There is something so enjoyable about the fresh smell of a blueberry muffins wafting through the air. Couple that with a piping hot fresh coffee and the day has started out right. Many people seek the comfort of that combination regularly, which means there is big business in muffins.

Whether you make banana muffins, pumpkin muffins, low fat muffins, corn muffins or apple muffins, building a business takes a bit more than stirring a few ingredients in a bowl. Here are some tips on how to interact with everyone from wholesale muffin sellers to muffin distributors so that you can build your business.

1. Contact muffin franchises as part of your muffins education and training.

2. Take a course or attend a seminar for muffins education and training.

3. Take a full length course or contact a supplier to complete your muffins education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Interact with franchisers as part of your muffins education and training

When it comes to learning about or operating a muffin business, one of the best source of materials is muffin franchisers. They have already done the leg-work in perfecting the product, they understand their marketplace and there is already built-in name recognition. Even if you ultimately open your own store or work in another aspect of the muffin business, seeking out franchisers who offer muffin training courses is a great place to start.

I recommend: Enroll in the training for My Favorite Muffin which is a franchise that it is offered by BAB Inc. During the course of training you'll receive an overview on everything from marketing to making the muffins for your business opportunity. Also, Muffin Break which is located in Australia and England and is looking to expand into the United States, also offers training classes. Simply fill out the franchise information form and download their manual. After a representative contacts you and you've been approved, you will be set up for training and education.

Find a seminar as part of your muffins education and training

When it comes to understanding the business of muffins, it's best to go directly to the source and learn from the experts. Seek out bakeries that offer seminars and classes in making muffins. That way you'll not only learn the tricks of the trade but actually cook in a commercial kitchen setting which is quite a bit different than using the appliances at home.

I recommend: Check out the website for Creative Culinaire. They offer seminars and workshops in commercial muffin and cup cake making several times a year. Sugar Inc. also offers several courses per year in the art of making muffins.

Enroll in a course or contact a supplier for further education on muffins

Attending a baking school will give you a background in pastry and muffin making as well as making other sweet treats like cakes and cookies. Look for a baking school in your area or online. Another aspect to check out is contacting a supplier who will give you market research material which you can incorporate in your business.

I recommend: Check out the website for AIB Online. They offer a comprehensive course on how to make muffins and biscuits, as well as the business of baking over the Internet. You can also contact a supplier like Otis Spunkmeyer as part of your training and education. Otis Spunkmeyer not only offers nutritional information, but also marketing materials and strategies on how you can boost sales. Even if you don't utilize their muffins, you can learn a lot from the valuable market research they are willing to share.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep your muffin recipes under wraps once you open your business. Remember your style of muffin (large, small or anything in between) and the taste of your muffins are the two aspects of your product that the customer is going to remember. Keeping your muffin recipe from being duplicated is of prime importance.

When you have muffins for sale in your business, whether you make them yourself or purchase them pre-made, you need to have a wide variety. Carry high quality products, as customers will return if your muffins deliver exceptional taste and a pleasing flavor.

Consider specialty muffins to cater to many different consumers. Some clients may prefer sugar-free muffins, while others think sweeter is better.

1. Choose the types of muffins for sale that will earn a place on your shelves. Consider whether you want to bake them from scratch, make muffins from a mix or pre-made batter or sell fresh or frozen muffins that you don't have to bake yourself.

2. Estimate how many muffins you need for your customers. Average the amount of customers you have, and estimate how many muffins they will buy. If you are one of many muffin sellers in the area, you may not sell as many muffins as if you are the only local muffin seller.

3. Find a wholesale baked goods supplier from which you can order your muffin ingredients or muffins. Always buy pre-made muffins from wholesale muffin distributors to maximize your profit.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make or buy low fat muffins

Some of your customers will want muffins that are low in fat and calories. Many low fat muffin recipes make delicious muffins that your customers are sure to appreciate.

I recommend: Choose from the variety of recipes for low fat muffins from Diet & Fitness Today. If you prefer to sell pre made muffins instead of baking them yourself, place an order with Little Miss Muffin, Chicago's premier specialty bakery.

Carry specialty muffins

Appeal to a wider client base by carrying specialty muffins, such as apple muffins, banana muffins, pumpkin muffins and blueberry muffins.

I recommend: Order frozen specialty muffins from Foxtail Foods that you simply heat up, or in batter form ready for you to scoop and bake. If you would prefer to bake them yourself, find almost any recipe you desire at Allrecipes. Use their calculator to convert the amount of needed ingredients to make as many muffins as you like.

Sell whole grain healthy muffins

Whole grain muffins are high in fiber and more satisfying than muffins made with white flour. They can still taste great, though, especially if you add fruits and nuts to the mix.

