Questions about a business opportunity
I have a business opportunity that I have a few questions that I hope people can help with. This new business wants to hire me as a baker and use my personal formulas. I have a feeling that they are going to compensate me too little, but I need more information.
They are currently offering $9 an hour plus a 2-3% incentive pay (bonus) from each bakery sale with a "promise" of a partnership in future opportunities. They are not offering any compensation for my personal formulas. I have a few questions (our location is Morgantown, WV):
1. What is the starting salary of a head baker? Does this depend on whether it is a bakery versus a specialty shop that makes bread (that's what this would be)?
2. What is the standard markup over total cost for a loaf of artisan bread? (Sourdough, ciabatta, etc)
3. What would a bakery pay for a quality formula for an artisan bread?
4. Any advice for a counter-offer?
Thanks for the input in advance!!
1. What is the starting salary of a head baker? Does this depend on whether it is a bakery versus a specialty shop that makes bread (that's what this would be)?
I think it would depend on how much breads are sold each week. I would not be able to afford a head baker unless I was selling a few hundred breads a day.
2. What is the standard markup over total cost for a loaf of artisan bread? (Sourdough, ciabatta, etc)
I am sure it can vary depending on your bakery's location and the amount of ingredients you order. What are the prices the competing bakeries are charging? Prices here in NJ can range 4-6 dollars.
3. What would a bakery pay for a quality formula for an artisan bread?
I wouldn't say much since most formulas can be found online/books.I am sure fancy pastry recipes can get more. I guess first you must prove that there is a large demand.
4. Any advice for a counter-offer?
Can you prove to them your creations are hot sellers and that you can bake the volume they want without sacrificing quality?
Recipes (formulas) are only a list of ingredients and do not receive copyright protection. "Copyright" is applied only to written directions. Really. So there's no way to protect a recipe unless you are the only person with access to it.
For hard physical work, $9 per hour is little compensation. And to receive incentive pay means you must rely on their good word. I suggest you negotiate a higher salary. Check out the Bread Bakers Guild http://www.bbga.org/classifieds.shtml
Mimi
So pretty much we have decided not to do it, too much risk. But this whole thing has got the attention of the other partners, they've gotten a chance to try my breads, and are willing to set me up my very own bakery YEAH!! It will be very small 1,200 square feet, that will feel like a mansion compared to the 10x10 kitchen I'm working out of in my basement. I will still supply the shop with their bread, along with 5 other restaurants that the group of developers own, or are connected too. I will try and keep you all updated. This shall be an adventure for sure!!
Make sure they can't produce your bread without paying a Royalty make sure what ever you do get it in writing, if they want to be partner with you in a new Bakery, what is your remuneration gone to be.
Just to give you an idea the minimum wage in the Province i live in (Canada) is $ 10
knud
Talk to your lawyer! Make sure you and your recipes are legally protected. Lawyers really do serve a purpose! Esp in small business.
What a great venture and I sincerely hope it is everything you dream of! How exciting... How I wish I could try your bread!
Hey, but I am having fun experimenting with crackers and had a very good batch tonight. I am making a different kind tomorrow, but this one is a keeper! So much better than yesterday's rye crackers=dog biscuits! The dogs weren't even that crazy about them.
Andrea
Crackers, now that's something I know nothing about. I just might have to try and make some, that is if I can find the time, right now I'm doing 4 farmers markets selling anywhere from 40-80 loaves of bread at each one, I can't wait for a real oven! If your ever in West Virginia look me up.
Don't do anything without a contract! A partnership deal sometime in the future doesn't often happen. Unless you have it in writting it is worth absolutely nothing.
Busines is business, get legal advice and don't let excitment or emotions enter into your decision. When you have done this and it looks like it works out, then do it and I wish you well.
The salary is low work out better numbers. I know someone who is working for a caterer (with the baker) who is making $12. per hour and she is not a professional baker.
If you are selling out of your home as suggested above, you must have health permits and a state licenses. Usually bakeries etc. won't hire you without this and also liability insurance. Good Luck
and are going at it alone. My kitchen is state and localy approved for low risk foods, we do pretty well for ourselves, I just can't keep up with the demand by myself any more. The tiny kitchen in the basement ain't cutting it anymore. The town we live in doesn't really have a good bakery, the demand for good bread is here, just need to find a way to fill it.
Around here, several churches have permitted kitchens (and boy, these kitchens are large) that are used infrequently. If you are looking for a rental space, you might check your local churches and see if they'd be interested in leasing the space to you.
You might also consider sweetening the deal for them by offering to bake X number of simple breads or rolls to contribute to the church meetings (or soup kitchens, etc.) while you're doing your regular work.
Worth a call, perhaps.
Good luck!
You should visit your local SBA or find them online. You can apply for low interest business loans and other types of low cost funding to launch your business. That would be very exciting and a great option for your town, it sounds like! Maybe even find a partner who will be the financial partner with you? When we started our business, we went through the SBA and easily acquired a loan even though we had been turned down by the likes of Bank Of America, etc.. SBA really does help you.
We actualy turned those people down, changed our name to Wild Mountain Bakery, and expanded within the basement . We are going to wait to open a bakery until my Husband gets tenure. For now i bake for a few local coffee shops, then in the summer I bake for ALL the local farmers markets, we are lucky to have 4 in our town alone, and one out of town that i go to. This keeps me plenty busy!
Karen