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Mini chocolate shop. Chocolate and handmade sweets

Confectionery, especially chocolate, is always in demand, regardless of the season and the state of the economy. And the simple technology of chocolate production, combined with these factors, makes this business idea very attractive for many aspiring entrepreneurs. And investors are ready to invest a lot of money in this niche. So why not take advantage of this by preparing a business plan for the production of chocolate, which would present the technology, recipe and economic benefits of the future enterprise.

Our business valuation:

Starting investments - from 1,500,000 rubles.

Market saturation is average.

The complexity of starting a business is 6/10.

What should a businessman think over when launching his own "sweet" business?

Relevance of the chocolate business

The market for chocolate products in Russia is developing rapidly. And even despite the fact that many today prefer a healthy lifestyle, it is unlikely that anyone will refuse to treat themselves or their children to sweets from time to time. Let's say more - an enterprise for the manufacture of chocolate in the pre-holiday and holidays can increase production volumes, and, accordingly, profits by 200-300%.

And if earlier this market niche was represented by a couple of industrial giants, now there are a lot of products on store shelves produced by small little-known brands.

The small business of chocolate production is slowly gaining momentum, largely due to the fact that it is very “fashionable” today to use everything natural and, let's not be afraid of this word, unique. And such products, in general, can be provided to customers by small companies that do not chase quantity - quality is more important to them. Therefore, in this business, in order to "taste" all the charm of the chocolate business, it is better to start with the organization of a small workshop.
It is hardly worth being afraid of large competitors when launching your own chocolate business. The main thing is to understand the goal - gaining the trust of a certain target audience by supplying high-quality sweets to the market.

The main problem that an entrepreneur who plans to launch a chocolate production shop will definitely face is a large initial investment. And here is another reason that proves that organizing a small business is much easier for a person who does not have millions of investments.

The business of making chocolate can also be difficult because there are quite high requirements for the appearance of the products produced - both the packaging and the bar itself must fully comply with the image of the manufacturing company. That is why the organization of a mini chocolate production will not bring the expected profit if you do not thoroughly think through all the “designer” nuances.

How to start a chocolate business?

As in many other areas, it is important to study the market and try to determine what exactly will interest consumers in a particular region. Without extra funds available, large-scale marketing research is unlikely to be deployed, but some surveys can be organized.

The technological process of making chocolate is simple, but it is necessary to learn at least the basics of production! To help the entrepreneur - lectures of teachers, master classes, consultations of specialists.

In order for the chocolate mini-factory to bring the expected profit, you need to work on the assortment. A wide variety of chocolate is presented on the domestic market - bitter, porous, white, milk, with and without filler, with and without additives. And since, in terms of the technological process, the production of white chocolate differs little from the production of the same dark chocolate, there is no need to limit ourselves to the production of only one type of product. The variety of products will attract more buyers.

Features of production and equipment are such that it is possible to produce a variety of types of chocolate on one line. confectionery.

Next, you need to register your business. This stage of business formation is sometimes very delayed and adds a headache to the businessman. The main difficulty is to obtain a certificate for the production of food products from Rospotrebnadzor. And in order to take possession of the treasured "paper", you will need to prepare a project plan for the workshop and prescribe sanitary standards in it. Here it is also necessary to provide a list of products planned for manufacture and methods for the production of chocolate, confirmed by technological maps.

At this stage, it is better for a person who is not versed in technical nuances to contact qualified specialists. Otherwise, you will have to run through the authorities for a very long time.

Samples of products are then submitted to the laboratory for research in order to obtain a license.

What raw materials will need to be purchased?

And despite the fact that each company has its own recipe, the main raw materials for the production of chocolate remain unchanged:

cocoa powder,
cocoa oil,
powdered sugar.

Of course, the color, taste and quality of the released products will be influenced not only by the main components. Now in the factory they use a lot of coloring, aromatic and flavoring additives. For example, the production of dark chocolate allows the use of palm cocoa butter instead of expensive cocoa butter.

The more in finished product natural raw materials, the tastier and better it is.

The purchase of raw materials is carried out after the technologist has worked out the recipe for products that are planned to be produced within the walls of the workshop.

chocolate manufacturing technology

Process flow diagram for chocolate production

The technological scheme of chocolate production is quite simple - in the presence of automated equipment, the share of manual labor is reduced to a minimum.

In general, the process can be described as follows:

Dosing of components.
Rolling a mixture of components.
Conching a mixture of components under certain conditions.
Heating the chocolate mass to 40-45 ˚C and pouring it into special molds (moulds).
Tempering chocolate - aging in molds with stirring.
Packaging of finished products.

Conching is considered the main step in the manufacture of chocolate. Some elite varieties of the product are conched for 350 hours. The norm is considered to be 72 hours.

