How to Start a Cheese Shop

There’s something invigorating about walking into a market and being surrounded by all your favorite things. This is particularly true for the foodies of the world. Opening a cheese shop offers many rewards. After all, how can you go wrong surrounding yourself with your passion and sharing the experience with fellow cheese lovers?

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Start a cheese shop by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Cheese Shop
  2. Form your Cheese Shop into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Cheese Shop for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Cheese Shop
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Cheese Shop
  7. Get Cheese Shop Insurance
  8. Define your Cheese Shop Brand
  9. Create your Cheese Shop Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your cheese shop. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Cheese Shop Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a cheese shop?

Your storefront location will be top priority. Many cheese shop owners choose to rent space for the first year or so to help get a feel for the business and its needs. Once you’ve put down a deposit and first month’s rent, it’s time to start outfitting your shop. A few items you’ll need are:

  • Refrigeration systems – Selecting the right refrigerator for your space is critical to the quality of your cheeses. The average cost of a new unit is $5,000.
  • Refrigeration engineer – Chilling a space draws all the moisture out of the air, so be sure to invest in a system that isn’t too aggressive. While hiring an engineer will cut into your start-up costs, they’ll analyze the details of the space to ensure proper refrigeration.
  • Proper lighting – The last thing you want to do is invest in proper refrigeration, only to have it sabotaged by your lighting. Invest in high-quality LEDs for more natural lighting that doesn’t give out too much heat.
  • Shelves and display cases for unrefrigerated cheese and non-cheese inventory.
  • Point of Sale software (POS) – The right software will not only assist in ringing up your sales, it will track inventory and notify you when running low on products.

What are the ongoing expenses for a cheese shop?

In any business, it’s important to pay close attention to the details. The three components that will keep a steady flow of customers are: quality of inventory, store location, and employees. These are also your top ongoing expenses. Good businessmen are always looking for ways to cut costs. But they also understand which areas require top quality.

Who is the target market?

Food enthusiasts who are passionate about artisan cheeses. Cheese isn’t just something they eat, it is, in a sense, a way of life. They enjoy conversations about the various types of cheeses and which regions produce the best cheese. They savor cheese platters and have friends who share the same passion. These are the individuals that will not only become regulars, they’ll become friends. And they will tell all their friends.

How does a cheese shop make money?

Cheese shops generate revenue through individual and bulk sales of their inventory of cheese and accompanying products.

How much can you charge customers?

Prices vary from cheese to cheese and producer to producer. Cheese shop owners report a profit margin of 35%, although some gourmet food margins can go as high as 100%.

How much profit can a cheese shop make?

The average annual sales for a shop carrying 125-150 cheeses is between $750,000 and $1.6 million. Subtract annual expenses from total sales and most have realized a significant profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

There are several strategies you can implement to ensure a more profitable business:

  • Cross-merchandising – Offer a variety of items to complement your cheese stock. This could include anything from crackers and honey, to artisan bread, condiments, and nuts. Some cheese shops have even found success carrying complementing kitchenware and books on cheese.
  • Sell part of your inventory in bulk to local restaurants – Restaurants that offer cheese plates or prefer high-quality ingredients in their dishes can be a great source of income. Build relationships with just a few restaurants and you’ve added some stability to your company’s revenue.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your cheese shop is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your cheese shop were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

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Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a cheese shop. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Food establishments are randomly inspected by the local health department on a regular basis. These inspections will check for compliance with local health laws, typically related to the prevention of food contamination. Tips for faring well on a health inspection can be found here.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A cheese shop is generally run out of a small retail location. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a cheese shop.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build your cheese shop:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your cheese shop will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Cheese Shop needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Cheese Shop.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a cheese shop

For many, wine and cheese go hand in hand. Selling wine, however, often requires additional licensing, so many cheese shop owners leave the wine to the wine experts. If this is the route you choose, consider developing relationships with your local wine shops. By partnering with them to offer discounts to customers who shop at both, you ensure a steady flow of regular customers.

This is a great start, but it won’t be enough to turn a real profit. Many cheese shop owners have found success through old-fashioned marketing methods such as newspaper ads, community paper ads, and door-to-door leaflet drop at homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. One shop owner generated a 20% response from his door-to-door strategy, which included a handwritten note on each leaflet.

Social media is the most effective (and affordable) marketing method for the modern small businessman. This is a wonderful platform for sharing the shop’s deals, promotions, and discounts with your current followers. Fans will share your posts, helping you reach a broader audience.

Contact local food bloggers and invite them in for a taste of your products. Ask to appear as a guest blogger, which would assist in getting your name out there and establishing yourself as a leader in your industry.

How to keep customers coming back

Location will be a huge part of building a strong customer base. Make sure your storefront is visually appealing and reflects the persona you’re trying to convey.

To create a loyal following, offer each customer a personalized experience, where you pass on your product knowledge. Offer a variety of different products and maintain high-quality control at all times, setting you apart from the competition.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that make the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The cheese business is right for foodies who are particularly passionate about cheese and everything that goes with it. The food industry requires hard work and dedication, so you must also be open-minded, willing to take risks, and continuously evolving and growing your business.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a cheese shop?

A cheese market entrepreneur’s days are centered around cheese. Relationships with cheese producers must be built and nurtured. Inventory is restocked on a regular basis to assure fresh, quality product.

Customers will come to you for advice, so it’s important that you and your staff are continuously educated on the latest trends, packaging and storage methods, and pairing options. Depending upon the cheese, some cheese wheels will be cut-to-order, while others are pre-cut and packaged for customer convenience.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful cheese shop?

If you’re considering this career choice, you likely know a good bit about cheese already. The cheese trade is, however, much more intricate than most of us realize. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to spend some time engulfed in the industry, learning the ins and outs of the trade. You’ll gain invaluable knowledge regarding the regions, styles, and pairings, and offer a deeper understanding of the creation and distributing trades. This experience will also offer you the opportunity to network and connect with cheesemakers and distributors in your area. If you’re unsure where to begin, the American Cheese Society offers a wealth of information on everything from cheese educators to conferences and suppliers.

Once you’ve gained this knowledge and experience, your passion for everything cheese will influence you to work hard, be flexible, and continuously strive to grow and ameliorate your business.

What is the growth potential for a cheese shop?

With more and more consumers realizing their devotion to cheese, the industry has realized a spike in growth over the last decade. With an expected increase in value to over $100 billion by 2019, it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Despite its continued growth, however, many shop owners choose to maintain small, Mom and Pop stores. This keeps overhead costs down and ensures the intimate setting that food lovers associate with food and wine.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a cheese shop?

  • Location is top priority. Choose a community that is most likely to want your product. Try to situate yourself close to complementing businesses, such as wine shops.
  • Stock shelves with items that can sell within 2-4 weeks.
  • Store cheeses at 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit and in butcher or waxed paper. Store away from fans, direct sunlight, and vents.
  • Avoid pre-cutting whenever possible.
  • For items you must pre-cut, take care to not slice too thin or too small. This helps keep proper moisture inside.
  • Encourage customers to try the cheeses. Always taste the cheese first before offering it to a customer.
  • Offer competitive prices, but don’t sell yourself short. Cheese lovers are willing to pay extra for quality products and are suspicious of rock-bottom prices.

How and when to build a team

The number of employees you employ will depend upon the hours you keep. You’ll want at least two staff members present at all times to ensure the shelves are stocked and the customers are given the attention they deserve. It’s critical that you have a knowledgeable staff who is passionate about cheese. Choose staff members who are a little older and more experienced – individuals your clients can relate to.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading