And How Systems Make All the Difference

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversations at IBIE  2025 (and throughout the year) has been this: bakeries are one of the hardest businesses to run—yet they also have great potential to be uniquely profitable and impactful.

At this year's IBIE, we spoke with several people who transitioned into bakery ownership after successful careers in other fields—a former professional basketball player, an oil executive, a real estate agent, a property manager, even an on-air journalist. Every single one of them said the same thing:

“Running a bakery is the hardest business I’ve ever run.”

Why? Because bakeries operate differently. In many industries, the model is: spend money to make money. Hire teams. Buy tech. Add overhead to drive growth.

But in bakery life, success often comes down to how well your systems support your people, not how much money you throw at the problem.

Yes, the right equipment can reduce physical strain (those bags of flour aren’t light!) and yes, automated packaging equipment can save time. But no machine can replace smart operations, empowered teams, and clearly defined roles.

So What Makes a Bakery Run Better?

It’s not magic—it’s systems.

Here’s what that actually means in your day-to-day:

• Clear job descriptions so team members know exactly what success looks like.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that show not just what to do, but why it’s done that way.

• Workflow stations that are set up for speed—your packing team should spend more time packing than walking. Decorators shouldn't chase down order details. 

• Well-labeled stockrooms and shelves so no one’s guessing where things go or how to communicate a reorder is needed.

• Defined production handoffs—so each team member focuses only on what’s in front of them before passing it on.

• Labor transparency—systems that help you see where your labor gaps are so you can hire for real needs, not just grab “another body.”

When these systems are in place, you gain more than efficiency:

• You prevent burnout by dividing labor intentionally.

• You build a culture of success because team members feel supported when they know how to win the day.

• You protect your margins because everyone is working on what moves the needle.

Get Organized.

Before investing in big, shiny equipment, ask yourself:

• Does my team know how to succeed every day?

• Is our space organized to support efficiency and flow?

• Do new hires understand not just how, but why they’re trained a certain way?

Because when you build systems that serve your people, your people will build the bakery you’re dreaming of.

It’s not about replacing humans with automation.
It’s about setting up humans to thrive.

And that’s where the real growth happens.

BakeSmart is dedicated to helping retail bakery operators succeed.