Indian sweets and snacks shop

Local families, South Asian communities, office workers, and customers ordering for festivals, weddings and parties.

Sales by weight or by piece at the counter, boxed gift sets, bulk event orders and sometimes tea or chaat. Festival weeks are the busiest.

• Making sweets and snacks at volume
• Managing staff and ingredient stock
• Customer service
• Pricing and cost control

• Food premises permit, inspections and food handler certification: check with your local public health unit
• Zoning, signage and building rules, including ventilation for frying: check with your municipality
• Lease terms and renovation costs: get advice before you commit
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Allergen and packaged food labelling rules
• Festival peaks and quieter months can strain cash flow, and Quebec has French-language signage requirements

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, kitchen equipment, renovations and stock. Get advice on lease terms and renovation costs before you commit.

Things to check: a food premises permit, inspections and food handler certification with your local public health unit; zoning, signage and ventilation rules for frying with your municipality; insurance; and allergen and labelling rules. Quebec has French-language signage requirements.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, product range and customer volume. Festival peaks and quieter months can strain cash flow, so plan for uneven income through the year.