tool to showcase the potential success of your bar. Making sure your plan and financial data is within range of other bars is important as well!

In this ultimate guide, we will delve into the essential components of crafting a bar business plan that communicates your vision, impresses potential lenders & investors, and show you an example business plan (with a FREE template!).

What Should be Included in a Bar Business Plan?

  • Conducting Market Research for Your Bar Business Plan
  • Creating Financial Projections for Your Bar Business Plan

Example Bar Business Plan

  • Bar Business Plan FAQs

With that in mind as the path forward, let’s dive in. 

A well-crafted bar business plan should convincingly demonstrate to investors and lenders the unique appeal of your establishment, why you and your crew are the perfect fit to manage the bar, and how the financial projections are carefully formulated to maximize profitability. Below, you'll find a comprehensive breakdown of our complimentary bar business plan template , tailored specifically to the thriving and ever-evolving bar industry.

Bar Business Plan Outline

I. executive summary, ii. business concept, iii. market analysis, iv. competition analysis, v. marketing strategy, vi. menu and kitchen operations, vii. service and hospitality, viii. financial plan, startup costs:, projected financial summary:, annual sales, gross profit and net profit:, key financial ratios:, income statement:, balance sheet:, cash flow statement:, ix. organizational structure, x. conclusion, how to do market research for a bar business plan.

Market research plays a vital role in developing a comprehensive bar business plan. Understanding your position in the market and validating the demand for your bar concept, location, and pricing structure are essential. You can learn more about our bar market research approach here . In this guide, we will outline effective strategies and tools to help you conduct market research for your bar.

Determining Advertising Costs for Your Bar:

To estimate the cost of advertising your bar, we recommend utilizing tools like Google Keyword Planner . This tool can assist you in identifying relevant keywords to attract customers to your bar's website. It also provides estimates of the cost per click for different keywords.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Identifying Customer Search Keywords:

To understand the keywords used by potential customers in their searches, we suggest using tools such as Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs . By analyzing your competitors' websites, you can determine the keywords they rank for and the amount of organic traffic generated by each keyword. This information can be invaluable in optimizing your bar's search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Evaluating Seasonal Trends for Bars:

Google Trends can be an excellent resource to identify seasonal trends that may impact your bar concept. For instance, you can determine if certain bar themes or offerings have seasonal tendencies. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions regarding menu offerings, promotions, and marketing strategies throughout the year.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Analyzing Competitor Foot Traffic:

Gaining insights into the foot traffic of your competitors' bars is crucial for estimating potential customer volume. Conducting foot traffic reports on competitor locations can provide you with valuable data on the average number of customers they receive each month. This information will assist you in estimating potential traffic to your own bar.

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Understanding your target market and the competitive landscape is essential when conducting market research for your bar business plan. By utilizing tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Google Trends, you can gain insights into advertising costs, customer search behavior, seasonal trends, and competitor foot traffic. This information will empower you to make informed decisions and develop a solid foundation for your bar business plan.

How to Create Financial Projections for a Bar Business Plan

It's time to transform your market research into actionable financial projections. Just like in any industry, the bar industry has its own set of factors that affect revenue, such as seating capacity, customer demand, and operational efficiency. Using a bar financial projection template is a great help in simplifying the process and increasing your confidence. Creating precise financial projections goes beyond demonstrating your bar's ability to repay loans; it's about demonstrating your path to profitability and ultimately manifestation of the financial goals you plan to achieve. Now, to create your projections, you need to incorporate the following:

  • Estimate startup costs for your bar
  • Forecast revenue including any food or events you plan to host
  • Project food, alcohol, and labor costs
  • Estimate your operating expenses like rent and utilities
  • Calculate how much investor or loan capital you will need to open

While financial projections are a vital component of your bar business plan, they should not be approached in isolation. Remember to seek guidance from experienced professionals (like us at ProjectionHub!), leverage industry resources, and adapt your projections as you gather real-world insights during your bar's development and early operation stages.

By taking a thoughtful and realistic approach to financial planning, you'll not only present a compelling case to potential investors and lenders but also develop a solid foundation for your bar's success. Let these projections be a driving force that guides your decision-making and empowers you to build a thriving and memorable bar experience for your patrons.

Below you will find the text of our example restaurant business plan.  You can also download a Google Doc version of this bar business plan template here so that you can edit it and make it your own.  You can also follow along in this video walkthrough that will help you make the business plan work for your restaurant concept.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary:

  • Business Description:
  • Market Analysis:
  • SWOT Analysis:

Marketing and Sales Strategy:

  • Branding and Identity:
  • Website, menu, and social media platforms:
  • Marketing materials and promotional items:
  • Marketing mix:

Operations Plan:

  • Organizational Structure:
  • Location and Facility:
  • SOP (Standard Operating Procedures):
  • Health and safety protocols:

Financial Projections:

  • Startup Costs and Use of Funds
  • Annual Sales, Gross Profit and Net Profit
  • Key Financial Ratios
  • Income Statement at a Glance
  • Income Statement Annual Summary
  • Cash Flow Statement Annual Summary
  • Balance Sheet Annual Summary

Conclusion:

The name of our bar and grill is "Cheers & Grub". Cheers & Grub is a casual dining establishment that specializes in American-style cuisine with a focus on juicy burgers, delicious wings, and refreshing beers on tap. Our target market is young professionals and families in the downtown area who are looking for a casual and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy good food and drinks.

We aim to differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering a unique and enjoyable dining experience. Our menu will feature a variety of classic American dishes, made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. Our bar will offer a wide selection of domestic and craft beers, as well as a variety of specialty cocktails. We will also host weekly events such as trivia nights and live music performances, to keep our customers engaged and entertained.

Our projected startup costs are $500,000, which includes the cost of leasehold improvements, equipment, and operating capital. Our projected first-year sales are $1.2 million, with a net profit margin of 7%. We anticipate steady growth in sales and profits over the next five years.

