distribution business plan template

Distribution Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Distribution Company Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Distribution Company business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Distribution Companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Distribution Company business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

KitchenWare Distributors is a startup distribution company located in Long Beach, California. The company was founded by Nelson Fuller, a former senior executive in a kitchenware company based in Chicago, Illinois. Nelson made over ten million dollars in kitchenware sales during the past two years for his former company, and felt the time was now right to start his own company in California. Because Long Beach is a leading port for ships bringing goods into the U.S. from China and other Asian countries, Nelson believes the greatest kitchen product range and highest dollar value can be amassed via the Long Beach import area.

KitchenWare Distributors specializes in selling kitchen products, including tabletop, tableware, cookware, and cutlery, to independent retailers, retail chains, and e-commerce platforms. Nelson recruited his wife, Jamie Fuller, to join him in the new startup, as her former position was a marketing manager for a small kitchen appliance company. Her new role will be as the Executive Manager of tabletop and cookware products.

Product Offering

The following are the services that KitchenWare Distributors will provide:

• Large-volume sales to kitchen product companies, including brick-and-mortar and ecommerce
• 24/7 customer service representative support
• Competitive pricing
• Diverse product selection
• Free transport from Long Beach to customer location
• Package pricing based on company loyalty programs
• Tiered products based on customer’s target audience

Customer Focus

KitchenWare Distributors will target retail companies, retail chains, and kitchenware stores. KitchenWare Distributors will also target e-commerce platform companies that specialize in kitchen product sales. KitchenWare Distributors will target industrial restaurant and kitchen supply companies. KitchenWare Distributors will target state and federal government cooking and kitchen supply sites.

Success Factors

KitchenWare Distributors will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team at KitchenWare Distributors.
• Customer service representatives with 24/7 service for clients.
• Free transport from Long Beach to customer distribution centers or retail stores.
• Unique logistical software program designed for kitchen product retailers.
• KitchenWare Distributors offers reasonable pricing with free transportation included; both excellent savings.

Financial Highlights

KitchenWare Distributors is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its kitchen product line of goods. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office space build-out: $20,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for KitchenWare Distributors.

Company Overview

Who is kitchenware distributors.

KitchenWare Distributors is a newly established full-service distribution company based in Long Beach, California. KitchenWare Distributors is committed to becoming the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for retail chains, retailers and kitchenware supply stores in the U.S. KitchenWare Distributors will provide a comprehensive menu of customer support services for any client to utilize. Their full-service approach includes free transportation from the dock at Long Beach to the city of the client distribution center or retail store.

  KitchenWare Distributors will present and sell through a vast array of kitchen products, including tabletop, kitchenware, cookware, serveware, and cutlery. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in distribution and negotiations. KitchenWare Distributors removes all headaches and issues of the process of buying and transporting inventory for retail stores by taking excellent care of the inventory items and stock and ensuring that all issues are taken care of expeditiously while delivering the best customer service.

KitchenWare Distributors History

KitchenWare Distributors is owned and operated by Nelson and Jamie Fuller, both former executives working within the kitchen products industry in a kitchenware company based in Chicago, Illinois. Nelson made over ten million dollars in kitchenware sales during the past two years for his former company, and felt the time was now right to start his own company in California. Because Long Beach is a leading port for ships bringing goods into the U.S. from China and other Asian countries, Nelson believes the greatest kitchen product range and highest dollar value can be amassed via the Long Beach import area.

Since incorporation, KitchenWare Distributors has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered KitchenWare Distributors, LLC to transact business in the state of California.
• Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings, where the marketing department and administrative group will set up their 10,000 square foot office space.
• Reached out to numerous former clients and contacts to include KitchenWare Distributors as a distribution vendor.
• Began recruiting a staff of fifteen customer service representatives and five office personnel to work at KitchenWare Distributors.

KitchenWare Distributors Services

The following will be the services KitchenWare Distributors will provide:

Industry Analysis

The kitchen products industry is expected to grow during the next five years to over $44 billion. The growth will be driven by the consumer interest in premium kitchen countertop appliances that perform with precision. The growth will also be driven by smart kitchen appliances (remote turn on/turn off capabilities). The growth will be driven by color palette changes in 2027-28. Technological advances will drive the U.S. market growth. The growth will also be driven by eco-friendly, and sustainable tableware products. Costs will likely be reduced as kitchenware categories within lifestyle choices are discounted. Costs will likely be reduced as consumers turn to e-commerce for tableware and cookware choices, which reduces shipping costs overall.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

KitchenWare Distributors will target retail chains, retail stores, kitchenware stores, and government contract customers within California and the U.S. population. .

Customer Segmentation

KitchenWare Distributors will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Retail chains
• Retail stores, specifically kitchen product stores
• Ecommerce kitchen product companies
• State and government contractors for kitchen products

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

KitchenWare Distributors will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Strategic Distribution Group

The Strategic Distribution Group is located in New Jersey, near Ports America, Inc. The company receives goods via ship transport initiated in Shenzhen, China and directed to retail chains and kitchen stores throughout the U.S. The company was started by a partnership between Hershel Barts and Mark Tokien, formerly kitchen product managers for a major kitchen appliance manufacturer.

The Strategic Distribution Group offers limited discounts on product assortment groups or packages; however, shipping from the port to the retail chain market is provided at no cost. The strength of the company lies in the experience of the partners and the sales history in this industry sector they represent.

Cooking & Eating, Inc.

Cooking & Eating, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a large retail chain that offers a distribution service to clients and guests who want shipment and associated logistics packaged together by Cooking & Eating, Inc. The company was founded in 2014 by Eddy Walker, who found the distribution ties were weak in the Southwest portion of the U.S. and wanted to improve the strength of the industry while also owning a cooking video company that could capitalize on the location and new product introduction.

Currently, Cooking & Eating, Inc. is focused on cooking videos for a YouTube audience of 1.5 million viewers and video reels for TikTok which demonstrate cooking and eating in comedic fashion. The owner of the company, Eddy, enjoys appearing and leading the conversational topics on the show, as well as introducing his company once again to the final outcomes of this year.

Retread Distributors & More

Retread Distributors & More specializes in closeout lots, damaged inventory, returned products and “scratch & dent” appliance units. Their clients include major resellers, such as Overstock.com, and other secondary markets who purchase lots at greatly discounted prices and then hope to sell those lots at a miniscule profit. Retread Distributors & More is owned by Dottie Masters, a woman who has been a leader in the reselling industry for over forty years. The company is one of several owned by Dottie, and as such, it presents a “bargain basement” type of atmosphere, albeit one with excellent pricing and values that can be very profitable for retailers should they choose to sell such inventory items.

Competitive Advantage

KitchenWare Distributors will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• KitchenWare Distributors offers reasonable pricing with free transportation included; both advantageous savings.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

KitchenWare Distributors will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees who are able to provide comprehensive customer service support.
• Free shipping from Long Beach port to client retail location.
• Unbeatable 24/7 customer service for clients.
• Tiered discounts geared to assist all clients in savings
• Pricing packages that are advantageous for clients

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for KitchenWare Distributors is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

KitchenWare Distributors has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and expertise to the former clients of Jamie Miller. Former clients have already committed to follow both new co-owners to the KitchenWare Distributors company and refer the new company to their associates.

Professional Associations and Networking

Both Nelson and Jamie Miller are members of national trade associations and both will continue to network and offer services to other members. The company may also choose to sponsor activities during trade shows that will highlight the new company.

Website/SEO Marketing

KitchenWare Distributors will extensively utilize their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that KitchenWare Distributors provides. The website will also direct interested buyers to several pages of product inventory, including pricing and available quantities of each. Customers can buy online using the “Buy” page on the website. The website will list the contact number of their customer service representative and introduce them both via the Chat Box on the website. KitchenWare Distributors’s website presence will focus on SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “kitchen products company” or “kitchen supplies near me”, KitchenWare Distributors will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of KitchenWare Distributors will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for KitchenWare Distributors. Operation Functions:

• Nelson Miller will be the co-owner and president of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations.
• Jamie Miller will be the Executive Manager of the tabletop and cookware divisions.
• Ken Stevens will be the Marketing Manager who will provide all marketing for KitchenWare Distributors.

Milestones:

KitchenWare Distributors will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
• 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the KitchenWare Distributors
• 6/1/202X – Finalize contracts for KitchenWare Distributors clients
• 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
• 6/22/202X – Begin moving into KitchenWare Distributors office
• 7/1/202X – KitchenWare Distributors opens its office for business

Management Team

Financial plan, key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for KitchenWare Distributors are the fees they will charge to the clients for their products and services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff KitchenWare Distributors. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

KitchenWare Distributors is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its distribution company. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Client Purchases Per Month: 63
• Average Revenue per Month: $616,000
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, distribution company business plan faqs, what is a distribution company business plan.

A distribution company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your distribution company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Distribution Company business plan using our Distribution Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Distribution Company Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of distribution company businesses , some examples include: Exclusive Distribution Business, Direct Distribution Business, Selective Distribution Business, and Intensive Distribution Business.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Distribution Company Business Plan?

Distribution Company businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Distribution Company Business?

Starting a distribution company business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Distribution Company Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed distribution company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your distribution company business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your distribution company business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Distribution Company Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your distribution company business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your distribution company business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Distribution Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your distribution company business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your distribution company business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

How to write a business plan for a distribution company?

Writing a business plan for a distribution company is essential in order to get your business off the ground, improve profitability or raise financing. 

Whether you are starting up a new distribution company or looking to grow an existing one, having an effective and comprehensive business plan is key.

This guide will provide detailed information on why writing a business plan for your distribution company is important, what information it should contain, and what tools can be used to write your own. 

With this guide as your reference, you will have all the knowledge needed to create an effective and successful business plan for your distribution company.

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a distribution company?

What information is needed to create a business plan for a distribution company, how do i build a financial forecast for a distribution company, the written part of a distribution business plan, what tool should i use to write my distribution business plan.

There are several reasons to write a distribution business plan. Below, we cover some of the most important ones!

To set a clear roadmap

Writing a business plan for a distribution company is an important step for entrepreneurs to ensure the long-term success of their venture. 

It requires you to think strategically and set objectives that will guide your decisions over the next 3-5 years.

This is especially critical for startups who need to consider all aspects of their business idea and ensure it can be viable before investing time and money, but also beneficial for established distribution companies looking to expand or improve operations in the coming years. 

By having a clear roadmap laid out before them, you can have a better understanding of what needs to be done in order to reach your business objectives. 

Planning ahead also helps you anticipate any potential obstacles that may stand in the way of success, allowing you to take proactive measures and adjust your plans accordingly. 

To get clarity on your cash flow

One of the most important benefits of having a business plan is that it allows you to regularly compare your financial performance against what was planned and make necessary adjustments in order to keep your forecast accurate. 

By doing this regularly, you can identify potential financial issues (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early on and take corrective action before they become serious problems. This also enables you to seize opportunities that may arise along the way in order to maximise profits or grow faster.

To secure financing

Having a comprehensive distribution company business plan is also essential for getting financing from banks or investors. 

Banks use the business plan to assess your borrowing capacity, identify potential collateral, and decide whether they think you will be able to repay the funds they lend your company. 

Similarly, creating a business plan for your distribution company is also an essential step when looking to secure financing from equity investors. 

Investors will carefully review the business plan to ensure that their investment in your distribution company can generate good returns. As such, they will want to see evidence of healthy growth and profitability as well as strong cash flows in your business plan. 

