Rice cake shop with a small counter

Families and community members buying for holidays and celebrations, students, food lovers, and people looking for gifts.

Sales per item and per box, with higher-value gift boxes and festival orders (Lunar New Year, Chuseok, birthdays and weddings) adding to everyday snack sales.

• Food preparation or good supplier sourcing
• Customer service
• Stock and freshness management
• Knowledge of traditional treats

• Food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit, check before signing a lease
• Municipal business licence and zoning for the unit
• Allergen labelling and ingredient rules for packaged food, check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Fresh rice cakes spoil quickly, so plan ordering to limit waste
• Commercial general liability insurance and WCB/WSIB once you hire
• Sales peak around festivals and can be quiet at other times

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the unit, equipment and stock. Check food premises permit requirements with your local public health unit before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location and product range. Sales peak around festivals and can be quiet at other times.

Check for a food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit, and a municipal business licence and zoning for the unit. Check allergen and ingredient labelling with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, plus insurance and WCB/WSIB once you hire.