Want to know all about how to start a popcorn business in Nigeria, read this, it’s got useful tips that will help you succeed.
If you’re looking for a small-scale business or a side hustle from which you can make a good profit, one of those businesses is producing and selling popcorn.
Popcorn business is one of the small scale business ideas you can start with a very little amount of money and make it big with proper planning and good marketing.
Did you know that you don’t have to own a movie theater or concession stand to profit from popcorn?
The tradition of eating popcorn during movies is still continuing. Popcorn is a favorite snack in which if properly planned and packaged, it can be made a lasting business that will earn a very huge profit; it is not just a snack for some certain set of people.
Popcorn is eaten by different ages and classes of people, even when people think it is only consumed by children alone, lo and behold, it is eaten by both adult and children, old and young and this has created a very good market for the snack.
If not everybody, then almost everybody buys and eats it, especially if you have got packaging that’s quite attractive and fascinating.
Popcorn has become one of the beloved snacks all around the world. They are not only enjoyed in cinemas, rather people love eating them at home, carnivals, outside the schools and other festive occasions.
They are packed in well-designed popcorn boxes to make them more tempting for the customers. These popcorn containers are designed in different shapes and themes depending upon the requirement.
You will also agree with me that this snack is also use in occasions as part of the snacks served, and the major material for this snack which is corn that is readily available in this part of the world.
Why Popcorn Business Is Profitable
- It is eaten by all age groups for many reasons.
- It does not involve much capital to start
- It has an already existing market
- It can be started in small scale and large scale
- The basic raw material is always readily available
- Selling fast at cinemas at high prices
- Can be sold any time of the day
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Popcorn Business can be started from home. The best thing about starting a popcorn business from home is that requires less investment.
You can start it with a minimum budget and expect a higher profit margin. However, before you start the business, you will need to take some steps towards a successful popcorn establishment.
The following are the steps needed:
Step 1 – Conduct Market Research
Before you step into a popcorn business, it is necessary to conduct research on the market, customers, and competitors.
Find out about existing businesses. Learn about their practices, pricing, and quality of products.
You can’t afford to be less in quality than your competitors to succeed in the field. Be unique by offering something different than what people are used to.
You have to also think about the packaging of your products. Getting wholesale popcorn boxes will prove cost-effective. After analyzing various details, finalize who will be your target customers.
You need to decide the type of business you wish to start. Either you can sell popcorn online. Create a website of your own and start taking orders directly from the customers.
You have another option. Supply your products to local shops or retail outlets in your area. This is a good option as a beginner as it helps you in creating a large customer base and generates goodwill.
The following are some of the options that can be considered: School kids, Restaurant and Hotels, Shopping malls, Movie halls, Religious places or fairs, Offices, People at Fairs and carnivals.
At this planning stage arrange for your capital. It could be you have some savings but will need more financial assistance from family members and friends.
Step 2 – Acquire Training
You don’t come into what you don’t know anything about, it very necessary you seek and learn about the process of producing popcorn.
“The first law of any investment is an investigation”
You may have to spend a little in getting the needed knowledge from a good caterer. The processes involved in popping corn and handling the machines used are not complex issues; you can get it within 2 days of learning and practice.
Step 3 – Choose a Good Location
This is a very crucial and important part of any business that is intended to grow.
During the market research stage where you conduct a feasibility study on the business, you must have come across different locations good for the business.
A location could be any place where you sell your products or your physical presence where potential customers can find you. You wouldn’t want to raise a business where there’s no good market for it, in choosing this you need to really know your market, set your target.
Locations like school areas like tertiary, secondary or primary schools, garage, market area, where a lot of people come to always, are a very good point for this kind of market. It will give you access to quick-growth if you plant your business in an area where your service is readily needed.
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Step 4 – Get the Necessary Equipment and Materials
Popcorn Maker
One of the important equipment needed is a popcorn making machine that can otherwise be called popcorn maker.
