business plan for a fish and chip shop

How to write a business plan for a fish and chips shop?

Putting together a business plan for a fish and chips shop can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing fish and chips shop, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a fish and chips shop?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a fish and chips shop?
• How do I build a financial forecast for a fish and chips shop?

The written part of a fish and chips shop business plan

• What tool should I use to write my fish and chips shop business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a fish and chips shop business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Running a small business is tough! Economic cycles bring growth and recessions, while the business landscape is ever-changing with new technologies, regulations, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging constantly.

In such a dynamic context, operating a business without a clear roadmap is akin to driving blindfolded: it's risky, to say the least. That's why crafting a business plan for your fish and chips shop is vital to establish a successful and sustainable venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to assess your current position (if you're already in business) and define where you want the business to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your fish and chips shop, you'll have to:

• Identify the necessary resources (human, equipment, and capital) needed to reach your goals,
• Determine the pace at which the business needs to progress to meet its objectives as scheduled,
• Recognize and address the potential risks you may encounter along the way.

Engaging in this process regularly proves advantageous for both startups and established companies. It empowers you to make informed decisions about resource allocation, ensuring the long-term success of your business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your fish and chips shop's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your fish and chips shop business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your fish and chips shop's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your fish and chips shop, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your fish and chips shop has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your fish and chips shop, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for a fish and chips shop

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your fish and chips shop business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for a fish and chips shop

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a fish and chips shop is essential to ensure that the financial projections are accurate and realistic.

Market research helps you gain insight into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies and other key factors which can have an impact on the commercial success of your business.

In particular, it is useful in forecasting revenue as it provides valuable data regarding potential customers’ spending habits and preferences.

You may find that customers prefer your fish and chips shop because of its convenient location. Additionally, you could discover that people might be drawn to your shop because of its competitive pricing.

This information can then be used to create more accurate financial projections which will help investors make informed decisions about investing in your fish and chips shop.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a fish and chips shop

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating a fish and chips shop business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a fish and chips shop

Whether you are at the beginning stages of your fish and chips shop or expanding its horizons, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is vital to ensure your business's success.

To achieve this, both the recruitment and investment plans must align coherently with the projected timing and level of growth in your forecast. It is essential to secure appropriate funding for these plans.

Staffing costs for a fish and chips shop might include wages for the employees, such as a shop manager, fry cooks, and cashiers. Equipment costs might include a deep-fat fryer, refrigeration units, and a point of sale system.

To create a financial forecast that accurately represents your business's outlook, remember to factor in other day-to-day operating expenses.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it's time to dive in and start creating your business plan and developing the financial forecast for your fish and chips shop.

What goes into your fish and chips shop's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your fish and chips shop's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a fish and chips shop are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

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

The projected P&L statement

Your fish and chips shop forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

• Growth above the inflation level
• Expanding profit margins
• Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established fish and chips shop will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The projected balance sheet of your fish and chips shop

Your fish and chips shop's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
• Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Your fish and chips shop's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

• Your fish and chips shop's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
• And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a fish and chips shop shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

• The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
• The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
• The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your fish and chips shop business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan - also called a sources and uses table - is an important tool when starting a fish and chips shop.

It shows where the money needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps understand what costs are involved in setting up the fish and chips shop, how the risks are distributed between the shareholders and the lenders, and what will be the starting cash position (which needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business breaks even).

Now that the financial forecast of a fish and chips shop business plan is understood, let's focus on what goes into the written part of the plan.

The written part of a fish and chips shop business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of a fish and chips shop business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your fish and chips shop's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your fish and chips shop's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

In your fish and chips shop business plan, the second section should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide an overview of the business's legal structure, details about the owners, and their respective investments and ownership shares. This clarity is crucial, especially if you're seeking financing, as it helps the reader understand which legal entity will receive the funds and who controls the business.

Moving on to the location part, you'll offer an overview of the company's premises and their surroundings. Explain why this particular location is of interest, highlighting factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your fish and chips shop, you could emphasize that it is in a densely populated area with a lot of foot traffic, as well as being in a location that is close to a variety of amenities such as shopping centers, entertainment venues, and other restaurants. You could point out that its proximity to these amenities may mean that the shop could benefit from a steady stream of customers who will visit these other attractions and may be looking for a meal or snack. Additionally, you could explain that the shop could be easily accessible by public transportation, making it an attractive option for people who may not have access to a vehicle.

Finally, you should introduce your management team. Describe each member's role, background, and experience.

Don't forget to emphasize any past successes achieved by the management team and how long they've been working together. Demonstrating their track record and teamwork will help potential lenders or investors gain confidence in their leadership and ability to execute the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your fish and chips shop might offer a variety of fish and chip meals, such as cod, haddock, and plaice; a good selection of sides, including mushy peas, pickled onions, curry sauce, and tartare sauce; and a range of desserts, like ice cream, sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate brownie. These products and services could be offered to customers to give them an enjoyable, complete meal experience, with a variety of options to suit different tastes and dietary requirements.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When outlining your market analysis in the fish and chips shop business plan, it's essential to include comprehensive details about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and relevant regulations.

The primary aim of this section is to give the reader an understanding of the market size and appeal while demonstrating your expertise in the industry.

To begin, delve into the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your fish and chips shop, key marketplace trends, and introducing various customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, shift your focus to the target market subsection, where you can zoom in on the specific customer segments your fish and chips shop targets. Explain how your products and services are tailored to meet the unique needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include young families. This demographic is likely to choose a fish and chips shop for its convenience, affordability, and comfort food appeal. They may also appreciate the family-friendly environment of a fish and chips shop.

In the competition subsection, introduce your main competitors and explain what sets your fish and chips shop apart from them.

Finally, round off your market analysis by providing an overview of the main regulations that apply to your fish and chips shop.

5. The strategy section

When crafting the strategy section of your business plan for your fish and chips shop, it's important to cover several key aspects, including your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, clearly explain what sets your company apart from competitors. This is particularly critical if you're a startup, as you'll be trying to establish your presence in the marketplace among entrenched players.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you aim to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to your customers.

For the sales & marketing plan, outline how you plan to reach and acquire new customers, as well as retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

In the milestones subsection, detail what your company has achieved thus far and outline your primary objectives for the coming years by including specific dates for expected progress. This ensures everyone involved has clear expectations.

Lastly, in the risks and mitigants subsection, list the main risks that could potentially impact the execution of your plan. Explain the measures you've taken to minimize these risks. This is vital for investors or lenders to feel confident in supporting your venture - try to proactively address any objection they might have.

Your fish and chips shop faces a variety of risks. For instance, you could experience a shortage of raw materials, as the weather may interrupt the supply of fish and other ingredients. Additionally, you might face the risk of having to close due to health and safety violations. It is important to prepare for these risks and plan accordingly.

6. The operations section

In your business plan, it's also essential to provide a detailed overview of the operations of your fish and chips shop.

Start by covering your team, highlighting key roles and your recruitment plan to support the expected growth. Outline the qualifications and experience required for each role and your intended recruitment methods, whether through job boards, referrals, or headhunters.

Next, clearly state your fish and chips shop's operating hours, allowing the reader to assess staffing levels adequately. Additionally, mention any plans for varying opening times during peak seasons and how you'll handle customer queries outside normal operating hours.

Then, shift your focus to the key assets and intellectual property (IP) necessary for your business. If you rely on licenses, trademarks, physical structures like equipment or property, or lease agreements, make sure to include them in this section.

You may have key assets such as the recipe for your signature fish batter and the branding for your shop. These assets could be valuable intellectual property for your business. Additionally, you might have a trade secret for your fish and chips that could be a valuable asset for you.

Lastly, include a list of suppliers you plan to work with, detailing their services and main commercial terms, such as price, payment terms, and contract duration. Investors are interested in understanding why you've chosen specific suppliers, which may be due to higher-quality products or established relationships from previous ventures.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

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

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes in your fish and chips shop business plan, let's look at the solutions you can use to draft yours.

What tool should I use to write my fish and chips shop's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating a fish and chips shop business plan:

• Using specialized online business plan software,
• Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your fish and chips shop's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a fish and chips shop business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your fish and chips shop's business plan

Outsourcing your fish and chips shop business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are skilled in creating error-free business plans and accurate financial forecasts. Moreover, hiring a consultant can save you valuable time, allowing you to focus on day-to-day business operations.

However, it's essential to be aware that hiring business plan writers will be expensive, as you're not only paying for their time but also the software they use and their profit margin.

Based on experience, you should budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a comprehensive business plan, and more if you require changes after initial discussions with lenders or investors.

Also, exercise caution when seeking investment. Investors prefer their funds to be directed towards business growth rather than spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be insignificant compared to the amount raised.

Keep in mind that one drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself; you only receive the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business planning software. This can make it challenging to update the document without retaining the consultant's services.

For these reasons, carefully consider outsourcing your fish and chips shop business plan to a business plan writer, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of seeking outside assistance.

Why not create your fish and chips shop's business plan using Word or Excel?

I must advise against using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write your fish and chips shop business plan. Let me explain why.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is highly technical and requires a strong grasp of accounting principles and financial modelling skills. It is, therefore, unlikely that anyone will fully trust your numbers unless you have both a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, like us at The Business Plan Shop.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the only option in the past, technology has advanced significantly, and software can now perform these tasks much faster and with greater accuracy. With the rise of AI, software can even help us detect mistakes in forecasts and analyze the numbers for better decision-making.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software makes it easier to compare actuals versus forecasts and maintain up-to-date forecasts to keep visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. This task is cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's talk about the written part of your fish and chips shop business plan. While it may be less error-prone, using software can bring tremendous gains in productivity. Word processors, for example, lack instructions and examples for each part of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they don't handle formatting for you.

Overall, while Word or Excel may seem viable for some entrepreneurs to create a business plan, it's by far becoming an antiquated way of doing things.

• A business plan has 2 complementary parts: a financial forecast showcasing the expected growth, profits and cash flows of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to judge if the forecast is realistic and relevant.
• Having an up-to-date business plan is the only way to keep visibility on your fish and chips shop's future cash flows.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this practical guide gave you insights on how to write the business plan for your fish and chips shop. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you still have questions.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• In-depth business plan structure
• Key steps to write a business plan?
• Free business plan template

Know someone who owns or wants to start a fish and chips shop? Share this article with them!

