Doughnut shop on your local high street

Local residents, commuters, students, office workers and families, plus customers ordering boxes for parties or work.

Doughnut and drink sales over the counter, with extra income from pre-ordered boxes and local delivery or wholesale to cafes.

• Baking and frying at volume
• Food safety and allergen management
• Managing stock, costs and wastage
• Running a small team

• Register your food business with your council before opening
• Planning permission or change of use may be needed for a hot food shop, check with your council
• Extraction and fire safety requirements for fryers, plus a fire risk assessment
• Employer's liability insurance once you hire staff, plus public liability insurance
• Rent, business rates and ingredient costs can squeeze margins, test your numbers carefully
• Early starts and long days are common

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, kitchen fit-out and equipment. These are estimates, so test your numbers carefully, including rent, business rates and ingredient costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on location, opening hours, menu and whether you take box orders. These are estimates, and rent, rates and ingredients can squeeze margins.

Register your food business with your council before opening. Check whether planning permission or change of use is needed for a hot food shop, plus extraction and fire safety for fryers, a fire risk assessment and insurance.