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550+ Business Plan Examples to Launch Your Business

Need help writing your business plan? Explore over 550 industry-specific business plan examples for inspiration.

Find your business plan example

Accounting, Insurance & Compliance Business Plans

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Children & Pets Business Plans

• Children's Education & Recreation
• View All 33

Cleaning, Repairs & Maintenance Business Plans

• Auto Detail & Repair
• Cleaning Products
• View All 39

Clothing & Fashion Brand Business Plans

• Clothing & Fashion Design
• View All 26

Construction, Architecture & Engineering Business Plans

• Architecture
• Construction
• View All 46

Consulting, Advertising & Marketing Business Plans

• Advertising
• View All 54

Education Business Plans

• Education Consulting
• Education Products

Business plan template: There's an easier way to get your business plan done.

Entertainment & Recreation Business Plans

• Entertainment
• Film & Television
• View All 60

Events Business Plans

• Event Planning
• View All 17

Farm & Agriculture Business Plans

• Agri-tourism
• Agriculture Consulting
• View All 16

Finance & Investing Business Plans

• Financial Planning
• View All 10

Fine Art & Crafts Business Plans

Fitness & Beauty Business Plans

• Salon & Spa
• View All 35

Food and Beverage Business Plans

• Bar & Brewery
• View All 77

Hotel & Lodging Business Plans

• Bed and Breakfast

IT, Staffing & Customer Service Business Plans

• Administrative Services
• Customer Service
• View All 22

Manufacturing & Wholesale Business Plans

• Cleaning & Cosmetics Manufacturing
• View All 68

Medical & Health Business Plans

• Dental Practice
• Health Administration
• View All 41

Nonprofit Business Plans

• Co-op Nonprofit
• Food & Housing Nonprofit
• View All 13

Real Estate & Rentals Business Plans

• Equipment Rental

Retail & Ecommerce Business Plans

• Car Dealership
• View All 116

Technology Business Plans

• Apps & Software
• Communication Technology

Transportation, Travel & Logistics Business Plans

• Airline, Taxi & Shuttle
• View All 62

View all sample business plans

Example business plan format

Before you start exploring our library of business plan examples, it's worth taking the time to understand the traditional business plan format . You'll find that the plans in this library and most investor-approved business plans will include the following sections:

Executive summary

The executive summary is an overview of your business and your plans. It comes first in your plan and is ideally only one to two pages. You should also plan to write this section last after you've written your full business plan.

Your executive summary should include a summary of the problem you are solving, a description of your product or service, an overview of your target market, a brief description of your team, a summary of your financials, and your funding requirements (if you are raising money).

Products & services

The products & services chapter of your business plan is where the real meat of your plan lives. It includes information about the problem that you're solving, your solution, and any traction that proves that it truly meets the need you identified.

This is your chance to explain why you're in business and that people care about what you offer. It needs to go beyond a simple product or service description and get to the heart of why your business works and benefits your customers.

Market analysis

Conducting a market analysis ensures that you fully understand the market that you're entering and who you'll be selling to. This section is where you will showcase all of the information about your potential customers. You'll cover your target market as well as information about the growth of your market and your industry. Focus on outlining why the market you're entering is viable and creating a realistic persona for your ideal customer base.

Competition

Part of defining your opportunity is determining what your competitive advantage may be. To do this effectively you need to get to know your competitors just as well as your target customers. Every business will have competition, if you don't then you're either in a very young industry or there's a good reason no one is pursuing this specific venture.

To succeed, you want to be sure you know who your competitors are, how they operate, necessary financial benchmarks, and how you're business will be positioned. Start by identifying who your competitors are or will be during your market research. Then leverage competitive analysis tools like the competitive matrix and positioning map to solidify where your business stands in relation to the competition.

Marketing & sales

The marketing and sales plan section of your business plan details how you plan to reach your target market segments. You'll address how you plan on selling to those target markets, what your pricing plan is, and what types of activities and partnerships you need to make your business a success.

The operations section covers the day-to-day workflows for your business to deliver your product or service. What's included here fully depends on the type of business. Typically you can expect to add details on your business location, sourcing and fulfillment, use of technology, and any partnerships or agreements that are in place.

Milestones & metrics

The milestones section is where you lay out strategic milestones to reach your business goals.

A good milestone clearly lays out the parameters of the task at hand and sets expectations for its execution. You'll want to include a description of the task, a proposed due date, who is responsible, and eventually a budget that's attached. You don't need extensive project planning in this section, just key milestones that you want to hit and when you plan to hit them.

