Start a sandwich shop on a local high street

Office workers, tradespeople, shoppers, students and local residents, mostly at lunchtime.

Selling food and drinks at a margin above ingredient and packaging costs, often with meal deals and pre-orders from local businesses.

• Fast, tidy food preparation
• Good food hygiene habits
• Cost control and stock ordering
• Friendly customer service

• Register as a food business with your local council well before opening (check the timing)
• Allergen information rules must be followed for every product, check current requirements
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff
• Lease terms, business rates and planning use class for the premises, check with the landlord and council
• Thin margins: rent, wages and wastage can quickly eat into takings

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment you need. These are estimates, so check lease terms, business rates and the planning use class before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on location, opening hours and lunchtime footfall. Margins can be thin, as rent, wages and wastage can quickly eat into takings, so treat this as an estimate.

Register as a food business with your local council well before opening, and check the timing. Follow allergen information rules for every product, arrange public liability insurance, and check the lease, business rates and planning use class with the landlord and council.