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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How to start a fish and chips shop

Written and reviewed by:.

It's known as the British staple. Each year, we eat an estimated 382 million meals from fish and chip shops, cooking up a whopping £1.2bn according to the National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF).

But if you're feeling tempted to throw your own hook into this thriving industry, there are still plenty of important things to consider. Business overheads are rising, there's a recession looming, and, post-Brexit, supply chain issues have had major impacts on the UK fishing industry and the wider food and drink sector.

However, these challenges have also brought plenty of opportunity. The tragic closure of many SMEs has meant the availability of premises has improved, while commercial regulations have also eased. Plus, in spite of the cost of living crisis,  customers are hungrier than ever for convenient eating options.

In this guide, we'll talk you through all this and more to give you all the information you need for setting up a fish and chip store. Our experts will give you helpful tips on everything from launching a website for your business, to choosing accounting software or a point-of-sale (POS) system.

One large portion of help and advice, coming right up….

At Startups.co.uk, we're here to help small UK businesses to get started, grow and succeed. We have helpful resources for helping new businesses get off the ground – you can use the tool below to get started today.

What Does Your Business Need Help With?

Here’s how to run a successful fish and chip shop:

Should you start a fish and chip shop now.

• Shop location

Fish and chip shop business plan

Work out how much you might make, financing your fish and chip shop, fish and chip shop suppliers, get the right fish and chips equipment, taking payments in a fish and chip shop, comply with fish and chip industry regulations, get creative with your fish and chip shop branding, hiring fish and chip shop staff, selling a fish a chip shop.

The list of pros and cons to starting a fish and chip business now is fairly balanced.

Where are the possibilities?

There are plenty of positives on the menu.

For example, a surge in takeaways and dining has meant high street footfall is recovering steadily post-Covid, giving you a much stronger customer base to work with compared to the same period 12 months ago.

According to a recent market report by the British Takeaway Campaign, 38% of households ordered takeaway at least once a week at the height of the pandemic (and that's just the ones that will admit to it) spending an average of £45 per month in 2020.

Many government support policies, including Business Rates Relief, are also still on offer for SMEs to take advantage of.

Where are the potential problems?

Brexit has meant the fishing industry is dealing with added costs in the supply chain as well as slower or missed deliveries. This is particularly challenging for startups to tackle if you don't have strong supplier foundations yet.

It's also not 100% certain whether there will be future lockdowns, which means you might be legally required to close up shop soon after setting up – naturally, this will have an expensive impact on your cash flow.

How can you combat these issues?

Luckily, the above obstacles are not impossible to navigate. New businesses can still establish themselves in today's market – you just need to engage in careful planning and a more strategic approach.

The main thing to consider if you're looking to open a new business now – particularly in the hospitality industry – is that you have enough cash reserves to cope with a sudden expense or increase of overheads.

If not, you may need to consider taking out a business loan to cover short-term or emergency costs.

What COVID-19 rules do fish and chip shops need to follow?

In August, all COVID-19 safety rules and regulations were fully lifted, which means that you don't legally need to require any specific safety measures from customers or staff members if you're planning to host events.

However, cultural changes have still taken place, including a new understanding about the spread of germs that public places can influence.

There are still some basic safety requirements that help to make your event attendees feel safe, such as:

• Spaced out seating for social distancing
• Hand sanitiser stations
• Increased cleaning and disinfecting rota
• Optional mask wearing

You could consider keeping these rules in place to help returning customers feel more at ease.

Think about a location first

If you’re within the shores of the UK, you’re never more than 70 miles from the sea (the furthest possible inland distance). This means fresh fish can be ferried from the coast to anywhere in less than a day. But, that doesn't mean you'll succeed in any high street where you set up roots.

Finding the right location for running a fish and chip shop is a vital first step in ensuring you will have a successful and profitable business.

Finding a premises

You could find an existing fish and chip shop for sale and takeover its existing customer base and equipment, or, if you’re not ready to commit to buying one outright, there are plenty of fish and chip shops for rent.

Before deciding, establish the reasons why the fish and chip shop is being given up for sale in the first place. It could just be that the current management are ready to move onto new horizons, or it could be that the shop has problems beyond control that make it a poor investment.

Here’s what you should consider when choosing a location for your fish and chip shop:

• Low-income area – as an affordable but delicious meal, fish and chips have always found success in low income areas. Provided there’s a ready supply of local punters and not too much competition, a low-income area can represent a good location
• High-income area – though people will have more disposable income, they are more likely to cook at home or go to restaurants in high income areas. That said, a high-quality fish and chip shop could still succeed
• Mixed income/ high footfall – areas such as town centres or busy high streets are going to give you the highest footfall but also cost the most in rent and rates. You may also have more competition.

Other considerations:

• Proximity to competition – being relatively close to competitors can actually be advantageous to a small business. Hungry customers like options, and if yours is the best of the choices, that’s where they’ll spend their pennies. Use nearby competitors strategically to show off your superior offering
• Cleanliness/ maintenance – check for signs of damp or vermin and that the property is maintained. Although things can be cleaned, there are some recurring issues it can be expensive and difficult to deal with
• Reputation – research customer reviews of the fish and chip shop you intend to buy before committing. If it’s got a poor local reputation, you’re going to have to put a lot of time and effort into swinging that around

Owning a fish and chip shop seems a sure-fire way to capitalise on our bountiful coastal waters and ravenous appetites. But, it's essential to build in time for some careful business planning before you even think about shipping in that deep fat fryer.

As with any business, you should write a thorough and detailed business plan for your fish and chip shop before committing to anything.

You can find out more in our  business plan template .

Your business plan should include:

• An executive summary   –  summarising the main points of the business plan
• Introduction to the business –  mission statement, objectives, legal and capital structure
• Management –  establish background and credibility of the management team
• The market –  target customers, market trends/ size etc.
• Competitive analysis –  strategy, pricing, selling channels
• Operational details –  premises, materials, equipment, staffing
• Financial overview –  sales and profit, projections, funding requirements

Need help staying organised?

Starting a business of any sort takes time, and there are always a number of tasks to keep track.

Project management software can help you to stay on schedule, assign tasks to stakeholders and track the progress of your various projects. It's an excellent way to make sure that everything happens effectively and on time. Find out which project management tools we recommend .

Or, take a look below at our top recommended software products for small and new businesses.

These are all completely affordable tools to help business owners save time and have peace of mind when it comes to task management (monday.com), organising customer information (Freshworks CRM) and taking payment efficiently (Lightspeed).

Should you buy a leasehold or freehold fish and chip shop?

Both leasehold and freehold are solid options for aspiring fish and chip shop owners. Below we look at the differences and realities of each:

A leasehold property is one you only own for a short period of time. Ownership is returned to the landlord when it comes to an end.

Your lease will detail conditions such as whether you need permission to make alterations to the property, and whether you or your landlord have responsibility for maintenance and repairs.

A leasehold represents a smaller investment and is a good way to get started for someone fresh to the fish and chip shop industry. Make sure you properly understand the agreement before signing on the dotted line.

Buying a long lease will make it easier to sell down the line and you could always buy the freehold later on if you’re in a position to do so.

With a freehold you will enjoy complete ownership of the fish and chip shop business including alterations, maintenance and repairs.

This will give you the freedom to do exactly what you want with your business but you will have to have more capital.

It’s going to cost you a fair but to buy a decent freehold business in a prime town centre location, though you will find it easier to access a bank loan with a fixed asset.

One of the reasons for fish and chips’ enduring popularity is their affordability. Whilst dwindling fish stocks and other economic factors have pushed up the cost of the raw ingredients there’s still a decent profit per portion on fish and chips.

That said, it’s still best not to cut corners when it comes to accessing these ingredients. Cheap ingredients make a low-quality product. A lower quality product means fewer punters.

How should you price your business?

Setting a price point for your fish and chips will depend on a number of factors including how much you’re spending on your lease/rent, the demographics of the area and how much you can get ingredients for.

An HMRC estimate of the fish and chip industry states that you might expect gross profits of around 50% – where some achieve more, others less. This comes down to economic preparation, effective portion control and reasonable pricing. All of which you can get advice on from trade organisations, like the NFFF. Other factors like the standard of the premises and image you project is up to you.

How can you attract further business?

Promoting your business beyond a bright and welcoming shop is something several of the people we spoke to were doing. Loyalty schemes, ‘buy one get one free' offers, and sponsorship of local sports teams or events can all get you better known and build up your business.

Ultimately, the quality of the product is the number one factor in how much you will earn. If it's good, people will not only come back to you but they will travel out of their way, past other shops to come to yours. And they will tell their friends about you – incidentally something they'll also do if the product is bad, with the obvious opposite effect.

How can you build a customer base?

Communicate with your customers, make them feel their custom is wanted, tell them how good your fish and chips are, then prove it by delivering a delicious product. Achieve this and you're sure to be the major plaice for takeaway for miles around.

CRM software is a great way to manage customers and suppliers, to keep all of your supply chain in one handy place. The best tools can help you to store phone numbers, orders and invoices in one easy-to-reach location so you'll never lose track of your sales pipeline. Read our guide to the best CRM options for small business owners here.

Setting up a fish and chip shop takes capital. It may be that you are starting the business with money you've saved; in many cases though, people will raise extra money to get started. Fortunately  there are a number of options available:

Startup loans – the Startup Loan company is a government backed scheme where you can borrow up to £25,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6% p.a.

Business loans – business loans are similar to a startup loan, except that they are not just for new businesses and don’t have the same caps.

You should also consider how you will track your finances. It's best practice to make use a business bank account to separate your personal and business expenses and income.

Starting a business takes money and time, and accountancy software can help. Whether you're running your new fish and chip shop alone, or with staff, you'll need to stay on top of your finances. If you're not ready to employ an accountant to help out, then we suggest using an online accountancy tool.

Accountancy software is designed to simplify the complex processes related to money. From tracking your outgoings to managing your taxes, you'll find any finance process simpler with the right tools in place. Take a look at the accountancy software that we've rated best .

The two most common fish sold in UK fish and chip shops are cod (62%) and haddock (25%), thanks to their thick, flaky consistency. These can be bought freshly frozen at sea in bulk from fish and chip shop suppliers.