The technology for any type of chocolate is the same - the differences are only in the nuances. For example, the production of porous chocolate is accompanied by the saturation of the chocolate mass with air bubbles - at the stage before tempering.

What equipment should be purchased?

To organize a full-fledged workshop, you will need to buy equipment for the production of chocolate. Manufacturers today offer a wide range of production machines - from household appliances to high-tech lines.

Chocolate production line

Industrial production of bar chocolate is impossible without the following equipment:

Ball mill - from 1,000,000 rubles.
Capacity for kindling fat-containing raw materials - from 100,000 rubles.
Conche machine for the production of chocolate mass - from 500,000 rubles.
Tempering machine - from 1,000,000 rubles.
Refrigeration tunnels - from 2,000,000 rubles.

And this is not a complete list of equipment. The list of expenses must also include molds, conveyors, pipelines, thermostats, laboratory equipment for the analysis of finished products - all this is at least 500,000 rubles. It turns out that at least 5,000,000 rubles will be required to prepare the workshop for work.

But the price of chocolate production equipment varies widely. And therefore, without having such an impressive investment, you can not buy an automated line, but limit yourself to one that has less power. A set of equipment in this case will cost a novice entrepreneur 1,500,000-2,000,000 rubles.

How profitable is the chocolate business?

According to experts, the production of milk chocolate is a highly profitable business - and this despite such high costs for the organization of the workshop. All costs with established distribution channels pay off very quickly.

Let's take a simple calculation as an example. The total cost of 1 kg of natural dark chocolate is ≈600 rubles. And in retail stores, a 100-gram bar of the same chocolate costs at least 100 rubles.

Of course, this is all ideal. To achieve such indicators, you will have to work hard and look for regular wholesale customers. Chocolate in demand confectionery production, among wholesale warehouses, in retail trade networks.

What other options for organizing a chocolate business are possible?

If there is not enough investment even to buy a low-power production line, but you still really want to organize a “sweet” business, you can think about some other options for launching your own project - either a franchise or hand-made home-made chocolate.

A franchise opens up great opportunities for an entrepreneur to own a business whose brand is already known to consumers. On specialized sites you can find a lot of offers for the sale of franchises. In this case, the company helps to establish a business, taking into account the characteristics of a particular region. The cost of franchising services varies from 200,000 rubles.

The production of handmade chocolate is also a very promising activity, since truly unique sweet products can be obtained at home. Household appliances are inexpensive, raw materials are easy to get, but ready-made chocolate will cost at least 200 rubles per 100 grams. A common practice today is to open chocolate boutiques. In general, the sale of chocolate right at the place of its production is a very tempting idea, since it will immediately attract interested customers.

* Calculations use average data for Russia

From 410 000 ₽

Investments

1 000 ₽

Average check

80 000 - 200 000 ₽

Net profit

3-6 months

Payback period

If you dreamed of getting a golden ticket to chocolate factory Willy Wonka, then this business idea is for you. A chocolate shop is a business for the soul, which brings a good income at minimal cost.

Chocolate is one of the most popular treats in the world. In Russia, the love for chocolate is growing every year. From 2013 to 2017, chocolate consumption increased from 6 to 8 kg per person per year. Since 2012, there has been a trend around the world called "life's little pleasures": goods and products that are advertised as stress relievers are gaining popularity. And chocolate, of course, in the forefront.

Professional kit for creating business ideas

How to open a chocolate shop from scratch

The initial stage of the implementation of any startup should be an assessment of all the advantages and disadvantages of the business. According to experts, entrepreneurs in this area can count on a profit of 200%.

Advantages and disadvantages of the chocolate business

Advantages	Flaws
High profitability and profit Relatively small initial investment Belonging to the infrastructure of the holiday and entertainment (gifts, souvenirs, desserts) Seasonal shopping explosions. Especially on holidays and events. Constant demand Fast payback Opportunity to develop multiple product lines	Perishable products Difficulties in finding reliable suppliers of products High competition Mandatory product certification Narrow specialization in chocolate products

First you need to decide on the format of the chocolate store. If the starting capital allows, you can open your own small production. Then you can offer customers exclusive products and the creation of chocolate products to order. To implement this idea, you will need to rent a room for production and purchase the appropriate equipment. In addition, you will need to issue permits.

A simpler business format is to open a chocolate store where products from different manufacturers. In this case, the entrepreneur is faced with the task of finding reliable suppliers

You should also indicate the price category of goods. It is desirable that the sale was a wide range at different prices. This will attract more customers to the store.

The concept of the project involves the opening of a figured chocolate shop. Today, figured chocolate is very popular. Chocolate figures are an invariable attribute of any holiday and a suitable gift for various occasions. Today, this type of sweets has stepped much further than the New Year's figurines of Santa Claus and Snow Maidens. Some products can rightly be considered a work of art.