With a comprehensive and well-thought-out business plan, you can be confident that you are presenting potential lenders or investors with all the information they need to make an informed decision about financing your company.

Now that we understand why it is important to write a business plan for your distribution company, let's look into what information is needed in order to create one.

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Writing a distribution business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast.

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your plan!

Carrying out market research for a distribution company

Carrying out market research prior to writing a business plan for your distribution company is essential in order to get an accurate understanding of your target market and competitive landscape 

This information is invaluable when it comes to forecasting revenues and creating realistic projections in the business plan. But also in order to convince and demonstrate to the reader that there is a real opportunity to be seized on the target market.

Developing the marketing plan for a distribution company

Getting a clear picture of the road to market for your distribution company is also a prerequisite for writing the actual business plan itself.

This will be key when it comes to both forecasting sales and marketing expenditures in the financial forecast, and communicating your strategy effectively in your business plan. 

The staffing and equipment needs of a distribution company

Distribution companies require serious capital expenditures - from fleets of trucks and warehouses to highly specialised packing equipment - and a significant workforce. 

It is essential to think through the recruitment plan, financial investments, and any other costs (and associated timings) that may be associated with the business before you start drafting the document. 

Once you've gathered the information mentioned above, it will be time to start working on the financial forecast for your distribution company. Let’s see what this entails

The objective of the financial forecast for a distribution company is to obtain 4 key financial tables: the Profit & Loss (P&L) statement, the balance sheet, cash flow forecast and a sources and uses table. 

Let’s have a look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement of a distribution company shows us how much money the company will make and how much it is expected to grow in the future. 

The projected balance sheet of your distribution company

The balance sheet for a distribution company is a financial document that provides an overview of the company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. 

This statement serves as a snapshot of the business's financial health and can be used to determine the company’s ability to repay its debt in the short term (liquidity) and medium term (solvency). 

Assets are items of value that your company holds, such as cash, inventory, accounts receivable and property; liabilities are the money owed to creditors or other businesses; and equity is what remains after liabilities have been subtracted from assets (and can be used as a proxy for shareholder value).

By looking at a company’s balance sheet, lenders, investors, and the business owner can gain insight into the financial health of the company. 

A balance sheet is a valuable tool for assessing how the company is doing financially, and ultimately its ability to remain sustainable and profitable over time.

The projected cash flow statement

A projected cash flow statement is a helpful tool for a distribution company. It shows how much money the company will have coming in and going out over a certain period of time. 

This helps you plan and ensure the business has enough capital for growth and investments. 

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan (also called the sources and uses table) shows the sums that the company needs to start and how they will be used. 

It is important to have this so that you know how much capital is needed to deliver the business plan and what it will be used for. 

The sources show where the money comes from, such as investors or loans. The uses show what the money will be used for, like buying equipment or working capital. By having a source and use table, you can make sure that your business has enough money to get started!

Now that you understand what the financial forecast is made of, it's time to move on to another key part of the business plan - the written section. 

The written section is an important component, as it provides the context needed to understand and interpret financial figures. 

Let's dive in and take a closer look at this essential piece of your distribution company’s business plan.

A comprehensive business plan for your distribution company contains seven key sections: executive summary, presentation of the company, products and services section, market analysis, strategy section, operations section and financial plan.

1. The executive summary

The executive summary of a distribution company plan should start with a concise overview of your business. 

This section should then include an overview of the market, highlighting any competitive advantages that your company has. 

You should also include key financials such as expected revenues, costs, and profit margins.

Finally, this section should include a clear and concise explanation of the ask that your company is making to potential investors or lenders. This could include an overview of the funding required, and what it will be used for. 

The executive summary should succinctly capture all of these important details in order to convince stakeholders to read the rest of your business plan.

2. The presentation of the company

When writing the presentation of a distribution company for a business plan, it is important to focus on three key elements: structure and ownership, location and management team.

Starting with the structure and ownership, it is important to provide an accurate description of the legal framework of the company. This includes information about the type of business entity the company is operating under, the ownership structure and whether any external investors are involved. 

Additionally, investors may be interested in understanding any equity or debt held by the company and how the capital has been allocated.

The location of a distribution business is also critical for success. Any information about where the warehouse facilities are located as well as how many and what size they are should be included in the business plan. 

This information should also include geographic reach and any serviceable areas where the company has a particularly strong presence.

Finally, a complete description of the management team is essential for investors. The management team’s expertise and experience in the industry must be highlighted, including information about their roles and qualifications. 

3. The products and services section

When writing the products and services section of a business plan for a distribution company, it’s important to include detailed information about what your company actually does. 

You should start with an overview of the types of services offered - such as transportation, storage, packaging, click and collect, etc. - and then move on to specifics like which modes of transport are used (airfreight, sea-freight) or what type of packaging is available (pharmaceutical goods, food and beverage, standard good parcels, etc.).

It’s also important to provide details on any additional value-added services provided by the company; these could include things like custom labelling and product assembly. 

Additionally, mention if there are any special certifications or accreditations that make your business stand out from competitors in terms of quality control and safety standards. Ultimately these factors will be key in convincing potential investors that this is a viable business opportunity worth investing in.

4. The market analysis

When presenting the conclusion of your market analysis in your distribution company's business plan, it is important to include information about demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers at entry, and regulation. 

This will ensure that the reader of the business plan - whether they be a bank or an investor - has all the necessary information to make an informed decision with regard to the size of the opportunity in the target market.

Demographics and segmentation should cover the target market size as well as any other pertinent data points such as verticals served. Understanding these details will help provide insight into which segments are viable targets for the company’s products and services. 

Additionally, understanding who your competitors are within those segments is key to assessing whether the company is well-positioned to capture the opportunity

It is also important for the reader to understand any potential barriers at entry that could limit your ability to enter certain market segments; this could include regulations from governmental agencies or clients being locked in existing long-term contracts with other distributors. 

5. The strategy section

When writing the strategy section of a business plan for your distribution company, it is essential to include information about your competitive edge, pricing strategy, marketing plan, milestones and risks and mitigants. 

The competitive edge should be outlined in detail; this includes any unique features or services that set your company apart from competitors. 

Additionally, the pricing strategy must be included to demonstrate how you intend to remain profitable while still offering competitive prices in order to attract customers. 

A comprehensive sales & marketing plan should also be included, this outlines how you intend to reach out and acquire new customers as well as retain existing ones with loyalty programs or special offers. 

It’s also important to include specific milestones along with dates so that everyone involved has clear expectations of progress being made over time and what the next sets of goals are. 

Finally, identifying potential risks early on and providing mitigating factors is essential in order for investors or lenders to feel secure in investing their money into your venture.

6. The operations section

In order to present the operations of your distribution company in a business plan, it is important to provide detailed information about the staffing team, roles of staff members, and recruitment plan. 

This should include job descriptions for each role, details on how they will be compensated, and an outline of the recruitment and training processes. 

Other key elements of a distribution company’s operations that need to be addressed in the business plan include any assets and intellectual property owned by the business. 

This includes physical items such as warehouses (whether owned or leased), trucks, and equipment needed for daily operations. 

Additionally, any relevant intellectual property such as brand names, logos and copyrights should be clearly stated in the plan.

Finally, it is important to outline the suppliers that a distribution company plans to work with. This should include information about contractual arrangements and payment terms for each supplier. 

With this information included in the business plan, potential investors or lenders will have a better understanding of the operations that are required to run a successful distribution business.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that we have discussed the content of a distribution company business plan, let us look at some of the tools available to help you create one.

In this section, we will review the three main solutions for creating a business plan for your distribution company: using Word and Excel, hiring a consultant, and using online business plan software.

Create your distribution company's business plan using Word and Excel

Using Microsoft Office’s Word and Excel applications for writing a business plan for a distribution company may seem like a cost-effective solution for business owners. 

While this is true in terms of cost, there are also some drawbacks to this approach that should be considered when making the decision to use Word and Excel.

Creating an accurate financial forecast for a distribution company in Excel can be extremely challenging and time-consuming unless one is an expert accountant and financial modeller. Additionally, financiers may not view such an analysis as reliable since it was created by someone other than a professional.

Furthermore, once created it can be difficult to keep a financial forecast up-to-date. 

Writing the actual business plan in Word is also inefficient as it requires the business owner to start from scratch and spend hours formatting the document afterwards.

Hire a consultant to write your distribution company's business plan

Outsourcing a distribution company plan to a consultant or accountant can be a viable solution for business owners looking to present their plan to investors or banks. 

Consultants and accountants are both well-equipped to write business plans and create financial forecasts. 

However, there are some drawbacks to outsourcing a business plan. For one, accountants may lack the industry expertise to accurately forecast sales. 

Additionally, hiring consultants or accountants will be costly and there is potential for unexpected extra costs if modifications or updates need to be made to the plan. 

Furthermore, entrepreneurs who outsource their distribution company's plan have less control over the outcome of the project than if they had written it themselves. 

Finally, not all consultants have experience with business planning related to distribution companies and may not possess the same level of expertise as an entrepreneur who is very familiar with their industry. 

Use an online business plan software for your distribution company's business plan

Another alternative is to use online business plan software . There are several advantages to using specialised software:

• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan 
• You can be inspired by already written business plan templates 
• You can easily make your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you, without error
• You get a professional document, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank
• You can easily update your financial forecast and track it against actual financial performance to see where the business stands

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free by signing up here . 

We hope that this article has helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a distribution company. Do not hesitate to contact us if you still have questions!

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• Do I need a business plan? Your questions answered
• Business Model vs. Business Plan
• How to write the business plan for a grant application?

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Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY

The big picture on distribution strategy.

Distribution models drive the economics and growth potential of companies.

Many companies are innovating through low-cost and viral digital and online distribution channels.

In most industries, some company is compressing the value chain by going direct...shouldn't it be you?

When growing distribution, focus on alignment and synergy with other business model elements.

THERE ARE 3 MAIN DISTRIBUTION STRATEGIES

Distribution is how a business makes its value proposition available to customers. There are three main distribution strategies:

1. Direct - company-owned channels

2. Indirect - 3rd party channels

3. Hybrid - both company-owned & 3rd party

Direct distribution is about company-owned channels, which could include a company's website, contact center, sales team , retail, and office locations. Indirect distribution is about intermediaries such as distributors, agents, brokers, online-only and omnichannel retailers, value-added resellers, partners , and franchisees. Hybrid distribution utilizes both direct and indirect channels.

1. Going Direct - Customer Experience & Economics

More and more companies are moving from indirect distribution to direct or hybrid distribution. These companies want to lower costs and pricing by compressing the value chain while owning the customer experience and relationship.

Companies with direct distribution remove an often expensive intermediary from the value chain. Much of traditional retail utilizes keystone pricing (100% markup, $10 factory cost translates to $20 wholesale, which translates to $40 retail). By going direct, a company can take that $10 product and price it at $25 or $30, while making much more in gross margin. The first retail direct distribution innovators were back in the 70s with the likes of The Gap, Victoria's Secret, and other vertically integrated retailers. Today companies like Anker (power packs) and Vice (golf balls) are utilizing direct and low-capital, low-cost online channels to disrupt their markets .

Direct distribution also gives the company ownership to craft and manage their customer experience and relationship, which drives conversion, and loyalty and is crucial for complex sales, and innovative products and services. Apple took the world by storm by going direct with Apple Stores, and Tesla did the same when they rolled out Tesla showrooms in high-traffic malls. Both Tesla and Apple differentiated themselves from their competition by owning their customer experience and relationship, while also benefiting from compressing their value chain.