Dwindling stock numbers in the Atlantic have rightly highlighted the need for the industry to encourage sustainable fishing practices. This falls on the shoulders of everyone from trawlers and wholesalers, to suppliers and you the fish and chip shop owner. Because if there’s no fish, there can be no fish and chips…

The most trusted and recognised seal of sustainability is the ‘Blue Tick’ of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The organisation can award it at any stage of the supply chain from fisheries to suppliers and vendors to help businesses and consumers make sustainable choices.

When choosing a supplier, look for the MSC Blue Tick. You should also check that they are well regarded in the industry for their service. Below are a few fish and chip suppliers to choose from:

• Unique Seafood
• Henry Colbeck

These suppliers will often sell a range of other essentials including sausages, bread, potatoes, pies, batter mixes and oil.

What oil do fish and chip shops use?

If you want to achieve crispy, golden chips with fluffy centres, you might be wondering; “what oil do fish and chip shops use?”

There are three commonly used ‘frying mediums’ in UK fish and chip shops:

• Rapeseed oil –  lower in calories, fat and saturated fat provided oil is in a condition
• Beef dripping –  the traditional option but highly calorific and obviously not suitable for vegetarians
• Palm oil –  extensively used throughout the fish and chip industry. A vegetarian option. Leading brand FryMax claims to source only sustainable palm oil

How often should you change fryer oil?

There is no definite answer to this – it depends on what you’ve been frying and the quality of the oil.

You should change the oil if it starts to smoke at lower temperatures, if the smell changes, or if the colour darkens. It may also develop a foamy scum on its surface.

It’s important that you look out for these signs: oil that needs to be changed will impair the taste of your food and lead to poor customer reviews.

For your fish and chip shop you’re going to need to think about buying a fish and chip shop fryer, buying an industrial cutter, large fridges and a variety of other equipment.

Buying a commercial fryer

When choosing a commercial chip fryer, you should consider whether it is large enough to handle a large volume of orders simultaneously. It should also be easy to empty and clean.

Free standing and counter top models are available in both electric or gas.

Generally, gas fish fryers are more expensive to buy but cheaper to run. A gas fryer can also heat up a lot faster than a commercial electric fryer.

Built in filtration can help to significantly extend the life of your oil, meaning you will spend less time emptying and cleaning the fryer.

Fish and chip shop equipment checklist

Below is a checklist of the equipment you will need to ensure the smooth running of your fish and chip shop:

• Large fridges –  for keeping fish fresh. These range in sizes depending on your needs
• Display fridges –  for displaying cold drinks to customers
• Chip scuttle –  a hygienic unit for storing freshly made chips
• Potato peeling machine –  you’re going to be peeling a lot of potatoes for chips. A machine can lift some of that burden
• Batter mixer –  to mix the large quantities of batter you’ll need
• Heated food display –  to display freshly fried fish and other produce to customers
• Scrap bin –  to dispose of any unwanted or unsuitable scraps and keep your kitchen and counter tidy and clean
• Microwave –  for rapid reheating of cold food
• Storage freezer –  a large storage freezer is essential for all the fresh fish and other produce you’ll need to keep backed up
• Utensils –  including scoops, tongs, knives, salt and vinegar bottles

This is not an exhaustive list but is a good jumping off point. If you are buying a fish and chip shop then it may already have most of the essential equipment. Always make sure equipment is clean, maintained and safe.

Remember also, that you will have ongoing utilities costs such as energy and boiler maintenance. You may find it useful to use our  business energy comparison  page and our  guide to commercial boilers  to help you make informed choices.

Disposing of fryer oil

You must not dispose of fryer oil by pouring it down the drains as this can cause blockages and attract vermin. You can be prosecuted for improper disposal of waste oil.

There are organisations across the UK that will collect your used cooking oil and recycle it as renewable biodiesel.

Below we look at the hardware you'll need to take payments from your customers.

Fish and chip shop POS system

To take payments from your customers you’ll need a point of sale (POS) System.

Not just a cash register, these include a touchscreen monitor and computer a receipt printer, and a barcode scanner.

They can also help a fish and chip shop owner with inventory management, stock control, staff hours, and loyalty schemes should you have one.

The hardware including the credit card readers and receipt printers range in price and quality:

• Credit card readers – £80
• Receipt printers – between £150 and £400

It may be cheaper to buy the hardware and software as a complete package costing an average of around £1,499 or around £19.99 to rent per week.

Find out everything you need to know about the  point of sale system costs  here and review the  best small business  POS systems .

Fish and chip shop PDQ reader

Any modern chippy should be prepared to take card payments from customers. If you’re not equipped, you’ll be missing out on a significant source of revenue as fewer and fewer punters feel the need to carry cash.

A process data quickly (PDQ) machine allow you to quickly and efficiently take card payments. There are a number of ongoing costs including transaction fees, monthly fees and topping up till roll. You can either lease or buy.

Because of the high potential for unhygienic food establishments to represent a serious health risk to the public, there are a number of rules and regulations you need to be aware of if you don’t want to risk closure.

First and foremost, you must register your fish and chip shop business with the local authority at least 28 days before trading or before food operations start.

You can find out about and  register your food business on Gov.uk .

If you have five or more employees it is a legal requirement that you have a written health and safety policy detailing procedures.

If you are responsible for looking after food safety management procedures at your establishment, you must have had training on food safety and hygiene and have a food hygiene certificate.

How to get a food hygiene certificate

A number of organisations offer relatively affordable training for food hygiene certificates ranging from food safety awareness, to food hygiene and safety, to supervising food safety.

Make sure you use a provider that’s approved such as  High Speed Training . Food hygiene certificates do not have an expiry date.

The Food Standards Agency advises that, when staff are preparing or handling food they should:

• Keep hair tied back and wear a head covering such as a hat or net
• Not wear a watch or jewellery (except a wedding ring)
• Not touch their face and hair, smoke, spit, sneeze, eat or chew gum

Hand washing is the cornerstone of good food hygiene in order to prevent the spread of bad bacteria.

Any staff working with food must wash their hands:

• When in the kitchen or preparation area
• Before preparing food
• After touching raw food
• After handling food waste or emptying a bin
• After cleaning
• After blowing their nose
• After touching phones, light switches, door handles and cash registers

Employers’ liability insurance

Your employees are going to be exposed to plenty of risks in your fish and chip shop. Knives, heavy equipment, burning hot oil.

Read more:  What is employers’ liability insurance?

You are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance up to the value of £5m if you employ one or more people.

This will protect you against the financial cost of a claim against you in the event that an employer is injured or becomes ill as a result of working for you.

Public liability insurance

Your customers are also at risk so you should also take out a public liability insurance policy.

A public liability insurance policy will cover the legal costs for any claim made by a member of the public in the event of an injury or accident in your fish and chip shop.

Read more:  Does your business need public liability insurance?

As well as their status as the country’s favourite hearty convenience food, British fish and chip puns have a long lineage in the national psyche.

Indeed, its historical relationship to British industriousness, entrepreneurialism and fighting spirit cannot be understated: fish and chips exploded during the industrial revolution as railways linked the coast and cities, fuelling the hungry workers of England’s manufacturing towns. And during both the first and second world wars, the dish was made exempt from rationing by Lloyd George and Winston Churchill respectively; such was its importance to national morale.

There’s even an Oscar’s of the fish and chip shop world – the National Fish & Chip Awards, which assesses the country’s chippies on responsible sourcing, menu diversification, customer service, and quality.

To help stand out in this creative market, you may want to think about your brand name. Notable examples of punny fish and chip shop names include:

• The Codfather
• Fishcoteque
• A Fish Called Rhonda
• Frying Nemo

You should embody that spirit with your branding – fun, bright, colourful, engaging, simple – and keep your shop front and sign well-maintained and painted.

A scruffy exterior with faded, cracked paint and grimy windows will make potential customers think of dirty fish and chip shop interiors.

Likewise, keep your counter clean and uncluttered and have bright, easy to understand chip shop menus boards.

It's also worth considering whether you'll need a website for your shop – we've compared a few top web builders below. These are easy to use and can help you to create a professional site, even if you don't have experience in web design.

Wix (web builder)

Squarespace (web builder MAIN)

According to the government’s National Careers Service, a fish-frier working in your shop can expect to earn between £13,500 to £16,000 a year, though many roles are part-time.

They should have a food hygiene certificate if they will be handling food, but this can be earned on the job.

Here are some other positions you might want to hire for if you own a fish and chip shop:

• Counter assistant –  these will take orders and payments, and could also be involved in the preparation and frying of fish and chips
• Food preparation assistant –  these are the people that keep the engine running in the back, prepping ingredients and ensuring the front of house has everything it needs to keep up with customer orders
• Fish fryer –  will cook the fish and chips to order
• Manager –  managers are responsible for ensuring the day to day running of a fish and chip shop. This involves taking stock and ordering supplies, ensuring health and safety, managing staff, and ensuring the business is profitable
• Waiting staff –  this will only be necessary if you have a shop floor and tables that need to be served

The NFFF and Seafish have partnered to offer two learning programmes in a bid to raise standards across the fish frying sector.

• The fish frying skills qualification  – covers frying skills, food hygiene, and health & safety
• The customer service skills qualification  – customer service, food hygiene, and health & safety

If you’re ready to move on from the fish and chip shop sector, or to move to a new location, you can use on of the many fish and chip shop transfer agents to sell it on.

They or a prospective buyer may want to know:

• Asking price
• Lease terms
• Details about the premises
• Trading hours

Offer a reasonable price for your fish and chip shop and be honest about the details and you’ll be well on the way to exiting your fish and chip shop business.

The fish and chip industry might be hugely competitive, but with the tips, tricks and tools in this guide, you’ll set yourself up with the best chance of success.

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Related articles.

How to Start a Fish and Chips Business

by Mariel Loveland

Published on 31 Oct 2019

Fish-and-chip shops are a staple in the United Kingdom because of its access to fresh fish. It is, after all, surrounded by water. According to the National Federation of Fish Friers (a real organization that exists in the U.K.), there are around 10,500 specialty fish shops in the country, and Brits eat a whopping 382 million chip-shop meals every year. That's a lot, but what about stateside?