However, chocolate is not so important appearance but also taste. Therefore, at first it is necessary to learn as much as possible about chocolate, the method of its preparation, various recipes. To engage in such a business, you need to love chocolate and understand it at least a little. In the future, this knowledge will allow you to choose the right assortment and create the appropriate atmosphere in the store. It is desirable (but not required) to master the principles home cooking chocolate. For clarity and easy assimilation of information, it is best to start by watching video tutorials on YouTube - there are enough handmade channels for making chocolate. For example, the basics of working with chocolate and its application are described on the nastia_chocolatier channel, you can see about the production of chocolate truffles on the TruffleBro channel, and the features of making chocolate letters and Belgian chocolates are revealed on the Konffetki handmade channel. This knowledge can be useful not only for general development, but if in the future you plan to expand the range of services, for example, by conducting your own chocolate-making workshops. You should also study the manufacturers and suppliers of chocolate. It is worth considering foreign manufacturers who are open to cooperation in the Russian market. Having studied the theory, you can safely move on to practice.

Define a chocolate shop concept

Market analysis should lead you to an idea for your store. A promising idea will be such a model of a figured chocolate shop, which will combine the idea of original sweets and unusual gifts. The product itself can be described as "unusual chocolate gifts." At the same time, the store will only sell chocolate products, without being engaged in its production.

The assortment range of a gift chocolate shop may include:

themed souvenir figurines for various holidays;
unusual curly handmade sweets;
chocolate of exclusive forms under the order (for example, company logos, etc.);
chocolate cards;
chocolate on sticks;
fruits in chocolate;
chocolate portraits.

This is only a small part of the range of products. Today, the market offers many original solutions. Once you have a clear idea of how exactly you and your store fit into the current market situation, you should make preliminary financial calculations.

Choose assortment and suppliers of chocolate

Chocolate can be presented in various price categories - from luxury to budget. And there is an interesting detail here: Russian chocolate, according to the firm conviction of consumers, cannot be expensive, but imported chocolate is easy. Therefore, sales in the store will also depend on how much the seller can convey to the buyer the subtleties of the recipe and the quality of chocolate products. Handmade chocolate is especially appreciated. In this case, the focus is on a unique recipe, custom-made chocolate and exclusivity. This service can be a good competitive advantage as people like to give personalized gifts.

When deciding on the assortment, it should be remembered that each type of product requires special storage conditions. For example, natural exclusive chocolate can be stored for no more than 15 days at a temperature of 16 to 20 degrees. To do this, you need to purchase special equipment, which is not cheap.

In addition, additional services can be offered to customers. For example, packaging and delivery of chocolate gifts. These options are convenient for customers and profitable for the entrepreneur, and can be a significant competitive advantage. You can also rent chocolate fountains. You can organize popular entertainment at various celebrations. The equipment for the chocolate fountain itself will cost about 50 thousand rubles. But these investments can pay off in 1-2 months. It is also possible to open a mini-coffee shop at the boutique, which will give an additional impetus to sales, because these two products complement each other perfectly.

Among the major chocolate manufacturers, you can find sponsors who will agree to partially offset your costs if you purchase their products. There are several producers of premium chocolate in Russia. "Konfael" specializes in artistic and sculptural decoration. And for a figured chocolate shop, this is the most suitable option. You can consider cooperation with manufacturers “ chocolate house”, Gabor, Couverture, etc. There are also small chocolate workshops and even individual masters on the market, where you can find quality products at competitive prices.

The first purchase should be as diverse as possible. Better to buy a little of everything. First, a wide range will attract more buyers. Secondly, it will allow you to determine what products can be imported in the future. During the first months of work, it will become clear which products are the most popular. It will become the basis of the assortment. The rest of the goods can be purchased at a minimum, only for the assortment range.

Ready-made ideas for your business

When choosing a supplier and purchasing goods, you should immediately discuss all the conditions for cooperation and possible risks. Chocolate figurines are rather fragile goods; sales depend on their integrity. Therefore, it is recommended to find out in advance how the goods are packed and delivered, what is the percentage of damage, what are the conditions for compensation for non-conformity. For the initial purchase of goods, funds in the amount of 100-120 thousand rubles will be required.

Select store location and premises

Choosing the right location is very important for a chocolate shop. Chocolate is bought on emotions, and therefore the ideal place to sell it is shopping centers with a large flow of people. Of course the rental shopping malls it costs more, but 12 m2 of retail space will be enough for a chocolate shop. You will spend 15-20 thousand rubles per month on renting premises in small shopping centers, in large cities and regional centers the amount will increase significantly. For example, in Rostov-on-Don, where the average price per square meter in a shopping center is 2.9 thousand rubles, renting a room in a less popular shopping center will cost 35-40 thousand rubles.

