Customers are already coming to your store for fresh ingredients — why not feed them while they’re there?
Opening a QSR-style sandwich shop can bring in new business, but between permits, layout choices, and day-to-day logistics, it’s easy to overlook what it really takes to run one well.
In this blog, we’ll cover how to open a sandwich shop in your grocery store so you have the confidence and knowledge to make your new venture successful from day one.
How To Open a Sandwich Shop in Your Grocery Store in 7 Steps
More and more shoppers are looking for quick, fresh meals they can grab while grocery shopping or take to go. A sandwich shop inside your store meets this demand and keeps customers spending more time (and money) on site.
Let’s break down everything involved in making your sandwich shop a success, from initial planning to daily operations.
1. Do Your Research Before You Build
Before you start slicing and toasting bread, you need to confirm that your shoppers actually want fresh, made-to-order options — and that you’re not stepping into an already saturated market.
Take a close look at nearby sandwich spots, delis, and fast-casual chains. Are they slammed during lunch hours or sitting mostly empty? The answer will tell you if there’s room to offer something better, faster, or fresher.
Try these practical steps to gather useful data:
- Track foot traffic near competitor sandwich counters at different times of day to spot busy hours.
- Read online reviews of local sandwich shops to identify what customers praise or complain about.
- Use point of sale (POS) data from your deli or prepared foods section to spot popular ingredients or sandwich types.
- Test interest with a small sandwich sample giveaway or pop-up before fully launching.
Understanding local demand and identifying your unique angle before you start will help you attract and keep more hungry customers.
2. Write (or Update) Your Business Plan
Once you’ve confirmed there is indeed demand, it’s time to plan the financial and operational side of your sandwich shop.
You should already have a business plan in place for your grocery store, so you can start by adding this new venture to your existing documents — or creating a new plan from scratch, if need be.
Begin by outlining your shop’s concept. Will you offer takeout only, or provide a small seating area? Are your sandwiches mostly cold deli-style, or will you include hot, toasted options? These decisions affect your equipment needs and staffing requirements.
Related Read: Deli Management 101: 6 Strategies, Tips, & Tools
With a fleshed-out idea in place, it’s time to start budgeting. Estimate how much you’ll need to afford the necessary equipment, renovations, permits, and additional staffing, and denote it all in your business plan’s finances.
Equipment for a sandwich shop often includes:
- Prep counters and cutting boards for assembling sandwiches
- High-quality knives and slicers for meats and vegetables
- Refrigeration units to keep ingredients fresh
- Wrapping station with sandwich paper, stickers, and bags for to-go orders
- Panini press, toaster, or convection oven for hot sandwiches
- POS system that can support both your QSR sandwich shop and regular grocery operations
Take your time reviewing any necessary updates to insurance, taxes, and legal considerations. Talk with your accountant or a business advisor to understand how this impacts your store’s overall finances and what additional coverage you might need.
Here are common licenses and permits to look into for a sandwich shop:
- Business license: This license provides official documentation to operate your business legally within your city or county.
- Certificate of occupancy: This confirms that your space meets building codes and is safe for food service.
- Food handler’s license (or food service license): This license ensures that all staff preparing or serving food have knowledge of safe food handling practices.
- Seller’s permit: This permit lets you collect sales tax on food and beverage sales.
Requirements vary by location, so check with your local health department or regulatory agency early to avoid delays.
(Image source: Visit Eau Claire)
3. Design the Space With Customers in Mind
The location and layout of your sandwich shop can make a big difference in attracting customers and keeping lines moving. Place your counter where the fresh smells of baked bread and roasting meats can easily draw in shoppers.
Once customers are curious, clear signage makes it easy to understand what’s available and how to order.
Related Read: The Importance of Grocery Store Signage Design: 6 Key Lessons
Clearly label all available breads, toppings, and combo options so customers can quickly see their choices. Better yet, designing a menu to explain the sandwich assembly process and all available toppings (plus any additions that cost extra) helps customers order quickly and prevents confusion at the register.
Line placement is also important. Without a marked queue, shoppers might bunch up near the front and create bottlenecks, especially in high-traffic areas.
If you start noticing lengthy wait times, implement a simple ticket or number system, either shown on a screen or called out, to help customers remember their place in line and keep things moving smoothly.
(Image source: Byler’s Country Market and Grocery Outlet)
If you offer dine-in seating, design the space to feel inviting, but make sure it doesn’t interfere with regular grocery traffic. You want to provide a comfortable spot for customers without disrupting the overall flow of your store.
Creating the right menu means balancing customer preferences, ingredient availability, and pricing that fits your local market. Start with a manageable number of sandwich options (around five to 10) that appeal to a variety of tastes. Including one or two seasonal or rotating specials can keep the selection fresh and interesting year-round.
