earl of sandwich

[earl]

Hello,
I am looking forward to open a sandwich shop. I 've got the big picture, but now I have to put all those puzzled pieces back together. First things first, I have to do a market research. I've been reading a lot about it, but still I ve got some questions.
Should I make some forms and go out on streets and ask ppl to fill them out?
if so, what kind of questions to ask the potential customers?
e.g. What is your favourite sandwich shop?
What do you love most about it?
What changes would you like to make for your sandwich?
What else are buying apart from sandwiches?
Why are you buying from ...lets say "Greggs"?
so on....
Are these the right kind of questions?
Now regarding the competitors, should I check every single sandwich shop in my area to see what they offer and how they delivery? How about the supermarket giants?
So far, after all that reading I ve done, I have to have a very good trading spot which I have because I live in a very busy town; I have to understand my potential customers needs and from what I've noticed most of them buy loads of sandwiches; I have to be creative...I am still working here; I have to offer them something new and affordable; the most important thing I think is that I HAVE to be one step ahead competitors...now this is the real challenge.
Any help needed and appreciate it!

Thanks alot

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Be careful when using that name - I am sure 'Earl of Sandwich' has been registered!

 

[joiner]

Sounds like you're making all the right noises. Keep researching and looking into all aspects of your potential business, know your customers needs and wants, know what they'll pay, who they are. Know your expenses and profits and prices, know your suppliers and their products and prices. Know YOUR products etc etc. If AFTER learning all this it still looks like the business WILL work financially then you'll be in a very good position to put it in motion. Business plans 'form' over time (mine took over two years to get just right) and things change as you learn more about the proposed business.

Good luck. M.

 

[Richie N]

You always need to be one step ahead of your competitors, we've tried a few new things and next thing you know they are copying you, so keep changing the menu and implement new products.

 

[movietub]

I think there are a number of thibgs you could do to make sure the business is viable before pestering people on the streets!

For example costing out the products and other set costs. Also looking at the local competition and asking if there is something you can do to fit in. Clearly you won't put the local greggs out of business if you compete like-for-like, they could afford to run a store at a loss for years to get rid of pesky copy-cat businesses. Same goes for Subway.

I think the first question has to be 'does this areas need a new type of sandwich shop?'. And if so, 'can I compete on price/value with the bigger boys?'. If the answer to both is yes, then you know it's time to do deeper market research to fine tune the idea.

 

[earl]

thanks for ur replies, really useful.
another thing, i have to be a LTD or can i start as a SOLO TRADER?
i'll start by doing all that costs things, suppliers, KPI

 

[Richie N]

thanks for ur replies, really useful.
another thing, i have to be a LTD or can i start as a SOLO TRADER?
i'll start by doing all that costs things, suppliers, KPI

I would go down the road of a limited company, the landlord of your premises would probably prefer this as well.
Also, the suppliers prefer to deal with limited company's, especially if you want credit with them.

 

[movietub]

I would go down the road of a limited company, the landlord of your premises would probably prefer this as well.
Also, the suppliers prefer to deal with limited company's, especially if you want credit with them.

I second that. Ltd does recieve a better reception quite often - even though there is no real reason it should a lot of the time!

 

[earl]

so you become more credible just being a LTD. good to know. cheers

 

[movietub]

so you become more credible just being a LTD. good to know. cheers

Well don't get too carried away, anyone that actually understands the difference will probably look at what really matters when considering credit.

But for some reason a lot of smaller suppliers probably do feel ltd is somehow more of a 'real' business.

 

[Richie N]

Limited company is better for credit, as it's against the company and not you personally.
It is also better for your lease to be assigned to a limited company, in case anything goes wrong then it shouldn't fall on you, unless you sign a personal guarantee of course.

 

Be careful when using that name - I am sure 'Earl of Sandwich' has been registered!

How do you know he don't live in Sandwich.?

Earl

 

[movietub]

Limited company is better for credit, as it's against the company and not you personally.
It is also better for your lease to be assigned to a limited company, in case anything goes wrong then it shouldn't fall on you, unless you sign a personal guarantee of course.

Even without a signed guarantee the shareholders can be made personally liable. Especially in the case of a Ltd company where the main shareholder is also the man in charge of the business on a day to day level and a full time emplyee.

Lenders want a signed guarantee as it makes pinning liability on the guarantuer very simple. But the added complication of working out who could be considered 'most at fault' for a companies demise would not stop them for very long.

 

[Billmccallum]

Two issues...

Don't rely on competing on price, this could be the beginning of the end as it gives you no margin of error.

Secondly, Earl of Sandwich is a registered trade mark...be careful

 

[movietub]

Two issues...