When choosing a place, pay attention to the neighborhood of competitors. Products are quite specific and narrowly focused, so it is not recommended to open your store next to competitors. More advantageous proximity to outlets with a similar theme. For example, a gift shop or a coffee shop.

Decorate the retail space of a chocolate shop

Practice shows that an attractive design of the store activates sales. Therefore, you need to take this point seriously.

Looking for inspiration and original ideas? Refer to the internet. See what interesting chips various chocolate shops in different countries come up with for their interior. In Japan, for example, they came up with a design with the effect of hot chocolate dripping from the ceiling, which, as it were, flows down the walls of the store. Perhaps you will take some idea and adapt it to your store.

Also, a couple of tables can be an excellent solution, which will provide visitors with an opportunity to drink coffee and taste chocolate. It is recommended to define your corporate identity - choose your colors, logo and catchy name. Based on this, the design concept will be determined. About 70 thousand rubles will have to be spent on design and branding.

Buy equipment

Since the production of chocolate is not planned, the entire list of equipment is associated with the organization of the trading space. These are showcases, special refrigerated display cases, equipment for storing products, a cash register, a counter, etc. Particular attention should be paid here to the equipment intended for storage. The specificity of the products obliges to comply with a certain temperature regime and the shelf life of chocolate. Temperature fluctuations can greatly affect not only the appearance of the product, but also its quality. It is recommended to use a showcase-refrigerator or a refrigerated chest for displaying products on a showcase. In general, about 150 thousand rubles should be invested in equipment.

Register your business

Before you open a figured chocolate shop, you will need to complete all the documents and obtain a trade permit. First of all, you will need:

arrange a legal person or individual entrepreneur;

choose the right OKVED for retail chocolate. 47.24.22 - Retail sale of confectionery, including chocolate, in specialized stores. It should be remembered that if you plan to provide additional services (for example, open a mini-coffee shop, rent a chocolate fountain, etc.), then you must indicate the relevant activity codes during registration;

for all goods to have quality certificates;

obtain permits from the SES and the fire service to work in the rented premises;

arrange a corner of the consumer.

About 20 thousand rubles will have to be spent on registering a business and obtaining all permits.

Pick store staff

Now that almost everything is ready, it is necessary to select the staff of the store. Girls are perfect for the role of sellers. They must know the types of chocolate, be able to brew coffee, advise customers, be polite and friendly. For the operation of a small store, one salesperson per shift is enough. Since shift work is expected, there should be two salespeople on staff. Perhaps, with the development of business and growth in sales, it will be necessary to hire two more employees. But at the initial stage, this will not lead to anything other than additional expenses. The average salary of sellers is 23 thousand rubles. As a motivation, a bonus part of the salary, which is calculated on the basis of sales volumes, can be provided.

In addition, the store may need a merchandiser who will be responsible for the supply of products, the organization of their storage, trade control, etc. If an entrepreneur has such skills, then he can save money by independently dealing with this issue. The same goes for accounting. There is no point in hiring an accountant on a permanent staff. There is not much work for an accountant in a figured chocolate shop. Therefore, outsourcing is the best option.

It is recommended to train employees so that they fully know all the goods and their features. Some chocolate suppliers offer a staff training service. Employees must have a sanitary book.

Define an advertising strategy for a chocolate shop

The buyers of the figured chocolate shop can be both individuals and corporate clients. Recently, more and more companies are choosing chocolate gifts as corporate gifts.

When opening a store, you should carefully consider promotion channels in order to reach the entire target audience. A good advertisement for the store will be its own website or social media account. Prepare flyers and business cards - they can be flavored with chocolate flavor. Attractive design and bright signage is also an advertisement. If the rented space allows, design a shop window. Practice shows that people go to stores with beautiful windows much more willingly.

Ready-made ideas for your business

Another promotion tool can be “aroma advertising”. Delicious smells attract customers and stimulate purchases: this tool has long been practiced in marketing. And coffee aroma is on the lists of leaders in terms of effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a special chocolate brewing machine. different kind. The delicious smell of a freshly prepared chocolate drink will attract customers and serve as an excellent additional advertisement. And you can generally treat the first visitors with hot chocolate for free when making a purchase.

Advertising can be monthly product tastings, various discounts and promotions, a bonus program for regular customers, etc. It is also possible to organize a chocolate tasting on the opening day of the store. It is recommended to plan your project so that the opening of the store takes place on the eve of any holiday. So you will be able to provide a good volume of sales in the first month of work. In total, about 50 thousand rubles will have to be spent on advertising the store.

