Candy and snack franchises conduct business in a wide range of locations from shops in strip malls to vending machines. Whether your business focuses on chocolate and sweets or health-conscious snacks, candy and snack franchises typically appeal to consumers by offering variety and convenience. Depending on the type of franchise you own, candy and snack franchises can include beverages, ice cream, baked goods, and/or small gifts to provide additional revenue streams.
The marketing challenge you will face as a candy business owner is how to bring in the broadest possible audience to purchase from your store. The sales you make in a candy business tend to be relatively low value – just a few dollars at a time – so you need a lot of volume to make it work. Appealing to a big audience can be achieved in several ways.
Diverse Product Lineup
Diversifying your products is a great place to start. Do your best to diversify your product lineup to make sure something in your shop suits everyone’s tastes. Some businesses can benefit from keeping things simple and limiting their product line, but that will be tough for a candy franchise. With the need to make so many sales, you don’t want to let any opportunity slip by. So, find a place in your shop for as many different flavors and styles of candy as possible, while perhaps specializing in one type of treat to build your name in the community.
The Right Atmosphere
You want to make sure that everyone walking by your candy shop feels welcome and comfortable coming inside. If you design the décor too strongly in one direction – for example if the store feels like it is meant only for kids – some of your potential customers might not want to enter. You can certainly have fun with the décor and make it a memorable place to visit, but you also don’t want to exclude anyone who may have been happy to spend money with you.
Carefully Chosen Location
We can’t wrap up this discussion without mentioning the importance of location. Rarely will a candy store be the primary destination for a shopping trip – more likely, you’ll be an additional stop when people are out looking for other things. So, locate your business in an area with plenty of foot traffic throughout all times of the year.