You should also discuss key metrics, which are the numbers you will track to determine your success. Some common data points worth tracking include conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, profit, etc.

Company & team

Use this section to describe your current team and who you need to hire. If you intend to pursue funding, you'll need to highlight the relevant experience of your team members. Basically, this is where you prove that this is the right team to successfully start and grow the business. You will also need to provide a quick overview of your legal structure and history if you're already up and running.

Financial projections

Your financial plan should include a sales and revenue forecast, profit and loss statement, cash flow statement, and a balance sheet. You may not have established financials of any kind at this stage. Not to worry, rather than getting all of the details ironed out, focus on making projections and strategic forecasts for your business. You can always update your financial statements as you begin operations and start bringing in actual accounting data.

Now, if you intend to pitch to investors or submit a loan application, you'll also need a "use of funds" report in this section. This outlines how you intend to leverage any funding for your business and how much you're looking to acquire. Like the rest of your financials, this can always be updated later on.

The appendix isn't a required element of your business plan. However, it is a useful place to add any charts, tables, definitions, legal notes, or other critical information that supports your plan. These are often lengthier or out-of-place information that simply didn't work naturally into the structure of your plan. You'll notice that in these business plan examples, the appendix mainly includes extended financial statements.

Types of business plans explained

While all business plans cover similar categories, the style and function fully depend on how you intend to use your plan. To get the most out of your plan, it's best to find a format that suits your needs. Here are a few common business plan types worth considering.

Traditional business plan

The tried-and-true traditional business plan is a formal document meant to be used for external purposes. Typically this is the type of plan you'll need when applying for funding or pitching to investors. It can also be used when training or hiring employees, working with vendors, or in any other situation where the full details of your business must be understood by another individual.

Business model canvas

The business model canvas is a one-page template designed to demystify the business planning process. It removes the need for a traditional, copy-heavy business plan, in favor of a single-page outline that can help you and outside parties better explore your business idea.

The structure ditches a linear format in favor of a cell-based template. It encourages you to build connections between every element of your business. It's faster to write out and update, and much easier for you, your team, and anyone else to visualize your business operations.

One-page business plan

The true middle ground between the business model canvas and a traditional business plan is the one-page business plan . This format is a simplified version of the traditional plan that focuses on the core aspects of your business.

By starting with a one-page plan , you give yourself a minimal document to build from. You'll typically stick with bullet points and single sentences making it much easier to elaborate or expand sections into a longer-form business plan.

Growth planning

Growth planning is more than a specific type of business plan. It's a methodology. It takes the simplicity and styling of the one-page business plan and turns it into a process for you to continuously plan, forecast, review, and refine based on your performance.

It holds all of the benefits of the single-page plan, including the potential to complete it in as little as 27 minutes . However, it's even easier to convert into a more detailed plan thanks to how heavily it's tied to your financials. The overall goal of growth planning isn't to just produce documents that you use once and shelve. Instead, the growth planning process helps you build a healthier company that thrives in times of growth and remain stable through times of crisis.

It's faster, keeps your plan concise, and ensures that your plan is always up-to-date.

Download a free sample business plan template

Ready to start writing your own plan but aren't sure where to start? Download our free business plan template that's been updated for 2024.

This simple, modern, investor-approved business plan template is designed to make planning easy. It's a proven format that has helped over 1 million businesses write business plans for bank loans, funding pitches, business expansion, and even business sales. It includes additional instructions for how to write each section and is formatted to be SBA-lender approved. All you need to do is fill in the blanks.

How to use an example business plan to help you write your own

How do you know what elements need to be included in your business plan, especially if you've never written one before? Looking at examples can help you visualize what a full, traditional plan looks like, so you know what you're aiming for before you get started. Here's how to get the most out of a sample business plan.

Choose a business plan example from a similar type of company

You don't need to find an example business plan that's an exact fit for your business. Your business location, target market, and even your particular product or service may not match up exactly with the plans in our gallery. But, you don't need an exact match for it to be helpful. Instead, look for a plan that's related to the type of business you're starting.

For example, if you want to start a vegetarian restaurant, a plan for a steakhouse can be a great match. While the specifics of your actual startup will differ, the elements you'd want to include in your restaurant's business plan are likely to be very similar.

Use a business plan example as a guide

Every startup and small business is unique, so you'll want to avoid copying an example business plan word for word. It just won't be as helpful, since each business is unique. You want your plan to be a useful tool for starting a business —and getting funding if you need it.