We consider costs and profits

Summing up how much money you need to open a chocolate shop. An example list of costs looks like this:

business registration - 20 thousand rubles;

design of the store and rent of retail space (deposit for 2 months) - 90 thousand rubles;

initial purchase of goods - 100 thousand rubles;

purchase of equipment - 150 thousand rubles

In total, the opening of a figured chocolate store will require from 410 thousand rubles. This figure may vary depending on the scale of the business and the city in which it is implemented. At the same time, do not forget about monthly expenses, which include the payroll fund, renting premises, additional purchases of goods, etc. On average, monthly expenses for these items will amount to 80 thousand rubles.

Now let's calculate how much you can earn in the chocolate business. The cost of one chocolate figurine is from 150 rubles and can reach up to 2 thousand rubles - it all depends on the scale of the product. The average price of a finished gift is 1 thousand rubles. To work “to zero”, you will need to sell at least 3-4 gift sets. Every month, a store can bring in 200 thousand rubles a month or more. Thus, the initial investment can pay off in the first months of operation. This will be possible if you choose the right assortment and plan advertising promotion.

We calculate the risks

Like any business, a figure chocolate shop can come with risks.

Risks associated with the quality of chocolate. The main threat is related to the fact that the products are very fragile and perishable. Therefore, any error during delivery or storage can lead to damage to the goods. To avoid this, you should choose reliable suppliers and discuss with them the issue of compensation for non-conformity in advance.

Technological risks. You should also choose good equipment for storing chocolate and correctly calculate the required volume of purchases so as not to store too much. And here it is worth mentioning the technological risk that may arise due to equipment failure. To avoid this, you should not only choose high-quality equipment, but also establish those. maintenance, including preventive inspection and repair.

Competition. Another risk is high competition in the market. Indeed, today chocolate is very popular - and many entrepreneurs open a business related to it. It will not be easy for a new market participant in such conditions, but high-quality products, an active advertising campaign and an original offer can improve the situation in your favor.

The costs of the wrong purchasing strategy. The next risk is associated with errors in planning the volume of purchases. If you buy a lot of goods, it may deteriorate; if you buy a little - lose part of the profits. Particular attention should be paid to the volume of purchases before various holidays, when sales increase significantly. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of the purchase of goods in advance in order to fill the warehouse completely.

Checklist for opening a figured chocolate shop

Key figures:

The starting threshold for entering the business is 410 thousand rubles.

Net profit - 80 - 200 thousand rubles.

Payback period - 3-6 months.

The average check is 1 thousand rubles.

Basic steps:

Study of the topic and analysis of the chocolate market

Defining the chocolate shop concept

Carrying out preliminary financial calculations

Selection of assortment and suppliers of chocolate

Shop location selection

Design of the retail space of the store

Purchase of commercial equipment

Business registration

Recruitment of vendors and other personnel

220 people are studying this business today.

For 30 days this business was interested in 142867 times.

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It's no secret that most of us are real sweet tooth and the most passionate admirers of various delicacies. That is why the production of sweet products, as a kind of own business, is gaining momentum.

The production of exclusive chocolate is a good idea for home business. Since this type of sweets is not considered common for residents of Russian-speaking countries, it can be presented as an elite product, which will make it possible to create a company, which is not so much. Manufacturers of exclusive chocolate always have high income and excellent demand.

How to start making chocolate at home

First you need to get acquainted with a large number of different literature on the manufacture of chocolate. Write out a few interesting recipes taken from books or magazines, and once you get used to it, you can start experimenting and making chocolate and chocolate candies own production. You can also combine chocolate with different fillings, the main thing is that it be your exclusive recipe.

It must be remembered that quality products are always in demand and help to achieve good results. Therefore, saving on raw materials is not worth the same as on equipment. The best chocolate considered Belgian, it is he who is most often used to make chocolate with his own hands. Also, to make chocolate and enter the big market, you need to stock up on special equipment, but you can also use simple kitchen equipment for training.

It is also worth knowing that high-quality exclusive chocolate is always a brand that is on everyone's lips. Therefore, even before you start producing sweets, you should come up with a sonorous and memorable name for your company. For this, colorful and memorable names are used, consisting of one or two words.

Cafe or home production?

An important role in generating income will be played by the place of manufacture of chocolate and its sale. The production of chocolate on special orders of the buyer, which will be delivered to the customers' homes, is not excluded. This type of production will bring most of the income.

To expand the circle of buyers, you can open a mini-cafe or study a business plan for opening a confectionery, where not only chocolate products will be sold, but also made. To do this, you can rent a room and make a small art cafe out of it. Such a maneuver will attract the attention of new customers and, as a result, increase revenue.