Pretty much every industry has innovators leveraging direct distribution to improve the customer experience and relationship, cost and pricing economics , and overall agility. If your business isn't direct, it may be time to try and figure it out.

2. Indirect Distribution - Efficiently Scaling

A company with indirect distribution, partners with 3rd parties to sell and fulfill a company’s value proposition. These 3rd parties can be retailers, value-added resellers (VARs), partners, franchisees, distributors, and brokers. For many industries, such as the beverage industry (Coke, Pepsi), the norm is to leverage indirect distribution, in the form of distributors, supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines, and restaurants. Even in a predominately indirect distribution industry, such as beverages, there are always players looking to take out middlemen, such as Trader Joe's, an entire grocery retailer that only sells its own brands.

Companies often utilize indirect distribution to focus on their core competencies , while gaining access to customers by leveraging channel partners. A company with indirect distribution gives up margin to channel partners but saves on the costs and capital necessary to go direct. For a company leveraging indirect distribution, the key to growing sales is to drive better value and economics for channel partners than the competition . For retailers, it is driving superior gross margin dollars per square foot. For VARs, it is total sales and margin versus the cost of sales.

If your company primarily leverages indirect distribution, deeply understand players that are going direct, because they are most likely changing the industry dynamics through better economics and more consistent and elevated customer experiences.

3. Hybrid - Almost the Best of Both Worlds

Many companies have a hybrid distribution model, utilizing both 3rd party and direct channels to sell and fulfill their value proposition . With hybrid distribution, companies get the broad distribution of indirect channels, while owning the customer experience and expanding margin through their direct channels.

Nike is a great example of a hybrid distribution model. Nike sells in tens of thousands of 3rd party stores and retailers across the world. Yet, in 2017, direct channels, including Nike.com, and more than 1000 flagship and outlet stores accounted for  28% of Nike's total sales versus 10% in 2010. And, Nike is differentiating their direct channels with personalized Nike ID shoes, exclusive styles, and the broadest selection. Not only are they owning the customer experience, relationship, and data through direct channels, but they

Nike has a hybrid distribution model. Nike sells in tens of thousands of 3rd party stores and retailers across the world. Nike also has direct channels, including Nike.com, and more than 1000 flagship and outlet stores accounted for 28% of Nike's total sales in 2017 versus 10% in 2010. Nike is differentiating their direct channels with personalized Nike ID shoes, exclusive styles, and the broadest selection. Nike is heavily investing in their direct channels because they own the customer experience and make 2-3X in gross margin on each pair of shoes they sell directly versus indirectly. Nike sells a pair of shoes that cost $20 to the manufacturer to a retailer for $40, and the retailer marks it up to $80 to the customer. In this example, Nike would make $20 on the shoes, but if they sell them on Nike.com for $80, then they would make $60 in margin on the shoes. This margin expansion is a big reason why more companies are going direct.

The one longer-term potential disadvantage of a hybrid model is that a direct distribution model could come in and structurally undercut the pricing of the industry.

If you are looking for a business coach to collaborate on your distribution strategy, set up some on-demand one-on-one time with Joe Newsum , the creator of this content and a McKinsey alum

DISRUPTIVE DISTRIBUTION MODELS

Disruptive distribution models are becoming more and more central to the core strategy of companies. Think about Southwest, which doesn’t sell tickets through Expedia, Priceline, and travel agents, but only on southwest.com and 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Tesla has redefined car retailing with showrooms in shopping malls, bypassing typical dealer networks. Apple wanted to give customers the ultimate showroom to showcase their new products and opened the most productive and profitable retail store network in the world.

Maybe your distribution model is what it is, and you have to follow what the industry does. Though, given the reach and innovation of online distribution models, and what other competitors might be doing in innovating their distribution model, it may make sense to reexamine your distribution model and take some time to think through if you have the right distribution model for your situation or you need to innovate .

In 2012, Dollar Shave Club took the world by storm through distribution innovation. Michael Dubin, the founder of Dollar Shave Club, identified the age-old problem that, " razors are really expensive in the store. It's a frustrating experience to go and buy them. You have to drive there. You have to park your car. You have to find the razor fortress. It's always locked. You have to find the guy with the key. He's always doing something else that he doesn't want to be helpful."

At the time, the razor market was on the plateau of its adoption curve , and was a typical mature market two-company race, with Gillette owning 80% of the market and Schick a distant second. In 2012, a Gillette Fusion ProGlide blade would have set you back a cool $4. So, when Dollar Shave Club, comes out of nowhere with the coolest bootstrapped $4,500 viral ad to ever hit Youtube, promising "F**cking Great" blades for $1 a month, customers loved the value proposition. Within two days of the viral video, Michael's team racked up 12,000 orders and ran out of supply.

At the heart of Dollar Shave Club's value proposition is the cost savings that are passed on to the customer from disintermediating traditional shaving industry distribution of retail stores. Then add on the cost savings of bypassing traditional marketing for cost-effective viral marketing , and you can start to understand the $1 a month for blades value proposition.

The value proposition and go-to-market were so strong that Dollar Shave Club grew to $65 million in revenue in two years, and in five years had 8% of the market and $240 million in revenue. In 2016, Unilever bought Dollar Shave Club for $1 billion.

The Big Decision - Which Distribution Model?

When expanding, think about distribution models, direct distribution growth strategy.

If you have direct distribution, then you need to focus on the strategies for your direct channels, which may include a website, contact center(s), sales staff, and locations. Your direct channels are an integral part of your overall customer funnel. You drive revenue growth by increasing and accelerating awareness, consideration, conversion, loyalty (repeat business), and advocacy . Understanding where your customer funnel excels and lags is critical to prioritizing investments. Read up on developing and executing a great sales strategy and marketing strategy . Furthermore, there are the foundational operations and IT strategies necessary to drive efficient and effective execution within your website and contact centers.

If you have locations, then you have three options to grow:

1. Optimize Locations

2. Grow the Number of Locations

3. Rationalize Locations

Optimizing locations involves driving revenue per location through operational and service excellence, new leadership , remodeling, and improving sales and marketing. For growing the number of locations, leverage the geographic strategy module to understand how to choose the right geographies to expand into that are aligned with your targets and economics. While rationalizing locations is often necessary to shed unprofitable and non-aligned locations from the portfolio.

INDIRECT DISTRIBUTION GROWTH STRATEGY

3 main options to grow indirect distribution.

There are three main ways to grow revenue with 3rd party channel partners, 1. Optimize, 2. Grow Points of Distribution, and 3. Rationalize. 

1. Optimize – Increase sales within existing channels by improving the value proposition, customer journey, marketing, and sales

2. Grow Points of Distribution – Increase the total number of productive points of distribution (e.g., channel partners, stores)

3. Rationalize – Shed points of distribution that are non-productive, or are not aligned with the brand, customers, markets, or other business model elements

1. Optimize Channel Partners

In the end, the relationship between a company and its channel partners always comes down to value. The more value a company can drive through a channel partner, the more the channel partner will focus on the company. Channel partnerships are co-dependent relationships. Similar to the overall business model strategy , it is crucial to differentiate the customer value proposition and amplify the sales and marketing strategies within a channel partner while providing them with efficient processes and operations.

So, when thinking about growing sales within existing channel partners, answer the following questions :

How can you differentiate your value proposition with and improve the overall economics for your distribution partners?

What marketing campaigns and strategies will drive volume for your distribution partners?

What sales support strategies will drive velocity and conversion in your channel partners' sales cycles?

What processes need improvement to better support channel partner growth and satisfaction?

1. Optimize : Utilize a Partner Growth Plan

2. grow points of distribution, 3. rationalize channel partners, putting it all together in a plan.

Distribution is a critical growth element of any business model. Whether you rely on direct, indirect or hybrid distribution, it is important to develop a strong distribution strategy to focus the execution of the teams.

If you would like to talk to an expert about your distribution strategy, set up some time with Joe Newsum , a McKinsey Alum with significant experience with distribution strategy.

download the distribution strategy worksheets & templates

To get you started on creating a killer distribution strategy, download the free PowerPoint Distribution Strategy Worksheets & Templates, which includes:

1. Distribution Partner Growth Plan 2. Distribution Partner Assessment Matrix 3. Distribution Growth Strategy One-Pager

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Wholesale Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Wholesale Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their wholesale companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a wholesale business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a wholesale business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your wholesale business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a wholesale business or grow your existing wholesale company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your wholesale business to improve your chances of success. Your wholesale business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Wholesale Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a wholesale business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for wholesale companies.

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How to write a business plan for a wholesale business.

If you want to start a wholesale business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your wholesale business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of wholesale business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a wholesale business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of wholesale businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the wholesale industry.
• Discuss the type of wholesale business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of wholesale business you are operating and your wholesale business model.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of wholesale businesses:

• Full service retail wholesale: This type of wholesale business sells its products to a reseller. This type of wholesaler may work with one reseller exclusively, or may sell products to multiple resellers.
• Wholesale brokerage or agency: This type of wholesale business does not typically handle the goods itself, but rather operates as the middleman, negotiating the buying and selling of goods.
• Manufacturers’ wholesale: This type of wholesale business is usually owned by a particular manufacturer and used to distribute the manufacturer’s goods.
• Specialty wholesale: This type of wholesale business focuses on a niche or limited area of wholesale such as selling one specific product such as cars or jewelry.

In addition to explaining the type of wholesale business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of items sold, and reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the wholesale industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the wholesale industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your wholesale business plan:

• How big is the wholesale industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your wholesale business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your wholesale business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of wholesale business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other wholesale businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of wholesalers, sellers, and distributors. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of wholesale business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for customers to acquire your product or service?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a wholesale business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of wholesale company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you sell food, clothing, cars, or a variety of products?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your wholesale company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your wholesale business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your wholesale marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your wholesale business, including answering calls, scheduling shipments, processing orders, billing customers, and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth customer, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your wholesale business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your wholesale business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing wholesale businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a wholesale business.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will your warehouse hold 700 cases of product at a time, and will you sell and restock your inventory every two months? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your wholesale business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a wholesale business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your wholesale location lease or a description of the technology used to perform inventory operations.  

Writing a business plan for your wholesale business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the wholesale industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful wholesale business.  

Wholesale Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my wholesale business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your wholesale business plan.

How Do You Start a Wholesale Business?

Starting a wholesale business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Wholesale Business
• Create Your Wholesale Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Wholesale Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Wholesale Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Wholesale Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Wholesale Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Wholesale Business Equipment
• Develop Your Wholesale Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Wholesale Business
• Open for Business

Learn more about   how to start your own wholesale business .

Where Can I Download a Business Plan PDF?

You can access our business plan pdf download here.

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OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s business planning advisors can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Distribution Plan Template

What is a Distribution Plan?

A distribution plan outlines the processes and resources necessary to move a product from its point of origin to its consumers. This plan typically includes a detailed overview of the different channels and locations where a product will be stored, manufactured, and shipped. It also outlines the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the plan. By creating a comprehensive distribution plan, businesses can optimize their supply chain operations and improve customer satisfaction.

What's included in this Distribution Plan template?

• 3 focus areas
• 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Distribution Plan template for?

This Distribution Plan template is designed to help supply chain and logistics teams plan and optimize the distribution of products or materials. It can be used by anyone responsible for designing and executing a distribution plan, including supply chain managers, logistics specialists, and warehouse personnel.

