Chinese bakery shop

Local families, office workers, students and the Chinese-Canadian community, plus anyone looking for an affordable bakery treat or snack.

You sell individual items, boxes and celebration cakes at the counter. Extras include festive items like mooncakes, and wholesale to nearby cafés or restaurants.

• Baking with enriched doughs and fillings
• Early mornings and steady daily production
• Customer service and basic bookkeeping

• Food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, plus a food handler certificate; check what your province requires
• Zoning, business licence and signage rules from your municipality, including French-language sign rules if you are in Quebec
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Allergen labelling and ingredient rules for packaged items; check CFIA requirements
• Rent, equipment and early starts are a big commitment before sales settle, so build a cash buffer

Startup costs are typically around $50,000 to $200,000, depending on premises, equipment, fit-out and a cash buffer. These are estimates. Rent, equipment and early starts are a big commitment before sales settle, so build in a buffer.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, menu, opening hours and pre-orders for cakes and festival items. These are estimates, not guarantees. Expect at least about 40 hours a week.

Check what your province requires for a food premises permit, inspections and a food handler certificate. Also check zoning, business licence and signage rules (including French-language sign rules in Quebec), insurance, WCB/WSIB once you hire, and CFIA allergen labelling requirements.