How to Start a Sandwich Shop

Equipment

Exciting ideas and experience are essential for opening a sandwich shop, but the right equipment is what turns your goals into reality. If you’re making custom sandwiches on the spot, the right tools are vital for keeping you on time and efficient. And when it comes to pre-packaged sandwiches, the best equipment can help you create grab-and-go options that stay fresh and tasty.  

Here is a full rundown of all the necessary sandwich business equipment, from prep to storage and serving. 

Equipment for sandwich prep:

• Scales

• Stand mixer

• Food processor

• Vegetable slicer

• Salad spinner

• Bread slicer

• Baking tools, like bread sheets

• Cutting boards

• Various utensils, such as knives, tongs, and spatulas

• Protective gloves

• Cookware (if you plan on offering hot sandwiches)

• Portioners: great for improving speed, consistency, and reducing food waste when measuring spreads, fillings, or toppings. Bonzer’s portioners are a popular choice for hospitality businesses as they come with smooth lines and no nooks and crannies, so there aren’t any awkward food traps to clean.

• Can openers

Equipment for storage: 

• Fridge and freezer units

• Ingredients containers

• GN pans: can be used to store ingredients in the kitchen or at the front for custom sandwiches

Optional equipment:

• Panini press/grill for hot sandwiches

• Dehydrators for garnishes 

• Stick blenders for any accompanying sauces

• Buffet display equipment for pre-packaged sandwiches or baked goods 

Don’t forget your sandwich packaging supplies, too. Sandwich boxes and bags are essential, and pre-packaged sandwiches should be labelled with all the ingredients and essential info, including allergens and dates, as well as branding.

Laws and licences 

Before opening a sandwich shop in the UK, you must make sure that you have all the necessary licences and ensure that you are complying with the law. Here is what you need to know: 

• Licences – depending on your setup, you may need:

• Street trading licence: If selling from a van or kiosk in public areas. 

• Premises licence: If you plan to sell hot food after 11pm. You can find out more about these in our UK alcohol laws guide. 

• Music licence: If playing music in-store.

• Food business registration – all food businesses need to register with the local council at least 28 days before opening.

• Food hygiene – you must follow UK food hygiene regulations, including proper storage, preparation, and handling of ingredients. This isn’t just essential for public safety, but for passing your EHO food inspection.

• Allergen labelling – all pre-packaged sandwiches and menu items must clearly state ingredients, in line with The Food Information Regulations 2014.

• Health and safety – you must ensure your premises meet workplace safety regulations, including staff training and equipment safety.

• Insurance – not technically a licence, but essential:

• Employers' Liability insurance is a legal requirement for most UK businesses.

• Public liability insurance covers injuries to customers.

• Product liability insurance covers harm caused by food products.

• Contents/equipment insurance protects your business assets.

Choosing your sandwich business set-up

The great thing about starting a sandwich business is that there are so many different ways to set up and operate your business. The first step is deciding whether to go pre-packaged, fresh custom sandwiches, or a mix of both, as this can impact your set-up.

If you go just pre-packaged, this gives you a lot of flexibility for where you operate from. For example, you’ll have space to operate from a smaller area, such as a kiosk at a market. However, it does limit you to however many sandwiches you are able to sell in a day. You will also need to consider where you will be preparing your sandwiches.

Going custom means you can prepare as much or as little as you need, plus it gives customers more flexibility to tweak menu items. However, it does make it more difficult to operate from smaller set-ups, like vans and market stalls.

Speaking of set-up options, here are the main ones to consider for your sandwich business: 

• Bricks and mortar shop: This has the highest overheads but also has the most space for prep and serving, as well as space for customers dining in.  

• Stall: This is a compact, low-cost option ideal for targeting high-traffic areas such as markets or transport hubs, but comes with limited prep and storage space. 

• Sandwich van: The mobility of this set-up is ideal for targeting busy areas and events, but like stalls, it can come with limited prep and storage space. 

• Catering/events sandwich business: Going down the sandwich catering business route can generate higher margins per order and build strong business-to-business relationships, but work can be inconsistent. 

Creating a sandwich shop business plan

A key part of starting any hospitality venture (or any business, for that matter) is creating a solid and realistic business plan. This should include all the key information you or a potential investor will need to get your business off the ground, including:

• An overview of your business

• Market research

• Menu and pricing

• Marketing and branding

• Daily operations plan

• Financial plan

• Risk assessment

We go more into detail about business plans in our food truck guide. When it comes to creating a sandwich shop business plan specifically, you’ll want to focus on your chosen set-up and whether you plan to offer pre-packaged or customisable sandwiches. You should also justify why your chosen option is best for your business.

