What Does a MINIMUM Business Plan Contain?

A minimum business plan typically contains at least the following sections:

1. A mission statement

2. Keys to success

3. Market and competitive analysis

4. A financial forecast, including a pro-forma statement, break even analysis

5. An outline of the resources you have to be sure you can fund the startup phase.

6. An outline of the management team. By extension, you may consider the operations support team of the franchise as part of your management team. BE VERY CAREFUL to get a CLEAR statement of what the franchise's obligations are. DO NOT assume you will get one bit more support than is described in the FDD. Consider any help beyond what is in the FDD to be a bonus and a positive statement about your franchise organization.

In summary, the answer to the question "What are the minimum business plan requirements?"  can vary.

A document containing whatever is required to make you, your lender, your franchise and any other significant audience, confident that you have a profitable business opportunity and will have adequate skills and resources to make your business plan come true.