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

A Focus Area is a broad area of the supply chain process that the team wants to improve. Examples of Focus Areas could include ‘Optimizing Distribution Network’, ‘Optimizing Inventory Management’, and ‘Enhancing Customer Satisfaction’. For each Focus Area, the team should identify and outline specific objectives, measurable targets, and related projects that need to be completed.

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

An Objective is a goal that the team wants to accomplish for each Focus Area. Objectives should be specific and measurable, and should be achievable within a given time frame. Examples of some objectives for the focus area of Optimize Distribution Network could be: Reduce Operational Inefficiency , and Increase Delivery Reach .

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a metric that is used to measure the success of a project. KPIs should be quantifiable and measurable, and should be set with an initial value and a target value. For example, for the objective to ‘Reduce Operational Inefficiency’, a KPI could be to ‘Decrease order processing time from 16 minutes to 5 minutes’.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

A Project (or Action) is the specific initiative that needs to be taken in order to achieve a KPI. Projects are the steps that need to be completed in order to achieve the desired KPI. For example, for the KPI to ‘Decrease order processing time from 16 minutes to 5 minutes’, a related project could be to ‘Automate manual processes’.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

Cascade’s Strategy Execution Platform is the perfect tool to help teams efficiently plan, track, and measure the success of their distribution plan. With Cascade, teams can easily monitor KPIs, track progress on projects, and quickly identify any areas that need improvement. By utilizing Cascade’s platform, teams can ensure that their strategies are implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

5 Essential Steps for Developing a Winning Distribution Plan

Related blogs.

• Strategies for Business Growth and Expansion
• Leveraging Equity & Debt Financing
• The Pros and Cons of Working With a Business Consultant
• Unlock the Power of Market Analysis
• Understanding the Different Types of Industry Trends

Introduction

Understanding distribution plans and how to develop them is paramount to the success of any business.

A distribution plan is a strategy that determines how, when and where a company product will be sold to their customers. This plan indicates who, what, where and how products are purchased and delivered. It encompasses product promotion, pricing strategies, delivery methods, stock control and even customer service.

Planning and designing a successful distribution plan can be key to the profitable growth of a business. For example, if a retail company identifies a niche market they can use this knowledge to tailor their product offering and delivery methods.

Assets Needed for a Distribution Plan

Designing an effective product distribution strategy requires research, analysis, and an understanding of the various steps and resources needed to implement it. In order to create a comprehensive distribution plan, businesses need to assess the assets required to successfully execute. To get started, a business needs data that includes information about its product or service and an understanding of the customer demographics and demand. Finally, the business needs to identify the best distribution channels, taking into account factors such as cost, ease of use, and potential for growth.

Data on Your Product Type

When creating your distribution plan, the first step is to assemble relevant data and insights about your product type. This should include information such as customer preferences, the competition’s network and channel strategies, current trends in the industry, and customer feedback. Gathering this data will enable you to determine the best strategies for marketing and distribution.

Analyzing Customer Demographics and Demand

The next step is to research customer demographics. Understanding your customers is critical for any successful product launch, so ask yourself questions such as who is likely to be interested in the product and why. Knowing customer information such as age, gender, location, preferences, purchasing power, and interests can help you develop a more targeted distribution plan. Additionally, analyzing customer demand is important because levels of demand can determine which distribution channels are best for the product.

Identifying Best Potential Distribution Channels

Once you have a better understanding of customer demographics and demand, you can begin identifying the most suitable distribution channels for your product. Consider criteria such as cost, ease of access, time to market, scalability, and customer convenience. Additionally, it is important to research the various distribution centers in order to understand their capabilities and identify any obstacles or limitations. Once you have completed this research and identified the best potential channels, you can begin developing a plan that works for your business.

3. Planning Out Your Supply Chain

Creating a logistical plan for your business’s distribution needs begins with an analysis of what your target market's needs are, and how these needs can be met in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. All of this takes place within the framework of any associated legal restrictions, so the planning and implementation process of your distribution should cover the following points:

a. Consider any legal restrictions related to your business

Depending on where your business operates, there may be local, state, and federal laws that govern your business operations. Additionally, factors such as taxes, permits, currency regulations and tariff regulations must be taken into account. Having a legal advisor during the in-depth planning process of your distribution plan is essential for ensuring that you are complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

b. Selecting the most cost-effective supplier and routes

Once the legal framework around your business has been established, your next step is to select the appropriate supplier for the type of product(s) you are selling. Researching multiple options and engaging in a competitive bidding process can help you get the best quality product at the lowest price. Additionally, consider whether outsourcing your production requirements is a viable option. If that’s the case, researching outsource providers and cost analysis should be part of this process. Finally, your routes selection should take into consideration the most efficient ways of transporting goods from purchase origin to delivery destination.

c. Prioritizing on-time delivery

Timely delivery of goods is essential to any business, especially those offering minimum lead times for customers. It is important to consider delay possibilities resulting from bad weather, missed delivery targets, labor strikes, and other liabilities. Additionally, having backup plans for emergency scenarios helps minimize any potential disruptions in the supply chain. Make sure to consider all of the steps in the distribution process and plan accordingly with contingencies in place for any eventuality.

Once the distribution plan and the logistical layout has been properly established, the underlying technology and tools must be implemented. Data-driven tools, AI-based applications, and predictive analytics all help with optimizing the supply chain operations, helping to improve the efficiency of the distribution process.

Devising a Plan for Reaching Customers

A distribution plan is a vital operation for any business. It not only decides what customer your business will be targeting but also establishes the price and discounts that your business offers. A comprehensive and well-devised distribution plan is essential to increase the reach of your business and generate sales.

Decide between direct-to-consumer or distributor

The first step in devising a distribution plan for your business is to decide whether you want to sell your product directly to consumers or through distributors. If you choose to use distributors, you can expand your customer network and give yourself more flexibility to create numerous pricing models and discounts. Additionally, you can benefit from the existing customer networks that distributors already have.

Establish pricing and discounts for channels

Once you have decided whether to implement a direct-to-consumer or distributor model, you need to decide on pricing and discounts for each channel. This will enable you to maximize profits while also gaining customer loyalty. You must also decide whether or not you offer the same discounts to each channel or tailor the discounts to different types of customers. Furthermore, it is essential to keep track of pricing in different channels and stay competitive in the market.

Researching and selecting suitable channels for your business

Finding the right channel for your business is critically important. Research different channels available to identify which one suits your target market and budget. You should also consider factors such as the return policy of the channel, their shipping services, the speed of delivery, the needed technology and the customer service offered. Once you have done the research, you can narrow down the available channels to pick the one that best meets your goals.

To conclude, designing a distribution plan for your business requires research and understanding of the customer networks. Deciding between a direct-to-consumer or distributor model, establishing pricing and discounts, and researching and selecting suitable channels for your business are all important aspects of devising a successful distribution plan.

Creating a Comprehensive Distribution Plan

When creating a distribution plan for your business, the focus should be on constructing a plan that will ensure the successful growth of your business while also ensuring the smooth functioning of all the associated activities. Having a detailed plan that takes into consideration all aspects of your distribution strategy will be crucial in the long run, providing you with clear guidance and expectations to foster growth and enable effective planning.

Assign Roles and Responsibilities for Each Team within the Business

In order to ensure the success of the distribution plan, it is essential to assign roles and responsibilities that clearly defines each team’s roles within the plan. This will assist in understanding who is responsible for which tasks, allowing for clear communication and smoother execution of the plan. It is important to set clear expectations for each team member’s roles and the goals that need to be achieved by each team within the plan.

Set Clear Timelines and Performance Metrics

Establishing clear timelines and performance metrics will be critical in setting expectations for both teams and individual workers. This will help ensure that milestones for the plan are met on time, with benchmarks used to measure progress and assess how expectations are being met. Doing this will help keep the plan on track, helping to stay ahead of any potential delays and having a reliable plan to return to if needed.

Define How to Manage Adjustments and Changes in the Plan

As the business grows, it is likely that the plan will need to be adjusted to reflect recent changes or take into consideration new objectives that have been set. Preparing for how to manage adjustments and changes in the plan will be needed to ensure the plan remains up-to-date. Anticipating how changes may occur and defining a process for making these alterations to the plan will help ensure that the strategy stays relevant and that any issues are efficiently dealt with.

Monitoring and Refining the Distribution Plan

Once the distribution plan is in place, it is important to track its performance on an ongoing basis. On-going monitoring of the plan provides important insights on how effectively it is meeting desired goals. Depending on the scale of the business, this may be tracked by an external firm or kept intenally by a designated team.

Track Performance of Each Stage of the Distribution Chain

Tracking performance of each stage in the distribution chain helps you identify inefficiencies and identify where investments are needed for improvement. It also helps you understand how different strategies and tactics are working in reality, so that you can make adjustments accordingly. Aspects to monitor include delivery time, order accuracy, inventory issues, returns and customer satisfaction.

Assess Whether Your Plan Is Meeting Desired Goals

To ensure that your distribution plan is working well, it is important to assess whether the desired goals and objectives you had initially planned for have been met. This helps measure success and gives you a better understanding of how to adjust the plan, if required.

Update the Plan as Needed To Ensure the Continued Success of Your Business

On the basis of the results from your assessments, it is important to refine the plan and make changes to ensure the continued success of your business. This could involve upgrading existing technologies, adding new partners in the chain or changing tactics to better optimize the plan. It is crucial to remain agile and adaptable for a successful and sustainable distribution strategy, as the market environment is ever changing.

Creating a successful distribution plan for your business is essential for its ongoing growth and profitability. A well-designed plan will ensure your product or service reaches consumer markets effectively, cutting costs and increasing customer satisfaction. By investing in your distribution plan, you can bring a competitive edge to your business and remain successful in the long run.

To keep your distribution plan effective, it is important to review it regularly. This will help you evaluate how well the current plan is performing against your goals and identify areas for improvement. By identifying and optimizing any existing gaps in the system, you can take advantage of new opportunities, use insights to boost your competitive advantage, and make changes to keep up with shifting market demands.

Finally, it is important to partner with reliable, reputable distributors and suppliers to ensure the smooth flow of goods throughout the supply chain. Establishing strong relationships with these partners will help you to further optimize your distribution plan, ensuring that your product or service is reaching the highest potential in delivery and customer satisfaction.

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Food Distribution Business Plan

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
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How to Write A Food Distribution Business Plan?

Writing a food distribution business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

Market Opportunity:

Food distribution product range:.

Highlight the food distribution products you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information:

Describe what kind of food distribution company you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following food distribution businesses:

• Wholesale food distributors
• Specialty food distributors
• Frozen food distributors
• Beverage distributors
• Snack food distributors
• Describe the legal structure of your food distribution company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

If you’re an established food distribution service provider, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.

Future Goals

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential:

Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

Competitive Analysis:

Market trends:.

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your food distribution business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Food distribution product range:

Mention the food distribution product range your business will offer. This list may include

• Bakery items
• Packaged goods

Quality measures:

• This may include supplier evaluation & selection, product inspection & testing, temperature control, quality control measures, etc.

Additional Services

In short, this section of your food distribution plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Pricing Strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your food distributor business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your food distribution business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Operational process:, equipment & machinery:.

Include the list of equipment and machinery required for food distribution, such as refrigerators, vehicles, material handling equipment, packaging equipment, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your food distribution business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

• It should include, key executives(e.g. COO, CMO.), senior management, and other department managers (e.g. operations manager, customer services manager.) involved in the food distribution business operations, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the industry.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

• So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience.