One of the key benefits of writing a business plan is simply going through the process. When you sit down to write, you'll naturally think through important pieces, like your startup costs, your target market , and any market analysis or research you'll need to do to be successful.

You'll also look at where you stand among your competition (and everyone has competition), and lay out your goals and the milestones you'll need to meet. Looking at an example business plan's financials section can be helpful because you can see what should be included, but take them with a grain of salt. Don't assume that financial projections for a sample company will fit your own small business.

If you're looking for more resources to help you get started, our business planning guide is a good place to start. You can also download our free business plan template .

Think of business planning as a process, instead of a document

Think about business planning as something you do often , rather than a document you create once and never look at again. If you take the time to write a plan that really fits your own company, it will be a better, more useful tool to grow your business. It should also make it easier to share your vision and strategy so everyone on your team is on the same page.

Adjust your plan regularly to use it as a business management tool

Keep in mind that businesses that use their plan as a management tool to help run their business grow 30 percent faster than those businesses that don't. For that to be true for your company, you'll think of a part of your business planning process as tracking your actual results against your financial forecast on a regular basis.

If things are going well, your plan will help you think about how you can re-invest in your business. If you find that you're not meeting goals, you might need to adjust your budgets or your sales forecast. Either way, tracking your progress compared to your plan can help you adjust quickly when you identify challenges and opportunities—it's one of the most powerful things you can do to grow your business.

Prepare to pitch your business

If you're planning to pitch your business to investors or seek out any funding, you'll need a pitch deck to accompany your business plan. A pitch deck is designed to inform people about your business. You want your pitch deck to be short and easy to follow, so it's best to keep your presentation under 20 slides.

Your pitch deck and pitch presentation are likely some of the first things that an investor will see to learn more about your company. So, you need to be informative and pique their interest. Luckily, just like you can leverage an example business plan template to write your plan, we also have a gallery of over 50 pitch decks for you to reference.

With this gallery, you have the option to view specific industry pitches or get inspired by real-world pitch deck examples.

Ready to get started?

Now that you know how to use an example business plan to help you write a plan for your business, it's time to find the right one.

Use the search bar below to get started and find the right match for your business idea.

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Business Plan Template

Uploaded by: Dino

Description

Business Plan If your professor has special instructions for formatting your report be sure to follow them.

[Address] Telephone: [Phone Number] Contact: [Your Name]

[Confidentiality Statement] Contents Include a table of contents so that investors can quickly find the information they are looking for.

2 Introduction Include the general nature of the business, what your[Background] product or service is and why it is unique, and why you believe the business will be successful.[Summary of financial needs]

Revise this section after you complete a detailed financial plan.

3 Write the Executive Summary section last!Executive Summary[Company information] What product or service do you provide? What is your[Market opportunity] competitive advantage? When will the company be formed? What are your company objectives? What is the background of you and your management team?

Business Plan Template

Uploaded by: Dino

Description

Business Plan If your professor has special instructions for formatting your report be sure to follow them.

[Address] Telephone: [Phone Number] Contact: [Your Name]

[Confidentiality Statement] Contents Include a table of contents so that investors can quickly find the information they are looking for.

2 Introduction Include the general nature of the business, what your[Background] product or service is and why it is unique, and why you believe the business will be successful.[Summary of financial needs]

Revise this section after you complete a detailed financial plan.

3 Write the Executive Summary section last!Executive Summary[Company information] What product or service do you provide? What is your[Market opportunity] competitive advantage? When will the company be formed? What are your company objectives? What is the background of you and your management team?

What is the expected size and growth rate of your market, your expected market share, and any relevant market trends?

4 Benefits to the CommunityEconomic Development[Describe jobs created by the business][How will purchases for the business help other local businesses?][Any additional information]Community Development[How will the company's goods/services help the community?][Any additional information]Human Development[How will the business help its employees?][Any additional information]

Company AnalysisForm of Business Ownership[Will your business be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation? Why?][Describe any necessary licenses or permits and your plans for obtaining them.][Will yours be an independent business, a takeover of an existing business, an expansionof an existing business, or a franchise?][Any additional information]About the Company[If you are taking over or expanding an existing business, describe any relevant history.][How will the business satisfy customer needs?][How did you choose and develop the company's products/services, and how are theyunique?][Any additional information]

Industry Analysis[In what industry does the business operate?][Who are the competitors?][Have any other businesses recently entered or exited the industry?][How will the business be profitable, and what are the growth opportunities?][Describe any e-business opportunities.][Any additional information]

