Business Planning (MGMT-407)

When creating your business plan, having access to reliable information is key. Below is a list of resources (books, websites, and databases) that provide both general and industry-specific details to help guide your planning process.

For Information on:

Industry Data and Market Research: 

Explore sources like D&B Hoovers and CBB for industry data and market research. These platforms offer valuable insights into company profiles, competitor analysis, demographics, and customer behavior that will help inform your business strategy.

Regulations, Permits, & Licensing: 

Visit the official government website of the state where you plan to operate [e.g., NYS]. There, you will find a dedicated business section offering instructions and downloadable forms to help you navigate the necessary regulations and obtain the required licenses and permits.

Staffing Requirements: 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers data on wages, employment statistics, and job descriptions for various roles, including restaurant and retail staffing.

Restaurant & Food Supply Costs: 

Websites like Restaurant Supply (WebstaurantStore, USFood) provide pricing and product catalogs for restaurant supplies and inventory management tools.

Organizations like the National Restaurant Association (NRA) offer resources on food supply costs, trends and best practices for managing restaurants.

Startup Costs & Financial Planning:

SBA (Small Business Administration): Offers detailed guides on estimating startup costs, including common expenses for different industries. They also provide financial planning tools and sample business plans.

Bplans: Provides free sample business plans that include financial sections, including cost estimates for various industries.

Financing Options (Banks & Lenders):

Visit the SBA's loan resources for information about government-backed financing options for small businesses.

Major banks like Bank of America and Chase offer small business loan calculators, financing options, and advice on business loans.

Investopedia website offers articles, guides, and tools to help understand financial terms and concepts relevant to small businesses.

Explore Score.org page for free financial templates, including startup cost calculators, and a business loan estimator tool.