In the United States, which is rife with Chinese food takeout and pizza delivery, chip shops aren’t nearly as much of a cultural staple, but that doesn’t mean a fish-and-chips business can’t succeed. Fish and chips are tasty, and launching a small takeout operation doesn’t really require a huge amount of overhead. It’s an easy business to launch and hit the ground running.

Choose the Type of Fish-and-Chips Business

The first step to a solid fish-and-chips business is a solid plan. When launching your own chip shop, you’ll likely be choosing between two business models: a small takeout business or a sit-down restaurant .

Takeout chip shops are the British classic, newsprint and all. Traditional chip shops use newsprint as takeout containers, folded into a cone so you can walk and eat at the same time (perfect for a stroll along the coastline). They have a deli-like takeout counter and probably only a couple of seats and tables at which people can wait or eat. This has a much smaller overhead than a traditional restaurant because it can utilize less square footage.

A sit-down restaurant does require more overhead, especially because you need more square footage. You’ll also have to hire waiters and servers rather than just a chef and cashier, but you can have a bar and sell alcohol for an additional revenue stream. Consider making your full-service, fish-fry restaurant cozy like a traditional pub. Alternatively, you can do a hybrid of both business models and offer takeout options while having a casual dining space.

Pick the Perfect Location

Location can make or break any food-based business, so you’ll want to choose wisely. The demographics of an area really matter, and the average household income of the location you choose matters a lot. For example, fish and chips are generally a lower-cost, fast-food type of business. This does quite well in lower-income or working-class neighborhoods where people might be short on money and looking for a quick bite after an exhausting day of work.

A classic chip shop might not succeed as well in a higher-income area. You’ll certainly need to source higher-quality ingredients. In these types of towns, a sit-down restaurant might be a better option.

Beyond demographics, you’ll also want to consider things like foot traffic and competition . Since chip shops are generally takeout businesses, they thrive in places with a lot of foot traffic, like busy main streets and town centers. Unfortunately, these places also have a lot of competition. Make sure you don’t open your fish-and-chips shop too close to another establishment that does exactly the same thing. If you do, offer different options.

Get the Equipment

Regardless of the fish-fry business plan, all chip shops need similar equipment. You’ll need:

• Commercial fryers
• Large fridges
• Display fridges for drinks and snacks
• Heated food display
• A large storage freezer
• A potato-peeling machine (unless you’re using frozen, pre-cut fries)
• Chip scuttle (a hygienic unit that stores fresh chips)
• Batter mixer
• A point-of-sales system

These are the basics, and depending on the size of your restaurant, you’ll need extras like tables, chairs and utensils.

" id="handle-the-legal-necessities " class="title"> Handle the Legal Necessities

There are a lot of legalities in starting any business let alone a restaurant or food-delivery business. You’ll need to obtain the following:

• A business structure: For a restaurant, you’ll likely want to form an LLC. This helps protect you against lawsuits, protects your personal wealth and prevents your company from being taxed twice.
• A federal and state tax identification number: This can be obtained through the IRS and allows you to properly pay taxes on your business’s income. You should get this once you create your LLC.
• A business license: You can get this from your local government, but you’ll need the proper insurance first, like general liability insurance.

Depending on your state, you might also need additional permits like a building or construction permit (if you’re making any changes to your establishment before you launch) or a sign permit (if you plan on putting up a large sign in front of your restaurant).

Handle the Food Permits and Licensing

Regardless of whether you’re operating a takeout fish-and-chips business or a sit-down restaurant, you're still going to need to get a permit in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . This can cost anywhere between $100 and $1,000, and it might also be dependent on the size (or number of seats) of your restaurant and the number of employees.

The requirements vary from state to state. For example, New York City requires a food service establishment permit for any business selling food and drinks or using a shared kitchen. It costs $280 and requires annual renewal. If your restaurant has a frozen dessert machine, you’ll also need a frozen dessert manufacturer permit.

Regardless of the state, you can apply for a permit from your local health department. You’ll first be required to pass an inspection to make sure your chip shop is up to code. Anyone on your staff who handles food will also need to take a test and obtain a food handlers' license.

Find Quality Suppliers

No matter how sound your fish-fry business plan, you won’t succeed without quality suppliers. Decide whether you want to work with fresh or frozen fish and start the search. The two most common fish used in traditional U.K. chip shops are cod and haddock, but look into sustainable options. It might be cheaper to avoid sustainable fish now, but it won’t be affordable a couple decades from now when all the cod have been farmed out of existence.

You’ll also need to find suppliers for your frying oil . Traditionally, you’ll want to use rapeseed oil, beef dripping or palm oil, which have their pros and cons. The oil is essential for having crispy chips with fluffy centers and fish batter that isn’t soggy, so you’ll need to find a great wholesaler. Ask around at local chip shops or seafood restaurants, search online or consider looking in a trade magazine.

Don’t Forget the Marketing Plan

Marketing should already be worked into your fish-fry business plan, so don’t overlook it. You could have the best staff, the best food and the best service in the world, but if no one knows you’re open, no one is going to come inside.

Consider launching with a grand-opening event and advertising in local papers and church bulletins. Also sign up for Yelp and Google My Business and promote yourself using social media. Facebook and Instagram ads are an inexpensive way to get the word out online.

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Fish And Chips Business Plan Template

Explore Options to Get a Business Plan.

Are you interested in starting your own fish and chips  Business?

Introduction

Global market size, target market, business model, competitive landscape, legal and regulatory requirements, financing options, marketing and sales strategies, operations and logistics, human resources & management, why write a business plan.

• Business Plans can help to articulate and flesh out the business’s goals and objectives. This can be beneficial not only for the business owner, but also for potential investors or partners
• Business Plans can serve as a roadmap for the business, helping to keep it on track and on target. This is especially important for businesses that are growing and evolving, as it can be easy to get sidetracked without a clear plan in place.
• Business plans can be a valuable tool for communicating the business’s vision to employees, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Business plans are one of the most affordable and straightforward ways of ensuring your business is successful.
• Business plans allow you to understand your competition better to critically analyze your unique business proposition and differentiate yourself from the market.
• Business Plans allow you to better understand your customer. Conducting a customer analysis is essential to create better products and services and market more effectively.
• Business Plans allow you to determine the financial needs of the business leading to a better understanding of how much capital is needed to start the business and how much fundraising is needed.
• Business Plans allow you to put your business model in words and analyze it further to improve revenues or fill the holes in your strategy.
• Business plans allow you to attract investors and partners into the business as they can read an explanation about the business.
• Business plans allow you to position your brand by understanding your company’s role in the marketplace.
• Business Plans allow you to uncover new opportunities by undergoing the process of brainstorming while drafting your business plan which allows you to see your business in a new light. This allows you to come up with new ideas for products/services, business and marketing strategies.
• Business Plans allow you to access the growth and success of your business by comparing actual operational results versus the forecasts and assumptions in your business plan. This allows you to update your business plan to a business growth plan and ensure the long-term success and survival of your business.

Business Plan Content

• Executive Summary
• Company Overview
• Industry Analysis
• Consumer Analysis
• Competitor Analysis & Advantages
• Marketing Strategies & Plan
• Plan of Action
• Management Team

The financial forecast template is an extensive Microsoft Excel sheet with Sheets on Required Start-up Capital, Salary & Wage Plans, 5-year Income Statement, 5-year Cash-Flow Statement, 5-Year Balance Sheet, 5-Year Financial Highlights and other accounting statements that would cost in excess of £1000 if obtained by an accountant.

The financial forecast has been excluded from the business plan template. If you’d like to receive the financial forecast template for your start-up, please contact us at [email protected] . Our consultants will be happy to discuss your business plan and provide you with the financial forecast template to accompany your business plan.

Instructions for the Business Plan Template

To complete your perfect fish and chips business plan, fill out the form below and download our fish and chips business plan template. The template is a word document that can be edited to include information about your fish and chips business. The document contains instructions to complete the business plan and will go over all sections of the plan. Instructions are given in the document in red font and some tips are also included in blue font. The free template includes all sections excluding the financial forecast. If you need any additional help with drafting your business plan from our business plan template, please set up a complimentary 30-minute consultation with one of our consultants.

Ongoing Business Planning

Want a bespoke business plan for your fish and chips business, our expertise, fish and chips business plan template faqs, what is a business plan for a/an fish and chips business, how to customize the business plan template for a fish and chips business, what financial information should be included in a fish and chips business plan, are there industry-specific considerations in the fish and chips business plan template, how to conduct market research for a fish and chips business plan, what are the common challenges when creating a business plan for a fish and chips business, how often should i update my fish and chips business plan, can i use the business plan template for seeking funding for a fish and chips business, what legal considerations are there in a fish and chips business plan.

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9 Tips for Running a Successful Fish and Chips Business

by Kazim Ladimeji. Copyright 2011-2024. All Rights Reserved · Published September 15, 2022 · Updated September 15, 2022

Tip 1: Start with a small menu.

Keep your menu simple in the beginning, with just a few fish and chips options. You can always add more items later on as you get more comfortable with running your business. Find out what is popular in your area and start with those items.

Tip 2: Plan for success by doing your research.

Know your target market and figure out what price point will work for them. It’s also important to understand the competition and what they’re offering. Find a niche that you can fill, and make sure you have a solid business plan before you get started .

Tip 3: Choose the right location.

A busy street corner or near a popular park are both good choices for a fish and chips shop. You want to be in a spot where there is foot traffic, and potential customers will see your shop.

Tip 4: Don’t skimp on the quality of your ingredients.

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for your fish and chips. This will ensure that your customers keep coming back for more. Find fresh products on fishforthought.co.uk sells fresh shellfish online . 

Tip 5: Promote, promote, promote!

Make sure people know about your shop by promoting it on social media, handing out flyers, and even putting up a sign in the window. The more people who know about your business, the more likely they are to come and try it out.

Tip 6: Keep it clean.

This one is important for any food business, but it’s especially important for fish and chips. No one wants to eat greasy food that’s been sitting out in a dirty shop. Keep your shop clean , and your customers will be happy.

Tip 7: Give good customer service.

Make sure your customers feel welcome and that their orders are correct. If you give good service , they’re likely to come back and recommend your shop to others.

Tip 8: Have a good system for taking orders.

