A typical bakery in Europe that's still open after three years brings in $33.5k a month ($401k a year) and keeps about $9 of every $100. That leaves about $36.1k a year.
The top 10% make more than $82k a month. The bottom 10% make under $13.6k.
Thinking of starting a bakery?
- Typical cost to start
- $96.6k
- Still open after 3 years
- 58%
Monthly revenue by year
For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,900 | $14,100 | $24,900 | $41,800 |
| Year 3 | $20,900 | $33,500 | $53,600 | $82,000 |
| Year 5 | $26,200 | $43,500 | $72,100 | $113,700 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $96,600.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Ovens & mixers | $43,200 |
| Fit-out | $30,700 |
| Lease & legal | $10,200 |
| Initial stock & packaging | $4,500 |
| Working capital | $8,000 |
Where the money goes
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
58% are still trading after three years, and 49% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- Added wholesale accounts with cafés
- Kept the menu under 20 items
- Priced pastries to keep $70 of every $100 after ingredients
How to start one, step by step
Verified bakeries on HumDays
Boulangerie Levain
“Wholesale croissants for six cafés are 30% of revenue and zero queue.”
Why Dough & Co closed: the second bakery ate the first
Dough & Co's first bakery was profitable. The second, opened in 2023 on borrowed money, never covered its rent, and its losses drained the cash the first shop needed. Nina Russo closed both in March 2025.
Questions people ask
Is a bakery profitable?
Usually, if it survives. A typical bakery in Europe keeps about $9 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $36.1k a year. 42% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a bakery?
The typical cost to start is $96.6k. The biggest items are ovens & mixers and fit-out.
How long until a bakery makes a profit?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 11 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do bakeries fail?
The most common reason owners give is “rent too high for footfall” (28% of closures), followed by “ingredient & energy costs” (24%).
Is a bakery seasonal?
December peak. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask bakery owners
No questions about bakeries yet. Ask the first one.