I recommend: To make your own whole grain corn muffins, buy muffin mixes from Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods. Visit Recipezaar for whole grain muffins that are filling and satisfying.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Present your muffins in a large display area where customers have a good view of them. Have plenty of lighting available in display areas so that foods look inviting. Display large, inviting pictures of muffins to appeal to customers while they wait in line.

The world seems so easy with a cup of coffee in one hand and a muffin in the other. A great way to ease into a day or grab a snack when time is pressing, muffins are portable and brag of simplicity. Consumers swarm to vendors who make their lives easier in some way. Choosing to enter the world of muffins will put you in a position to bring a smile to people's faces. There are a few muffins key terms and related information that might surprise you and help your business thrive even more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

E-Commerce

Many muffin stores choose to establish their presence online and need to know about e-commerce. E-commerce is the selling of goods via the Internet. To do so, a muffin business needs a Web site to show off its products.

I recommend: ECommerce-Guide.com explores the world of e-commerce and how a muffin business can benefit from selling online.

Batter

A batter is the mixture of the muffin's ingredients that is poured into muffin cups or papers and then baked.

I recommend: Quaker Oats shares the traditional method of mixing muffin batter for the best quality, best-tasting and best-looking muffins.

American-style muffins

American-style muffins are dome-shaped individual cakes that are cherished as breakfast staples or treats at other times of day. A food considered somewhere between cake and bread, the muffin is as versatile as it is savored.

I recommend: JoyofBaking.com not only gives you all the information you need on American muffins but also gives you a variety of recipes to try.

English-style muffins

The porous texture of English muffins sets them apart. English muffins are flat instead of domed and are made with yeast on a griddle.

I recommend: Come together with the rest of Recipezaar readers and learn about the English muffin.

Popover

If a muffin is a sweet cake-like dessert made in a cup-shaped pan, a popover is the royalty of muffins. A popover is a light and hollow type of muffin that 'pops' over the top of the muffin cups.

I recommend: Learn more about this eclectic cousin of the muffin from Sarah at baking911.com.

Industrial muffin line

An industrial muffin line is a machine created for large-scale muffin production. This machine is designed to make bakery-style muffins effortlessly. For a busy baker or muffin maker, learning about muffin lines can aid in drastically increasing muffin production.

I recommend: This machine can be another tool for a growing business. Learn more at Hinds-Bock.

Muffins are a good food to eat for breakfast or as a snack. Most muffins are inexpensive to make. However, these baked goods can expand your client base, especially if you serve healthy muffins or specialty muffins.

When you are preparing to add muffins to your menu, you will have to alter your budget to include the various muffins pricing and costs. Consider the following options to help you accurately prepare the new budget:

1. Add the cost of mix for muffins into your budget.

2. Include the cost of muffin tins in the budget.

3. Plan for the recurring cost of muffin liners.

4. Make an impact by sending corporate muffin baskets to clients and contacts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the cost of making muffins from a premade mix

For busy bakeries and restaurants, making muffins from scratch using muffin recipes may not be feasible. In this case, using premade mixes for muffins is usually a better option. There are various factors that affect the price you will pay for muffin mix. These include the type of muffins you need, the size of the package and the type of mix. For example, muffin mix that requires only water to be added is usually more expensive than muffin mix that requires other ingredients to be added.

I recommend: Food Service Direct sells a variety of muffin mixes. Prices vary from around $55 to $90 per case. For example, a case of mix for blueberry muffins or banana muffins starts at around $70, while a case of assorted muffin mixes is around $60. BuyTheCase.net sells mix for a variety of muffins. Prices for most muffins, including apple muffins and corn muffins are priced under $30 per case, while some specialty muffins, such as triple chocolate chunk is priced at around $45.

Factor in the cost of tins to bake muffins

Whether you are making pumpkin muffins or blueberry muffins, you will need muffin tins. The price you pay for the muffin tins depends on the material the tin is made out of and the number of muffins the pan can make, as well as any additional features you desire, such as covers for the tins.

I recommend: At WEBstaurant Store, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to over $90. Muffin tins from the Betty Crocker Store start at around $30. This company also sells muffin pans that feature holiday patterns starting at around $40.

Remember to include money in the budget for liners for the muffins

When baking muffins, you can either use a non-stick spray or you can use muffin liners. For most businesses, muffin liners are a more sanitary option. The price you pay for these liners depends on whether they are plain or decorative. It also depends on the material the liner is made of. For example, foil liners are usually more expensive than paper.

I recommend: InstaWares offers numerous styles of muffin liners. Prices range from under $5 for single decorative liners to over $70 for a case of liners. Starting at under $5 per package, you can purchase muffin liners from AlwaysBrilliant.com.