Cheers & Grub is a casual dining establishment that offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, combined with great food and drinks. Our menu will feature classic American dishes, such as burgers, wings, sandwiches, and salads, made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. Our bar will offer a variety of domestic and craft beers, as well as a selection of specialty cocktails.

The ambiance of our establishment will be modern and comfortable, with a touch of vintage charm. We will feature a spacious dining area, a full-service bar, and a cozy lounge area for customers to relax and enjoy live music performances. Our target market is young professionals and families in the downtown area who are looking for a casual and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy good food and drinks.

The restaurant industry has been growing steadily in recent years, with an estimated market size of $899 billion in 2020. The demand for casual dining establishments like Cheers & Grub is particularly high, as consumers seek out convenient and affordable options for their dining needs. Our target market consists of young professionals and families in the downtown area who are looking for a casual and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy good food and drinks.

In terms of competition, there are several established bar and grill establishments in the downtown area. However, we believe that we can differentiate ourselves by offering a unique and enjoyable dining experience, made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. Our bar will also offer a wide selection of domestic and craft beers, as well as a variety of specialty cocktails, to appeal to a wider range of customers.

The main competition in the downtown area consists of established bar and grill establishments, such as "The Local" and "Grill Master". The Local is known for its casual atmosphere and selection of domestic beers, while Grill Master is known for its specialty cocktails and live music performances.

We believe that we can differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering a unique and enjoyable dining experience. Our menu will feature a variety of classic American dishes, made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, and our bar will offer a wide selection of domestic and craft beers, as well as a variety of specialty cocktails. In addition, we will host weekly events such as trivia nights and live music performances, to keep our customers engaged and entertained.

Our marketing strategy will focus on reaching our target market through a variety of channels, including online advertising, social media, and local promotions. We will also leverage our unique selling points, such as our fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, our selection of domestic and craft beers, and our weekly events, to attract and retain customers.

Online Advertising: We will utilize social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to reach our target audience. This will include paid advertising, such as sponsored posts and ads, as well as organic content, such as pictures and videos of our menu items and events.

Social Media: We will create a strong presence on social media by regularly posting pictures, videos, and updates about our menu items, events, and promotions. This will help to engage our followers and build a loyal customer base.

Local Promotions: We will participate in local events and promotions, such as food festivals and charity events, to increase visibility and build brand awareness. We will also offer special deals and promotions, such as happy hour discounts and loyalty programs, to incentivize customers to visit Cheers & Grub.

Our menu will feature a variety of classic American dishes, made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. This includes juicy burgers, delicious wings, sandwiches, and salads. Our bar will offer a wide selection of domestic and craft beers, as well as a variety of specialty cocktails.

In terms of kitchen operations, we will have a fully-equipped kitchen. Our kitchen staff will be trained in food safety protocols, and we will have strict sanitation procedures in place to ensure the safety and quality of our food.

At Cheers & Grub, we will strive to provide exceptional service and hospitality to our customers. Our staff will be trained in customer service and will be equipped with the necessary skills to provide a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

Our dining area will feature table service, while our bar will offer full-service bar service, including the preparation of specialty cocktails. We will also have a lounge area for customers to relax and enjoy live music performances.

Our projected startup costs are $350,000, which includes the cost of leasehold improvements, equipment, and operating capital. Our projected first-year sales are $1 million, with a net profit margin of 26%. We anticipate steady growth in sales and profits over the next five years, with a focus on expanding our menu offerings and hosting more events to attract and retain customers.

All of the unique financial projections you see below were generated using ProjectionHub’s Bar financial projection template . Use PH20BP to enjoy a 20% discount on the template. 

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Watch how to create financial projections for your very own bar and grill:

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Cheers & Grub will be owned and operated by [Name], an experienced restaurateur with a passion for good food and drinks. [Name] will also serve as the manager, responsible for day-to-day operations, including menu development, kitchen operations, and staffing.

In terms of staffing, we will have a team of highly-skilled and trained employees, including a head chef, kitchen staff, servers, and bartenders. We will also have a human resources manager to handle employee relations and benefits.

In conclusion, Cheers & Grub is a casual dining establishment that offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, combined with great food and drinks. With a focus on fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, a wide selection of domestic and craft beers, and weekly events, we believe that we have the necessary elements to succeed in the competitive restaurant industry. Our financial projections are positive, and we are confident in our ability to achieve steady growth and profitability in the coming years.

Restaurant Business Plan FAQs

How can i conduct a thorough market analysis for my bar business plan.

To conduct a thorough market analysis, gather data on local and regional market trends, competition analysis (other bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues), target customer preferences, and potential market growth. This analysis will help you identify opportunities and position your bar effectively.

What should be included in the marketing and promotional strategies section of my bar business plan?

In the marketing and promotional strategies section, outline your plans for branding, advertising, social media presence, collaborations with local influencers or organizations, hosting events or themed nights, loyalty programs, and any other initiatives to attract and retain customers.

How should I address financial projections in my bar business plan?

Financial projections should include estimates for start-up costs, ongoing monthly expenses (rent, utilities, inventory), projected revenue based on customer traffic and average spending, cost of goods sold (beverages and food, if applicable), operating expenses, and a cash flow statement to demonstrate the viability of your bar.

What are the key components to include in a bar business plan?

A comprehensive bar business plan should include sections on executive summary, company description, market analysis, target market and customer profile, bar concept and offerings, marketing and promotional strategies, location selection, staffing and management, financial projections, and funding requirements.

About the Author

Adam is the Co-founder of ProjectionHub which helps entrepreneurs create financial projections for potential investors, lenders and internal business planning. Since 2012, over 50,000 entrepreneurs from around the world have used ProjectionHub to help create financial projections.