5 Include a résumé for each keyManagement Team person in the Appendix.

[Who are the key members of the business team?][How will the company be structured?] Include an organizational chart in the Appendix.[How is the team balanced in terms of skills?][What is the company's management philosophy and culture? What is your leadershipstyle?][Describe the key management positions and compensation for those positions.][What other professionals will assist the management team?][Any additional information]

Manufacturing and Operations PlanLocation and Space Requirements Include a floor plan in the Appendix.[Where is the planned location?][Discuss the location's proximity to customers and suppliers.][Discuss tax rates and zoning requirements for the location.][Discuss transportation issues.][Discuss utility costs.][Will you rent, lease, or purchase the facility?][Any additional information]Equipment[Will you rent or purchase equipment?] The next section covers the labor force in depth. This[Any additional information] section should discuss the labor force as it relates to your location, manufacturing, and operations plans.Labor Force[Discuss the local labor pool. Is there a sufficient quantity of skilled people to meet thebusiness's needs?][Discuss wage rates and unionization issues.][Any additional information]Inventory Control[How will you control quality, inventory, and production?][Any additional information]Purchasing Requirements[Will you make or purchase component parts to be assembled into the finished product?][Any additional information]

6 The next section covers the labor force in depth. This section should discuss the labor force as it relates to your location, manufacturing, and operations plans. Subcontractors and Suppliers[Who are your potential subcontractors and suppliers?][Any additional information]

Labor ForceLabor Requirements[How many employees are needed? Full time or part time?][What are the job qualifications?][Will you have written job descriptions?][What will you pay your employees? How does that compare with the going rate in yourregion and industry?][Any additional information]Selection, Orientation, and Training[Do you have a job application form?][What criteria will you use in selecting employees?][What orientation process will there be for new employees?][How will new employees be trained?][Any additional information]Evaluation, Policies, and Rules[How will employees be evaluated?][Will authority be delegated to employees?][How will you discipline employees?][What will you do when employees resign?][Any additional information]

Marketing PlanTarget Market(s)[What is/are your target market(s) and what common needs can the business satisfy?][What are the current needs of each target market? Describe the target market in terms ofdemographic, geographic, psychographic, and product usage characteristics.][What changes in the target market are anticipated?][What advantages and disadvantages do you have in meeting the target market’s needs?][What are the relevant aspects of consumer behavior and product use?][Any additional information]

7 Environment[What are the competitive, legal, political, economic, technological, and socioculturalfactors affecting your marketing efforts?][Any additional information] Make sure your marketing objectives are clearly written, measurable, and consistent with your overall marketing strategy.Marketing Objectives[Describe your product introduction, improvement, or innovation][State the market size in dollars and units. Indicate your primary and secondary sourcesof data and the methods used to estimate total market size and your market share.][Describe your distribution plans.][Describe your pricing objectives.] Prepare advertising samples for the Appendix.[Describe your advertising and promotion efforts.][How will the results of your marketing plan be measured and evaluated?][Any additional information] Remember, most lenders and investors insist that youFinancial Plan submit current financial statements that have been prepared by an independent CPA.Startup and Operating Needs[How much money do you have, and what is the actual amount of money you need toopen your business (start-up budget)?][How much money is needed to keep the business open (operating budget)? Prepare arealistic budget.][What sources of funding do you anticipate?][Any additional information]Financial Statements[Prepare an income statement by month for the first year of operation and by quarter forthe second and third years.][Prepare balance sheets for each of the first three years of operation.][Any additional information]Financial Analysis[Prepare a breakeven analysis. How many units of your products or service will have tobe sold to cover your costs?][Reinforce your final projections by comparing them with industry averages for yourchosen industry.][Any additional information]

8 Exit Strategy[How do you plan to get yourself (and your money) out of the business?][Do you intend to grow the business to the point of an IPO?][Do you intend to sell the business?][How will investors get their money back?][Any additional information]

Critical Risks and Assumptions[What will you do if your market develops either more slowly or more quickly thananticipated?][How will you react to competitor challenges such as underpricing or new products thatmake yours obsolete?][How will you react to favorable or unfavorable changes in the industry?][How will you react if there is a labor shortage or other labor-related issue?][How will you react if there is an erratic supply of products or raw materials?][Any additional information]

Appendix Include supplemental information, such as an organization chart, résumés of key owners and managers, a floor plan, and advertising samples.

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