Pop culture television is proving one thing to be true: Cupcakes aren’t a fad that are going away anytime soon. Tune into the Food Network and you’ll see a television show dedicated to this beloved sweet treat: Cupcake Wars. This show puts cupcakes front and center and now, more people are giving in to temptation to devour these delicious treats.
The new popularity has some franchise owners wondering, is now the time to open up a cupcake franchise? We think so. Here are four reasons why.
1. The Wedding Industry Has Opened Up New Doors
In the past, bakers used to focus wedding cakes exclusively on tier levels. Now, with budgets for weddings getting slashed, more brides and grooms have turned their focus toward cupcakes for guests instead of slices. That’s meant that the cupcake industry has started to pick up by catering to large events, like weddings.
Those types of bulk orders are music to any cupcake shop-owner’s ears, as they mean free advertising in front of potential customers and an opportunity to make big revenues off these sweet treats.
2. Countering the Health Fad
In past years, the market saw more juice bars and gyms opening up on every block. Today, the pendulum has swung back, away from the health fad and toward self-rewards through sugary cupcakes. More consumers are giving themselves permission to indulge, which means cupcake shops are reaping the rewards of this new trend. Other franchises, like Le Macaron and The Dapper Doughnut that operate in this same vein – quick indulgence – have seen tremendous success too.
3. Economically Sound
It’s not just the frugal brides and grooms, and consumers who want to indulge that are building up the cupcake industry. It’s also any consumer who is looking for a quick pick-me-up without breaking the bank.
Cupcakes are indulgent. They’re also small, and so they’re affordable for most people looking for a guilty pleasure. This is a double whammy that works in the cupcake industry’s favor. Consumers can splurge easier without breaking the bank, making them more likely to stop into one of the cupcake franchises and buy.
4. Location Independence
Cupcakes aren’t seasonal. Unlike ice cream, which tends to be sold most during the hot summer months, cupcakes are easy to enjoy year round. That means you won’t have to deal with a steep market ebb and flow, no matter what climate you’re located in. Customers will still flock to you rain, shine, snow, or sleet.
Will You Start a Cupcake Franchise?
Cupcakes might feel indulgent for the consumer, but when it comes to opening a franchise, they’re sound for the franchise owner. Franchises featuring these delicious treats have skyrocketed in popularity and there’s no end in sight for their success.
Susan Guillory is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, a marketing firm specializing in content writing and social media management. She’s written three business books, including How to Get More Customers With Press Releases, and frequently blogs about small business and marketing on sites including Forbes, AllBusiness, The Marketing Eggspert Blog, and Tweak Your Biz. Follow her on Twitter @eggmarketing.