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Lounge Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Lounge Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Lounge business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Lounge establishments.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Lounge business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Lulu’s Lounge is a cozy community lounge located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our mission is to create a fun and relaxed environment where residents can buy drinks and food, and socialize with their friends, family, and neighbors. We also have fun activities such as pool tables and darts and have special events like karaoke nights. With our relaxing environment, fun activities, good food, and friendly staff, we aim to make Lulu’s Lounge a home away from home.

Lulu’s Lounge is led by Lulu Gibbons who has worked in the industry for five years. Throughout her career, Lulu has managed lounges, nightclubs, and similar establishments throughout Las Vegas, including some of our top competitors. She has extensive experience in all aspects of the industry and also holds an MBA. She is our most valuable asset and is sure to make Lulu’s Lounge one of the most popular lounges in the Las Vegas area.

Product Offering

Lulu’s Lounge provides a relaxing and inviting atmosphere to unwind in after a long day or week. Our friendly staff and welcoming environment encourage relaxation and conversation. Customers can indulge in an extensive menu of drinks, appetizers, and dinner options. They can also enjoy the multiple sources of entertainment Lulu’s Lounge provides, including darts, pool, and karaoke.

Customer Focus

Lulu’s Lounge will target adult men and women between the ages of 21 – 55 with disposable income in Las Vegas, Nevada. This demographic will consist of local college students, young professionals, millennials, and tourists visiting the city looking to embark in Las Vegas nightlife.

Management Team

Success factors.

Lulu’s Lounge will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Location: Lulu’s Lounge’s location is near universities and business offices, giving us access to students and workers nearby.
  • Décor and Environment: The lounge will have upscale décor and lighting to attract customers.
  • Management: Our management team has years of business and management experience that allows us to market and serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than our competitors.
  • Relationships: Having worked in the industry for five years, Lulu Gibbons has the contacts with suppliers, promoters, and influencers to successfully launch a lounge.

Financial Highlights

Lulu’s Lounge is seeking a total funding of $550,000 to launch its lounge. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures, building and design, bar equipment and kitchen appliances and utensils, labor costs, marketing expenses, and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

  • Design/build: $200,000
  • Equipment for bar and kitchen: $150,000
  • Initial supplies: $50,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $100,000
  • Marketing costs: $25,000
  • Working capital: $25,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Lulu’s Lounge.

Lulu's Lounge Financial Projections

Company Overview

Who is lulu’s lounge.

  Lulu’s Lounge is led by Lulu Gibbons who has worked in the industry for five years. Throughout her career, Lulu has managed lounges, nightclubs, and similar establishments throughout Las Vegas, including some of our top competitors. She has extensive experience in all aspects of the industry and also holds an MBA. She is our most valuable asset and is sure to make Lulu’s Lounge one of the most popular lounges in the Las Vegas area.

Lulu’s Lounge History

Upon surveying the local customer base and finding potential retail locations, Lulu Gibbons incorporated Lulu’s Lounge as an S-Corporation on May 1st, 2023.

Lulu’s Lounge’s operations are currently being run out of Lulu’s home office, but once the lease on Lulu’s Lounge retail location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

  • Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
  • Found a location for the lounge and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
  • Initial floor and design plans
  • Created the food and drinks menu
  • Determined equipment and inventory requirements

Lulu’s Lounge Services

Industry analysis.

The lounge industry has experienced overall growth over the past five years. This growth was largely driven by sustained growth in consumer spending and per capita expenditure on alcohol. The industry will continue to benefit from economic growth, a decrease in the unemployment rate, and increased discretionary spending. Additionally, per capita expenditure on alcohol is expected to increase at a faster rate than in the previous five-year period, particularly on premium beverages.

The rising popularity of lounges and similar establishments has helped sustain the industry. According to IBIS World, the Lounge & Nightclub industry has grown by 2.2% in the past five years and this growth is expected to continue. The industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%, showing that the popularity of lounges will continue to rise.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

A demographic profile of the Las Vegas area is as follows:

Customer Segmentation

Lulu’s Lounge will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Local college students
  • Millennials
  • Young professionals
  • Men and women with disposable income between the ages of 21 – 55

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Lulu’s Lounge will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Carl’s Lounge

Carl’s Lounge is an intimate lounge with ample tables, drinks, and other menu offerings. The decor exudes a calm and intimate setting, which is great for those looking to unwind after a hard day or week. They have an extensive menu of domestic and exotic drinks, friendly staff, and an overall inviting atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.

The Rose Lounge

The Rose Lounge is a family-owned establishment that offers local drinks and meals made with local ingredients. They sell craft beer and wine made in the region and all ingredients used in the food are grown nearby. In addition to supporting the local food and beverage industry, The Rose Lounge also creates a welcoming environment that helps all tourists and residents who visit feel like they are part of a community.

Bud’s Sports Lounge

Bud’s Sports Lounge is a local lounge that offers sports, beer, and good food. It’s the ultimate spot to hang out and watch the game with your buddies or fellow fans. The lounge has an extensive menu of bar food and snacks as well as a diverse menu of imported and local beer.

Competitive Advantage

Lulu’s Lounge will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Lulu’s Lounge will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • Offering an inviting and relaxing environment
  • Providing high-quality drinks and food
  • Providing a premiere lounge experience
  • Providing excellent customer service

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Lulu’s Lounge is as follows:

Lulu’s Lounge’s location is a promotion strategy in itself. It will be located in an area of Las Vegas that is surrounded by trendy restaurants and bars. This segment of Las Vegas is where the most popular bars and nightlife is located and where the majority of locals and tourists congregate that are looking for a great time.

Website/SEO

Lulu’s Lounge will invest in developing a professional website that displays images of the lounge and many of the drinks and food that it offers. It will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Social Media

Since the company’s main target market is students and young adults, raising Lulu’s Lounge’s online visibility will help in bringing people to the lounge.

Advertising

Lulu’s Lounge will initially advertise in local newspapers and local tv shows, and sponsor community events in order to gain awareness.

Lulu’s Lounge pricing will be moderate so customers feel they receive great value when patronizing the lounge.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Lulu’s Lounge.

Operation Functions:

  • Lulu Gibbons will be the Owner/Operator of the lounge. She will be in charge of developing the drink menus, ordering the alcohol inventory, training the staff, and ensuring optimal customer service.
  • Lulu will hire several key staff to help run the lounge, including bartenders, bar backs, and servers.
  • Lulu will hire a third party marketing company to develop the website, social media accounts, photography, and maintain the SEO presence.
  • Lulu will also work with an outside accounting firm/CPA to handle all necessary licensing and permitting, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and tax payments, as well as a liquor attorney to ensure all compliance regulations are being met.

Milestones:

Lulu’s Lounge will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

  • 8/1/202X – Execute lease for prime location
  • 8/15/202X – Begin construction of the build-out
  • 9/1/202X – Finalize food and drink menus
  • 9/15/202X – Start of marketing campaign with social media
  • 10/1/202X – Final walk-thru of completed build-out
  • 11/1/202X – Hire key employees
  • 12/1/202X – Decoration and set up of lounge
  • 1/1/202X – Grand opening of Lulu’s Lounge

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

Lulu’s Lounge’s revenues will come from the sales of drinks and food.

The major costs for the company will be food and alcohol costs and staff salaries. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spend must also be taken into consideration as it establishes itself in the market.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

  • Initial number of customers per day: 100
  • Average revenue per month: $10,000
  • Annual lease: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, lounge business plan faqs, what is a lounge business plan.

A lounge business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your lounge business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Lounge business plan using our Lounge Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Lounge Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of lounge businesses , some examples include: Party lounge business, Corporate lounge business, Wedding lounge business, and Pop-up lounge business.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Lounge Business Plan?

Lounge businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Lounge Business?

Starting a lounge business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Lounge Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed lounge business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your lounge business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your lounge business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Lounge Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your lounge business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your lounge business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Lounge Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your lounge business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your lounge business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

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Bar owners' guide to creating a business plan

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Claim your free Nextdoor business page

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Behind every great bar is a great bartender. Behind them, is a bar business plan that sets your establishment up for a successful launch and long-term success. Whether you’re setting out to open your own spot or expanding into a new neighborhood with another location, your first step is laying out your plan. An effective bar restaurant business plan covers everything from financial goals to local business marketing strategies , all detailed in this 6-step guide.

1. Executive summary

A well-constructed bar business plan can be your roadmap, helping guide and establish your business’s operations and reputation. Not only is it an essential document if you’re raising funds, but it’s also a helpful way to organize thoughts and plans for yourself and to share them with employees.

Start every business plan with a summary to hook the reader to learn more about your company and your proposal. Think of it a little like a sales pitch for your bar, and a preview of everything you lay out inside your business plan. Be sure to include:

  • Mission statement – Be both ambitious and realistic with how you position yourself and your bar with a mission that answers the question, “who are you and what do you do?” This should touch on why you’re opening this business and what you hope to accomplish in doing so. 
  • Concept – Whether you picture your bar as a high-end cocktail lounge or a family-friendly brewery, share what will make your place unique. Get specific on how it will compete in the neighborhood you’re opening in, touching on the local demographic and other establishments.
  • Operations – Briefly summarize how your business will function, whether you’ll be open late, serving food, or offering a retail selection. Detail the general structure of owners, managers, and employees.
  • Value propositions - Highlight the value of your bar and what sets it apart from others in the area. Turning her food truck Yolos into a brick-and-mortar location, in Amarillo, TX, restaurant owner Yolanda Grazier offers an escape for the local lunch crowd: “​​We're really hoping to bring a good place where people are comfortable to come and sit down, enjoy a meal with their coworkers, [and] get a little rest and relaxation before they go back to work.”

You can also include your experience, industry trends, and more about the local market to show how your neighborhood bar will meet your goals. 

2. Location and design

Your bar’s physical location, inside and out, is important for business and your business plan. Use this section to connect your location to how it will influence your bar’s success. It should be clear to potential investors that you’ve done your research and see what will make it special based on the neighborhood it’s in. Share details on:

  • Access to public transit – An accessible location near a bus or metro stop will make it easier for customers to come and go from your bar safely. 
  • Neighborhood – Location may influence the type of bar you open, and vice versa. Share more about the area you’re located in and how you’re filling a need there. You can include what kind of foot traffic your location gets and demographic information of clientele, like age, income, lifestyle details, and employment information. 
  • Interior design – From the back bar to your floor plan, establish plans for what your bar will look like inside. Include diagrams and renderings that will illustrate your vision. List amenities, like kitchen appliances and bathroom, plus any plans for remodeling.

3. Inventory and menu planning

Whether you’re serving local craft beer or a selection of wine from around the world, this is your opportunity to get specific about what neighbors at your bar will be saying “cheers!” with. 

Include inventory needs and menu planning details, like:

  • Menu options – The more details you can provide about your upcoming specialties, the better. Share your menu, with price points and seasonal variations, as well as plating and glassware.  
  • Ingredient lists – Provide the ingredients you plan to use and where you’ll source them. Share distributors for liquor, beer, and wine, and don’t forget mixers and garnishes.
  • Miscellaneous items – Bar napkins, glassware, straws, cleaning supplies, and towels are necessary for most bars. Estimate weekly ordering needs and identify suppliers to ensure everything is accounted for.

Since the investors, lenders, or partners reviewing your bar business plan may not have the opportunity to test everything on your future menu, get detailed on flavor profiles, tasting notes, and descriptions to help them preview the experience of ordering at your bar. 

4. Research and marketing strategy

To build buzz for your local bar or restaurant, try a mix of traditional print advertising and online marketing. Get to know your local and target demographics to decide where and how to reach them. 