Pricing should be competitive with nearby sandwich shops, but also reflect the quality and freshness of your ingredients. To determine the best pricing:
- Calculate your food costs, including bread, meats, toppings, and packaging.
- Factor in labor costs for preparation and service during busy hours.
- Consider overhead expenses like utilities, rent for the sandwich area, and equipment maintenance.
- Research competitor pricing to find a range that fits your market without undervaluing your product.
- Test pricing adjustments over time to find the right balance between sales volume and profit margins.
Clear pricing helps customers understand what’s included and what costs extra, which builds trust and speeds up ordering.
(Image source: Female Foodie)
Here are some factors to consider when designing your menu and pricing:
- Focus on popular, easy-to-prepare sandwiches that your staff can make quickly, even during your busiest hours.
- Highlight local or unique ingredients that set your shop apart.
- Offer combo deals, such as pairing a sandwich with a drink or bag of chips, to increase average sales.
- Clearly denote any allergens or dietary restrictions, like vegetarian or gluten-free options.
- Implement transparent pricing by stating which toppings are free versus those that cost extra.
Keeping your menu simple but appealing helps your team work faster and makes it easier for customers to decide what they’d like to order.
5. Hire & Train the Right Staff
Running a busy sandwich shop requires staff who work quickly, communicate clearly, and keep the space clean and compliant with food safety standards.
Whether you hire new employees or train existing grocery staff, investing time in proper training will pay off in smoother operations and better customer experiences.
When training your staff, make sure to:
- Teach safe food handling and hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and glove use during sandwich preparation.
- Cover proper sandwich assembly to maintain consistent portion sizes and presentation.
- Coach employees on friendly, clear communication with customers.
- Prepare staff to manage the order and payment process efficiently at the POS.
- Train staff on cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces, utensils, and equipment regularly.
- Emphasize proper storage techniques to prevent cross-contamination of ingredients.
Your employees should be comfortable answering questions about ingredients, helping customers customize orders, and handling busy rushes without losing composure. Beyond initial training, regular refreshers and opportunities for feedback will help staff stay confident and engaged.
Additionally, you and your team should follow proper waste management procedures to handle sandwich scraps and packaging responsibly. Routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment such as slicers, ovens, and refrigeration units help extend their lifespan and keep them operating reliably.
Related Read: How Profitable Is a Deli in a Grocery Store? (+ How To Boost Profits)
6. Use Your POS System To Manage Sales & Inventory
Integrating your sandwich shop into your existing grocery store’s POS system helps keep operations organized and sales tracking accurate. A good POS setup can handle sandwich orders, process payments quickly, and update inventory levels in real time.
Connecting all sandwich ingredients like bread, meats, cheese, and produce to your overall inventory helps you know when it’s time for reorders and prevents you from running out on staples during busy periods. It also helps reduce waste by tracking what sells best.
Make sure your POS has the ability to:
- Create custom menu items and combos to make checkout quick and intuitive.
- Track ingredient usage in real time through integrated inventory management.
- Support promotions and loyalty discounts to reward regular customers and drive repeat sales.
- Process payments quickly, including contactless and mobile options, to reduce wait times.
- Generate sales reports that help you identify trends and pinpoint your most popular sandwiches.
Choosing an industry-specific POS system will save you time, reduce manual errors, and improve your customers’ overall shopping experience.
7. Promote Your Sandwich Shop
Getting the word out takes more than just putting up a single sign — you need to implement a strategic marketing campaign to let folks know you’re open for business.
If you already collect customer data through a loyalty program, start your promotion efforts there. Announce your opening to your most engaged shoppers with targeted emails, text alerts, and eye-catching signage throughout the store.
Highlight what makes your shop unique, whether it be local ingredients, fresh bread, or custom combos, to give customers a reason to choose you over competitors. Once you know what truly sets your shop apart, offer special deals on those popular items, like a buy one, get one (BOGO) free sandwich deal or punch cards for rewards after a certain number of purchases.
Consider these promotional tactics:
- Use in-store signage and banners to catch attention during peak hours.
- Send targeted emails or texts to loyalty program members with exclusive offers.
- Run enticing discounts on slower days to boost traffic.
- Encourage customers to leave online reviews to build your shop’s reputation.
Consistent promotion, combined with great product quality and friendly service, will help your sandwich shop become a regular stop for shoppers.
How To Open a Sandwich Shop Successfully
If you love deli-style sandwiches, adding a sandwich shop to your grocery store makes sense — but long-term success takes more than just passion.
Opening a sandwich shop means running a second business within your store, which requires thoughtful planning, competitive pricing, skilled staff, and consistent marketing to make it thrive. The right POS system ties all of these elements together, helping both you and your team better handle orders, track inventory, implement promotions, and more.
Built for grocery stores just like yours, Markt POS helps business owners add a quick service option to their daily operations. Schedule a free demo today to see how our all-in-one solution can help your new venture run efficiently.
