Making Packed Lunches

[chicaguapa]

Having happened upon this \link{http://lunchboxes4kids.co.uk/franchise.asp\franchise opportunity} I am feeling quite excited as it's something I could do from home. I am interested in what other mums think about it. It's a change from selling books/cards etc and has a low set-up cost.

SEEMS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO ME TO BE HONEST. You could set something sililar up yourself locally I would think for a fraction of the cost.

I thought about that. But how much would it cost for the website, to set-up on-line ordering etc? Plus you're benefiting from their trial and error. And you can ride on the back of any publicity other franchises in other areas get in the media, word of mouth etc. That's what you're paying for - I think!

"As a result of added government pressure on health and hygiene, minimum wage and various other regulations many are opting out of the school lunch system altogether and insisting that parents provide a packed lunch for their children. In other words they are going back to their core business, which is teaching children"

They seem completely oblivious to our Jamie. I think compared with £1.50 for a school dinner, there's no contest. Agree with Helsi about setting up something yourself.

If you think this is a good idea and would work in your area, then I would definatly do it yourself. Just do loads of reasearch and hunt down similar companies to see how they do it.

TBH with most franchises I don't see the point. I had a look at a chocolate fountain franchise and it was thousands and you still had to buy the equipment, all I could see that you got was some logo aprons, space on website and training to use the thing. When checking out prices of the fountains I found a few companies that would train you for free and put links on their website fre also, much better deal. Put that with a free hosted website and your laughing.

Unless the company is huge and you get the benefit of a well known name then you have to wonder. As they have only have a few schools that are serviced at the moment I would say this is a very young company and they are probably still doing a lot of trial and error. Word of mouth might only work in a small area which would probably be already covered, you don't want to be overlapping areas with onther frachisees or you would have to room to expand.

£2.00 A DAY for a sandwich and a peice of fruit and a drink!!! How many parents woudl be prepared to pay that much?

I am sorry I know packed lunches are a pain, but £2.00 a day for not enough food, £3.00 if you want a yoghurt or veggie sticks seem far too expensive.

Bear in mind all the health and safety checks that will need to be made if you are preparing food etc, and image how many sandwiches with all various combos you will need to make to make money. I would have thought you would HAVE to be doing 50 minimum to make £100 (less costs) which would give you an income of less than £50 a day (£250 a week). So to get back the initial investment of £3000 will take quite a long time.

If i was a busy working mum, I might be interested at £2 its certainly cheaper than those you buy in the shops. I think to be truly competitive you would have to offer 1 or 2 more items into the lunch box and make them a little more adventurous for instance, instead of shortcake, it would be home made shortcake made with organic ingredients. Do things in the lunch boxes that busy mums wouldnt of thought through of had the time to bake themselves.

There's a place here that does something like this from their Deli, you call before you leave home then when you get there (just along same roasd as school) you pay £2, of which 20p goes to the school, you get a paper lunch sac with a bottle of water or carton of juice, a piece of fruit, home made flapjack, baby bel and a sandwich on home made bread with tuna ham or cheese. The kids love it- its good quality, 'nice' ham, and easy to arrange. We don't do them often, but if i'm doing an essay or have a meeting to get to.... definitely.

wow £2 for a ham buttie and an apple anda carton of juice.
Agree with crunchie that's a lot of dough and not enough food.
I do school dinners anyway as they are better value imho but I doubt if that would fin dfavour even with the busiest mum. After all how long does a sandwich take to make (if that's all you're giving your child)?