Opening a beach bar can be very profitable , provided you have a good business plan . Otherwise, we could face serious financial difficulties, making it unlikely to be profitable. Unlike other businesses, beach bars have the unique feature of requiring a municipal license, which must be obtained after paying a fee, to open the business. This is a significant prior investment, making a business plan even more important.
How to create a beach bar business plan
Business ideas for the summer tourist season include setting up a diving school , setting up a campsite , or setting up a beach bar , among others.
First and foremost, when creating a business plan for any company, we need to know the profitability of the area and the available spaces . It’s essential that the beaches be popular and easily accessible. When analyzing available spaces, we should consider the length of the beach season in that area, what that season is like , and whether it will be profitable to open beyond the peak season. Don’t lose sight of the availability of spaces ; this can be another determining factor for profitability. Your business plan must include these details:
- Location and potential audience : The busier the area, the better. It’s also important to reach all types of audiences. Seniors and families, young people, foreigners, local vacationers, etc.
- Gastronomy : You can’t overlook a crucial aspect of any beach bar. The restaurant’s cuisine determines our needs, but the ideal is to offer fresh, light, and easy-to-eat dishes . Water, soft drinks, beer, and mixed drinks at night are another must-have for any beach bar.
- Furniture : Part of the budget will go toward furniture . Even though we’re only open in the summer, we have to take into account the influence of wind, salt spray, and customers arriving at the beach bar in wet swimsuits and towels. If it’s not anchored to the ground, make sure it’s heavy enough to prevent it from blowing over.
- Music : This is a classic at any beach bar. The biggest summer hits are a must, but you may have to pay an additional fee to access the music.
- Beach bar regulations : concessions, licenses, etc.
One of the main handicaps beach bars face is their bad reputation as a result of the poor practices of some hoteliers. It’s not uncommon to find price gouging, and this is something you should take into account when setting yours . Moderating prices without sacrificing profitability can be the differentiating factor between your business and the competition. In this sense, it’s always worth analyzing the prices of other beach bars in the area, as well as beachfront bars, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
Another essential element in a beach bar business plan is the number of employees needed . To do this, you should consider the beach bar’s surface area and capacity, your hours, and the days you’ll be open.
Many entrepreneurs tend to save money by hiring fewer staff than they actually need, but this can work against us: if customers have to wait too long to be served, they’ll leave. Furthermore, slow service also works against you, as you end up losing customers in the long run.
From here, we can make a forecast of expenses and income that determines the cash flow statements for our beach bar. The financial projection gives us an idea of what we need to make the beach bar profitable. When applying for a beach bar, the city council in charge of granting the license will likely assess your technical solvency and business plan. The fee you’re willing to pay plays an important role, but job creation, the gastronomic offering, and the services offered are also highly valued.