This is important for efficiency and keeping your customers happy. Have a system in place so that you can take orders quickly and get the food out to your customers in a timely manner.

Tip 9: Offer discounts or loyalty cards.

Giving your customers a discount will encourage them to come back, and it’s also a great way to build up loyalty. You could offer a loyalty card where they get a free item after so many visits or give a percentage off their order if they mention your shop on social media.

Following these tips will help you have a successful fish and chips business. It’s important to research your market, start with a small menu, keep things clean, and offer good customer service. If you do all of these things, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful fish and chips shop!

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Starting a Fish and Chips Business in the United Kingdom

• Starting a Fish and Chips…

Beginner’s Guide on Starting a Fish and Chips Business in the United Kingdom

A fish and chips shop can be as simple as putting some fish and chips on the menu. But making a profit from it isn’t easy. You will need to consider your pricing strategy, running costs, and overall operational efficiency to make money. This article will help you get a good idea about starting a fish and chips business, including the guide to company registration in the UK .

What is a Fish and Chips Shop?

A fish and chip shop is a British type of takeaway that offers customers the opportunity to purchase fresh, cooked fish, chips, and other prepared foods. Consumers can choose from several fish and chip shops throughout the U.K. These shops generally provide takeaway service and several other services, such as supermarkets and petrol stations. Family businesses run the majority of such shops, with the main kitchen area being used to store fish and other prepared foods. As well as providing this service, some fish and chip shops also offer other types of catering services, such as pizza, to take into account different tastes and traditions within various communities within the U.K.

Although the initial idea of a fish and chip shop may seem mundane, the establishment has been consistently evolving. It is no longer just a conventional takeaway shop with the customers going in and ordering food. Today fish and chip shops offer everything from sandwiches to curry houses, all while catering to a local population primarily of fish-eaters. They understand that convenience is critical when serving patrons, where their choice may vary depending on where they concern their local fish pond or lake.

How to Start a Fish and Chips Business?

Step 1: determine which type of business.

The first step to starting a fish and chips business is a plan. When launching your chip shop, you need to choose between two business models: a small takeout or a sit-down restaurant. Your choice will significantly impact how well your business runs and where it goes from there. Your business model determines how much you can charge, both now and in the future. It influences the products and services you offer, as well as the prices you can trust. Choosing the suitable business model for your fish chip business will give you plenty of profit while minimizing risk.

Takeout chip shops are very traditional, but they are also much quicker. Most takeout restaurants have an extensive menu but very little space. Therefore, they can’t serve customers quicker than they can display their goods. And since customers usually buy similar things, it is easier for the staff to help them quickly. In addition, takeout restaurant owners have less turnover since employees are busy serving customers instead of taking orders from customers or working tables. So, takeout shops with great takeout can have much larger profits than those that rely on little else but cheap food.

A sit-down restaurant does require more overhead, mainly because you need ample space. The difference is that your customers will order at the counter directly from the chef rather than having their food delivered to them. To know more about these business models, you may visit the corporate service provider platform and ask for assistance.

Step 2: Pick the Perfect Location

There are several factors you have to consider when deciding where to open a small business. The location affects the type of food establishment you can open, the quality of service you provide, and even how successful it will be. However, the most critical factor is whether or not customers will move there. Most people will only consider a business when they have already visited it and liked what they saw. If you want to start a business in a foreign location, it’s essential that you know which factors are crucial for attracting customers in that market. The most apparent factors are the cost of living and accessibility of transportation.

Step 3: Get the Equipment

Regardless of the business plan, all fish and chip shops need similar equipment. You’ll need:

• Commercial fryers
• Large fridges
• Display fridges for drinks and snacks
• Heated food display
• A large storage freezer
• A potato-peeling machine
• Chip scuttle
• Batter mixer
• A point-of-sale system

Step 4: Handle the Legal Necessities

There are many legalities in starting any kind of business, let alone a restaurant or food-delivery business. You’ll need to obtain the following:

• A business structure. For a restaurant, it’s possible to form an LLC. This helps protect your wealth, prevents your company from being taxed twice, and protects you from lawsuits.
• A state and federal tax identification number. This can be obtained through the IRS. It allows you to pay taxes on your business’s income properly.
• A business license. You can obtain this from your local government, but you need to have proper insurance.

Step 5: Handle the Food Permits and Licensing

Before starting your restaurant, it’s good to know the basics of food safety and business licensing. Moreover, it’s a good idea to handle the necessary paperwork for several vital steps—from starting up to employing kitchen staff. What might seem like an unbelievable amount of paperwork can be handled relatively quickly if you have the right resources at your disposal. The more you learn about the industry, the easier it will be to start and operate a successful food business. Getting these permits and licenses would be a lot easier with the help of company incorporation services in the UK .

• Music License Background music licensing is an area of the advertising law that concerns the use of music in establishments where customers are likely to buy products or services using music as part of their purchase decision. It is licensed to publishers and businesses who pay a license fee to use it in the U.K.
• Alcohol licensing Restaurant owners and managers in the United Kingdom must obtain an alcohol license to serve alcohol in their restaurants.
• Food safety The food safety act aims to provide consumers with easy-to-understand information on how to sort out products that contain potentially hazardous food. You’ll have to register your food business with the local authority as soon as you begin selling prepared food products for consumption on an ongoing basis. This will ensure that proper food safety procedures are carried out and that any potential risk to consumers isn’t passed on to them when they buy your prepared food from the shops around you.

Step 6: Find Quality Suppliers

If the supply chain is managed correctly, it’s easier to rely on a single supplier for your fish supplies. That means choosing suppliers with a track record of excellence and customer service beyond just replacing fish that have died or run out of digestive juices. When you buy fish from sustainable sources, you support a powerful economic force. The faster this process is completed, the more efficiently nature recycles biological waste materials while lowering public awareness of fish consumption.

Finding suitable suppliers is essential to keeping your fish-fry businesses healthy. Any company with more than three employees will need a supplier, and the fish tank industry is massive, involving thousands of suppliers. If you’re thinking of starting your own fish tank business, you need to be aware of the numerous risks involved and how much you can lose. Getting suitable suppliers will also help you ensure that your business has a good supply line of fish each year. Finding wholesalers means getting access to the fish from multiple sources; this is where data analytics comes in. By working with suppliers, you can see if they have poor quality or are mislabelling their product.

Step 7: Establish a Marketing Plan

Marketing is as essential as the fish-fry business itself. If you don’t create and promote your brand, then no one else will. Marketing is about getting people to know about your business and coming here for reasons other than just the wonderful experience you’ve created. Thus, a crucial part of creating a solid marketing plan is defining your goals and establishing a marketing campaign that will move you towards achieving those goals. Your goals could be anything from generating awareness and bringing in customers to selling your products and services.

Are you still not sure about starting a fish and chips business or not? If yes, you may contact 3E Accounting for assistance.

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Fishing Shop Business Plan

Start your own fishing shop business plan

McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Located off Highway 126, next to the new Oakridge Plaza, McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop will offer a convenient one-stop resource for all fishing products to travelers heading into the McKenzie National Parks System. Highway 126 is the gateway to over 130 public fishing locations and the Oakridge Plaza is the last commercial shopping and dining area before entering the McKenzie National Parks System. McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop will capitalize on its location to pull in customers. It will offer a wide selection of fishing products as well as information on fishing conditions.

Brad West, owner of McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop, has been an avid fisherman in the area for the past 25 years.  He knows all the area’s best fishing locations and has managed two fishing tackle and bait shops in the past seven years.

1.1 Objectives

• To become a familiar and essential shopping destination for travelers heading out for a day of fishing.
• Build a customer base that will grow each year.
• Offer exceptional service and products to both the experienced and novice fishing enthusiast.

1.2 Keys to Success

The keys to success for McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop are the following:

• Location : McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop is located off Highway 126, next to the new Oakridge Plaza. Highway 126 is the gateway to over 130 public fishing locations in the McKenzie National Park System. Oakridge Plaza is the last commercial shopping and dining location before entering the McKenzie National Park System. Many travelers routinely stop in the plaza at the beginning and end of their day in the park system.
• Service : Brad West, owner of McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop, knows that customers are not in his shop to browse. They need the right product or the best information on where to fish. McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop will offer exceptional service and get the customers on their way so they can enjoy a day of fishing.

1.3 Mission

The mission of McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop is to be the best, most visible, fishing product and information resource in the McKenzie National Parks area. We want travelers to plan stopping at our store as a important step in their day of fishing.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop will offer a convenient one-stop resource for all fishing products to travelers heading into the McKenzie National Parks System. The shop will be open April to November.

2.1 Company Ownership

McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop is a sole proprietorship owned by Brad West.

2.2 Start-up Summary

Estimated start-up costs and expenses are set forth below. The start-up costs are to be financed by Brad West’s personal investment.

Store products include:

• Fly rods and reels.
• Lines-leaders-tippets.
• Fishing gadgets-net/retractors.
• Fishing footgear.
• Flies and fly tying materials.
• Misc: drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The McKenzie National Park System is dotted with a number of small fishing tackle and bait shops on small roads around the park system. Most of them only serve a few fishing areas and have irregular operating hours. Highway 126 is the only main traffic artery into the park system and yet there are currently no other tackle and bait shop located on Highway 126.  This is because the closest commercial center to the park system, Oakridge Plaza, is eight miles from the park’s entrance. Over 90% of the park visitors use Highway 126 to access the park system. Last year, the park system welcomed 100,000 fishing enthusiasts.

These enthusiasts were typically male between the ages of 20-45 years old.  A fishing party of three to five is the norm for the area. Approximately 70% of these fishing enthusiasts visit the park system several times a year and develop strong customer relationships with the area’s businesses.

The McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop will create a base of loyal customers with quality service and fishing information that customers will come to depend.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Highway 126 is a four-lane highway running north to the park system and south to the town of Mapleton.  The McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop is located just off the northbound lanes and is next to the Oakridge Plaza.  The shop will erect a large sign to grab customer attention to its location.

Once in the store, Brad West will provide the exceptional service that will build a loyal customer base.