Don't rely on competing on price, this could be the beginning of the end as it gives you no margin of error.

Secondly, Earl of Sandwich is a registered trade mark...be careful

How about call the shop 'Of Sandwich' Which alone is random enough to be a talking point - in fact, I think it's a pretty cool name!

When people see your name badge 'Earl' they can make the final leap for themselves - and probably also make some tiresome jokes as customers tend too!

 

I think you will find the logo is trade marked.

The idea that the words "Earl of Sandwich" could be trade marked is ridiculous as I suspect there may be a prior claiment.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Some fundamental questions:

1) Have you ever worked for a sandwich shop? If not, spend three months working for one. It will be very revealing.

2) How will you differentiate? By location? By price? By opening hours? By variety? By food ethnicity? Hot versus cold? By customer service? BTW, it should be one (or at most, two) of these, not all of them. Strategy is crucially important.

3) Do you have a realistic understanding of all your costs? Have you put together a financial plan? If so, double the costs and halve the sales. Are you still making a profit?

4) Are you aware of all the rules and regulations that relate to selling food?

5) Will you ever be able to take holidays again? This is a serious question. A good friend of mine ran a pizza franchise for many years. Looking back, he regrets how much time was spent at work and how he could never get away. Have a plan for this.

 

[patientlady]

Be careful when using that name - I am sure 'Earl of Sandwich' has been registered!

Yes they went bust in our town!

 

[earl]

Thank you all for your useful replies. To answer some questions: I don't intend to use Earl of Sandwich as a name it was just a thread; I think in quality over quantity so better pay more but get something really tasty and good and so on.

 

[earl]

Hello again, new questions
if I would get a business space A1 can I sell hot coffee/ tea?
it's a bit confusing the way A1 A2 A3 classes are described.
Many THANKS

 

[Billmccallum]

Hello again, new questions
if I would get a business space A1 can I sell hot coffee/ tea?
it's a bit confusing the way A1 A2 A3 classes are described.
Many THANKS

As Sandwich shop comes under A1, quite a few people get away with selling hot drinks, but some take the view that they should be under A5, you should check with the local planning office.

 

[arkybarky]

As Sandwich shop comes under A1, quite a few people get away with selling hot drinks, but some take the view that they should be under A5, you should check with the local planning office.

don't mean to hijack this thread but what constitutes an A5 premises???

I thought cafe/sandwich shops fell under either A1 or A3 depending on whether they sell hot food or not and at the discretion of the local authority concerned...

 

[Richie N]

If a cafe / sandwich shop does hot food on the premises then it should be A3.

 

[virtuallysorted]

I'd be more quantative than qualative... I mean there is no point at all in asking someone who their favourite sandwich shop is if they are a tourist and only eat fois gras!!!

E.g.
How much do you expect to pay for a sandwich? Under £1.50 / £1.50-£2.50 / £2.51-£4.00/£4+
How often do you buy sandwiches for lunch? Everyday/2-3 times a week/once a week/once a month/never

That way you have concrete data to base your assumptions on.

 

[earl]

Hello,
does anybody know if I have to be a registered member of "the british sandwhich association" ?
:|

 

[Drpepper]

don't mean to hijack this thread but what constitutes an A5 premises???

I thought cafe/sandwich shops fell under either A1 or A3 depending on whether they sell hot food or not and at the discretion of the local authority concerned...

A5 is for hot food/drink for that is consumed off the premises, A3 allows for consumption on the premises as well.

So if a takeaway sandwich shop (cold food, only A1 required) wants to sell coffe/hot pies as well it would need A5.

Easiest route to go would be to apply for A3 in the first instance, or forget the hot and stick with A1.

 

[Richie N]

Hello,
does anybody know if I have to be a registered member of "the british sandwhich association" ?
:|

no you don't...

 

[AndrewU]

Hi Earl, I set up a sandwich delivery service from my kitchen last April that has gone from strength to strength so much so that I'm opening my first sandwich bar in 3 weeks. Firstly you don't have to join the British Sandiwch Association although you get discounts, a posh looking sticker and certificate to put in your shop which IMHO looks professional and a great magazine once a quarter I think, I joined at a trade show which is something I receommend you go to for a good idea of suppliers etc.

Shop use can be A1 for a sandwich bar as long as it is prodoiminatly cold food you are selling I spoke to local planning and explained I would also be selling soup, paninis and coffee etc but bulk would be cold sandwiches and salads and they were fine with that. Best off speaking to planning dept of your council. Good luck with the venture!

 

[earl]

Thank you so much, really helpful. Merry Christmas