Start a churro shop on a high street or in a food hall

Shoppers, tourists, students and families looking for a sweet snack, plus people ordering for takeaway or through delivery apps.

Sales of churro portions, dips, drinks and add-ons such as ice cream. A good location and steady footfall matter more than the menu size.

• Cooking and frying safely
• Running a small team or rota
• Costing and stock control
• Customer service

• Register your food business with the council in good time before opening, and expect a hygiene inspection
• Planning use class, extraction and ventilation for frying, which may need permission (check with your council)
• Business rates, lease terms and shop fit-out costs, which can be large
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff
• Fire risk assessment and fire safety for fryers
• Allergen information must be available for every item
• Quiet seasons and thin margins, so cash flow matters

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, lease and shop fit-out, which can be large. Extraction and ventilation for frying may also need permission, so check with your council.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on location and footfall. Quiet seasons and thin margins mean cash flow matters, so plan for slower months.

Register your food business with the council in good time before opening and expect a hygiene inspection. Also check planning use class, fire risk assessment for fryers, allergen information for every item, and insurance.