Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find staff who require support?
How will I support my staff properly?
What is the initial set-up cost for a Wholefood Planet?
What staffing levels do I need to run a Wholefood Planet?
What will influence the success of a Wholefood Planet?
How do I choose a location?
Are there advantages in using the Wholefood Planet package as opposed to setting up a new Social Firm selling wholefood from scratch?
Will it be acceptable for a “non profit distributing” organisation to take a License?
Do I have to use the brand name Wholefood Planet or can I use a different name?
How do I find staff who require support?
Social Firms UK and the Wholefood Planet team will be able to put you in touch with organisations who train and support individuals who would be ready for new employment challenges.
How will I support my staff properly?
Managing and supporting staff always requires good systems which are in line with current HR legislation. The Wholefood Planet Staff Handbook will help you to set up systems as well as support your staff in an effective manner that is based on experience from years’ of employing people who require support.
In addition, often the organisations which place people with your store are available to support both you and your employees; and furthermore Social Firms UK has contact with local agencies that can also assist you in supporting your staff.
What is the initial set-up cost for a Wholefood Planet?
For a good size centre approximately £75,000 capital funding and £150,000 working capital.
(These costs are calculations based on established businesses of Daily Bread, assuming new equipment and full rentals but no finance and interest charges or fit out costs. There are of course many variables that will need to be taken into account in your business plan. Wholefood Planet Limited has a comprehensive financial model to assist with calculating the costs in relation to your specific building).
What staffing levels do I need to run a Wholefood Planet?
Initially a team of three to four can start a Wholefood Planet, but the more people who are part of the business the more revenue can be generated so it is recommended to grow the team as fast as the staff are able to train and support each other.
A model to aspire towards would comprise three supervisors and between fifteen and eighteen members of staff.
What will influence the success of a Wholefood Planet?
As with any business the person starting a Wholefood Planet needs to be passionate about it; they will need to be interested in running a Wholefood Warehouse store and managing a Social Firm. Knowledge and experience in either of these areas will definitely contribute to the success of the venture. The operations manual and support provided through the Wholefood Planet license will help the business to start with tried and tested practices and systems, developed through running the Daily Bread businesses for over a decade.
How do I choose a location?
It is important to realise that the location is a warehouse, and not a city centre retail outlet. It needs to be near good access routes for both customers and deliveries, with adequate parking for customers and access space for delivery vehicles to enter, unload and leave.
Are there advantages in using the Wholefood Planet package as opposed to setting up a new Social Firm selling wholefood from scratch?
Firstly, the licence option allows you access to many years’ of development of systems and processes that work. This short circuits the trial and error approach that many small businesses encounter. They have been honed and tested before being documented as working practices; in addition the Wholefood Planet systems are an amalgamation of best practice from two commercially sound stores running as Social Firms/Enterprises.
Secondly, you have assistance from the Wholefood Planet team of people who know how to manage a Social Firm, how to run a wholefood warehouse and how to start new enterprises. The combination of experience minimises the risks inherent in starting a new venture of this nature.
Thirdly, you will be part of a network of stores and benefit from joint purchasing, product research and marketing, in addition to being able to learn from like minded individuals or a peer group of Wholefood Planet businesses in this sector.
Do I have to use the brand name Wholefood Planet or can I use a different name?
You will be required to use the Wholefood Planet name, logo and brand on the premises and all stationery and promotional materials the words “This is an independently owned and operated business trading under Licence from the Wholefood Planet”.
Will it be acceptable for a “non profit distributing” organisation to take a Licence?
Yes, subject to the organisation subscribing to the Social Firms’ values and producing an acceptable business plan. In the business plan there will be a requirement for an individual to be appointed solely to develop the licence.