How to Create a Brewery Business Plan (+ Brewery Template) (2023)

The craft brewing sector is experiencing explosive growth, with turnover being crucial24% of the US beer market, which is valued at over $114 billion. To be truly successful as a brewery owner or manager in this highly competitive environment, you need a brewery business plan.

Whether you are considering opening a large industrial brewery downtown or a small neighborhood pub with a nice outdoor patio, any brewery starts with good business planning. Your business plan acts as a roadmap to help you think about tools and technologies you can use to grow your businessBrewery POSsystem for example. And having the right structures in place from the start will increase your chances of success and reduce financial and legal risks.

If you've never written a brewery business plan before, it can be overwhelming to get started. To make things easier, we've put together a complete guide to creating a brewery business plan. In this guide we cover the following:

• How to create a business plan for your brewery business
• The 8 sections of every great brewery business plan
• A free brewery business plan template

How do you write a business plan for a brewery?

Below we discuss the eight essential sections that make up a great brewery business plan.

Resumefor your business plan

Your summary is perhaps the most important part of your business plan. While this is usually the first part investors read, it is often written last because it summarizes all subsequent parts. Here you explainkind of breweryThey will work - be it a taproom, brewery or any other model.

It's important to clarify your business model early on, as your specific type of brewery will change the direction of your plan. For example, microbrewery business plans describe companies that doproduce less than 15,000 barrels per year. Microbreweries' business plans therefore focus on selling specialty drinks rather than the large volumes of beer that a craft brewery might offer.

In this section you will also provide a general overview of your brewery type, customers, competitors, sales and marketing strategies. You can also write about your leadership team and provide their experiences and financial information.

Remember to write concisely and no longer than one page. This section is for inspiration and to explain to investors why they should choose you over your competition. To stand out, highlight what makes your brewery special. Here some examples:

• Their location: "Benji's is a growing brewery in downtown New York City."
• Your market: "Our market is lucrative and growing with little competition nearby."
• Their signature menu: "We serve a curated selection of sours, ales and IPAs."
• Target group: "Our ideal customers are company employees who like a fresh, cold drink at the end of the day."

Company Profile

The Company Overview section provides a brief overview of your company. You should include details that investors may want to know before investing in your brewery, such as: B. Your company's business and trading name, your service structure, your business address, and the date you established your brewery.

You can also provide links that a potential investor can use to find more information, such as: B. Your brewery website and social media pages – in addition to your contact details such as email address, phone number and postal address. Optionally, you can provide bank details, including your branch and banker.

Company description

In the Business description section you can read more about your brewery, e.g. B. what your service will look like, where you are located, what menu variation you have and what atmosphere you are going to create. Overall, this section should highlight your overall brewery concept, vision, and business success goals.

This section provides an overview of your brewerymission statement, your business goals and information about your menu offerings. In addition to the design of your brewery and why you chose it, you should also describe your location and why it is ideal. Finally, be sure to state your legal form, regardless of whether you are a partnership, a sole proprietorship or a company.

market analysis

As more breweries open their doors and move in, it's important to understand how your business operates differently. The Market Analysis section shows you where your competitors are doing well and what gaps you can fill.

For example, you can look at the competition's offerings, marketing strategies, business characteristics and branding. What kind of beer do other breweries offer? What does their menu look like? Do some breweries offer tours? What makes your brewery different?

There are many points you can include in your market analysis to show how unique your brewery is. For example, you can write about your target audience and why they prefer to visit your brewery over others. You can also research the breweries you compete with and identify opportunities where there are gaps you can fill. Can you track better hours, better menu choices, or better tour experiences? It is also important to be aware of any industry trends, e.g. B. Economic or social impacts and challenges you want to address.

Let's look at an example. If you're writing a microbrewery business plan, you can include data about several new technology companies opening in the area. Then you could add targeted research showing that microbreweries are visited more often by young professionals between the ages of twenty and thirty. Now you need to argue why your location attracts more visitors compared to other breweries that target an older audience.

