Brewery Business Plan Executive Summary

Jim McCormickAuthor

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Brewery Business Plan Template

Use this free template to easily create a great business plan that organizes your vision and helps you start, grow, or raise funding for your brewery.

Toast | BUILT FOR RESTAURANTS

The executive summary is the first section of any brewery business plan. As an introduction and summary of your vision for the brewery, this section includes information about products, consumers, and the team. A basic outline of the business’s path to success and financial plans is also found in the executive summary.

We’ll share business plan writing tips that will help you attract attention and build a compelling executive summary.

How to Write a Brewery Business Overview

A business overview is an introduction that “hooks” the reader – it should provide just enough description of your restaurant to get the reader interested in learning more about the business plan. Include an outline of the ownership structure, location, type of brewery, and customer experience in the business overview.

This section might also introduce key members of your team and a staff training and retention plan. Potential investors will want to see not just that your business plan is exciting but also that it is sustainable.

Finally, paint a detailed picture of the brewery’s brand. In addition to written descriptions, use branded graphics, sample color schemes, and photos of the style of aesthetic you imagine. Show readers that you’ve considered all the details.

What Products Will the Brewery Serve

The kind of brewery you want to start influences a lot of other decisions. Continue the executive summary by outlining the products that your brewery will serve. In this section, work to capture the imagination of potential investors – you’ll have a chance to impress them with your business savvy later in the brewery summary.

How will you differentiate your brewery from others in the area? How will your beer set you apart and how can you use the brewery space and food menu to attract new customers? The origins and inspirations of your menu are selling points for your brand.

The kind of menu your brewery offers is directly related to the brewery’s concept. Include information about what makes your concept and menu unique. Investors will want to be sure that your brewery fills a gap in the market.

Who will be the Target Consumer

Competition in the food and drink industry is fierce, which makes finding a unique niche imperative. Potential investors will want information about how your brewery stands out in the market.

Build a few customer personas – describe a few potential customers using market data about the demographics, characteristics, and behaviors of diners. Then, describe how your restaurant will cater to those guests.

How do you plan to attract first time visitors to the brewery? What is your release schedule for new beers to get consumers returning to the brewery?

It’s cliche but “location, location, location” is the song of good business–even the best business plans will struggle to find footing unless they cater to the locals. Make decisions for your business based not only on local tastes but also on the local economy. Describe how your menu’s price point is accessible to the target market.

Who are the Key Management Team Members

Breweiers can’t run without people, and you can’t do it all yourself. Write a concise description of the critical roles in your business’s management structure. Describe how brewmasters and FOH managers are integral to your brewery’s success.

If your business relies on the talents of a specific beer brewer or operations manager, include descriptions of those people (and their qualifications) in this section. If you still need to hire for key roles, describe the hiring and retention strategy for the highly-skilled labor your restaurant needs.

What are the Brewery Success Factors

What does success look like for this brewery? What contingencies have to go your way? What are the risks of your business model? Having concrete goals and knowing what obstacles stand in the way will impress potential investors.

How will your brewery adjust its strategy depending on the time of year? How can you partner with local food trucks to become a destination for all things food and drink.

It might seem better to avoid writing about potential pitfalls in your business description. But, showing investors that you have a plan to succeed and that you know how to overcome setbacks lets readers know that you’re serious about the business.

What is the Brewery Financial Plan

The executive summary of your business plan should also include an overview of the financial plans. Answer common questions that investors and banks will need, such as how much funding you need to raise, loans and lines of credit you’ll rely on, and how long it will take for the business to become profitable.

Calculate and report on the upfront fixed costs of opening your restaurant. These are the costs that you know you’ll have to keep up with to keep the business afloat, such as brewing equipment, maintenance, and loan repayments.

Then, give investors an idea of the variable costs per month. Things like labor, raw materials, marketing, and packaging costs are likely to change from month to month. Provide a range of the total variable costs per month.

In a later section of the business plan, you’ll provide different reports and financial projections. For the executive summary, focus on the broad strokes of your financial plans. Answer questions like how you plan to raise startup funds and potential profit margins based on projected sales.

Writing your Brewery’s Executive Summary

Writing about finances can be a challenge–here’s how you can make the details of your restaurant’s finances an interesting read.

  • Always keep the audience in mind. Use some of the financial vocabulary introduced in this article and write for your potential investors.

  • Find your voice. As the first section, the executive summary is about making an impression. Investors are often just as interested in your business savvy as the strength of your business plan. Infuse your unique vision and voice into your writing style.

  • Keep it simple and clear. It's tempting to throw in lots of clever flourishes when writing, but clarity should be the number 1 priority, especially when discussing financial details.


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