Chinese bakery market stall and pop-ups

Market shoppers, festival crowds and local food fans who want something fresh and different, plus returning regulars who follow you on social media.

Sales per item or box at each market day, plus extra pre-orders and wholesale drop-offs to local cafes or Asian grocers once you have a following.

• Batch baking at volume
• Food safety and handling
• Friendly selling and handling cash and card payments

• Health department permit for the stall or temporary food events; requirements differ by county
• General liability insurance, which many markets require before you can sell
• Sales tax registration with your state if selling taxable food items
• Weather, early mornings and unsold stock, so plan batch sizes carefully

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your stall setup, commissary kitchen rental, equipment and insurance. These are estimates, so get quotes from local kitchens and markets before you commit.

Check these with your local authorities: a health department permit for the stall or temporary food events, which differs by county; general liability insurance, which many markets require; and state sales tax registration if you sell taxable food items.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many markets you attend, your batch sizes and how much stock goes unsold. Estimates assume at least about 15 hours a week, and early mornings and weather affect results.