Fresh baked bagels are always popular, with entire generations rediscovering this tasty, healthy alternative to the doughnut that can be eaten at any time of day, in any company, without judgmental stares or odd looks.
Bagels are a “grown-up” food that still has appeal for kids – a delicious standby for a quick breakfast and equally delicious for lunch. It can be made sweeter with toppings such as fruit, savory with lox and cream cheese, or eaten warm and lavished with butter for a succulent, belly warming snack.
However, you may feel that bagels are too much hassle, for one reason or another, and haven’t seen fit to offer them at your place of business. Here are some common reason business owners hesitate to add bagels to the menu:
- No-one has asked for bagels. Well, they probably don’t see them on your menu and figure it’s hopeless! Adding bagels could energize your customer base and bring in new customers who hadn’t ventured in before simply because they wanted a bagel instead.
- There’s a bagel shop down the street. There’s zero guarantee that their bagels are loved by all, and maybe they have long lines in the morning. Offering a high quality bagel and prompt service could bring customers to your door instead.
- I don’t have the equipment to make bagels. Then don’t. Find a local wholesale bagel baker and order from them. You can adjust your order based on sales, and enjoy a large variety of high quality bagels that are fresh and ready to sell.
- I don’t even know what kind of bagels are popular. Trial and error works with most sales decisions. Try a variety order at first, for a week, and note down which are your best sellers. Have a request sheet so customers can weigh in on their favorites and consider adding new flavors as business grows.
- Can I charge enough to make it worthwhile? Wholesale bakers can sell you bagels in bulk at a discount – they don’t deal directly with the public. Your cost per bagel will leave you plenty of room for a markup, and don’t forget that bagel customers will likely buy other, high profit items as well – such as coffee.
- My clientele doesn’t look like the “bagel type”. People of all walks of life, age groups, and demographics love bagels. Don’t be too fast to write off this popular food, especially with our healthy, whole-grain offerings. It’s not just for hipsters and Pilates moms!
Bottom line – adding bagels to your menu is definitely worth a try. If you do venture into the world of wholesale bagel purchasing, remember to promote your new menu item vigorously sop people who frequent your shop as well as those who pass it daily without coming in have a good reason to try your brand new offering.
A bagel can be a nutritious breakfast to start the day or a light lunch to keep customers going until dinner Offering bagels could be the one thing you have been missing out on all along!