Frozen Food Business Plan

by Nancy Wagner, Demand Media
Selling frozen foods requires knowing the types of foods your target market wants to eat.


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Products in the frozen food section are experiencing stagnant or declining sales, according to "AdAge." This news make a business plan more necessary than ever to make sure the market is available for your frozen food items. Whether you plan to sell frozen food locally or transport it to grocery stores across the country, a business plan also helps you determine how much money you need to build your business until it becomes profitable.

Product Description

Explain where the food you plan to sell comes from. If you want to freeze your own food, describe the farms from which you get produce or the manufacturers that provide the ingredients for your dishes. Describe how you’ll process, package and freeze the food. Mention any technology you plan to use to make the food taste fresh or eliminate inconsistent heating, such as special steaming or baking trays. If you plan to sell ready-made frozen food, describe the manufacturers from whom you’ll get your product, and explain the types of foods you plan to sell.

Equipment Required

Freezer space is a critical aspect of running a frozen food business, so explain how many freezers you plan to use to store your food until it’s ready to ship or be sold. If you plan to manufacture and freeze your own food, explain the process and what types of equipment you need to get fresh food into sealed packages ready for the freezer. Manufacturing your own food means you must obey state and federal health and safety standards, so detail how you plan to handle the logistics of safely prepping, packaging and freezing the food. To sell food locally, describe the types of delivery vehicles you plan to use.


Take a close look at the industry, including the market for frozen food and who buys it. If you sell directly to consumers, explain the demand in your local area or the consumers willing to buy frozen food online. Selling to grocery stores and restaurants requires identifying the size of the businesses and the types of foods they buy. Study your competitors, including large companies that stock grocery stores with frozen food and companies that deliver locally. Mention trends that may affect your business, such as challenges to the market from health and nutrition entities that say fresh food is better.


The marketing section of the business plan explains how you’ll sell your products. If you plan to package your own foods, explain how your packaging and label will persuade people to buy the food. This section also covers any promotions you plan to help people learn about your frozen foods and to help them buy the food, such as promotions through a retail store or website. Talking to wholesale buyers at grocery stores or restaurants is another aspect of your plan to consider if you want to manufacture and sell your own frozen food.


Estimate the expenses for and profits from selling frozen foods for three years to find out how much money you need to get the business off the ground. Include the cost of equipment, such as freezers and delivery vans, in your expenses. Calculate the prices you plan to charge for your food, and determine how much you need to sell to keep your cash flow steady.

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