Chinese bakery shop

Local residents, commuters, students and families, with extra demand from Asian communities and festival seasons.

Over-the-counter sales of individual items, plus coffee and tea, boxed gifts, celebration cakes and trays for offices and events.

• Commercial baking experience
• Managing stock and costs
• Leading staff
• Customer service

• Food premises registration, plans approval and inspections through your local council
• Food safety supervisor requirements in your state
• Lease terms, rent increases and fit-out costs before you commit
• Early starts and long hours, plus staff costs and workers compensation once you hire
• Wastage from unsold fresh stock, so plan batch sizes carefully
• Public liability, property and product insurance

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and kitchen equipment. These are estimates, so check lease terms, rent increases and fit-out costs before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your location, range and daily foot traffic. It is a full-time business, typically from about 40 hours a week, and unsold fresh stock can reduce what you keep.

Check food premises registration, plans approval and inspections through your local council, plus food safety supervisor requirements in your state. Also check public liability, property and product insurance, and workers compensation once you hire staff.