Cafes should be located on the main streets or in shopping malls where there are a lot of people. It is there that there is a high probability that, passing by the cafe, a considerable number of guests will not be able to resist the alluring aromas of chocolate and still come in to feast on elite desserts. It is important that the cafe be small in size, it should be comfortable and cozy.

Menu development

This process must be approached very responsibly, because the main thing is not only to make a dessert, but also to come up with a colorful name for it. The menu of a "chocolate" cafe should be varied - it can be pastries, cakes, chocolates and tiles, mousses or creams. The main task is to make it exclusive. Do not forget about expanding the range - coffee, tea, juices, water.

The highlight of the institution will be cooking chocolate dessert in front of guests. This will not only attract visitors, but also give them the opportunity to see the process of making the desired dessert.

Recruitment

In order to open a "chocolate" cafe, two or three chocolate specialists are usually invited. However, over time, if necessary, the number of employees can be increased. The main thing in this business is that a chocolate maker has a good knowledge not only in theory, but also in practice. In addition, he must have the talent to ensure that any wish of the guest (to receive an unusual dessert) is carried out professionally and efficiently.

Opening your own business based on the idea of making or selling sweet gifts is always tempting: a beautifully designed boutique, a constant pre-holiday atmosphere, positive customers (after all, they didn’t come for bread and sausage). Of all the traditional gifts, chocolate is the most sought after and versatile, it will suit both a child and a man, and there is no need to talk about ladies - this is an elegant compliment for all ages. Chocolate is the most innocent "bribe" to a caring nurse, an attentive administrator or a competent and efficient office manager. If this is not an ordinary chocolate bar from a stall, but a high-quality, beautiful, exclusive product, believe me, people will remember and appreciate the individual approach, and the shop, which always has something to surprise and please, will never lack customers.

Even during the crisis years, the demand for chocolate does not fall, and now, literally every year, sales of high-quality chocolate are almost doubling. At the initial stage, you can only deal with the sale of expensive brands. If the assortment includes the brands Amedei from Italy, Toblerone from Switzerland, Wittamer from Belgium, Ghirardelli from the USA, the boutique will have an excellent reputation. This series may include Russian manufacturers, but when choosing, you should pay closer attention to the composition of chocolate, often a beautiful appearance disguises not very high quality. Maintain a variety of assortment: stock should be bitter, dark, white and milk chocolate; with fillings and without them; with nuts and raisins; all kinds of chocolate figurines and bouquets of sweets. Hand-made chocolate attracts attention for holidays and significant dates, consider this moment as well. Children will be delighted with unusual small chocolates in the form of medals or small figures.

The initial purchase and the formation of the assortment will take at least 500-700 thousand rubles, the price of the product varies from 50 rubles to 4 thousand rubles, and sets cost 10 thousand rubles each. It's great if you immediately take care of creating branded packaging: boxes, bags, ribbons, designed in the same style, and with your logo, will be very useful (about 15 thousand rubles a month).

Chocolate is very demanding on a constant storage temperature, it does not tolerate drops, the room must be equipped with a split system or showcases (starting from 30 thousand rubles), maintaining a temperature of 15-20 degrees, otherwise the presentation may be lost.

The premises for a boutique, of course, will require a special, attention-grabbing design and a catchy, memorable name. In terms of cost, it is difficult to say how much interior design will cost, here you will have to rely on your taste, available funds and connections in the artistic environment. Here's where you can save some money, so it's on creating your own site, at this stage you do not need it. Much more effective will be colorful booklets and business cards, commercials for the holidays on local television, this pleasure will cost about 2 thousand rubles a month. Even in a small town, it is best to choose a location for a boutique in a large shopping center, and a great way to attract customers is a bright, memorable opening of your chocolate shop with tastings and gifts.

Chocolate boutique + cafe = dark + white chocolate

An excellent commercial solution for a store to open a cafe, as natural as selling along with dark White chocolate. In this case, you do not need to tie the establishment to a large shopping center, it is enough to choose a place with good traffic, for example, on the central boulevard. Cozy thoughtful interior with equipped outletsWi– fi, a collection of good teas and coffees, the opportunity to taste hot chocolate - your cafe has every chance of becoming the most popular place in the city. Chocolate is one of the indispensable attributes of the "sweet" life, such as diamonds, expensive cars, furs and orchids ... In this series, it is the most affordable, and therefore, going on a romantic date, even the most unromantic and far from reality IT-person will rather take with him not bouquet, but a box with an exclusive chocolate heart. An important point is that the staff must know absolutely everything about the products presented, which means that it is necessary to spend money on quality training, select smiling, pleasant people with a beautiful voice and good manners. This is exactly the case when languid beauties are a little out of place, your product, despite its chic appearance and packaging, requires that it be properly presented and introduced. Chocolate is, if you like, a philosophy, perhaps not the main, but a very bright facet of our life.

