Instructions

1. Choose a recipe or wholesaler for your popcorn. You will need to decide if you are going to start with your own recipe or choose a tried and true one from a popcorn wholesaler. If you are going to use a wholesaler, ask for price lists to help you determine how much you will need to sell your popcorn for in order to make a profit. If you are choosing to use your own recipe, make a list of ingredients and costs to decide what you will need to charge in order to profit. Lots of taste testing will be the fun and easy part of this task.

2. Find a location for your popcorn business. It is prudent to be in an area geared towards food, such as a food court in a mall. This helps you get customers who happen to be walking by while hungry. Kiosks throughout a shopping center can also be a lucrative choice. Get prices for rent and any other associated costs before making your decision.

3. Package your popcorn in either bags, boxes, cans, or another packaging you decide on. Make sure that you buy in bulk to get the best pricing possible to cut down on your costs and increase your profit margins.

4. Market your business. Give out samples around the shopping area to entice customers to buy some of your popcorn. Give out promotional items of your choice so that customers remember your company name and you start to build brand recognition. Order promotional items from office supply or marketing companies. Take ads out in your local paper to announce a grand opening. Any marketing you can do to bring in customers to your store will increase your profit potential.

5. Contact local groups who may want to use your popcorn as fundraisers. While this may not be a primary profit maker, it is a good way to get your name out there and allow other people to sell your goods. Make sure to offer a fair profit to the fundraiser to ensure that they will return to you in the future for additional programs.