Keeping pace with the competition and bringing exposure to your brand is a constant challenge for small business owners in the bakery industry.   In a business that runs on quality and creativity you should always be looking for ways to innovate and remain unique.  Here we’ve compiled seven ways to keep your bakery on the rise.

1. Specialty Cakes

Some bakeries don’t think outside the donut box. Think bigger, think cakes! There is a lot of money that can be made in specialty cakes. Competing with larger stores that have cookie cutter cakes may be easier than you think if you are able to make your cakes truly special and unique. You will need to find a good decorator that is creative and reliable. Advertisements geared toward specific events such as wedding and birthdays will target the perfect customer base.

2. Be Unique

Most Bakeries have a signature item that keeps people coming back. Create something that the customers want. You may even have a small survey periodically to see what the patrons are looking for.  Keep an eye out for industry trends and put your own spin on popular items.  Items such as specialty donuts, cake pops and other sweet treats offer a variety of options for personalization.

3. Healthy Options

With the ever growing health movement it is important to offer healthy options to ensure you do not pigeon hole your business.  Creating gluten free and low sugar items will allow those with health concerns to still frequent your establishment and enjoy your products.  Advertising the lower caloric values can help to ease a health conscience consumer into accepting your establishment as a viable food source.

4. Freshness

Quality is of the utmost importance in the bakery industry.  Ensuring that every customer receives the same, fresh pastry is very important to customer loyalty.  Be sure to have “baked on” times and dates so you can track the age of your items.  Whenever possible, bake items fresh to order.  Use quality, fresh ingredients in all of your menu items.  Taste is what will set you apart from your competition; it is important not to cut costs when it comes to food quality.

5. Menu

Although you will want to always offer your most popular and signature items, it is a great idea to change up your menu periodically.  You can research the types of items to add to your menu by offering daily and weekly specials and gather customer feedback on these items.  Have small survey cards at the counter and at your tables where the customer can offer feedback about potential new menu items.

6. Wholesale

Only selling your product from your storefront can significantly decrease your profits.  Consider moving into the wholesale sector in order to establish consistent, large volume customers.  Nurture relationships with local restaurants and catering services so they will consider offering your baked goods along with their current menu.  These relationships can increase revenue dramatically and serve as sustainable income for your bottom line.

7. Free Samples

To increase your bakeries profitability in the baker industry, there is no greater draw than the free sample.  This is something that you can do outside of your store front, walking the neighborhood or even at events and food festivals.  These samples should include your most popular menu items as well as unique items that can’t be found at other bakeries.  This is also a great way to test out new items and establish an updated menu.

Quikstone Capital Solutions has been providing small business owners with merchant cash advances to stabilize and improve their companies for more than 10 years.  If you are in need of a cash to cover unexpected costs, or if you’re looking to make long overdue improvements, fast funding with a merchant cash advance could be right for you.  With the ability to quickly qualify and get your money in a timely fashion, there is no more convenient business loan alternative.  

Need ideas on how to grow your Bakery? Download our FREE Bakery Investment Guide.