In the marketing section of your bar business plan, provide details on:

  • Demographics -  Are you near a university, a hospital, or a hotel? Include neighborhood demographics and how you plan to serve locals what they’re thirsty for. With 22.9% of bar revenue coming from customers between the ages of 21 and 34 , age and income level can be factors worth highlighting. 
  • Neighborhood specifics -  Tap into the interests and needs of the community you’re opening your doors in Speak directly with your bar’s new neighbors and connect with fellow businesses with a free Nextdoor business page that gives you instant access to everyone within two miles. 
  • Traditional and digital marketing – Share your marketing plans, which should consider industry trends, print, and local advertising, partnering with other local businesses, and building a digital presence. Your bar should have a website, Nextdoor business page, and other social media so your information is readily available, easily searchable, and stands out as neighbors scroll for where to go this weekend.

Make marketing more effective by keeping both larger industry trends and your local demographic in mind as you plan to drive and build awareness for your bar.

5. Financial plan

The financial section of your bar business plan covers your financial history with potential for profit and your plan for obstacles that may come up. This is important for your business strategy, as well as for potential lenders, investors, or partners to see. 

Develop your bar’s financial plan with information on the following:

  • Overhead costs – Price out liquor licenses, business licenses, and any associated fees with starting your bar restaurant. Note any equipment or training required to open. 
  • Financial projections – Estimate your cash flow and the revenue for the first few years of your business, sharing when you expect your bar to break even.  
  • Capital investment – Note your inventory, staff, and real estate costs, plus taxes and insurance costs. Assess what type of funding you need, if any, and what you’ll do with — and how you’ll pay back — any investment. Note any money that is set aside to cover unexpected fees and incidentals.

If you have unique plans to drive additional revenue, include them here in the financial section. Pa-Nash Restaurant, Bar & Lounge in Queens, NY, found new opportunities in catering and deliveries. Event buyouts or private dining options could be a secondary way for your bar to make money. 

Consider hiring experts, like an accountant, to help you with this stage of the process, especially if they have advised other local bars or restaurants in your area.

6. Daily operations

Any potential investors or partners will need to get a sense of your day-to-day operations. Even if you change specific details once your bar is open, going in with an idea can make your first weeks easier for you and your team.

Daily operations for a bar owner can include:

  • Service style – Whether you’re opening a smaller bar with a single rail or a massive bar restaurant with tables and servers, explain how service will run. Detail and define POS systems, tickets, and customer comps.
  • Chain of command – Delineate staff responsibilities, as well as the general chain of command for managers and operators. Everyone should know their exact role and responsibilities when they walk into work each day. 
  • Company policies – Sick leave, paid time off, and general company policies can be established in this section. Consider creating a separate employee handbook for easy reference as you onboard team members. 

Even a busy bar can feel like a well-oiled machine if its daily operations are established on day one. Prepare for success and help eliminate unnecessary stress when your bar finally opens its doors. 

Open shop on Nextdoor 

An effective bar business plan will help guide you on the path toward success. As a local establishment, another key element to a bright future for your bar is in making it a neighborhood favorite. With one in three households on Nextdoor, there are potential customers right around the corner who can help. Invite neighbors in when you claim your free Nextdoor Business Page . Build buzz for your opening, share local deals, and give your neighborhood something to cheers to. 

Claim your free Business Page

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Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template

🍸 bar and lounge business plan template: mixing success with style 🎶.

Elevate Your Nightlife Venture with Our Custom Business Plan Template Designed for Bar and Lounge Entrepreneurs!

📄 Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template Overview

Introducing our Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template, a comprehensive blueprint for entrepreneurs inspired to create a captivating nightlife experience. This detailed guide provides a step-by-step strategy for launching or revitalizing a bar and lounge, blending ambiance, entertainment, and innovative beverage offerings with smart business practices.

🌟 Highlighted Features

  • Word Document Template A customizable and editable template, expertly crafted to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of the bar and lounge industry.
  • Executive Summary A concise, compelling introduction that encapsulates the essence of your bar and lounge, critical for attracting investors, partners, and a sophisticated clientele.
  • Company Description A detailed section to outline your concept, the atmosphere you aim to create, and what sets your establishment apart in the competitive nightlife market.
  • Market Analysis A basic exploration of the bar and lounge sector, providing insights into current trends, customer demographics, and the competitive landscape to position your business for success.
  • Organizational Structure A clear depiction of your business’s structure, detailing roles and the operational workflow for delivering an exceptional guest experience.
  • Marketing Strategies Customized marketing plans designed to effectively promote your bar and lounge, focusing on branding, social media marketing, and special events to attract and retain patrons.
  • Funding Request Guidance on crafting a persuasive funding proposal to secure the necessary capital for venue design, inventory procurement, and initial operating expenses.
  • 12-month profit and loss projection.
  • 5-year pro forma income statement.
  • A user-friendly, adaptable Excel File.
  • The ability to adjust for various revenue streams, cost management, and staffing requirements.
  • Detailed financial analysis for strategic planning and investor discussions.

🍹 Tailored for Nightlife Excellence

Our template is designed for maximum adaptability, enabling you to tailor each section to the specific needs of your bar and lounge. The Excel financial model is an essential tool for managing your finances, adapting to the vibrant dynamics of the nightlife scene.

🎉 Crafting the Ultimate Destination for Nightlife Aficionados

Begin your journey in the bar and lounge industry with a strategic and comprehensive business plan. Our Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template is not just a document; it’s a roadmap to creating a successful, buzzing nightlife venue.

📥 Ready to Pour Your Vision into Reality?

Take the first step towards launching a thriving bar and lounge.