This is the machine that helps you in producing the popcorn. Buying one for start is advisable, you can buy more as you grow in the business.
There are varieties of this particular machine, depending on how much you can afford. For a start, it is advisable to buy the one that is usable in the absence of electricity, there’s this type that uses both electricity and gas so that you can easily switch if there’s no electricity.
To also allow varieties in your business you can get the type that produces both sugar and salt popcorn because you will be having different customers with different tastes.
Sealing Machine
The second important piece of equipment you may need is a sealing machine. Notice the word “may need” because there are different ways you can serve your popcorn to your customers.
It is needed if you want to sell packed popcorn. The manual sealing machine is powered by electricity while you control the sealing manually.
You just position the popcorn-filled nylon on the machine and pressed the ‘handle like’ controller on the nylon edge and it will be sealed by the hot rim. You will get better information on how to operate it from the accompanying manual.
Container
A big container is another material you will need. It is fabricated from aluminum and glass and is popularly known as show glass.
After making the popcorn, you will pour it in here. It serves as a good display of your tantalizing popcorn to passerby. Interestingly, popcorn makers can be installed inside this show glass.
Branded serving containers. This could be cardboard popcorn boxes of different sizes or branded nylon. This is a big deal because to stay ahead of your competitors in this business, your strongest selling point should be your brand.
Make sure your package nylon or containers are well branded. It’s not enough to just write your business name and phone number on them, create an attractive brand for your popcorn business.
Take a clue from the eateries and see how their packages are professionally branded with good and quality designed pictures and graphics, complete with professional logo.
That’s what sells in business — all popcorn may be the same but your brand could make yours different in the eyes of consumers.
Step 5 – Gather Raw Materials
In order to get high-quality raw material, you need to find good suppliers.
Generate the list of suppliers in your area. Analyze their cost and quality and finalize the best one.
Corn is the major raw material needed in producing popcorn, it will be advisable to get your corn in a bulk purchase so as to maximize your profit.
The corn that should be used for this product should be moist. You’ll also need salt, sugar, and butter which are other raw materials you need for starting a popcorn business.
These ingredients are needed to add taste to your popcorn. Find a local supplier who can supply them in large volumes
First, make a price analysis and compare it with other suppliers of your area. Finalize the supplier with the most affordable price.
You can make different types of popcorn by adding different flavors, colors, and spices. You can also use vegetable oil and add milk to get a good and tasty result to bring. Get command over mixing them in the correct proportion to get the desired taste.
Step 6 – Marketing Strategies
This will also enhance your sale, be kind of unique don’t go as everyone goes, if you desire to sell more than everyone, brand your stuff, have well designed label, choose a unique and easy-to-pronounce name on your label.
If your branding is attractive enough you will be surprised at the increase in your sale. Request for feedback from customers so that you will do what suits them and not you, so as not to be the one to always be eating your stuff.
Talk to Supermarkets and shop owners, you will be surprised by the positive response you will get if your branding is attractive enough.
Because of its low cost and high-profit margin, popcorn can be used as a smart and rewarding promotional tool at your concession stand or special event.
Create combination bundles such as popcorn and a large soda, candy, and a small popcorn, or buy one get one free for medium popcorns.
Offering free popcorn for children is another effective incentive to draw parents or family members in who may not otherwise make a purchase.
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How to Start Popcorn Business Summary
All these steps will help you in starting a popcorn business with a minimum budget. It is recommended to start a small scale business in the beginning.
Create a good customer base and generate goodwill. Gain more experience and expertise in the field so that you can easily expand your popcorn business.
If you start this business, it can potentially become very lucrative and bring you a lot of income. You only have to know the primary requirements for starting and developing this business.
Popcorn business is one of the very lucrative businesses you can start with a little amount of money and make it big with proper planning and good marketing. Very few people know how profitable this business is, but you do now.
So make plans to start now and enjoy seeing your business growing and expanding.
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Thanks for this information. I really learnt alot, hopefully I will start mine very soon.