Almost everyone loves milkshakes. With milk lie our fond childhood memories. But have you ever thought about starting a milkshake outlet by yourself? Or just taking your favourite milkshake brand’s franchise and making good bucks? If yes, let us tell you how you can start young and fresh with a milkshake outlet.
In a milkshake business, incase you are opening a franchise outlet for any brand; you must firstly understand every detail of the brand and also their preferences and taste. There are a lot of regional players in this space so, you also need to pay attention to your competitors. Incase you are starting your own brand, complete study of the market is equally important and not just starting it in a hush-hush manner. The milkshake industry has many known names that have succeeded in making the Indians drink their product. Moreover, since it’s a healthy option, selling milkshake is comparatively easier. Just have the right technique. Always remember to taste the milkshakes you are about to serve to your patrons. It can make or break your business.
What all you need?
The market size of flavoured milk and ice creams combined is more than Rs 5,000 crore and the expected growth rate is around 30% CAGR. For opening a milkshake shop anywhere, firstly a perfect business plan is needed. Milkshake business can be called an all season business but in winters the sale will go down. Keep this in mind. So, you must have:
· - Investment ready
· - Break-even analysis
· - Profit knowhow
· - Backup plan
· - Extra cost ready for equipments
· - Trained staff
· - Great location
On being asked, why opening a milkshake store is a great idea, Manjit Brar, Managing Director, MILKFED that owns Verka milk brand comments: ‘Milk is a complete food in itself unlike other beverages. It has all the nutrients which any food needs to have. Moreover, this is the most common food across all countries otherwise all other foods like wheat etc have different variants in each country but milk and milk variants are the most common. The Indian youth is increasingly getting health conscious and their most favoured ‘on the go’ beverage is milk / milk shakes. Further, Punjab is land of milk and this food is embedded in our society.’
Before you jump into this business, do a research by yourself on the types of milkshake blending machines available, your competitors, locations, their reach, flavours they are serving, add-ons etc. You will also need to get permits. Incase it is a franchise outlet; your franchisor can help you in all this homework. Apart from the rules and regulations of running a milkshake store, you also need to maintain proper hygiene in this business. Since milk is a product that requires fast consumption, more care should be taken when preparing products with milk. Remember to keep getting more flavours and choices in your milkshakes so, that the customer is bound to come back and try those. Sohrab Sitaram, CEO and Director, Keventers says: ‘There are certain categories that appeal to the youth like Milkshakes, sushi. Few brands have a great aspirational value. The advantage is that it is very healthy, tasty and milk is good for health. We have also made milkshake cooler. It comes in a trendy, limited edition bottle that can be taken home too. We also have youngsters as our franchise partners. They are those who have opened one store in their cities. I feel youngsters are currently not in that stage where there is that maturity level that is required and also possibly the money required to grow. Everyone is not an entrepreneur afterall. It requires a lot of things and its understanding. We don’t really take them for a master franchise unless and until there is a matured youngster. Almost all seasoned players are going in for the complete territories.’
