Business Plan Outline

Writing a business plan outline is a little different from writing an outline for an essay.  You want to make sure that you have all of the parts, but you may not be structuring each part in the same way.  That is why we are providing a blank template for a business plan outline.  This will help you know what parts you need to include in your business plan outline and make sure that you have included all of the information you need, whether your business plan is being completed for coursework or as part of a business pitch for investors.  

I. Executive Summary

          A. Mission

          B. Company and Management

          C. Services

          D. Market 

          E. Competitive advantages

          F. Financial projection

          G. Funding requirements

II. Industry Overview

          A. Industry trends

          B. Major players

          C. Estimated industry sales

III. Market Analysis

          A. Primary target market

          B. Geographic location

          C. Demographics

IV. Competitive Analysis

          A. Direct and indirect competitors

          B. Entry barriers

          C. How to distinguish from competition

V. Sales and Marketing Plan

          A. Sales strategy

          B. Pricing plan

          C. Proposed advertising

VI. Ownership and Management Plan

          A. Legal structure

          B. Management resources

          C. Human resource needs

VII. Operating Plan

          A. Location

          B. Facilities

          C. Equipment

VIII. Financial Plan

          A. Funding requirements

          B. Financial statements

          C. Financial statement analysis

          D. Cash flow statement or projection

Example / Sample Business Plan Outline

This business plan outline is for a snow cone truck in a suburban community.  While each business plan outline will be very different because it will be based on specific information for a business, knowing the outline will help you make sure you include all of the information that you need for investors or lenders. 

I. Executive Summary- Let it Sno! 

          A. Mission: To provide snow cones at neighborhood sporting events.

          B. Company and Management

               1. Sole proprietorship

               2. Owner manager

               3. Staff of two employees 

          C. Selling snow cones, sodas, and chips 

          D. Market – spectators at neighborhood sporting events

          E. Competitive advantages- no other food trucks at the ball park

          F. Financial projection

               1. Projected gross monthly profit $4,000

               2. Projected monthly expenses $2,000

          G. Funding requirements $20,000

               1. Son cone truck financing $15,000

                    a) Used snow cone truck costs $25,000 and we have $10,000 for down payment

               2. Supply financing $5,000

II. Industry Overview- Son Cones

          A. Industry trends

               1. Food trucks are rising in popularity

               2. Son cone trucks are popular at parks throughout the city

          B. Major players

               1. Mr. Cool

               2. New Orleans Sno Balls

               3. Simply Sno Cones

          C. Estimated industry sales

               1. $750,000 city-wide

III. Market Analysis

          A. Primary target market- families attending sporting events at Apple Tree Park

          B. Geographic location- The Woodlands, Texas

          C. Demographics- 

               1. Upper middle class families 

               2. Average income of $225,000 a year

               3. Average household size of 3 children

IV. Competitive Analysis

          A. Direct and indirect competitors

               1. No direct competitors

               2. Indirect competitors

                    a) Mr. Cool

                    b) New Orleans Sno Cones

                    c) Simply Sno Cones

          B. Entry barriers

               1. Financial

               2. Approval from the park system

          C. How to distinguish from competition

               1. Only 1 snow cone truck will be permitted to operate at the park

               2. Market snow-cones clearly to distinguish from other food trucks

V. Sales and Marketing Plan

          A. Sales strategy- sell at football, baseball, soccer games

          B. Pricing plan 

               1. Small $1.50

               2. Medium $2.00

               3. Large $3.00

               4. Extra Large $4.00

          C. Proposed advertising

               1. Sponsor area sports teams

               2. Have a banner at the ball park

               3. Pay for announcements at the ball park

VI. Ownership and Management Plan

          A. Legal structure- LLC with a single proprietor

          B. Management resources

               1. Manager has MBA from UH

               2. Manager has history managing restaurants

          C. Human resource needs

               1. Truck needs three people to operate at high capacity

               2. Hire five-part time workers, so that there is coverage for call-outs

VII. Operating Plan

          A. Location- Apple Tree Park, Woodlands, Texas

          B. Facilities- Food truck modified for freezer and snow-cone machine

          C. Equipment

               1. Two Gold Medal Snowkonnet Machines

               2. Chest freezer

               3. Drink refrigerator

               4. Industrial ice maker stored at home 

VIII. Financial Plan

          A. Funding requirements $20,000

          B. Financial statements- see appendix

          C. Financial statement analysis- see appendix

          D. Cash flow statement or projection

               1. Projected sales 

               2. Results of questionnaire given at ball games

               3. Sales at similar ball parks