5.1 Competitive Edge

McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop’s competitive edge is two-fold:

• Location : McKenzie Tackle and Bait Shop is located off Highway 126, next to the new Oakridge Plaza. Highway 126 is the gateway to over 130 public fishing locations in the McKenzie National Park System. Many travelers routinely stop in the plaza at the beginning and the end of their day in the park system.
• Service : Brad West has the experience to provide exceptional service.

5.2 Sales Strategy

The key to customer satisfaction is a customer-friendly store that is easy to navigate and has knowledgeable people to help customers find what they want quickly. 

5.2.1 Sales Forecast

The following is the sales forecast for three years. The monthly estimates for the first year are included in the appendices.

Personnel Plan

Brad West will operate the shop without any additional staff.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections will outline the important financial assumptions, break-even analysis, profit and loss, cash flow, and the balance sheet.

7.1 Break-even Analysis

The break-even analysis indicates what is needed in monthly revenue to break even.

7.2 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table and charts will highlight projected profit and loss. The appendices include first year monthly P & L estimates.

7.3 Projected Cash Flow

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7.4 Projected Balance Sheet

The following is the projected balance sheet for three years. The first year monthly projections can be seen in the appendix.

7.5 Business Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 5091, Sporting & Recreational Goods, are shown for comparison.

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Ten Tips to Start a Successful Fish n Chip Shop

If you’re looking to start up a take-away food business in the UK, then you’ve probably already thought about starting up a chip shop. Not only is this a traditionally British thing to do, but it can be a great livelihood for anyone looking to strike off on their own.

This isn’t always the easiest business to get into, but with enough know-how and perseverance you can become a real success ! Here are some of our best tips when it comes to starting a chip shop:

#1 Location

Before you think about anything else, you need to consider where you’re going to set up shops. Certain areas are much more likely to guarantee you more business than others. For example if you can get a prime location near a school or large housing estate then you’re likely to see a much higher number of customers than if you were to set up shop on a country lane or away from the hustle and bustle of a town centre.

#2 Competition  

Do your research, what other shops are around and what’s the level of competition here? If there are only one or two other chippies about then this could be seen as healthy competition and as long as you don’t literally pitch up next door then you should do well. However, if every other shop in the area is a chip shop then you’d do well to look at a different area entirely.

#3 Building

Next you need to strongly consider the building you’re looking at leasing or buying, has it got enough room for all your equipment? Can you have a seating area if you want one? Is there parking on site or nearby? Make sure that the building is fit for your purpose before committing to it – this is vital so take your time when picking a location.

You need to stand out from the crowd and make sure that you get people through the front door. One of the best ways of doing this is to have bright, clear signs on the outside of your shop as well as a clear window so that customers passing can see straight in. The more aesthetically appealing your sign, the more likely it is that people will want to purchase their fish and chips from you.

#5 Fish and Chip Packaging

Not only do you need to ensure that you’re using the right type of packaging materials for your products , you should also focus on having a good design. If you’re just starting off then having your own custom branded fish and chip packaging may seem like quite a stretch, why not look into off-the-shelf packaging designs? These can offer good visual appeal and excellent practicality without the larger price tags. Check out our Go EAT Range, designed to suit the industry.

Regardless of whether you have stiff competition or not, you will want to ensure that your chippy provides the best quality food with high quality packaging from a great quality shop. Why? Because people will always go back to a place they think is great and, what’s more, they’re likely to pay more for what they deem to be better quality.

#7 Advertise

While word of mouth and walk-by custom will help to make up a significant portion of your business, you will have a lot to gain through local advertising. Try to get into the local newspaper, town crier and maybe even do leaflet canvassing of the local area. This will all help to raise awareness of your business within your target market and could drastically improve the amount of people you get through your door.

#8 Get the Right Staff

Ideally this should be higher up the list, but everything here is equally as important. Having happy, bubbly, helpful staff that engage with your customers can be the difference between success and failure. People always remember when they get good service, but they’ll tell everyone they know if they had a bad experience – making sure they feel welcomed and cared for is vital.

#9 Portion Size

Not everyone wants mammoth portions, but then again not everyone will enjoy smaller sizes. Why not offer several different potion sizes and make sure you have the fish and chip packaging to match so that it always looks well presented. Don’t forget to make sure that these are priced differently so that your customers always feel like they’re getting the best deal without you losing out on profits. There’s nothing worse than having a delicious dish with grease getting everywhere! Our fast food packaging – The Go EAT Range is the perfect packaging for your fish & chips.

#10 Be Willing to Change

Once everything is up and running, you may find that there are areas that you could improve, things you can do better and other products you could sell. Do not be afraid of changing, in fact this could be the one tip that ensures your business’s success. Be willing to make key adjustments in order to cater to your customer and ensure that your company continues to thrive .

Looking for the best fish and chip packaging? Talk to Charlotte Packaging today , with years of experience working within the food industry we’re able to provide you with the high quality packaging you need to ensure your fish and chips always look the best!

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How to Start a Fish and Chip Shop in UK [Business Plan]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

A fish and chip shop in the UK is usually a small limited-service shop that prepares and sells fish and chips, coffee, and other breakfast items. A fish and chip shop in the UK can be as small as a single location or as big as a national chain.

A fish and chip shop is a restaurant that specializes in selling fish and chips. Usually, fish and chip shops provide takeaway service, although some have seating facilities. Fish and chips is a popular hot dish consisting of fried fish in crispy batter, served with chips (French fries or wedges).

Available statistics show that British consumers eat approximately 382 million meals from fish & chip shops every year, including 167 million portions of fish & chips, the traditional favorite. 80% of the people visit fish & chip shops at least once a year, and 22% of the people visit fish & chip shops every week. Fish-and-chip outlets sell roughly 25% of all the white fish consumed in the United Kingdom, and 10% of all potatoes.

Steps on How to Start a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK

Conduct market research.

If you are considering starting a fish and chips shop in the UK, you would need reliable market research to be able to maximize profits from the business. The first step in the market research process for your fish and chips shop in the UK should be to develop market-based research questions in line with your overall business goal and objective.

In this regard, you should source information that will help you maximize your business, give you a clue of what your potential market will be looking out for from a fish and chips shop in the UK, and also help you operate your fish and chip shop in the UK with less stress.

a. Who is the Target Market for a Fish and Chips Shop in the UK?

If you are thinking of opening a fish and chips shop in the UK then you should make target demographics all-encompassing. It should include children, students, migrants, entrepreneurs, sportsmen and women, tourists, and every adult in the neighborhood where your fish and chip shop will be located.

b. Is Fish and Chip Shop in the UK a Profitable Business?

Yes, a fish and chip shop in the UK is very profitable. An HMRC estimate of the fish and chips industry states that you might expect gross profits of around 50% – where some achieve more, others less. This comes down to economic preparation, effective portion control, and reasonable pricing.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

No, there are no existing niches when it comes to fish and chips shops in the UK

d. Who are the Major Competitors?

• Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther
• Poppie’s Fish & Chips, London
• Frankie’s Fish and Chips, Shetland
• Cromer’s, St Andrews
• Harbourside Fish and Chips, Plymouth
• Henley’s of Wivenhoe, Wivenhoe
• Papa’s Barn, Ditton
• Quayside, Whitby
• Kerbisher & Malt, London
• Simpsons Fish and Chips, Cheltenham
• Rockfish, Dartmouth
• Whitehead’s Fish and Chips, Hornsea
• Tailend, St Andrews
• Colman’s Fish and Chips Shop, South Shields
• Thornton Fisheries, Thornton-Cleveleys
• The Bay, Stonehaven
• Oban Fish and Chips, Oban
• L’Alba D’Oro, Edinburgh
• Ossie’s Fish Bar, Faversham
• Aldeburgh Fish and Chips, Aldeburgh
• The Scallop Shell, Bath
• Harry’s Fish Bar, Neath
• No1 Cromer, Cromer.

e. Are There City Regulations or Zoning Laws for Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

Yes, there are regulations and zoning laws for fish and chip shops in the UK. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. FSA is a non-ministerial department, supported by 7 agencies and public bodies.

Under the Food Safety Act, 1990 and the General Food Law Regulation 178/2002 you are responsible for ensuring that the food customers eat is safe and the quality is what they expect. This means you should understand exactly what foods can cause problems.

f. Is There a Franchise for Fish and Chips Shop in the UK?

Yes, there are franchise opportunities for fish and chip shops in the UK, and here are some of them;

• Howe And Co Fish and Chips
• London Fish and Chips
• Frankly Fish and Chips Ltd.
• Famous Fish & Chips
• British fish-and-chips concept

g. What Do You Need to Start a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

• A Feasibility Report
• Business and Marketing Plans
• Business Licenses and Permits
• A Good Shop facility
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
• A Corporate Bank Account
• Supply of ingredients
• Startup Capital

Choose a Memorable Business Name

When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable.

Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a fish and chip shop business are;

Creative Fish and Chip Shop Business Name ideas for UK

• Hunger Zone© Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• Cut Chips® Fish and Chip Shop
• Tandy Gorana© Fish and Chip Shop
• Lauretta McKenzie® Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• Fish Way™ Fish and Chip Shop
• Francis Highlander™ Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• All Day© Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd
• Donie Silvans® Fish and Chip Shop.
• George Finney© Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• Day Fresh© Fish and Chip Shop
• Larry Duncan® Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• King’s Chef® Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• Lowey Martins™ Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• Beckham Pekham© Fish and Chip Shop
• Alex Core® Fish and Chip Shop
• Chelsea Chips™ Fish and Chip Shop
• Rees Morgan™ Fish and Chip Shop
• Big Chips© Fish and Chip Shop
• Tripple Cray® Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd.
• Plaxton Foods™ Fish and Chip Shop

Register Your Business

A. what type of business structure is best for fish and chip shops in the uk.

The United Kingdom has a wide array of options you can choose from if you are looking for a business structure to build your business on. The most important thing is that you should select a business structure that will best serve your overall business vision and mission.

In the UK, you can choose to start your business as a Sole trader, Limited company, Private limited company (LTD or Ltd), a Public limited company (PLC), a Limited liability partnership (LLP), or a Guarantee Company (LBG).

b. Steps to Register a Business in the UK

One of the most important steps you should take when starting a business in the UK is to register the business name with the regulating authority. You can register your new business at Companies House on GOV.UK. Please note that the entire process will take you about 30 minutes if you have all the required details ready before approaching them.