This section should describe the key personnel for your food distribution services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

• This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your food distribution business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample food distribution business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful food distribution plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our food distribution business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a food distribution business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful food distribution business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your food distribution company.

How to get funding for your food distribution business?

There are several ways to get funding for your food distribution business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your food distribution business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your food distribution business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your food distribution business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any food distribution business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a food distribution business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your food distribution business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Food and Beverage Distribution Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Food Sector

Are you about starting a food and beverage distribution business? If YES, here is a complete sample beverage distribution business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a beverage distribution business. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample beverage distribution marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for beverage distribution businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

It can be truly challenging starting any business, but one business that you can start with little challenges is a beverage distribution business. A beverage distribution business is a business that involves buying beverages in wholesale from beverage production companies and then distributes them to retailers, offices and household.

With this type of business, you can choose to own a store / warehouse if you have the financial capacity to or you can choose to operate without a store. The bottom line is that you must own your own distribution truck / van, you should know how to source for beverages and how to get them delivered to your customers.

Reality is that, starting a beverage distribution business is a profitable business, and it is a very easy business to start, plus it is not so capital intensive- especially if you get the goods on trust from the production companies. Getting the right products that people want to buy and good networking and stock keeping records are the secrets of running a beverage distribution business.

So, if you have decided to start a beverage distribution business, then you have to be sure that you carry out detailed feasibility studies and also market survey.

This enables you to properly locate the business in a location with the right demography, network with beverage retailers and household and then hit the ground running. Business plan is yet another very important business document that you should not take for granted in the bid to launching your own business.

Below is a sample beverage distribution business plan template that can help you to successfully write your own with little or no hassle.

A Sample Food and Beverage Distribution Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Businesses in the beverage and Soft Drinks Distribution industry are involved in the distribution of bottled and canned beverages for consumption, carbonated soft drinks; purifying and bottling water; and other beverages, such as energy, sports and juice drinks.

Products from industrial giants such as Nestle, The Coca Cola Company and Pepsi Co Inc. top the list of products distributed by beverage distribution companies. Report shows that the revenue growth for beverage distribution industry has slowed over the last half a decade and this is due to the global recession constraining demand across most of the industry’s markets.

The steadily declining sales of beverages and carbonated soft drinks in mature markets, the growing market power of big-box retailers like WalMart and Costco, and the economic downturn is yet another prevailing factor in dwindling revenue generation for beverage distribution companies.

The industry will also benefit from more buoyant economic conditions in emerging markets, with rising disposable incomes and urbanization fueling demand for both beverages, and carbonated products.

The beverage and carbonated drinks distribution industry is a thriving sector of the economy of the united states which generates several billion dollars annually from numerous beverage and carbonated drinks distribution companies scattered all across the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for directly and indirectly employing several thousands of people. It is important to state that no establishment has a dominant share of the available market in this industry; the industry is open for fair competition from new entrants.

It is a fact that an estimated two-thirds of the United States’ gross domestic product (GDP) comes from retail consumption of which the beverage and carbonated drinks distribution industry contributes greatly.

This is why the United States of America’s economy is measured with the yardstick of how well the retailing business is fairing in the U.S. In essence, when there is an unstable economy, purchasing power drops and it impacts the retailing / distribution industry negatively which may result in the closure of some of these businesses.

Over and above, beverage and carbonated drinks distribution business is indeed a profitable business venture and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish his or her business; you can choose to start on a small scale without a store / warehouse or you can choose to start on a large scale with standard store / warehouse, dozens of distribution trucks / vans and strong online presence.

2. Executive Summary

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company is a standard and registered distribution company that will be involved in the distribution of beverages and carbonated drinks to retailers, household, hotels and restaurants et al. Our warehouse cum administrative office will be located in one of the busiest streets in Trenton – New Jersey.

We have been able to lease a warehouse facility that is big enough to fit into the design of the kind of beverage Distribution Company that we intend launching and the facility is centrally located in the heart of town with easy delivery network.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company will distribute a wide range of beverages and carbonated drinks at affordable prices from different brands. We will engage in the distribution of bottled and canned beverages for consumption, carbonated soft drinks; purifying and bottling water; and other beverages, such as cocoa drinks, energy, sports and juice drinks.

We are aware that there are several large and small beverage distribution companies and even beverage manufacturers all around Trenton – New Jersey that are also into product distribution services, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct our feasibility studies and market survey so as to offer much more than our competitors will be offering.

We have robust distribution network, strong online presence and our distributors are armed with the various payments of options available in the United States.

Beyond selling the distribution of beverages and carbonated drinks from leading brands in the United States, our customer care is going to be second to none in the whole of Trenton – New Jersey and our deliveries will be timely and highly reliable.

We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied when they patronize our products and also to become our loyal customers and ambassadors.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our, they order beverages and carbonated drinks from us. We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large the numbers of our customers’ base and distribution network may grow to.

We will ensure that we get our customers involved in the selection of brands that they want us to be involved in distributing and also when making some business decisions that directly affect them.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC is a family business that is owned by Charlie Tango and his immediate family members. Charlie Tango has a B.Sc. in Business Administration, with well over 8 years of hands on experience in the retailing and distribution industry, working for some of the leading brand in the United States.

Although the business is launching out with just by focusing on Trenton – New Jersey, but there is a plan to expand our distribution network all across the state of New – Jersey.

3. Our Products and Services

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company is in the beverage and carbonated drinks distribution industry and we will ensure we go all the way to be involved in the distribution of a wide range of goods and products from top manufacturing brands in the United States and other countries of the world.

We are in the beverage and carbonated drinks distribution industry to make profits and we will ensure that we do all that is permitted by the law in the United States to achieve our business aim and objectives. Our products and services offerings are listed below;

• Distribution of functional beverages and sports drinks
• Distributions of carbonated soft drinks
• Distribution of bottled water
• Distributions of fruit juices and cocktails
• Distribution of teas
• Distribution of energy and sport drinks
• Ice manufacturing

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become the leading brand in the beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution line of business in the whole of Trenton – New Jersey.
• Our mission is to establish a beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business that will distribute a wide range of beverages and carbonated soft drinks from top manufacturing / production brands at affordable prices to retailers, households, hotels and restaurants et al in Trenton and other cities in New Jersey where we intend marketing our services and products.

Our Business Structure

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company does not intend to start a beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business like the usual mom and pop business around the street corner; our intention of starting a beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business is to build a standard and one stop distribution business in Trenton – New Jersey.

We will ensure that we put the right structure in place that will support the kind of growth that we have in mind while setting up the business. We will make sure that we hire people that are qualified, honest, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of ten years or more. In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions that will be made available at Charlie &Tango Distribution Company;

• Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
• Warehouse Manager
• Human Resources and Admin Manager

Merchandize Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

Information Technologist

• Accountants / Cashiers
• Customer Services Executive
• Drivers / Distributors

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Intensifiers management’s efficiency by recruiting, selecting, and correcting managers. Also, developing an environment for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creates and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall goals.
• Accountable for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Accountable for providing direction for the business
• Answerable for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Appraises the success of the organization
• Reports to the board

Admin and HR Manager

• Accountable for supervision the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Upholds office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Guarantees operation of equipment by completing preventive preservation requirements.
• Appraises job knowledge by partaking in educational opportunities and reading professional publications
• Describes job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff introduction for new team members
• Is saddled with training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Supervises the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Warehouse Manager:

• Answerable to forming the safe and efficient delivery, storage and dispatch of warehoused goods
• Accountable for liaising with customers, suppliers and transport companies
• Plans, coordinates and screens the receipt, order assembly and dispatch of goods
• Accountable for using space and mechanical handling equipment professionally and making sure quality, budgetary targets and environmental objectives are met
• In charge of organizing the use of automated and computerized systems where necessary
• Accountable for keeping stock control systems up to date and making sure inventories are accurate;
• Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
• Responsible for the purchase of beverages and carbonated drinks for the organizations
• Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
• Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.
• Accomplishes external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
• Accountable for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Grows, performs and assesses new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Manages the organization website
• Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
• Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manage logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
• Manage the organization’s CCTV
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Client Service Executive

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries

Distribution Truck Drivers

• Helps in loading and unloading beverages and carbonated soft drinks
• Upholds a logbook of their driving activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the rest and work periods for operators.
• Keeps a record of vehicle inspections and make sure the truck is equipped with safety equipment
• Assists the transport and logistics manager in planning their route according to a distribution schedule.
• Local-delivery drivers may be required to sell products or services to stores and businesses on their route, obtain signatures from recipients and collect cash.

6. SWOT Analysis

Our plan  of start out in Trenton and distribute our goods only within Trenton – New Jersey is to test run the business for a period of 2 to 5 years to know if we will invest more money, expand the business and then start our beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution all around the state of New Jersey.

We are quite aware that there are several beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution companies all over Trenton and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be welled equipped to confront our threats.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing and distribution to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives. This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Charlie & Tango Distribution Company;

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (robust distribution network), varieties of payment options, wide range of products from top brands and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Gina Grocery Home Delivery Services.

So, also our management team members are people who have what it takes to grow a business from startup to profitability with a record time.

A major weakness that could serve as a deterrent to us is that we are a new beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with leaders in the industry for now.

• Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to be operating our beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business in Trenton – New Jersey provides us with unlimited opportunities to sell our goods to a large number of retailers and businesses.

We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential clients will be looking for when they patronize our products and services; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a similar business in same location where ours is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

Distribution of goods as wholesaler to retailers has been in existence for as long as human started trading goods, but one thing is certain, the distribution industry is still evolving. The introduction of technology has indeed helped in reshaping the industry.

Lastly, t is now a common phenomenon for distribution companies to leverage on technology to effectively predict consumer demand patterns and to strategically position their business to meet their needs; in essence, the use of technology help businesses like beverage and carbonated soft drinks to maximize supply chain efficiencies. No doubt data collected from customers goes a long way to help beverage and carbonated soft drinks serve them better.

8. Our Target Market

The beverage and carbonated soft drinks industry has a wide range of customers; a good number of people on planet earth consume beverages and carbonated soft drinks and it is difficult to find people around who don’t.

In view of that, we have positioned our beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution company to service businesses in Trenton – New Jersey and every other location we will cover all over the state of New Jersey. We have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us.

We are in business to retail (distribute) a wide range of beverages and carbonated soft drinks from different production companies to the following businesses;

• Retailers of beverages and carbonated soft drinks
• Restaurants
• Nightclubs and bars

Our competitive advantage

A close study of the beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution industry reveals that the market has become much more intensely competitive over the last decade. As a matter of fact, you have to be highly creative, customer centric and proactive if you must survive in this industry.

We are aware of the stiffer competition and we are well prepared to compete favorably with other leading supermarkets and grocery stores in Trenton – New Jersey. Charlie & Tango Distribution Company is launching a standard beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business that will indeed become the preferred choice of retailers, hotels, and restaurants et al in Trenton – New Jersey.

One thing is certain; we will ensure that we have a wide range of products available in our warehouse at all times. One of our business goals is to make Charlie & Tango Distribution Company a one stop beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution company.

Our excellent customer service culture, timely and reliable delivery services, online presence, and various payment options will serve as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution businesses) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company is in business to retail (distribute) a wide range of beverages and carbonated soft drinks from top beverage production companies to hotels, restaurants and retailers in Trenton – New Jersey. We are in the beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution industry to maximize profits and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives.

