Low-carb and low-fat coffee shop / sandwich shop

[goo5e]

Hi everyone,

First post on the forum and hoping for your help if you have five minutes you can spare me?

I'm being made redundant in the next couple of months and am hoping to open up a low-carb / low-fat coffee shop or sandwich shop. I've followed low-carb diets on and off over the last few years for weight loss rather than diabetes and having tried out and developed lots of low-carb recipes over this time have developed a passion for low-carb cooking. Having followed low-carb I know from first hand experience how difficult lunches and snacking out can be (unless you have the time to make it yourself).

So, what I'm looking for to help my business plan is some data to help me make my plan as strong as possible. I've put together the following questionnaire to help me so would be incredibly grateful if you can complete it and either copy and paste it with your answers into an email to me. My email is (email removed - please PM)

I had hoped to upload the questionnaire as a Word doc to keep the thread short and tidy, but the forum doesn't allow it so I've pasted it below. Thank you if you've taken the time to help me, I really do appreciate it.

Hope I’ve not broken any forum rules here as I’m not advertising anything.

(Please put an x next to your answer for each question, or type the answer if it isn’t multiple choice)

1. How old are you?

16-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
65+


2. Your gender?

Male
Female


3. What is your nearest town?




4. Do you work?

Full-time
Part-time
Housewife / househusband
No

5. You marital status?

Married / civil partnership
Live with partner
Single

6. Which diet if any do you follow?

Atkins
Dukan
Celebrity Slim
Slow carb
Gluten free
Low GI
Weight Watchers
Slimming World
Diabetic
Celiac disease
Other (please name)


7. How many times a week do you make a purchase from a sandwich shop?

Never
1
2
3
4
5
5+


8. How many times a week do you make a purchase from a coffee shop?

Never
1
2
3
4
5
5+


9. Do you currently have a coffee shop or sandwich shop in your area that serves low-carb / low-fat products alongside a standard product range?

Yes
No


10. If yes are you a customer?

Yes
No


11. If yes how many times per week do you visit?

Never
1
2
3
4
5
5+


12. If you don’t currently have a low-carb / low-fat coffee shop (with seating) in your area and one was to open serving a variety of low-carb and low-fat foods, how likely is it that you would use it?

Wouldn’t
Unlikely
Likely
Very likely
Definitely


13. If you don’t currently have a low-carb / low-fat sandwich shop (takeaway only) in your area and one was to open serving a variety of low-carb and low-fat foods, how likely is it that you would use it?

Wouldn’t
Unlikely
Likely
Very likely
Definitely

14. If your answer to 12 or 13 was likely or greater, how many times per week would you envisage visiting?

Less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
5+


15. Which of the following low-carb / low-fat products would you most like to see and purchase from a coffee shop or sandwich shop (please put an x next to each option you would purchase)?

Filled rolls / sandwiches
Wraps
Cakes (slices)
Cakes (whole)
Muffins
Cheese scones
Fruit scones
Quiches
Pizza slices
Jacket potatoes
Low carb jacket potato alternatives
Chilli con carne
Lasagne
Spaghetti Bolognese
Bread loaves
Salads
Soups


16. What if any other alternative low-carb / low-fat products would you like to be available?




17. What price would you be willing to pay for low-carb / low-fat alternative products (please put an x next to each answer that applies)?

Lower than the average full-fat / full-carb
Same as the average full-fat / full-carb
Slightly more than the average full-fat / full-carb
More than the average full-fat / full-carb

 

[Northerner]

Hi, I removed your email address as you may get unwanted emails - people can respond to you via Private Message. Good luck with your venture! 🙂

 

[goo5e]

Thanks Northener.

Also, I've realised my post is a bit cheeky for a first post, so apologies if I've put anybodies nose out of joint. 🙂

 

[FM001]

Just open as a sandwich and coffee shop, by specialising in a particular area such as low-carb or low-fat then you'll find that you may turn customers away, why not have a standard menu and include these options for those that are dieting.

Personally it wouldn't interest me when eating out as I eat most foods on a typical menu apart from the sweets, granted I'll watch the portion size and fat content but generally just eat what my companions eat.

 

[StephenM]

Sorry I am rather puzzled as you ask nearest town - or are you opening a chain? I would rather see where you are planning to open even if it is slightly vague. At the moment for all I know you could be ManyBucks/CostaLot/CafeDearo/etc. I suspect yours are honest queries but I am a wary persona!

 

[Robster65]

I'm someone else who wouldn't be interested in using a specialist low carb/low fat type cafe.

I suspect most type 1s are used to working round standard fare, so probably aimed more at T2s who need to minimise the carbs, along with others who have similar requirements.

Unless you're in a fairly cosmopolitan urban sprawl, I would agree with Toby that it's a niche market in a difficult economic climate where customers are thin on the ground. But good luck. 🙂

Rob

 

[goo5e]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I would definitely be offering standard options as well - the low-carb and various diet suitable products would be too niche just to offer them on their own.

The reason I'm asking for nearest town is just so I can give the bank some data based on geographical split. I'm based in Ipswich and initially would only open here to see how it goes. If I'm lucky enough to have some success then I'd definitely want to expand to other areas, but that is longer term. I'm no business mogul - worked for companies in reasonably paid jobs all my life - just want to stop putting money in someone elses pocket and be master of my own destiny for a change. 🙂

 

[Robster65]

Sounds like a reasonable plan. Like the name btw. 🙂

Rob

 

[HOBIE]

Like robster (t1) i eat what i want but not cakes & sweet things. I dont get the time to go into coffee shops. But good luck & it sounds like a possitive venture and if you were near me i would try it out. 🙂

 

[goo5e]

Thanks for the kind responses everyone. If you could also take a few minutes to PM me with a copy & paste of the survey with your answers I'd be really grateful.

Cheers.

 

[Steff]

All done goose just sent you my answers

good luck

 

[goo5e]

Thanks Steff, you are a star!