In the United Kingdom, you can register your business online but it will cost you £12 to register a company online (you can pay this fee via PayPal, debit card, or credit card). It takes on average 24hrs for your company to be registered.

To register a business in the UK, you will need to submit the following documents and information:

• A company name
• Address of the company
• One or more directors’ names and details (if it is just you, that is fine).
• Details of the company shares, shareholding, and shareholders (with at least one shareholder).
• A Memorandum and articles of association. This is a standard document that shareholders create and agree to that outlines the company’s written rules, it’s usually very standardized unless you have specific needs.
• Detailed information on anyone who owns a significant interest or control in the company (this means anyone who owns 25% or more shares or voting rights in the company).

c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

• General Business License
• Health and Safety Permit
• Food Handlers’ License
• Zonal Permits
• Signage Permit
• Operational State Facility Inspections
• A music license if you want to play recorded music in your fish and chip shop
• A dumpster placement permit that specifies where you can put your dumpster outside your fish and chip shop

d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Open a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

You don’t need any certifications to open a fish and chip shop in the UK.

e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

These are some of the basic legal documents you are expected to have in place if you want to legally run a fish and chip shop in the UK;

• Business and liability insurance
• Council Permit
• State Permit and Building Approval
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Business License
• Business Plan
• Employment Agreement (offer letters)
• Insurance Policy
• Online Terms of Use
• Online Privacy Policy Document
• Contract Document
• Company Bylaws

f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

If you are considering opening a fish and chip shop in the UK, usually you may not have any need to file for intellectual property protection or trademark. This is because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successfully run it without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

Cost Analysis and Budgeting

A. how much does it cost to start a fish and chip shop in the uk.

There is no clear-cut startup cost for a fish and chip shop in the UK, but available data shows that the cost of starting a fish and chip shop in the UK ranges between £25,000 and £120,000. But if you intend to buy a franchise, then the average turnkey investment is approximately £150,000.

Have it in mind that the costs involved in opening a fish and chip shop in the UK can run into tens of thousands of pounds, depending on your business size. Some of your biggest expenses will include rent, equipment costs, and employee salaries (if hiring employees).

b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK

• Business Registration Fees – £12.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – £1,300.
• Marketing, Branding, and Promotions – £1,000.
• Business Consultant Fee – £2,000.
• Insurance – £1,400.
• Rent/Lease – £35,000.
• Other start-up expenses include commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery (£500), and phone and utility deposits (£1,800).
• Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – £30,000
• Start-up Inventory – £7,500
• Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – £1,750
• Furnishing and Equipping the Shop and Kitchen – £50,000
• Website: £600
• Opening party: £2,000
• Miscellaneous: £1,500

c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

• The size of fish and chip shop
• The choice of location
• The required licenses and permits
• The type of facility
• The types of related products retailed in the shop
• The cost for branding, promotion, and marketing the fish and chip shop
• The cost for furnishing and equipping the fish and chip facility
• The cost of insurance policy covers
• The cost for registering the business
• Source of your supplies and ongoing expenses
• Cost of recruiting and training your staff
• The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms
• The cost for the grand opening of the fish and chip shop in the UK

d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

It is not compulsory to build a new facility for your fish and chip shop in the UK, but if you have the required finance, it will pay you to build your own facility. The truth is that building or reconstructing a facility will help you come up with a facility that will perfectly fit into your overall business goals and vision.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

• Supplies (inventory expenses)
• Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage and software renewal fees et al)
• Salaries of employees

f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

• Shop Manager (Owner) – $£35,000 Per Year
• Accountant – £$22,630,000 Per Year
• Chefs – £20,000 Per Year
• Delivery Guys – £18,100 Per Year
• Cleaners – £12,000 Per Year
• Security Guard -£12,000 Per Year

g. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK

• Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
• Raising money from investors and business partners
• Sell shares to interested investors
• Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
• Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.

Write a Business Plan

A. executive summary.

King’s Chef® Fish and Chip Shop, Ltd. is a registered fish and chip shop in the UK that will be located in one of the busiest business and residential estates in Prestwich, Manchester. We have been able to lease a shop facility that is big enough for the kind of fish and chip shop we intend to launch. The shop facility is located in a corner piece property directly opposite the largest shopping mall in Prestwich, Manchester.

b. Products and Service

• Different types of fish and chips
• Beverages and water

c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to establish a fish and chip shop in Prestwich, Manchester whose fish and chips will be celebrated around the world for their crunchy, chewy texture and refined taste. We want to be one of the top 10 largest fish and chips brands in the United Kingdom.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to build a business that is beyond selling fish and chips but that will be a global brand.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of a fish and chip shop in the UK are to provide a retail outlet where patrons can go to buy or order fish and chips if the shop has delivery options.

e. Organizational Structure

• Shop Manager (Owner)
• Delivery Guys
• Security Guard

Marketing Plan

A. swot analysis.

• Ideal location for a fish and chip shop in the UK
• Highly experienced and qualified employees and management
• Access to finance from business partners
• Unique bagel recipe.
• Reliable and efficient inventory management system.
• Financial constraints may restrict the publicity and branding of the business
• A new business that will be competing with well-established fish and chip shops in the UK.
• Inability to retain our highly experienced employees longer than we want during the teething stage of the business.

Opportunities:

• Fish and Chips are Popular in the UK
• It’s quite affordable
• Ability to Cater to Everyone
• It’s a Niche Restaurant Type
• It’s Easier to Franchise
• You Can Be More Creative
• More Financial Aid Options
• Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets.
• The arrival of a new fish and chip shop within our market space
• Economic uncertainty
• Liability problems
• The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK could change its regulatory status and decide to enforce strict regulations that can strangulate new businesses like ours.

b. How Do Fish and chip shops in the UK Make Money?

Fish and chip shops in the UK make money by selling the following products;

c. Payment Options

• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via mobile money transfer

d. Sales & Advertising Strategies

• Introduce your fish and chip shop by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to churches, households, sports organizations, gyms, schools, and other key stakeholders throughout the city where your fish and chip shop is located.
• Advertise on the internet on blogs and forums, and also on social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn to get your message across
• Create a basic website for your business to give your business an online presence
• Directly market your products.
• Join local fish and chip shop associations for industry trends and tips
• Provide discount days for your customers
• Advertise our business in community-based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
• List your business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing (referrals)

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your product/service.

And the average price of a single serving of fish and chips in the U.K. is currently £3.30 a 35.8% increase in price over the last decade. However, in London, the average cost of a portion of fish and chips is £5.00.

b. How Much Profit Do Fish and Chip Shop Owners in the UK Make a Year?

On average, a fish and chip shop owner rakes in nothing less than £75k revenue and £10-30k net profit per year.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?

• The capacity of the fish and chip shop
• The location of the fish and chip shop
• The management style of the fish and chip shop
• The business approach of the fish and chip shop
• The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the fish and chip shop
• The number of years the fish and chip shop is in business

d. What is the Profit Margin of a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

The profit margin of a fish and chip shop in the UK is not fixed. The average portion of fish and chips costs £4.50 and gross profit margins are typically between 50% and 60%.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

Below is the sales forecast for a fish and chip shop in the UK. It is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in the United States;

• First Fiscal Year: £240,000
• Second Fiscal Year: £300,000
• Third Fiscal Year: £350,000

Set Up your Shop

A. how do you choose a perfect location for fish and chip shop in the uk.

• The demography of the location especially as it relates to people that eat fish and chips regularly
• The demand for fish and chips in the location
• The purchasing power of businesses and residents of the location
• Accessibility of the location
• The number of fish and chip shops, and related businesses in the location
• The local laws and regulations in the community/state
• Traffic, parking and security et al

b. What State and City are Best to Open a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

• Auckley, South Yorkshire
• Dorchester, Dorset
• Ammanford, Carmarthenshire
• Prestwich, Manchester
• Bradford, West Yorkshire
• Birmingham-Wolverhampton
• Leeds-Bradford
• Little Horwood, Buckinghamshire
• Southampton-Portsmouth

c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK?

• Deep Fryers
• Industrial Oven
• Chips and fish Cutters.
• Sauce ladles & spoons.
• Chips box trolleys.
• Sauce dispensers
• Fish and chips boxes
• Heat-resistant gloves
• Fish and chips delivery bag.

Hire Employees

When it comes to hiring employees for a standard fish and chip shop in the UK, you should make plans to hire a competent shop manager (you can occupy this position), account clerk (cashier), chefs, delivery guys, cleaners, and security guard.

Launch the Business Proper

No fish and chip shop in the UK is opened without first organizing a party to officially launch the business. You can choose to do a soft opening if you are operating on a low budget or you can go for a grand opening party. The bottom line is that with a proper launching of the fish and chip shop in the UK, you will officially inform people that your fish and chip shop is open for business.

a. What Makes a Fish and Chip Shop in the UK Successful?

• Choose a good location to launch the business
• Make available varieties of fish and chips (give your customers options)
• Throw a party before officially opening the fish and chip shop
• Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
• Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your fish and chip shop
• Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your fish and chip shop.

b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Fish and Chip Shop?

A typical day at a fish and chip shop in the UK begins with the owner frying fish and chips, brewing coffee, and preparing other food items. As the morning progresses, everything about the business picks up and business owners move from prepping food and drinks to serving customers. As business becomes slower later in the day, work tends to shift towards cleaning and getting ready for the next day.

c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Fish and Chip Shop?

• Excellent culinary skills
• Excellent customer services skills
• Interpersonal skill
• Accounting and bookkeeping skills
• Business management skills
• Bargaining skill
• Work experience in a fish and chip shop
• Experience in managing people
• Experience in business administration
• Experience in making different types of chips.

Related Posts:

• How to Get 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating for your Business
• List of Organic Coffee Bean Wholesale Suppliers in UK
• A Sample Coffee Shop Business Plan Template for UK
• 50 Best Food Business ideas to Start in UK

How to start a fish and chips business in South Africa

• April 25, 2021

The fish and chips business has been very popular in South Africa, it is found almost everywhere, from big towns to small townships. This is a guide on how to start a fish and chips business in South Africa.

The fish and chips business seems to have lost some popularity in the recent years. This is mainly due to the popularity of fast-food chains. Fast-food franchises have become more and more accessible to the average person in South Africa.

