{"id":15073,"date":"2021-01-18T12:00:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T18:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/baking-pastry\/building-an-online-pastry-shop\/"},"modified":"2024-04-04T07:26:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T12:26:46","slug":"building-an-online-pastry-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/baking-pastry\/building-an-online-pastry-shop\/","title":{"rendered":"Building an Online Pastry Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s never been a better time to open an online pastry shop. That\u2019s a bold statement considering how unfortunate 2020 was for restaurants \u2013 except<\/em> those with a strong online presence, which are thriving.<\/p>\n

Just look at the numbers: Online food delivery services grew at a 20% rate<\/a> in 2020 alone. And the growth is only going to continue. Projections for the next 4 years are for online food delivery services to grow an additional 5% each and every year.<\/p>\n

Why not consider, then, leaving aside the trouble and expenses of a physical door for your bakery or pastry shop and use a website and a food delivery service instead?<\/p>\n

In this article we\u2019ll cover the basics of starting an online pastry shop to give you an idea of everything you might need to consider to make that dream a reality.<\/p>\n

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\nBut first, consider that running a pastry business is no easy task. It isn\u2019t for amateurs or hobbyists. If you\u2019re serious about improving your technical skills in the pastry arts and balancing that with business and entrepreneurship, it might make sense to consider a formal pastry arts education<\/a>. Business is complex, and it helps to follow in the footsteps of those who have already gone down the path you want to follow.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll come back to the education part in a minute. For now, let\u2019s talk about your menu, your business plan, building a website, and what might make your idea a success.<\/p>\n

Develop Your Menu<\/h2>\n

There is no pastry shop without pastries! The first thing you need to do to build an online pastry shop is decide what you\u2019ll serve.<\/p>\n

The essential question is: What will make you stand out from the other online pastry shops? Will your cookies be the biggest in town? Will your cupcakes have unique flavor combinations? Will your creations be staid and traditional, or flamboyant and provocative?<\/p>\n

You want people not only buying what you create, you want them to brag<\/em> about it to their friends.<\/p>\n

\"Flower
\nAnd here\u2019s a tip: Focus on just one type of pastry and bake it well! Following this practice can make your shop the<\/em> place to order cupcakes online or the<\/em> website for macarons.<\/p>\n

And by the way: Menu design and management is an entire course in the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Baking and Pastry curriculum<\/a>, including price analysis and making use of available resources.<\/p>\n

Write Your Business Plan<\/h2>\n

Maybe you\u2019ve got amazing pastries\u2014but will you make money? If not, all you\u2019ve done is build yourself an expensive hobby.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why you\u2019ve got to write a business plan. This is an overview of your business and why it operates. If you had to describe your business and how it operates to someone, this document would tell them everything they need to know.<\/p>\n

As you write your plan<\/a>, you\u2019ll get to know your market, your competition, and your consumers\u2019 habits. Escoffier\u2019s students complete and present a business plan as part of the Building Your Own Business course.<\/p>\n

Knowledge of your competition helps you carve out your own style and creative niche to differentiate your offering from everyone else\u2019s. Are you serving hungry college students late at night, or church-goers on a Sunday morning?<\/p>\n\n\t

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