Selling and marketing
Wholesale Mince Pies: Price a Case and Your Profit
A clear method to price wholesale mince pies so your first order makes money.
On this page
- What goes into a wholesale mince pie price
- A real example: pricing a case of 24 pies
- How to package a wholesale case
- Delivery, pickup, and minimum orders
- Common mistakes that cost you money
- How to find your first wholesale buyer
- How to quote and invoice a wholesale order
- Tools to price and track wholesale orders
Selling wholesale mince pies is different from a farmers market table. A cafe or shop will ask for a price per case. You need to know your costs before you quote. This guide walks through a real example. You will see how to build a price that keeps a margin.
What goes into a wholesale mince pie price
A wholesale price has three parts. First is the direct cost to make the pies. Second is your labor. Third is overhead like your kitchen power and insurance. You add these three to get your total cost. Then you add a profit margin on top. The margin is your pay for the work and risk.
Direct costs cover ingredients and packaging for the case. Labor covers your time to make, fill, and pack the pies. Overhead covers the kitchen share that keeps your business running. Each part must appear in your cost sheet before you quote.
Add up your direct costs
List every ingredient for a full batch. Include mincemeat, pastry, egg wash, and spices. Add the cost of boxes or trays for the case. Do not forget labels.
Add your labor cost
Track how long it takes to make, fill, and package a case. Pay yourself an hourly rate. Multiply your hours by that rate.
Include your overhead
Overhead is your kitchen’s monthly cost. This includes power, gas, insurance, and licensing. Divide that monthly total by how many cases you make in a month. Add that share to each case.
Set your profit margin
Add your direct, labor, and overhead costs. This is your break-even cost. Now add a margin. A common margin for wholesale is 30% to 50% of the final price.
A real example: pricing a case of 24 pies
Let’s price a case of 24 mince pies. Your direct ingredients cost $12. Your labor for the case is 2 hours at $20 per hour, so $40. Your monthly overhead is $200, and you make 50 cases a month, so $4 per case.
Your total cost is $12 + $40 + $4 = $56. You want a 40% margin on the final price. Your final price per case is about $93.33. That leaves $37.33 profit after all three costs.
That works out to $2.33 cost per pie and $3.89 price per pie. The margin is $1.56 per pie after ingredients, labor, and overhead. The margin is your pay for the work and risk.
How to package a wholesale case
A wholesale case must arrive intact and look professional. Use sturdy boxes or trays that fit 24 pies without crushing them. Add a label with your business name, product name, and date. Packaging cost belongs in your direct costs, not in your margin.
Choose a case count that suits your buyer and your packaging. A standard case often holds 24 pies, but some buyers want 12 or 48. Price per case, not per pie, so your quote stays simple.
Delivery, pickup, and minimum orders
Delivery takes time, and that time has a cost. Decide if you will deliver or ask the buyer to pick up. Add delivery time to your labor estimate or set a delivery fee. Set a minimum order size so each trip is worth making.
For a first order, ask for a deposit. A deposit protects you if the buyer changes the order late. Put your minimum order and deposit terms on your price sheet.
Common mistakes that cost you money
Packaging for the full case is easy to forget. Delivery time is another cost that does not show up in your ingredient list. Check what other wholesale pies sell for before you set your price. A price that is too low can be harder to raise later.
Wholesale has hidden costs. You might forget packaging for the full case. You might not account for the time to deliver. You might set a price without checking what the market pays. Always run your numbers before you commit.
What to remember
- Never quote a price without your full cost sheet.
- Factor in delivery time or pickup logistics.
- Check what other wholesale pies sell for in your area.
- Get a deposit for large first orders.
How to find your first wholesale buyer
Start with cafes or shops you already know. Offer a sample case at your cost. Be ready with your price sheet and minimum order size. A clear price sheet shows you are professional. For more on selling to shops, see our guide on selling baked goods wholesale.
Bring a sample box and a written price sheet. The sample lets the buyer taste the product. The price sheet shows your case price, minimum order, and delivery terms. A clear sheet makes you look organized and ready to supply.
How to quote and invoice a wholesale order
A quote should state the price per case and the minimum order. Include delivery or pickup terms and your deposit policy. Put the quote in writing so both sides agree. When the order is confirmed, send an invoice with the same details.
Keep a copy of every quote and invoice. A simple record helps you track what you promised. It also makes repeat orders faster to price.
Tools to price and track wholesale orders
Pricing by hand in a notebook is slow and easy to get wrong. A tool can do the math for you. Brevl has a recipe cost calculator. It adds up ingredients, labor, and overhead. It suggests a price with your chosen margin. You can then send a quote from your phone.
A calculator saves time and reduces errors. It also lets you test a different margin before you send a quote. You can see the effect on profit right away.
Try the free bake pricing calculator
Free, no signup.
Common questions
What is a typical wholesale margin for mince pies?
A typical margin is 30% to 50% of your final price. This means if your total cost for a case is $60, you might price it between $86 and $100. The margin covers your profit and business risk.
How many pies should be in a wholesale case?
A standard case often holds 24 pies. Some buyers want 12 or 48. Choose a count that fits your packaging and their needs. Always price per case, not per pie, to simplify your quotes.
Do I need a different license for wholesale?
Most cottage food laws cover direct sales. Selling wholesale to a business may have different rules. Check your state's cottage food office for wholesale requirements before you take an order.
Should I offer a discount for large orders?
Yes, but only if your costs go down. If buying ingredients in bulk saves money, you can share some savings. Never discount below your total cost. A volume discount should still protect your margin.
Sources
General pricing information. Check your local and state laws for wholesale food sales requirements.