Start-ups: Bagel Business Ideas

From cream cheese and salmon to peanut butter and jelly; onion bagels to blueberry ones, the possibilities for the bagel are limited only by one's imagination. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just because, the bagel, with its mouth-watering balance of being both crunchy, warm, soft and chewy, is a luxury that appeals to many. Starting a bagel business affords you a variety of opportunities. Determine which venue is right for you.

Start a Bagel Shop

Open a bagel and coffee shop. Follow other breakfast chains and close each afternoon, thereby focusing on serving the breakfast and brunch crowd and reducing overhead costs by avoiding the lull between meals. Your coffee is equally important. Undergo barista training to learn the secrets of espresso, how to select the perfect bean and how to create a delicious morning drink to compliment your bagels. Think outside-of-the-box. Find ways to incorporate breakfast favorites with your bagels, such as breakfast sandwiches or bagel bites with syrup.

A Bagel Bakery

Open a bagel bakery. Learn the secret to developing the perfect bagel by undergoing bagel training from The Bagel Trainer. Invest in all natural ingredients to create one-of-a-kind bagels and breads to compete with existing bread companies. Your storefront needn't be large, but it should be situated in a high traffic area. Offer samples and family recipes to reel customers in. As your business expands and you begin to establish a name, sell your goods wholesale to local restaurants, hotels and coffee shops.

A Bagel Franchise

Invest in a franchise such as Einstein Brothers Bagels or Manhattan Bagels and start your business with a built-in customer base. Franchises often provide well established guidelines for setup and layout, management training and access to regional and nation marketing. Franchise fees can be steep. The franchisor's disclosure document, which you are entitled to view at least 14 days before signing, details everything from franchise fees to the franchise's financial history.

A Bagel Deli

Open a bagel deli. Fitness and health enthusiasts are often looking for alternatives to the run-of-the-mill, high calorie fast food restaurant. Target the growing demographic by starting a bagel shop that offers something different: fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat cheeses and meats, freshly made bagels and healthy alternatives and sides. Look for a locale near a busy business park and incorporate catering for corporate lunches and meetings. You'll need to scope out the local competition first to ensure that the market can support another deli.

Gain work experience working in the food industry that most appeals to you. Take employment with a local bakery, coffee shop or delicatessen. Study the management, equipment requirements and methods for reducing food waste.

Always start with a detailed business plan. Find examples online or visit the Small Business Administration for help.