In essence, our source of income will be the retailing (distribution) of a wide range of beverages and carbonated drinks at affordable prices. We will generate income for the business by;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business, if your business is centrally positioned coupled with effective and reliable vans / trucks and distribution network, you will always attract customers cum sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Trenton – New Jersey and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution industry and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Trenton – New Jersey.

Below are the sales projections for Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC, it is based on the location of our business, the list of beverages and carbonated soft drinks and other factors as it relates to beverages and carbonated soft drinks start – ups in the United States;

• First Fiscal Year-: $240,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same products, home delivery services and customer care services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Before choosing a location for Charlie & Tango Distribution Company, we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for beverage and carbonated soft drinks retailers, hotels, and restaurants in Trenton – New Jersey.

We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the retailing and distribution industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Trenton – New Jersey.

In other to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to distribute beverages and carbonated soft drinks which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver. In summary, Charlie & Tango Distribution Company will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

• Open our business in a grand style with a party for all.
• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to beverages and carbonated soft drinks retailers, hotels, restaurants, households and key stakeholders in Trenton – New Jersey
• Ensure that we have a wide range of beverages and carbonated soft drinks from different brand within and outside the United States at all times.
• Make use of attractive handbills to create awareness business
• Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around Trenton – New Jersey
• Position our greeters to welcome and direct potential customers
• Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
• Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business is well structured and well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available means to promote the business.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company has a long-term plan of opening distribution channels all around the state of New Jersey which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Trenton before venturing out.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for winning customers over but to effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC;

• Place adverts on community based newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+  and other platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Trenton – New Jersey
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
• Contact beverage and carbonated soft drinks retailers, hotels, restaurants, night clubs and bars by calling them up and informing them of Charlie & Tango Distribution Company and the products we sell / distribute
• Advertise our grocery home delivery services business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars and distribution vans / trucks and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to distribution companies and retailers, it is normal for retailers to purchase products from distribution companies that they can goods at cheaper price. We will work towards ensuring that all our goods are distributed at highly competitive prices compare to what is obtainable in the United States of America.

We also have plans in place to discount our goods once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers from time to time.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Charlie & Tango Distribution Company is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America. Here are the payment options that Charlie &Tango Distribution Company will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards / Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via POS machines
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for the purchase of our products.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business.

The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money.

This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;

• The total fee for registering the business in the United States of America – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• The cost for hiring business consultant – $2,500.
• The cost for insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
• The cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet warehouse facility in the total amount of $105,600.
• The total cost for warehouse facility remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ( $500 ) and phone and utility deposits ( $2,500 ).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of beverages, and carbonated soft drinks) – $100,000
• Storage hardware (bins, rack, shelves, food case) – $3,720
• The cost for counter area equipment (counter top, sink, ice machine, etc.) – $9,500
• The cost for serving area equipment (plates, glasses, flatware) – $3,000
• The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• The cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs – $5,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
• The cost for the purchase of distribution vans / trucks – $25,000
• The cost of launching a website –   $600
• The cost for our opening party – $7,000
• Miscellaneous – $10,000

We would need an estimate of $500,000 to successfully set up our beverage and carbonated soft drinks distribution business in Trenton – New Jersey. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

Generating Funds / Startup Capital for Charlie &Tango Distribution Company

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Charlie Tango and his immediate family members. They do not intend to welcome any external business partner which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $200,000 ( Personal savings $150,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $300,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail / distribute our beverages and carbonated soft drinks a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Charlie & Tango Distribution Company®, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of warehouse facility and remodeling the facility: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
• Purchase of distribution vans: Completed
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be distribute: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with beverages and carbonated drinks production companies within and outside of the United States of America: In Progress

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Top 10 Distribution Plan Templates with Samples and Examples

When we think of ordering something online, the first name that comes to our mind is "Amazon." The company has reached this position of unrivaled success due to its impeccable services and a well-structured distribution plan, seamlessly connecting every facet of its operational process.

Amazon's strategic distribution network spans warehouses well-located worldwide, ensuring swift order fulfillment. This well-thought-out logistics chain integrates with advanced technology, including robotics and artificial intelligence, streamlining inventory management and delivery processes.

By optimizing their supply channels, Amazon meets customer expectations for rapid deliveries and minimizes costs, enhancing  efficiency. This distribution plan not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes significantly to Amazon's reputation for reliable and timely deliveries.

What is a distribution plan?

Have you  wondered how your favorite items make their way from the manufacturing facility to your front door? Or how companies choose which retail locations to put their goods on sale?

That's where a distribution plan comes in!

A distribution plan assists companies in ensuring that their goods reach their intended customers at the correct  time and location. Businesses risk missing out on significant sales if they don't have a strong distribution plan in place for getting their items before prospective buyers.

Without a distribution strategy, companies may find it challenging to supply customers with goods or services. This damages their brand and lowers their profitability. A distribution plan is essential for every organization that wishes to succeed, stay competitive, and satisfy client demand.

How to create a distribution plan?

To establish a distribution plan that benefits your organization:

• Recognize your target audience's demands.
• Determine an efficient and cost-effective method of transporting goods or services from the manufacturing hub to the customer.
• Select the best distribution channel for reaching clients, such as direct sales, internet sales, retail shops, wholesalers, and distributors.
• To gain insight into consumer preferences and purchase habits, perform market research.
• Make a distribution plan budget that covers  costs, including marketing, PR, logistics, and shipping.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the distribution plan, provide performance measures such as market share, sales volume, and customer satisfaction.

SlideTeam provides you with a framework and structure to assist you in drafting a distribution plan. We have curated this set of content-ready Top 10 Distribution Plan Templates. These templates are 100% editable and customizable. It provides you with a structure that allows you to focus on the plan rather than the presentation’s design.

Let’s explore!

Template 1: Distribution Plan Strategy Manufacturer Wholesaler and Retailer Template

Anyone familiar with the  manufacturing industry can profit from this distribution plan strategy demonstrated in this PowerPoint Template. The slide features three distinct outline flow diagrams that illustrate  levels of marketing channels  The manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer are displayed along three pathways, which ensures smooth flow of information. It enables you to provide an order of command for the manufactured product. Download today!

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Template 2: Distribution Management Plan PowerPoint Slide

This PowerPoint Slide, a complete deck in  20 slides, showcases a distribution plan. A lot of activity happens  between the creation of the final product and its delivery  to its final location.  Using this PPT Bundle, distribution managers of the manufacturing sector can  work on an effective and efficient plan. A distribution model, content distribution channels, a distribution plan template, a timeline, etc., are included in this bundle. It also showcases slides like our mission and vision for the organization, goals and objectives, information about the teams involved, etc. Download this bundle today!

Template 3: Sales and Distribution Plan PowerPoint Template

This PPT Template, a complete deck of 20 slides, showcases an effective sales and distribution plan. This bundle comes with a sales and distribution management action plan for operational efficiency to coordinate tasks and reduce delivery problems. It also showcases a strategy action plan schedule that assists an organization in meeting targets. In addition, a plan of sales and distribution for  industries, comparative analysis, etc, are also mentioned. Download today!

Template 4: Distribution PowerPoint Slide Bundle

Depending on the distribution requirements of a product, you may ensure that consumers can  obtain your goods and services, which will lead to a high customer retention rate. Businesses take into account the most profitable distribution approach while maintaining cost-effectiveness. This PowerPoint Slide, a complete deck in  22 slides, highlights a distribution plan. It showcases slides on types of channels with functions and benefits, considerations for selecting the right distribution channel, distribution management strategies, and more. You can develop the best distribution plan for your company by learning more about the advantages of  strategies. Download this template  now!

Template 5: Content Distribution PPT Template

The term "content distribution" is often heard in marketing groups without any clarification. Even excellent content has the danger of becoming lost , given the noise around content marketing. Content distribution is sharing content via channels to an online audience in  varied media forms. This PowerPoint Slide highlights basic details like the name of the content, registration page, blog post URL, etc. This slide includes social media platforms for content distribution: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Download now!

Template 6: Content Distribution Matrix PPT Template

This PowerPoint Info graphic aims at helping marketers  review the effectiveness of  types of Paid, Owned, and Earned media. It assists in promoting or distributing their content in generating site visits, leads or sales compared to the level of investment in applying the media. Download now!

Template 7: Sales and Distribution Plan for Electronics Industry Template

This PowerPoint Slide displays the sales and distribution strategies  that the electronic industry  uses to increase their customer base and revenue. It also illustrates information about multiple products sold through  sales channels such as In-store, online, or both. The slide also depicts distribution channels, budget and the responsible authority. Download this PPT  to display information systematically.

Template 8: Sales and Distribution Plan for Food Industry Template

This PowerPoint Template showcases sales and distribution plans that food organizations  use to track their current status and plans for future.  It also illustrates  information about the products the industry deals in, what strategies it uses to distribute them, etc. All distribution channels through which the products will reach their final destination, as well as projected sales and budget, are also mentioned. Grab it today!

Template 9: Types of Distribution Channels with Core Functions and Benefits Template

This PowerPoint Slide illustrates  distribution channels, which are methods producers use to get their products to consumers. It also displays core functions and benefits that the producer will get using  distribution channels for their products. Direct channels, indirect channels, dual distribution channels, and reverse channels are  studied in this PowerPoint Slide. Download today and systematically display the necessary information.

Template 10: Major Types of Distribution Channels Intermediaries Template

A distribution channel is a network of people and businesses that work together to transport products from a producer to a consumer. Companies and product makers use channel intermediates to transport their products to customers without owning or otherwise being in-charge of a supply train. These middlemen handle logistics and ensure every customer receives their order on time. This PowerPoint Slide mentions the four  main types of channel intermediaries. These include agents, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers with their respective icons and descriptions for easier comprehension. Download Now!

SEE DISTRIBUTION AS BUSINESS BACKBONE

You require a distribution plan to be able to get your products or services to your customers. You may increase your business sales and stay competitive by making  optimum use of your resources and regularly modifying your strategy. It is essential to invest  sufficient time in creating a strong plan that fulfills your company's goals.

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Simple Business Plan Templates

By Joe Weller | April 2, 2020

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In this article, we’ve compiled a variety of simple business plan templates, all of which are free to download in PDF, Word, and Excel formats.

On this page, you’ll find a one-page business plan template , a simple business plan for startups , a small-business plan template , a business plan outline , and more. We also include a business plan sample and the main components of a business plan to help get you started.

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

This simple business plan template lays out each element of a traditional business plan to assist you as you build your own, and it provides space to add financing information for startups seeking funding. You can use and customize this simple business plan template to fit the needs for organizations of any size.

One-Page Business Plan Template

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

Excel | Word | PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this one-page business plan to document your key ideas in an organized manner. The template can help you create a high-level view of your business plan, and it provides easy scannability for stakeholders. You can use this one-page plan as a reference to build a more detailed blueprint for your business. 

For additional single page plans, take a look at " One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Download Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Use this fill-in-the-blank business plan template to guide you as you build your business plan. Each section comes pre-filled with sample content, with space to add customized verbiage relevant to your product or service.

For additional free, downloadable resources, visit " Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates ."

Simple Business Plan for Startup

‌ Download Startup Business Plan Template — Word

This business plan template is designed with a startup business in mind and contains the essential elements needed to convey key product or service details to investors and stakeholders. Keep all your information organized with this template, which provides space to include an executive summary, a company overview, competitive analysis, a marketing strategy, financial data, and more. For additional resources, visit " Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples ."