"Free" Business Plan Templates

  • Pretty Cool - Business Plan Structure
  • Excellent - Industry-Related Research
  • Awesome - Customized Financial Projections for your Industry
  • Even MORE Awesome -Template Written by Paul Borosky, MBA.
  • - Fill-in-the-highlighted-areas Format
  • - Completed Pricing Strategy
  • - SWOT Analysis Completed
  • - Organizational Chart
  • - Funding Request Section
  • - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Business Plan Doc.
  • - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Financial Projections Model

Quality Business Plan Bar or Lounge Templates

  • Excellent - Industry-Related Research ($100 value)
  • Awesome - Customized Financial Projections for your Industry ($100 value)
  • Even MORE Awesome - Template Written by Paul Borosky, MBA.
  • Plus... - Fill-in-the-highlighted-areas Format
  • Plus... - Completed Pricing Strategy
  • Plus... - SWOT Analysis Completed
  • Plus... - Organizational Chart... Done!
  • Plus... - Funding Request Section... Yes!
  • Plus... - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Business Plan Doc.
  • Plus... - Step-by-Step Tutorial for Financial Projections Model

More Benefits: Free Business Plan Template Tutorials!!

All of our business plans come with FREE business plan writing tutorials.  Business plan writing tutorials range from customizing your executive summary section to using our proprietary financial model!!

Still More.... Benefits:  WE can COMPLETE the Business Plan Template for YOU!

Want us to complete your business plan template for you ( additional charges and restrictions apply*** )?  Not a problem!  Just complete our questionnaire, email it to us, and once approved AND final payment is made, your completed business plan template will be ready in as little as 1 business day !

***SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCED BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATES.

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Two Great Bar and Lounge Business Plan Templates!

Basic bar and lounge business plan template.

Sales Price: $50.00

Advanced Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template!

Sales Price: $100.00

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For Questions about my template BEFORE PURCHASING or having difficulty downloading it, feel free to call me at:

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Available Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM EST. (Usually)

IMPORTANT NOTE - I DO NOT OFFER FREE PHONE CONSULTATIONS AFTER PURCHASING THE TEMPLATE.

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Basic Bar and Lounge Business Plan Templates Includes:

  • Executive Summary
  • Company Description
  • Bar and Nightclub Industry Analysis INCLUDED!
  • Organizational Structure.
  • Funding Request
  • 12-month profit and loss statement
  • 5-year pro forma income statement
  • Basic customizable Excel File
  • Ability to change revenues, costs, and labor.
  • 12 Profit and Loss
  • 5-Yr Annual Projections.

Instructional Video:

Advanced Bar and Lounge

Business plan templates include:.

  • Pricing strategies
  • Future plans
  • Primary target market
  • Company Goals
  • Keys to Success
  • Business Objectives and Timeline
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Industry-Related Analysis INCLUDED!
  • Organizational Chart
  • Traditional
  • Social media
  • Networking strategy
  • Competitive strategy
  • Operations strategy
  • Strategic planning
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Expected strategy
  • Detrimental strategy
  • Startup costs
  • Financial assumptions
  • Financial highlights
  • Financial highlights graph
  • 24-month profit and loss statement
  • 5-year pro forma balance sheet
  • Valuation based on cashflows
  • Breakeven analysis
  • Breakeven analysis chart
  • Best Case/Worse Case Proforma
  • Information page
  • 24-month profit and loss
  • Vision for company
  • The current state of the company
  • Stage 1 Objectives
  • Stage 2 Objectives
  • Stage 3 Objectives
  • Plan of Action
  • Summary of Business Plan
  • Summary of Financial Projections
  • Summary of Funding Request

Business Plan Template Tutorial

Financial Model Tutorial

Strategic Plan Tutorial

Three Benefits of a Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template

Navigating the vibrant yet challenging bar and lounge sector requires more than just enthusiasm; it demands strategic planning and insight. A well-crafted business plan is crucial in this competitive field, and our tailored bar and lounge business plan template, complete with instructive tutorials, offers significant advantages for newcomers and seasoned players in the industry.

The first significant advantage of our template is its comprehensive location analysis section. This section is meticulously designed to help business owners customize details such as their establishment's size, external appearance, and geographic location. It cleverly uses percentage allocations to distinguish between areas like the dining/bar space and back-end operations, including office space, kitchen, and storage areas. This format is handy for making quick, effective modifications to suit the specific needs and vision of your bar or lounge project.

Next, the template stands out by incorporating current and reliable industry research, primarily sourced from IBIS World, a leader in market analysis. This research lays a solid groundwork for understanding the bar and lounge market, offering an invaluable reference point for further exploration. Users of our template benefit from this high-quality, trustworthy data, a crucial element in crafting a robust business plan.

The third and equally important benefit is the template's extensive financial section. This section is instrumental for detailed financial forecasting, including revenue predictions, cost analysis, and profit evaluations. Such detailed financial projections are crucial to attracting investors, securing loans, and guiding sound business decisions.

In summary, our bar and lounge business plan template is essential, providing a detailed location analysis, current industry insights, and a comprehensive financial planning section. These features transform the business plan from a mere document into a strategic asset, setting your bar and lounge venture on a path to success. Remember, in this business, the goal is to serve drinks and craft a strategy for triumph.

Wishing you success,

Date: 12/23

Examples

Bar Business Plan

sample business plan for a bar and lounge

Do you want to put up a bar as a business ? If this has been your aspiration or desire for a long time already, make sure that you have the proper processes and business plan guidelines that can help you present your bar business plan to your target audience in the best way possible. In this article we will discuss how you can write a business plan for your bar startup.

16+ Bar Business Plan Examples

Bar business plan template.

Bar Business Plan Template

  • Google Docs
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Size: 29 KB

Sports Bar Business Plan Example

sample sports bar business

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Brewery Business Plan Template

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Coffee Bar Business Plan Example

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Sports Bar Business Plan

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Fish Cafe and Oyster Bar Business Plan Example

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Beauty Bar Business Plan Example

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Smoothie Bar Business Plan Example

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Restaurant and Bar Funding, Proposal and Business Plan

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Coffee Bar and Bistro Business Plan Example

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Business Plan for a Student Bar Example

Business Plan for a Student Bar Example

Bar and Grill Business Plan Example

Bar and Grill Business Plan Example

Bar Business Plan Template Example

Bar Business Plan Template Example

Size: 346 KB

What Is a Bar Business Plan?