Sandwich shop design

Workflow and hygiene are the top concerns when designing a sandwich shop, both of which are majorly impacted by the layout. Plan the flow of your shop to make it easy for customers to order, pay, and collect sandwiches. You should also design counters and prep areas for efficiency to keep workflow quick and orderly. For accessibility, ensure your shop has easy wheelchair access, clear pathways, and visible signage. 

When it comes to cleanliness, ensure your shop meets food hygiene standards. This includes easily cleanable surfaces, proper storage, and clearly designated zones for food preparation, waste disposal, and handwashing to prevent cross-contamination.

Your sandwich shop design isn’t just practical, but it’s a reflection of your brand as a whole, so think about how your design can make it a good home for your business. Consider what you want your brand to convey, and how your shop design can achieve it.

Sandwich shop menu ideas

Your menu is at the heart of what you do — without it, there is no sandwich business. If you’ve been thinking about opening a sandwich shop for a while, you likely already have at least a few menu ideas. But if you’re looking to complete your menu, or just searching for some inspiration, here are some sandwich shop menu ideas to take your food offering up a notch:

• Signature sandwiches: Create one-of-a-kind sandwiches that show what your brand is all about. This could be using locally sourced ingredients for a sustainable sandwich shop, or gourmet flavours if you’re looking to offer more luxury sandwiches. 

• Seasonal sandwiches: Rotate in fresh, seasonal ingredients or themed specials (e.g. festive turkey and cranberry at Christmas, lighter Mediterranean options in summer). 

• Classic sandwiches: Don’t neglect your classic fillings: Ploughman’s, chicken salad, mozzarella and tomato, etc. 

• Hot or cold: Make your offering more customisable by offering hot sandwiches, as well as cold ones. This may be especially popular in the winter months. 

• Not just bread: Add more variety to your menu by offering your fillings in other forms, such as wraps, bagels, flatbreads, or croissants.  

• The extras: Crisps, cold drinks, and hot drinks are popular extras, and can be great for attracting customers with combo deals. Other extras you may want to consider include cakes, pastries, and salads.

Sandwich business branding and marketing

Sandwich shop names

Your sandwich shop name is one of the first things customers notice, so you need to get it right. A good name is easy to remember, unique, and most importantly, represents your brand. If you can, try to make your name SEO-friendly too, so you can easily be found online. For example, having “sandwich,” “deli,” or “café” can really help improve your online visibility.

If you’re struggling for sandwich shop name ideas, try brainstorming around local landmarks, puns, or your shop’s unique selling point. For instance, a shop focusing on artisan bread might highlight this with a more upmarket name, like “The Artisan Bakehouse”, while a commuter-focused kiosk could lean into speed and convenience with their name, with something like “The Quick Crust”. 

Sandwich shop logos

If the name is what draws customers in, the logo is what helps them remember you. Your logo will appear on everything: from signs and menus to packaging and marketing materials. So just like your sandwich shop name, your logo must represent your brand. Choose colours and fonts that work with your business, whether this is bold and vibrant or artisan and understated.

Remember, a strong logo doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, simple, recognisable sandwich shop logos tend to be the most effective. Simple is also best from a practical point of view. Not only are they cheaper to create and print, but they will be more likely to work across a variety of different formats, from social media icons to large shopfront signs.

Marketing

You’re ready to start running your sandwich shop. But how do you make sure you stand out from the competition? The answer, along with a unique and exciting menu, is marketing. The right marketing doesn’t just make your business memorable— it’s a reflection of your brand, so customers know exactly who you are and what you have to offer. 

So, how do you get your business noticed? Here are the main marketing methods for your sandwich business: 

• Social media: Social media is a go-to marketing tool for food businesses: it’s quick, it’s free, and it can reach a huge customer base. Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are ideal for posting daily specials, behind-the-scenes clips, or seasonal creations. 

• Local marketing: Sandwich shops often rely on footfall, so marketing in your immediate area is key. If you’re based near a transport hub, put up posters nearby, or hand out leaflets with discount codes. If you’re near a large office, see if you can leave leaflets there too — this is a great way to entice regular customers. 

• Loyalty schemes: Stamp cards and mobile loyalty apps are effective at encouraging repeat visits and getting regulars. 

• Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses can expand your reach, as can taking part in local markets or food festivals.

• Reviews: Good reviews are worth their weight in gold for new businesses when it comes to building trust and credibility, so encourage happy customers to leave reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, or Deliveroo. 

Starting a sandwich business takes careful planning, creativity, and a good understanding of your target market. From choosing the right set-up to designing your shop and menu, there’s a lot to consider. But with enough preparation and the right tools, you can capitalise on the popularity of sandwiches to make a successful business. 

Here at Mitchell & Cooper, we have all the essential equipment, appliances, and storage solutions you need to bring your sandwich shop to life, from bakeware and stand mixers to portioners and ingredients containers. Browse our full collection now, and don’t forget to check out the rest of our guides for more advice and inspiration, from becoming a private chef to starting an ice cream business.