Simple Small-Business Plan Template

Download Simple Small-Business Plan Template

This template walks you through each component of a small-business plan, including the company background, the introduction of the management team, market analysis, product or service offerings, a financial plan, and more. This template also comes with a built-in table of contents to keep your plan in order, and it can be customized to fit your requirements.

Lean Business Plan Template

Download Lean Business Plan Template

This lean business plan template is a stripped-down version of a traditional business plan that provides only the most essential aspects. Briefly outline your company and industry overview, along with the problem you are solving, as well as your unique value proposition, target market, and key performance metrics. There is also room to list out a timeline of key activities.

Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Download Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Word  | PDF

Use this simple business plan outline as a basis to create your own business plan. This template contains 11 sections, including a title page and a table of contents, which details what each section should cover in a traditional business plan. Simplify or expand this outline to create the foundation for a business plan that fits your business needs.

Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Download Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Excel | Smartsheet

This template doubles as a project plan and timeline to track progress as you develop your business plan. This business planning template enables you to break down your work into phases and provides room to add key tasks and dates for each activity. Easily fill in the cells according to the start and end dates to create a visual timeline, as well as to ensure your plan stays on track.

Simple Business Plan Rubric Template

Download Simple Business Plan Rubric

Excel | Word | PDF | Smartsheet

Once you complete your business plan, use this business plan rubric template to assess and score each component of your plan. This rubric helps you identify elements of your plan that meet or exceed requirements and pinpoint areas where you need to improve or further elaborate. This template is an invaluable tool to ensure your business plan clearly defines your goals, objectives, and plan of action in order to gain buy-in from potential investors, stakeholders, and partners.

Basic Business Plan Sample

Download Basic Business Plan Sample

This business plan sample serves as an example of a basic business plan that contains all the traditional components. The sample provides a model of what a business plan might look like for a fictional food truck business. Reference this sample as you develop your own business plan.

For additional resources to help support your business planning efforts, check out “ Free Strategic Planning Templates .”

Main Components of a Business Plan

The elements you include in your business plan will depend on your product or service offerings, as well as the size and needs of your business. 

Below are the components of a standard business plan and details you should include in each section:

• Company name and contact information
• Website address
• The name of the company or individual viewing the presentation
• Table of Contents
• Company background and purpose
• Mission and vision statement
• Management team introduction
• Core product and service offerings
• Target customers and segments
• Marketing plan
• Competitive analysis
• Unique value proposition
• Financial plan (and requirements, if applicable)
• Business and industry overview
• Historical timeline of your business
• Offerings and the problem they solve
• Current alternatives
• Competitive advantage
• Market size
• Target market segment(s)
• Projected volume and value of sales compared to competitors
• Differentiation from competitors
• Pricing strategy
• Marketing channels
• Promotional plan
• Distribution methods
• Legal structure of your business
• Names of founders, owners, advisors, etc.
• Management team’s roles, relevant experience, and compensation plan
• Staffing requirements and training plans
• Physical location(s) of your business
• Additional physical requirements (e.g., warehouse, specialized equipment, facilities, etc.)
• Production workflow
• Raw materials and sourcing methods
• Projected income statement
• Projected cash flow statement
• Projected balance sheet
• Break-even analysis
• Charts and graphs
• Market research and competitive analysis
• Information about your industry
• Information about your offerings
• Samples of marketing materials
• Other supporting materials

Tips for Creating a Business Plan

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of putting together a business plan. Below, you’ll find top tips to help simplify the process as you develop your own plan. 

• Use a business plan template (you can choose from the variety above), or refer to the previous section to create a standard outline for your plan.
• Modify your outline to reflect the requirements of your specific business. If you use a standard business plan outline, remove sections that aren’t relevant to you or aren’t necessary to run your business.
• Gather all the information you currently have about your business first, and then use that information to fill out each section in your plan outline.
• Use your resources and conduct additional research to fill in the remaining gaps. (Note: It isn’t necessary to fill out your plan in order, but the executive summary needs to be completed last, as it summarizes the key points in your plan.)
• Ensure your plan clearly communicates the relationship between your marketing, sales, and financial objectives.
• Provide details in your plan that illustrate your strategic plan of action, looking forward three to five years.
• Revisit your plan regularly as strategies and objectives evolve.
• What product or service are we offering?
• Who is the product or service for?
• What problem does our product or service offering solve?
• How will we get the product or service to our target customers?
• Why is our product or service better than the alternatives?
• How can we outperform our competitors?
• What is our unique value proposition?
• When will things get done, and who is responsible for doing them?
• If you need to obtain funding, how will you use the funding?
• When are payments due, and when do payments come in?
• What is the ultimate purpose of your business?
• When do you expect to be profitable?

To identify which type of business plan you should write, and for more helpful tips, take a look at our guide to writing a simple business plan .

Benefits of Using a Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan can be very time-consuming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. Finding the right template for your business needs can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. 

Using a business plan template — instead of creating your plan from scratch — can benefit you in the following ways:

• Enables you to immediately write down your thoughts and ideas in an organized manner
• Provides structure to help outline your plan
• Saves time and valuable resources
• Helps ensure you don’t miss essential details

Limitations of a Business Plan Template

A business plan template can be convenient, but it has its drawbacks — especially if you use a template that doesn’t fit the specific needs of your business.

Below are some limitations of using a business plan template:

• Each business is unique and needs a business plan that reflects that. A template may not fit your needs.
• A template may restrict collaboration with other team members on different aspects of the plan’s development (sales, marketing, and accounting teams).
• Multiple files containing different versions of the plan may be stored in more than one place.
• You still have to manually create charts and graphs to add to the plan to support your strategy.
• Updates to the plan, spreadsheets, and supporting documents have to be made in multiple places (all documents may not update in real time as changes are made).

Improve Your Business Plan with Real-Time Work Management in Smartsheet

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The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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Distribution Company Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

I. Executive Summary

This Section's Contents

Business Overview

Products served, customer focus, management team, success factors, financial highlights.

[Company Name] is a new beverage distribution company that operates in [location]. Our company will distribute various beverage products from local manufacturers to restaurants, bars, and retailers. Some of the products we distribute include wine, beer, soda, and bottled water. Our region has a thriving beverage industry, so our company will be a huge asset to small and local beverage manufacturers looking to distribute their products in retail stores.

[Company Name] will distribute various beverages from manufacturers to local businesses and retailers. Some of the products we will distribute include:

• Fruit Juices
• Bottled Water
• Sparkling Water

We will purchase large quantities of these products directly from the manufacturers for a negotiated cost and then resell them to retailers for a moderate profit.

[Company Name] will primarily service beverage manufacturers within 20 miles of [location]. The area is home to hundreds of locally owned breweries, wineries, and beverage manufacturers looking to expand their customer base. We will deliver these businesses’ beverage products to grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and other retail establishments.

[Company Name] is headed by [Founder’s Name], who graduated from [University] with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to starting [Company Name], [Founder’s Name] worked as an operations manager at a distribution company for [X] years. During his career, he was able to learn all aspects of the industry, including the operations (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and management (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.) sides. His experience will be invaluable to the business.

[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed for the following reasons:

• [Company Name] will focus primarily on the local region (about a 20-mile radius from [location]). Many small beverage manufacturers are overlooked by larger distribution companies and don’t always have the money or resources to distribute their products themselves.
• The [location] region has a robust beverage industry in need of niche distribution services.
• The management team has a track record of success in the distribution industry.
• [Founder’s Name] has established relationships with local business owners and leaders that will help us build an initial client base.

[Company Name] is currently seeking $2,000,000 to launch. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Warehouse design/build: $1,000,000
• Vehicle and machinery purchase and maintenance: $500,000
• Equipment and supplies: $250,000
• Working capital: $250,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

Top line projections over the next five years are as follows:

Comments are closed.

Distribution Company Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

Distributors Strategic Plan Template

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

In the fast-paced world of distribution, having a solid strategic plan is essential for staying ahead of the competition and achieving your long-term goals. That's where ClickUp's Distributors Strategic Plan Template comes in handy!

This template is designed specifically for distributors and wholesalers, helping you navigate the complexities of the industry and make informed decisions that drive success. With ClickUp's Distributors Strategic Plan Template, you can:

• Set clear objectives and define the strategies to achieve them
• Identify new market opportunities and optimize distribution channels
• Streamline inventory management and reduce costs
• Build strong partnerships with suppliers and cultivate customer relationships

Don't waste time reinventing the wheel - use ClickUp's Distributors Strategic Plan Template to create a roadmap for growth and ensure your business thrives in the competitive distribution landscape.

Benefits of Distributors Strategic Plan Template

When using the Distributors Strategic Plan Template, you can experience the following benefits:

• Gain clarity on your long-term goals and objectives for your distribution business
• Develop effective strategies to maximize sales and expand your market reach
• Optimize your distribution channels to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations
• Manage inventory levels more effectively to minimize costs and meet customer demands
• Foster strong relationships with suppliers and customers to enhance business partnerships
• Drive profitability by aligning your actions with your strategic plan

Main Elements of Distributors Strategic Plan Template

ClickUp's Distributors Strategic Plan template is designed to help you create and execute a comprehensive plan for your distributors. Here are the main elements of this List template:

• Custom Statuses: Track the progress of each task with statuses like Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, On Hold, and To Do, ensuring clear visibility into the status of your distributor initiatives.
• Custom Fields: Utilize 8 custom fields, such as Duration Days, Impact, Progress, and Team Members, to capture essential information about each task and easily monitor the key metrics of your distributor strategic plan.
• Custom Views: Access 6 different views, including Progress, Gantt, Workload, Timeline, Initiatives, and Getting Started Guide, to gain a comprehensive overview of your plan's progress, manage workload distribution, and visualize timelines and milestones.
• Project Collaboration: Benefit from ClickUp's collaboration features, including assigning tasks to team members, setting due dates, and tracking progress, to ensure seamless coordination and successful execution of your distributor strategic plan.

How to Use Strategic Plan for Distributors

Developing a strategic plan for distributors can be a complex process, but with the help of the Distributors Strategic Plan Template in ClickUp, you can streamline the process and set your business up for success. Follow these steps to effectively use the template:

1. Assess your current situation

Before diving into strategic planning, it's important to assess your current situation. Take a close look at your distributorship's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) to gain a comprehensive understanding of your business's internal and external factors.

Use the Table view in ClickUp to create a SWOT analysis and evaluate your current situation.

2. Define your goals and objectives

Once you have a clear understanding of your current situation, it's time to define your goals and objectives. What do you want to achieve as a distributor? Whether it's increasing market share, expanding into new territories, or improving customer satisfaction, clearly define your goals and ensure they align with your overall business strategy.

Create tasks in ClickUp to outline your goals and objectives and assign them to relevant team members.

3. Develop strategies and action plans

With your goals and objectives in place, it's time to develop strategies and action plans to achieve them. Identify the key initiatives and tactics that will help you reach your goals. Consider factors such as product offerings, marketing strategies, distribution channels, and customer relationships. Break down these strategies into actionable steps with clear timelines and responsibilities.

Use the Gantt chart in ClickUp to visually plan and schedule your strategies and action plans.

4. Monitor progress and make adjustments

Once your strategic plan is in motion, it's crucial to regularly monitor progress and make adjustments as needed. Keep track of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the success of your strategies. If certain initiatives are not yielding the desired results, be prepared to make changes and adapt your plan accordingly.

Utilize Dashboards in ClickUp to monitor KPIs and track progress towards your goals.