Typical "delusions" of beginner chocolatiers

It is a big mistake to think that opening such a chocolate boutique in the format of a small city is unprofitable, once there was even a dispute on this topic with an entrepreneur lady who relied on a beautiful shape chocolate treats to their detriment palatability. In a city with a population below 300 thousand, this position leads to the fact that all potential "regular" customers become "disposable" and you can very quickly lose most of the customers. And if you are “lucky” to make such a tasteless and unreasonably expensive gift, then the store is definitely over - word of mouth no one has canceled, and next time sweet delights will be ordered again “through Moscow” or delivered from abroad.

In the provinces, solvent people are even more demanding of quality. Here, access to natural, fresh products is closer, genetic memory has not yet been completely killed and rebels if something that tastes like plasticine is slipped into a beautiful wrapper. People work and earn money, vacation abroad, have access to reference products, and they need to receive a high-quality exclusive product at home. The main thing here is not to overdo it and optimally form the assortment, including in terms of price. That is why for any business in small and medium-sized cities, in order not to burn out and retain a client, it is important to “keep the brand”.

From sales to production

Often novice businessmen undeservedly bypass the idea of opening a chocolate factory.

The apparent abundance of chocolate products on the shelves suggests that all niches are covered; starting a business related to food products attracts the close attention of the relevant regulatory authorities; chocolate is not an essential item and in a crisis, demand decreases, etc. Many of these concerns turn out to be unfounded on closer examination. The requirements for the production of confectionery products with the predominant use of chocolate do not differ in anything special. Ensure proper storage of products, the cleanliness of your workshop, the availability of the necessary sanitary books and permits from the staff, and the inspectors will have no complaints. Believe me, working with meat or fish, and the same vegetables, is an order of magnitude more difficult. The production of high-quality chocolate of the simplest recipe is highly profitable. Here is the most general calculation for 1 kg of dark chocolate produced:

cocoa powder about 500 rub/kg

powdered sugar 40 rub/kg

not a large number of cocoa butter about 60 rubles.

In total, conditionally, the cost of 1 kg of chocolate with 70% cocoa powder content without cheapening additives is about 400 rubles. The retail price of 200 g of chocolate bar is at least 200 rubles. Throw in all the expenses for rent, staff salaries, equipment depreciation, taxes, overheads, in any case, you will get a figure of at least 200%. Taking into account your mini-production and cafe, having about 500 thousand rubles in circulation, you can reach a monthly profit of 2 million rubles. So consider what other business can give such opportunities. Large productions will still not be able to compete with you, there is a completely different specifics of promotion and figures.

Chocolate mini-workshop equipment

The process of creating chocolate is not so complicated and consists of several main steps:

conching - homogenization of cocoa mass with continuous stirring in a special machine for 3-5 days,
tempering - the process of proper crystallization, on which the presentation of your chocolate directly depends,
shaping is the final stage in which the chocolate is poured into molds and takes on its final appearance.

These machines do not end with a number of mechanisms for the production of chocolate and sweets. There is no need to purchase a ready-made line right away, there are a lot of machines on the market designed to produce 5-20 kg of products. By crafting and refining your own recipe, you are essentially creating a chocolate research laboratory. It is quite possible to equip your own mini-workshop, starting from 2 million rubles.

There are quite a few aspiring new companies around the world that are intent on driving the chocolate revolution. There are such in Russia, become one of them. You have every opportunity to glorify your city and create additional jobs. In conclusion, watch a video that clearly demonstrates the entire path of the famous product, from its inception to the creation of an amazing masterpiece called Chocolate!

All the way from cocoa to chocolate in this video

In this material:

Today, small business is quite common, chocolate production is one of its promising areas for realizing its entrepreneurial potential and making a profit. domestic market Chocolate products are developing rapidly from year to year. Despite the fact that many people prefer to lead a healthy lifestyle, limiting themselves to sweets, during the holidays, chocolate sales increase several times and, as a result, profits can be about 200%.

Chocolate is a plastic material from which you can create unusual and unique edible figurines. This direction attracts many consumers, making the chocolate business very profitable. Do not be afraid of competition with large companies that produce chocolate products. Even the smallest chocolate point is able to find its target audience if it sells high-quality and delicious chocolate.

What difficulties can entrepreneurs face when starting a chocolate business? There are several of them:

High requirements for the packaging of chocolate products. High-quality, designer packaging is not only a guarantee of the safety of chocolate, but also the attention of the client. A new product initially attracts only with its design. Only after the chocolate has been bought and tasted, you can fully appreciate its taste and quality. Therefore, it is important not to miss this moment and think over to the smallest detail the design of future packaging, the materials for its manufacture.
Increased attention of regulatory authorities. Many are afraid to create workshops for the production of chocolate due to the increased interest in this kind of activity of sanitary and fire inspectors. It is important to note that the requirements imposed by these regulatory authorities will be no less than for other industries.

