How to Start a Pie Selling Business

For those who excel in baking and have a passion for pies, selling pies offers an opportunity to express yourself while making profits. The pie business offers several avenues for self-starters, including selling your creations to individuals, restaurants, bakeries and retail outlets. A proper selection of pie types and flavors, based on popularity and market trends, combined with appropriate advertising and marketing can help turn your passion into a successful and rewarding business.

Develop a plan. Prepare a business plan which focuses on the concept, profitability and organization of your pie business. This should include detailed research on costs of pie production, market trends and a close examination of competitors. Competitors will include businesses such as local bakeries and local produce markets, which sometimes feature home-baked goods. The U.S. Small Business Administration website offers resources for business plan development.

Determine your location. Location will impact your production levels, license requirements and capital requirements. Starting a pie business out of your home can provide the ability to learn business basics and generate money for expansion in the future, but check with your local environmental health or zoning departments about rules regarding operating a food business out of your home. In addition, some local churches and restaurants may rent commercial kitchen space for small businesses. Larger spaces, purchased or leased, provide an opportunity to expand as necessary, and a storefront for your pie business.

Register your pie business. Request an employer identification number, or EIN, from the Internal Revenue Service for taxation purposes. Register your business with your state's secretary of state office for state taxation and registration purposes, and consider trademarking unique or unusual pie names with your state's secretary of state office as well.

Obtain appropriate licenses and follow applicable local regulations. Contact your local health department and zoning commission to verify regulations, whether you choose to operate a pie business out of your home or open a traditional store location. Verify that any kitchen space you rent operates under appropriate health department regulations. Conform to any local or state regulations relating to the labeling of pies.

Advertise and market your business. Contact local retailers, restaurants and specialty shops and inquire into selling pies wholesale. Host a sampling party at your store or pass samples out at local events, including festivals and fairs. Feature a booth at local events, including regional farmer's markets, to help provide profits while getting the word out about your creations, whether you produce your pies at home or in a traditional store-front.