Like any other business plan, this specifically helps owners have a plan for their bar. It contains business goals and a timeframe to achieve them. It serves as a blueprint that guides bar owners in running day to day operations, drawing a growing number of patrons, and becoming a reputable establishment. It is also for getting financial support from potential partners and a guide for the management and operational processes of the business.

How To Draft a Bar Business Plan

No matter the purpose of your bar business plan, it is important for you to identify your business’ vision and mission. That way you can create a business plan that is necessary and helpful for the needs of your business. Check out restaurant and coffee shop business plans as a reference to get started. If you need more ideas, check out these tips in creating a bar business plan.

1. Be Aware Of The Market

Before you begin your business plan, understand the dynamics of the market for bar establishments. Knowing the needs of your customers, the trends that dictate the shift in the marketplace, and the way your competition reacts to certain scenarios can help you properly and carefully execute action plans for your bar business’s growth may it be in reach, actual sales, or brand awareness.

2. Create An Executive Summary

Come up with a bar business plan executive summary that can showcase the mission and vision of the business. You also have to make sure that this overview of what the business plan is all about should contain the principles and values that guide your business as well as the key factors that you need to consider for your successes.

3. Make An Organizational Structure

Describe the company and the nature of its operations before giving details about ownership and management. A start-up summary is most likely helpful in ensuring that the business will follow legal procedures and regulations for its operations.

4. List Down Your Resources

It is important for you to present the financial aspect of the business so that you can attract potential partners and investors, if necessary and applicable. Include information about your products and suppliers as well so that you can keep track of where you can get resources.

What are cocktails?

Cocktails are alcoholic beverages made of spirits and other ingredients such as fruit juice, soda, etc. They are one of the things commonly ordered and consumed in a bar. There are many kinds with varying ingredients, flavor, and appearance.

What makes a nightclub different from a wine bar?

While both places serve alcohol, the set up of the place is different. A nightclub is more focused on the entertainment of the patrons by providing drinks and music. In contrast a wine bar is a tavern-like establishment and tends to have a more relaxing ambiance like bistros.

What makes a tavern different from a bar?

Both places sell alcoholic beverages , but what makes them distinct from each other is that a bar does not necessarily serve food. A tavern on the other hand sells food and would often provide lodging. Taverns are an establishment that has existed for many centuries while bars started in the past few decades.

According to Statista research, sales in the drinking place sector in the United States have reached $23.15 billion in 2015. With the right kind of business plan your bar will certainly make sales that’ll contribute to such a number in the future. If you need more ideas on how to create a business plan then check out our business proposals and marketing strategy examples as references.

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How to Write a Winning Restaurant and Bar Business Plan (+ Template)

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Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be beneficial for restaurants and bar s that want to improve their strategy or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan outlines your company’s vision and documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you will accomplish it. To create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every restaurant and bar owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Bar Business Plan Template

What is a restaurant and bar business plan.

A restaurant and bar business plan is a formal written document describing your company’s business strategy and feasibility. It documents the reasons you will succeed, your areas of competitive advantage, and information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Restaurant and Bar Business Plan?

A restaurant and bar business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide to your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Restaurant and Bar Business Plan

The following are the critical components of a successful restaurant and bar business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a restaurant and bar business plan is a one- to two-page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

  • Start with a one-line description of your restaurant and bar  
  • Provide a summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast, among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

You may not have a long company history if you are just starting your restaurant and bar. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your restaurant and bar company, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen restaurant and bar business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a restaurant and bar business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

  • What part of the restaurant and bar industry are you targeting?
  • How big is the market?
  • What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support your company’s success)?

You should also include sources for your information, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, a restaurant and bar business’ customers may include office workers who are looking for a place to have after-work drinks or families who are looking for a kid-friendly restaurant for dinner. 

You can include information about how your customers decide to buy from you and what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or restaurant and bar services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will differ from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

  • Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
  • Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
  • Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
  • Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, or launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your restaurant and bar business via word-of-mouth or by partnering with another business.

Operations Plan

This part of your restaurant and bar business plan should include the following information:

  • How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone?
  • What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

You also need to include your company’s business policies in the operations plan. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, your Operations Plan will outline the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. 

Examples of milestones for a restaurant and bar include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include expanding to a second location or launching a new menu.

Management Team

List your team members here, including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your establishment. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here, you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

  • Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
  • Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs and the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
  • Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Restaurant and Bar

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

  • Assets : Everything you own (including cash).
  • Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
  • Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Restaurant and Bar

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

  • Cash Flow From Operations
  • Cash Flow From Investments
  • Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup restaurant and bar .

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Restaurant and Bar

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

  • Your complete financial projections
  • A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
  • Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and grow your restaurant and bar . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-written restaurant and bar business plan is a must for any business owner. It’s a great tool for attracting investors and keeping the company focused.  

Finish Your Bar and Restaurant Business Plan in 1 Day!

IMAGES

  1. Bar Business Plan Template Sample Pages

    sample business plan for a bar and lounge

  2. 5+ Free Restaurant Business Plan Templates

    sample business plan for a bar and lounge

  3. Lounge Business Plan Template

    sample business plan for a bar and lounge

  4. Bar Business Plan Template in Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages

    sample business plan for a bar and lounge

  5. Bar Business Plan Template

    sample business plan for a bar and lounge

  6. Bar Business Plan Template

    sample business plan for a bar and lounge

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COMMENTS

  1. Lounge Business Plan Template & Guide [Updated 2024]

    Marketing Plan. Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P's: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a lounge business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following: Product: In the product section, you should reiterate the type of lounge company that you documented in your company overview.