By following these steps and utilizing ClickUp's Distributors Strategic Plan Template, you can effectively develop and execute a strategic plan that will drive growth and success for your distributorship.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Distributors Strategic Plan Template

Distributors and wholesalers can use this Distributors Strategic Plan Template to create a comprehensive roadmap for success in their industry.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to strategize and execute your distributorship:

• Use the Progress View to track the overall progress of your strategic plan and ensure that all tasks are on track
• The Gantt View will help you visualize the timeline and dependencies of different tasks and initiatives
• Utilize the Workload View to manage resource allocation and ensure that work is distributed evenly among team members
• The Timeline View provides a chronological overview of your strategic plan, allowing you to see key milestones and deadlines
• Use the Initiatives View to break down your strategic plan into smaller, manageable initiatives and track their progress
• The Getting Started Guide View provides a step-by-step guide on how to use the template effectively and get started with your strategic planning process
• Organize tasks into five different statuses: Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, On Hold, To Do, to keep track of progress
• Update statuses as you progress through tasks to keep team members informed of progress
• Monitor and analyze tasks to ensure maximum productivity and alignment with your strategic goals.

Related Templates

• Coffee Shop Strategic Plan Template
• Home Decorators Strategic Plan Template
• Volunteer Program Strategic Plan Template
• Charity Organizations Strategic Plan Template
• Philanthropists Strategic Plan Template

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3+ SAMPLE Distribution Business Plan in PDF

Distribution business plan, 3+ sample distribution business plan, what is a distribution business plan, 4 types of distribution strategies, how to make an effective distribution business plan, how significant is the role of distribution to a business, how different is a wholesaler from a distributor, how different is a wholesaler from a retailer.

Methods of Distribution Business Plan

Sales And Distribution Business Plan

Water Distribution Service Distribution Business Plan

Wholesale Distribution Business Plan

1. executive summary, 2. products and services, 3. market analysis, 4. market strategy, 5. financial plan, share this post on your network, you may also like these articles, 20+ sample technical specification in pdf.

Different industries and organizations develop and plan projects, products, and systems beneficial to the organization, including the consumers and audiences that purchase them for personal or business use. Many…

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Incidents should not be a common occurrence in the workplace, but despite all the efforts within a company, they can still happen. The best possible way to address these…

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FREE 12+ Distribution Plan Samples in PDF | MS Word

In 2017, after a day of bad critics, Pepsi removed its  marketing campaign . In the ad campaign, popular model Kendall Jenner joined the rally and handed a police officer a bottled soda, attempting to cool down the tension between the protesters and the police. Despite the good intention of  Pepsi , which is to send a message of peace, unity, and understanding, people didn’t take it lightly. According to them, the company underplayed the essence of the protest, which is racism and police violence. As a business owner, you should plan the advertisement, among other parts of the product distribution appropriately and strategically, to ensure that your effort, time, money, and other resources don’t go to waste.

Distribution Plan Samples

What is a distribution plan, what are the different distribution channels that you can use, 1. mass distribution, 2. selective distribution, 3. exclusive distribution, 12+ distribution plan samples in pdf | doc, 1. distribution plan sample, 2. distribution plan template, 3. distribution plan in doc, 4. distribution plan example, 5. sample distribution plan template, 6. basic distribution plan sample, 7. managed distribution plan sample, 8. distribution plan form sample, 9. formal distribution plan template, 10. simple distribution plan example, 11. distribution plan procedure sample, 12. general distribution plan template, 13. distribution plan in doc, how to create a distribution plan, 1. understand your target market, 2. list down the potential market intermediaries, 3. know more about your potential delegates, 4. choose the right distribution channel.

Also known as a marketing plan, a distribution plan is a component of  strategic planning  of a business that consists of the details of how the producers or service providers deliver the goods and services to its customers. This plan may involve market delegates, such as distributors, agents, retailers, and wholesalers.

Depending on the nature of your business and its affecting factors, you can use any of the following distribution channels.

This type of distribution consists of various market intermediaries since it intends to distribute the products to everyone. If your company sells products such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), most likely, this is the best distribution channel that you can use for your business plan.

Unlike mass distribution, selective distribution involves only a few market intermediaries. For example, you are producing a type of coffee beans, which can be quite expensive compared to other variations. You can select specific distributors such as coffee shops for your product distribution instead. Another example is selling a content product that has a more specified target market. You will want to use  content marketing  to distribute your product.

The last but not the least distribution channel that you can use is exclusive distribution. In this distribution, you may involve a single intermediary to distribute your products. For example, you closed a  partnership agreement  with a coffee shop that has multiple branches across the country. In the deal, it says that the coffee shop should include only the products that you produce on the  coffee menu .

For you to know more about the distribution plan, we included the following templates and examples, which you can download in PDF an MS Word format.

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Creating a distribution plan for your new products can be a messy job. That is why we included the following steps, which you can use as a reference in creating a distribution plan along with your  marketing strategy  smoothly.

Before anything else, you should do some research to know your market. Most companies start the process by conducting  market research . This type of study will allow you to understand the preferences of your customers in terms of distributors, customer service, etc.

After the  target market analysis , the next thing that you should do is to identify the potential intermediaries that can help you deliver your products to the consumers. Intermediaries may include retailers, wholesalers, and agents. Keep it in mind that there are two types of intermediaries that you can include in your list, which are the direct and indirect sellers. If the market analysis that you conducted indicates that the best way to deliver your product is to sell them to your customers directly, you will use direct selling as your intermediaries. Otherwise, you will use indirect selling, which may involve multiple intermediaries.

Once you have completed the list, you can start researching each of the potential intermediaries. Start by browsing through the internet to know their potentials. You may also invite them over a cup of coffee to talk about a possible  distribution agreement . The main goal here is to get to know about the potential intermediaries and the potential partnership that you can develop.

Assuming that you know enough about your potential customers and partner intermediaries, choose the distribution channel that will fit the result of the research that you have conducted. To maximize your profit, you can use multiple channels in your  distribution channel strategy .

To gain more profit, many companies get involved with important causes as part of their  marketing plan . That could be a great move, considering that people appreciate accomplice. However, as a business leader, you should also think of the possible result of your company’s action. Use the information that you have gathered from this article and strategically plan the distribution of your products.

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How to Write a Bar Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

Elon Glucklich

6 min. read

Updated March 17, 2024

Free Downloads: Sample Bar and Brewery Business Plan Templates

From sports bars to neighborhood pubs to upscale cocktail bars—drinking establishments are one of the oldest and most enduring types of businesses.

And the industry is projected to grow nearly 2.5% between 2023 and 2030, leaving plenty of opportunity for new businesses..

But competition in the bar industry can be fierce. You need to know your clientele, competitors, and how you’ll stand out if you want to succeed. Not to mention mapping out all the details of your financials and operations. 

Luckily, you can cover all of that (and more) by writing a business plan.

• What should you include in a bar business plan?

These are the typical sections to consider including in your bar business plan.

• Executive Summary
• Market Analysis
• Marketing and Sales Strategy 
• Operations Plan
• Business Overview

Financial plan

The sections you need will vary depending on why you’re writing a business plan and what you intend to do with it . 

Suppose it’s to manage your operations and not something you expect anyone outside of the business to read. In that case, consider keeping it to a few pages and skipping sections like the executive summary.

If you’re applying for a loan, then you’ll need a more formal plan that includes all the sections listed above.

Check out our step-by-step guide to writing a full business plan for more details.

• The 6 elements of an effective bar business plan

Executive summary

Your executive summary is a short, high-level overview of your entire plan. 

The summary should give readers a sense of what factors will make your bar successful. That could include securing a high-visibility location, partnering with a chef who will oversee meal preparation, or negotiating deals with brewers to get their beers in your bar.

If you’re seeking a bank loan for your bar, the lender will read your executive summary first. In all likelihood, they won’t read any further unless the executive summary grabs their attention. 

So, make it clear and convincing.

Market analysis

The market analysis may be the most important part of your entire business plan. 

It’s where you carefully research and document:

• Who your target customers are
• What they want
• What other establishments they may consider

Start by identifying the size of your market . Focus on the number of potential customers above the legal drinking age in your area. Then, segment these customers based on demographics such as age, income level, and lifestyle preferences. 

Then look into who you will be competing with. List and research other bars as well as indirect competition from restaurants, clubs, and even grocery stores that sell beer or home entertainment options.

Here are a few examples of what this process will look like:

Bar customer segmentation

If you find there are a lot of college students and younger adults near your bar location, you should cater your offerings to their tastes. But if you’re near office buildings or event venues, you may want to focus on older customers with more disposable income.

Will you offer a more diverse drink menu, better food, or a unique theme? Explain how these factors will set your bar apart and attract customers. Or, if your area lacks a certain type of bar, such as a sports bar or a high-end cocktail lounge, describe how filling this gap in the market will serve as your competitive advantage.

Marketing and sales strategy

Your market analysis gives you insights into potential customers. Your marketing and sales strategy is where you use those insights to get those customers in your door.

As you looked around at your competitive landscape, maybe you gained some insight into how your ideal customers discover new bars — through social media, online reviews, local event listings, or word-of-mouth.

Start by developing marketing strategies that are tailored to those channels . Consider tactics like:

• Creating engaging social media content showcasing your unique drinks, events and ambiance.
• Partnering with local businesses or events to increase visibility.
• Introducing special promotions to encourage repeat visits and attract new customers.
• Hosting themed nights or events to create buzz and attract specific customer segments.

In your business plan, document how you will implement these efforts and the resources required. 

Operations plan

The operations section of your business plan is where you detail the day-to-day requirements for running the bar smoothly. Start by describing your physical space and key equipment, such as:

• Beverage dispensing systems
• Glassware and utensils

Specify the types and number of each that you’ll need. Then you can address staffing needs, describing the roles of bartenders, servers, and support staff. Document in your plan that you’ll have a staffing strategy to cover peak hours.

You should also cover inventory management. Describe how you’ll stock alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ingredients for cocktails and food. Be sure to spend time discussing supply chains for sourcing these ingredients.

Document the types of technology you’re using, like point-of-sale systems, inventory tracking, or customer reservation platforms. 

Finally, ensure that your operations plan demonstrates how you will comply with any licensing, health and safety regulations and that you have a plan for ensuring responsible customer behavior.

Business overview

The overview should fill in any gaps the reader may have, including:

• The name of your bar
• When it was founded (if it’s an existing business)
• The inspiration behind the business

You should include the background and qualifications of key team members here. Include their experience in the bar industry and any other experience that’s relevant to their position.

If you’re running an existing bar, discuss previous achievements like revenue milestones, recognitions, or community events you’ve hosted.

You don’t need a deep financial background to run a successful business. But it’s important to develop projections for how you expect the bar to perform. If you’re starting a new bar, consider that you’ll need to pay upfront costs like equipment, supplies, licenses and rent.

Then there are the ongoing costs like employee salaries, marketing, and continuing to keep your shelves stocked.

Making educated guesses about the future will help you determine what’s working, and where you should make adjustments as you run your business.

Include sales and expense forecasts in your plan. The financial section also should include a cash flow statement , income statement , and balance sheet .

Remember, no one knows exactly how the future will pan out — these projections are your baseline for how you think the business will do, and you’ll adjust them over time as you update your plan with actual results.

• Bar business plan templates and examples

To see how other bar businesses have created their plans, browse our free library of bar and brewery business plans . You can also check out our full selection of food and beverage business plans , or our entire library of over 550 business plans across industries.

Download as many as you want in PDF or Word format to help you write your own business plan.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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