However, this doesn’t mean that fish and chips businesses no longer have a place. There is still a lot of demand for fish and chips, especially in urban areas. This is a business with high barriers to entry but can become very profitable.

Choose a location

The location of your fish and chip shop will affect the success of your business more than anything else. This is basically a restaurant and location is super important for restaurants, it can make or break your business.

Your business should ideally be situated in an area that receives a lot of foot traffic. This should ideally be a busy street, it can either be in a town or kasi, it doesn’t really matter. As long as the street is busy; you should get customers from time to time. The worst thing you can do is to situate your business in an area that doesn’t get foot traffic.

With the right location, you won’t even have to spend much on marketing, people will notice your business and will come. Make sure that your fish and chip shop is in a good location and that there is not too much competition.

Get operating premises

You can either build or rent your operating premises, renting is usually the cheaper option. As long as it doesn’t cut too much into your profits. Renting usually costs anywhere between R7 000 and R13 000 in towns.

If you want to run the fish and chip shop at a township then you might have to build it from scratch as there might not be a suitable structure for you to rent. This is what might cause your overhead costs to skyrocket.

The size of your premises will be dictated by your business model. You have to decide on whether you are only going to sell take-aways or if you are going to allow people to sit down and eat.

Renovate your premises

You might be renting a building that used to be a furniture shop, you will have to turn it around to fit the theme of a fish and chip shop. The good thing is that not much has to be done, especially if you are planning to make it a take-away shop.

However, you will have to buy chairs and tables if you plan to have people sit down and eat. We highly recommend that you go with that model. Some people won’t come to your place if there isn’t a space for them to sit down and enjoy their meals.

Buy equipment

You don’t need a lot of equipment for this business, you should have equipment for frying your fish and chips. This can be any deep fryer; commercial fryers usually go for R6 500. Which is ideal if you expect to serve a lot of clients.

You should also buy some uniform for your employees or yourself. Food is a very sensitive thing; your employees should look professional at all times.

Register your business

You have to first register your business as a private company with the CIPC, then apply for a food license from the department of health. They will come to your premises and inspect everything, make sure that everything is up to standard.

Find suppliers

Try to find suppliers who are not that far from your business, you will need someone who will supply you with potatoes and fish. Source your potatoes directly from the farm, that’s if there is any farm near you. You will save a lot of money.

See also: How to start a business in South Africa

This was a guide on how to start a fish and chips business in South Africa. Do you have any thoughts or questions? Comment below.

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This post has one comment.

Joseph Madzibane

I already have the equipment for a business and I tried to open it at my sister’s place but I don’t Benefit according to business plan bcs I am struggling with a lot of things like transport and other financial problem, which every time my business decrease

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The George pub in Yalding to reopen as village fish and chip shop and Mr Dan’s Takeaway convenience store

A riverside pub once threatened with plans to transform it into flats is now set to get a new lease of life as a village’s first fish and chip shop.

The Grade II-listed George pub in Yalding had served punters for centuries and dates back to the 16th century.

But the vintage drinking hole in Benover Road has now sat vacant since closing almost two years ago.

In August last year planning permission was granted to change the use of the property from a pub to a takeaway, along with retail facilities.

This change will provide the village’s only takeaway fish and chip joint, alongside a store filled with local produce.

The new Yalding Supermarket and Mr Dan’s Takeaway is part of a six-month renovation project which owner Dan Mahendran says hasn’t been straightforward.

The 32-year-old business owner told KentOnline: “It’s been a long project - finding the right builders and the right team has been a headache, but we got there in the end.”

Since renovations began, Dan says local people have been curious about the progress.

He added: “People are interested in having a convenience store that sells local produce and also Yalding hasn’t got a fast-food takeaway place, so people are excited about the fish and chips.

“We will always have a garden where customers can sit down and eat takeaway food in the summer outside.”

The new takeaway joint will offer fish and chips along with pizza and kebab options with “their own secret flavours and sauces”.

Opinion was split following submission of the change of use application back in April 2023 .

One resident took to social media to vent.

They said: “I’ll be objecting to its change of use, I’ve only ever known it as a pub and would love to see it stay a pub and become as popular as it used to be.”

However, many residents also voiced their support for the new business.

One said: “If it’s not a viable pub then changing its use is a great way to stop it from becoming empty and neglected.”

Dan, who also owns Heath Stores in Horsmonden, says he hopes to create six local jobs through the business, as well as stocking local produce and general products.

“It will be a good shop with good customer service and a wide range of products,” he added.

While the takeaway will open in the next four to five weeks, the general store will open this Thursday (April 4).

The business will be open from 7am until 11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The venue, which has 13 car parking spaces, sits on a flood zone and the new owner is aware that the building has flooded twice before.

Despite this challenge, Dan said: “It is what it is, you’ve just got to carry on.”

The George pub had been a feature of the village for centuries with documents showing its licensees record as far back as 1838 - but its history is said to date back even further to the 1500s.

It was initially earmarked to become housing in 2015 but the application was withdrawn and a new landlord and landlady, Tony and Julie Chalker, took over.

In May 2022, Tony was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was punched in the throat by an unwanted guest .

The couple left the pub in September 2022 due to troubles with a bridging loan taken out on the property.

They took the short-term loan as a way to free up funds to invest in a business proposition but, due to Covid forcing the pub to shut, they weren't able to find a long-term lender.

The couple fell into default and by November 2021 they went into receivership.

They had tried to sell the pub in June 2019 but couldn't find a buyer.

The pub was not able to reach the levels of trade pre-Covid and so by November 2022 it closed its doors permanently.

Politics latest: Interim leader named after Jeffrey Donaldson's DUP departure; 'arrogant' Rishi Sunak has 'big questions' to answer over Easter honours, Labour says

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has announced his resignation as DUP leader after being charged with historical allegations by police; fallout continues after a major Tory donor was awarded a knighthood on the recommendation of Rishi Sunak.

Friday 29 March 2024 20:30, UK

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• Donaldson resigns as DUP leader after being charged with allegations of 'historical nature'
• David Blevins: An inauspicious end to a decades-long career
• 'Arrogant' PM has 'big questions' to answer over Easter honours - Labour
• Rob Powell: Timing of announcement more curious than contents
• Tory peer dismisses talk of summer election
• Explained: How Tory MPs can get rid of PM - and who could replace him
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

By Niamh Lynch , news reporter

Gavin Robinson, the interim leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has called Jeffrey Donaldson's charge a "devastating revelation" that has caused "tremendous shock". 

But he has criticised "some who have sought to score cheap political points".

Mr Robinson's comments come as Donaldson stepped down as DUP leader earlier today after he was charged with historical sexual offences.

But Donaldson has not resigned as MP for Lagan Valley, and Mr Robinson did not rule out a by-election in the constituency, saying: "What comes in the days and months in that regard are outside our control."

You can read more here:

By Tim Baker , political reporter

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect after he was charged with historical sexual offences.

In a statement, the DUP said: "The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

"In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Sir Jeffrey from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

"The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

By Tim Baker and Alexandra Rogers , political reporters

Rishi Sunak looks to have seen off his backbenchers - at least for now.

The nascent rebellions have gone quiet in the past few weeks and the Commons is in its Easter recess, with MPs returning to Westminster on 15 April.

Time away from parliament normally strengthens - or at least prevents the further collapse - of a prime minister, as MPs disperse back to their constituencies and away from the plot-heavy fug of Westminster.

But a potential flashpoint is looming: May's local elections.

A particularly bad performance by the Tories could lead to fresh pressure on the PM's leadership and prove to be the catalyst for a concrete move to oust Mr Sunak.

Sky News explains how Tory MPs could get rid of the PM and - if they are successful - who would likely be in the running to replace him.

Read more below: 

While the Royal Family have faced a challenging few weeks, our political editor Beth Rigby , Jess Phillips, and Ruth Davidson explore the points where royalty and politics meet, and what the family will say publicly about the state of cancer care following the King and the Princess of Wales's diagnoses.

Plus, is deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden someone likely to be feeling on top this week after calling out China-backed cyberattacks and announcing sanctions against two individuals and a company? Beth, Jess, and Ruth discuss the extent of the Chinese threat.

And they go through more of your messages and questions.

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Over a year ago, Rishi Sunak made five pledges for voters to judge him on.

The prime minister met his promise to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

But with the general election approaching, how is Mr Sunak doing on delivering his other promises?

You can see the progress for yourself below.

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about different political parties.

As Labour launches its local elections campaign, it is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 19-point lead, averaging at 43.0% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.7%.

In third is Reform UK on 12.0%, followed by the Lib Dems on 10.2%.

The Green Party stands at 5.7%, and the SNP on 3.0%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

There will most likely be a general election at some point in 2024, but we don't know exactly when.

We do know it won't happen on 2 May - when local elections will take place across England. 

The prime minister's "working assumption" is that it will be held in the second half of this year - but beyond that we know very little about the precise timing.

So why is this the case?

Political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh  explains:

By Tim Baker , political reporter 

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been an ever-present feature of the political landscape in Northern Ireland for several decades.

But his leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party came to an end on 29 March, when it revealed Donaldson had resigned as chief after he was charged with sexual offences of a "historical nature".

Born in County Down in the 1960s, he was raised during the Troubles and has been a vocal campaigner for unionism throughout his life.

Donaldson came to the fore after the UK left the EU for his opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol - which he believed undermined Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom.

Read about the 61-year-old's life in the profile below...

The DUP has weathered many storms, but this is a political earthquake for the party.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's departure under a cloud will have ramifications in both the short-term and long-term.

It will rock the newly established power-sharing government, of which the DUP forms one half.

And maintaining its seats at Westminster in the upcoming general election will be a mountain for the party to climb.

The DUP is well known for its conservative views on social issues like same-sex marriage.

Any whiff of impropriety, never mind alleged offence, leaves it open to allegations of hypocrisy.

In 2010, DUP leader Peter Robinson stepped down briefly as first minister when his wife confessed to an extra-marital affair.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has not only resigned but had his party membership suspended, pending the outcome of the judicial process.

It's an inauspicious end to the political career of Northern Ireland's longest-serving member of parliament.

Northern Ireland first minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill has released a statement in the wake of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation as DUP leader (see 12.56 post).

She said: "My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future. 

"The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences.

"This is now a matter for the criminal justice system."

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