  2. Step by Step Guide To Write a Bar Business Plan (2023)

    This guide is tailored to help entrepreneurs and business owners create a comprehensive plan, ensuring the grand opening of the bar you dream of is a success. 1. Executive Summary. The executive summary is a concise overview of your entire business plan, acting as a snapshot that encapsulates the essence of your vision and strategy.

  3. Bar Business Plan Template & Example (2024)

    Sample Bar Business Plan. The following bar business plan example gives you the key elements to include in a winning business plan:. Executive Summary - The Executive Summary is the most important part of your business plan. It is a brief overview of your bar business concepts, its products and services, potential market opportunity, and competitive advantage.

  4. How to Write a Killer Bar Business Plan

    Then, choose a pour cost percentage (or profit margin) to target. Price the drink by taking the cost of your ingredients and dividing by the target pour cost. That equals your price. Good target pour costs to target are 20 percent for beer, 14 percent for liquor, and 22 percent for wine.

  5. How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

    Bar business plan templates and examples To see how other bar businesses have created their plans, browse our free library of bar and brewery business plans . You can also check out our full selection of food and beverage business plans , or our entire library of over 550 business plans across industries.

  6. How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Template

    Chalking Out Your Business Plan. All businesses like bars, pubs, lounges, and nightclubs come under the aegis of the bar business. ... If you are planning to start a new bar business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample Bar business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business ...

  7. How to write a Bar Business Plan: Complete Guide

    Create a pricing chart and ensure to provide an average price range for your products. You don't need to provide exact pricing for each product. For example, if you are selling beer, you don't need to list each beer brand and its price. You can just use a range instead (e.g. $6 to $9 for a pint).

  8. Bar Business Plan (How to Write & Template)

    Step 4: Maintain Ongoing Plan Evaluation. A business plan for opening a bar is a living document that warrants consistent revisiting, especially during the initial phases of bar management. Continuously assess and refresh your projections, suppositions, and tactics to ensure the plan remains pertinent and attuned to your aspirations.

  9. Step By Step Guide To Write A Bar Business Plan

    How to Write a Bar Business Plan in 9 Steps. 1. Bar Overview. The first step in writing a bar business plan is to establish an overview of the type of bar you want to open. You need a concept and location to shape your business model and create an executive summary for your new venture:

  10. How To Write A Winning Lounge Business Plan + Template

    The executive summary of a lounge business plan is a one- to two-page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan. Start with a one-line description of your lounge. Provide a summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which ...

  11. How to Write a Bar Business Plan

    Why You Need a Business Plan for your Bar. To a layperson, starting or owning a bar might seem like a job for sitcom characters, but bars, pubs, taverns, and clubs are the heart of nightlife and are an important part of the culture and society of any city or town. Bars, pubs, and taverns have a traditional place in societies as a meeting ground and place of rest.

  12. Free Bar And Tavern Business Plan Template + Example

    Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample. 1. Don't worry about finding an exact match. We have over 550 sample business plan templates. So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details. Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across.

  13. Bar Business Plan Template

    Utilize this free Bar Business Plan Template to create a comprehensive blueprint for your bar venture, covering aspects like concept development, target market analysis, and financial projections. It's an essential tool to ensure your bar business is well-prepared for success in the competitive hospitality industry. .

  14. Bar and Tavern Business Plan Example

    Foosball Hall is a new gaming hall and bar serving the Madison, Wisconsin community. Foosball or table soccer is an exciting table game originating from 1920's Germany. The game involves two to four people in an exciting match that tests skill, strategy, and willingness to have fun. People, primarily male students, play foosball as an ...

  15. Bar Business Plan Guide + Free Example

    Now, to create your projections, you need to incorporate the following: Estimate startup costs for your bar. Forecast revenue including any food or events you plan to host. Project food, alcohol, and labor costs. Estimate your operating expenses like rent and utilities.

  16. Lounge Business Plan Template (2024)

    A lounge business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your lounge business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections. You can easily complete your Lounge business plan using our Lounge Business Plan Template here.

  17. Bar owners' guide to creating a business plan

    An effective bar restaurant business plan covers everything from financial goals to local business marketing strategies, all detailed in this 6-step guide. 1. Executive summary. A well-constructed bar business plan can be your roadmap, helping guide and establish your business's operations and reputation. Not only is it an essential document ...

  18. Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template

    Introducing our Bar and Lounge Business Plan Template, a comprehensive blueprint for entrepreneurs inspired to create a captivating nightlife experience. This detailed guide provides a step-by-step strategy for launching or revitalizing a bar and lounge, blending ambiance, entertainment, and innovative beverage offerings with smart business ...

  19. Lounge Business Plan Template (2024)

    Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan: 1. Executive Summary. An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

  20. How to Write a Great Business Plan for a Bar or Pub

    Financial plan. Finally in your bar business plan comes the section on your financials. This will define how you plan to succeed as a healthy, growing business. For a new bar, this section will include your bar startup costs and a break-even analysis. Your bar startup costs are the expenses incurred during the process of getting off the ground.

  21. Bar Business Plan

    If you need more ideas, check out these tips in creating a bar business plan. 1. Be Aware Of The Market. Before you begin your business plan, understand the dynamics of the market for bar establishments. Knowing the needs of your customers, the trends that dictate the shift in the marketplace, and the way your competition reacts to certain ...

  22. How To Write A Bar And Restaurant Business Plan + Template

    Your plan should be laid out, including the following 4 Ps. Product/Service: Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits. Price: Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.

  23. PDF The Pinto's Bar and Grill Business Plan Example

    Flannigan is well known and has a loyal following. The 9,900 square foot bar and restaurant are privately owned and generate $3.3 million annually. The restaurant and bar have 33 employees. Because of its unique target focus as primarily a restaurant To unlock this help business, try Upmetrics! like.