If you are sick of working for someone else and want to be your own boss, one great idea is to open a sandwich shop. Of course before you embark on this type of endeavor, you must carefully consider a variety of factors in order to give the business a good chance to succeed. This article takes an in-depth look at three of the most crucial aspects of starting a sandwich shop: how to enter the market, finding a good location and food safety laws. 

Entering the Market 

You basically have three main choices on how to enter the market: buying a franchise, buying an existing store, or creating your own store. Let's take a closer look at these options. 

• Franchise 
  • Buying a franchise allows you take advantage of a successful business model. In some cases, the franchisor will offer you training as well. On the downside, most franchises have various rules and procedures that you must follow, which gives you little room to innovate. Look into restaurants in your area, such as Pickleman's, to see if they are expanding.
• Existing Store
  • Purchasing an existing sandwich shop may seem like a good idea, as the business is already up and running, but there are some hidden dangers. For instance, the owner might not be telling the complete truth about the business's finances. Also, it's difficult to accurately determine the condition of the store's equipment until you actually take over. 
• New Store 
  • Starting a new store of your own gives you complete control of all aspects of the shop. The process requires a lot of time and dedication, however, and some people might prefer a more turn-key operation. 

Location 

Of course, anyone who has purchased a home knows that location is critical and this applies to commercial enterprises, such as sandwich shops, also. Make certain that you research the demographics of the area thoroughly. For example, if you plan to open an upscale shop with more expensive items, you will want a location where the average income is high. Another key consideration is to pick a spot close to your main competitors, so that you can take advantage of their traffic and marketing. 

Laws 

As a food provider, you must comply with all of the local health laws and regulations in order to avoid potential legal problems. The Small Business Administration advises food providers to obtain a copy of the local food safety health codes and refer to them as needed. 

Opening a sandwich shop is an idea with a lot of appeal. Just make certain that you do a lot of research on the subject before making a commitment.