How to start a chocolate business?

The procedure may be as follows:

Carefully study the market for chocolate products and determine which product is most in demand among the consumer. it is imperative to find out which company will be the most competitive in the market, what is its chocolate production technology.
Develop a business plan, as the company must be solid. If you do not have enough knowledge for this, it will be useful to attend master classes on this topic or seek help from qualified specialists.
Develop your product range. It must be remembered that the more diverse the assortment of your chocolate products, the more actively buyers will pay attention to it.
A chocolate manufacturing company must be registered. The main point in this process is to obtain a certificate that gives permission to release chocolate products.
Purchase the necessary equipment for the production of chocolate.

For the production of chocolate products on an industrial scale, the following equipment is required:

ball mill;
container for kindling raw materials;
machine for the production of chocolate mass;
tempering unit;
cooling tunnels.

It is necessary not to forget about the purchase of thermostats, conveyors, laboratory instruments for analyzing finished products. A less expensive option is a manual chocolate production line. To run it, you will need the following equipment for the production of chocolate:

tempering machine;
a variety of molds for casting (the more there are, the better);
shovels and stacks for chocolate mass;
fridge.

Chocolate production provides for a certain space for activities. Mandatory manufacturing facility where the necessary equipment and work tables will be located. Requires storage space for raw materials and a warehouse for finished products. For people working in production, it is important to allocate a zone where you can dine and relax. When choosing a room for the production of chocolate products, it is important to adhere to the basic requirements of sanitary control authorities: the presence of cold and hot water, heating, ventilation and sewerage systems.

Raw materials for the production of chocolate products

As a rule, each manufacturer has his own recipe for chocolate, which he keeps in strict confidence. High-quality chocolate must contain in its composition: cocoa powder, cocoa butter and sugar. But in order to reduce the cost of finished products, a large amount of artificial flavors, substitutes and palm oil are often added to the chocolate mass.

Belgian-made chocolate has become the most popular in this regard. It is not only delicious, but also melts well. It is used not only for making sweets, but also for glazing, decoration and cream fillings. Traditionally, such chocolate is produced in the form of tablets.

Technological scheme of chocolate production

The chocolate production scheme is as follows:

Processing of cocoa beans. This process is designed to soften the tart taste of the beans and enhance their pleasant aroma.
Fruit cleaning and sorting. This procedure is carried out mechanically on special sorting machines.
Roast beans. Heat treatment is designed to improve the taste characteristics of fruits, remove excess moisture and kill the existing microflora. The heating temperature varies within +150°С.
Splitting up. The grains are cooled to +30°C and sent to the crusher. The result is cocoa beans. It should be noted that for the production of chocolate of the highest quality, cereals are suitable, the particles of which do not exceed 8 mm.
Making cocoa liquor. For this, the cereal is ground into the smallest particles.
Making cocoa butter. For this, cocoa liquor is pressed. From the total amount of starting material, about 48% of the oil can be obtained.
Chocolate production is fully mechanized. The recipe for the future chocolate is being developed by specialists; the ratio of ingredients will determine what kind of chocolate will be obtained in the end: bitter, milk, dessert. Nuts, raisins and other flavoring ingredients can be added to the chocolate mass. All ingredients are mixed in a machine at a temperature of about +45°C.
The crumbling process is a mixing of the prepared chocolate mass with flavors and phosphatide concentrates.
Tempering takes place on special machines of continuous operation. Through this process, the chocolate mass acquires right amount cocoa butter crystals, which provide chocolate solidification and the formation of a beautiful glossy surface. If aerated chocolate is being produced, the chocolate mass is actively saturated with air bubbles before the tempering step.
Chocolate shaping. The finished chocolate mass is poured into special molds. After pouring, the form is installed on a vibrating conveyor, which allows you to evenly distribute the chocolate and remove excess air from it. For the production of high quality chocolate, it is important to maintain compliance temperature regime. Sweet mass at a temperature of 45°C is cooled to +33°C. Before the form goes further for cooling, it must be kept for at least half an hour, stirring occasionally.

The final stage of production

Ready chocolate is important to pack properly. This will help save chocolate product from the influence of external negative factors. Beautiful and original packaging will attract more consumers. For this, aluminum foil and a paper label are used. The packaging stage is carried out automatically in all industries.

The chocolate business will be profitable if you initially take into account all the pitfalls and thoroughly prepare for the launch of production. If you produce high-quality chocolate, then a constant influx of buyers will be provided to you.

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