Marketing planfor your brewery business

A steady stream of customers is key to the longevity of your brewery business. To do that, you need to create a marketing plan that will keep customers coming back.

positioning

Here's how to make sure your brand sticks in the minds of your consumers. Describe any key differentiators, e.g. B. What customers can get from your brewery that they can't get elsewhere. To find out what your differentiators are, ask yourself a few questions:

• What kind of beer do you brew?
• What makes your guest experience unforgettable?
• What makes your brewery unique?

corpsepricing strategy

In this subsection, describe how your prices compare to competitors in your market. Here are some questions to answer in your pricing strategy:

• What are your costs? Including everything from materials to labor to packaging.
• What is the market price for similar beers being sold?
• How does your company's pricing match the market price?
• What return on investment do you expect?

Keep in mind that your pricing strategy should cover production costsInLeave room for profitability!

digital advertising

Here are a fewMarketing ideas for restaurantsthat can be integrated into your brewery plan:

• Digital advertising: Many consumers can decide where to buy a drink based on an advertisement or a Google search. Consider investing in paid advertising on platforms like Google or Facebook.
• Social Media: Use your social platforms to enhance your customer experience by engaging guests in real-time conversations. For example, you may wonder whether you prefer to burn beer on bottles or cans.
• Your website: Use SEO tactics to get your blog showing up in Google keyword searches. Make sure your brewery's website is full of useful content and that your online menu is easy to find from your main home page.

business operations

Here you describe how you will implement the plan described so far. That means you need to outline everything from your business team to suppliers, insurance and licensing:

• Team structure: Identify the members of your business team. You can include their years of experience, qualifications and responsibilities. Be sure to detail how each person will help you run the brewery efficiently.
• Supplies and Inventory: List your supplies in this section e.g. B. Brewing equipment, ingredients, bottles, technology and furnishings. Consider using a special oneBrewery POSwith an additional integration such asBevCheckto keep track of your inventory.
• Insurance plan: Make sure you have insurance to avoid unexpected financial losses. Without insurance, there is a risk that your brewery will have to close in the event of injury or equipment failure.
• Licences: You need a brewery license that allows you to produce and sell beer in accordance with local regulations. This differs from a liquor license, which restaurants use to serve alcohol. It's best to check your local government's website to find out what local licenses or permits are required. For example,California has many licenses, including one especially for beer makers.

Business planfinance

The financial portion of your business plan should demonstrate your potential for generating revenue growth. This is especially important if you are trying to get funding from potential investors.

Include all documents that prove your financial standing, such as balance sheets, cash flows and profit and loss statements. Credit and bank statements may also show that you are financially responsible. All of these documents prove that you have the ability to handle cash and make payments on time - two qualities that are highly valued by investors.

You can also specify your financial goals, such as quarterly revenue growth targets. To show how you will achieve these goals, you can create sales forecasts for the next five to ten years.

This section of your business plan should list your expenses such as: B. for labor and training, rent, consumables such as ingredients, marketing and brewing equipment. Remember to always explain how your profit will developdominateYour cost to show your potential for success.

To track financial information more accurately, you can use accounting software such asMargeEdge,Xero,wise,Fast Books, ofShogo.

If you're looking for more information on how to break down your finances, see aExample of a business plan for a brewery.

Summary of the business plan

This section should highlight the strengths of your business plan to tell the story of your brewery and show your reader why your brewery is unique and worth investing in. It should also describe how your business will grow and achieve financial profitability.

Be sure to include the following:

• What you need for success e.g. B. Loans or an advisor
• How special your brewery is compared to your competitors
• A few sentences to thank your readers for their time and interest

Now that you've completed the written portion of your business plan, it's time to improve your presentation skills! You need to remember all the important points and present your business plan to the right people.

Once your plan is ready, send it to your investor contacts and network with as many people as possible to get more leads and referrals. You can also email your target audience an introduction and let them know you have a plan you want to send.

If you meet in person or via Zoom, it's helpful to prepare a presentation that covers the key elements of your brewery's business plan. Organizing one-on-one conversations also creates a personal bond and there is time for questions. As you prepare your presentation, consider any questions or concerns your audience may have and prepare responses.

Remember to be transparent and honest. By showing that you care about answering questions to the best of your ability, you show investors that you have the drive to potentially work together to achieve your brewery's business goals.

When you start a brewery, you should definitely think about making a business plan. While it may seem like a lot of work, the time and sweat you put into your plan will definitely pay off in the long run. A solid business plan can help you ensure that your business can successfully start, thrive and grow.

Looking for a sample brewery business plan? You can find many ideas in itTouchBistro Brewery Business Plan Template. Inside, you'll find inspiration with industry-specific tips like ideas for writing a microbrewery business plan and more!