5 year plan

It would be a plan to stay profitable, grow your business without taking out any loans.

What are you doing full time?
Who's asking for a 5 year plan?
I have a 5 day plan and i've been running almost 4 months now.
If it's working for you, go with it.

Who knows what anything will be like in 5 years?

If somebody is putting the "heat" to you about a 5 year plan, and they have nothing to do with the business?

Everyone's plan is different - 5 day, 5 week, hell 5 minutes. If you are successful and building on it, keep doing what you're doing and learn from your mistakes. I know for a fact you guys are doing well - Don't sweat it!

For a small business, I would say a two year plan is sufficient. According to the Mayan's, the world is ending in 2012 anyway.

Typically a business plan is only necessary when you are looking for investment, either equity or debt. Personally, however, a five year plan can help you focus your direction and vision for how you would like your business to grow. If your business currently has a lot of positive momentum and is growing a plan can help you to determine the best way to grow to maximize potential gains from the growth. You can also easily share a plan with other people to get them on board helping you with your plan.

Financially speaking there is nothing wrong with a loan if you can use it to make more money--it's called leverage. You can read about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leverage_(finance)#Financial_leverage

Of course you take on greater risk to the firm by taking on debt, but the risk is mitigated by having a clear plan to return the debt invested in to greater profits to the firm. This is why banks require plans during the loan application process.

Hope this helps! It sounds like you have something good going.

If you're doing it full time and making money, here's something to consider putting in your 5 whatever plan....

An accountant.

A good one can save you more than you pay them, and make tax time a lot easier.

Chris

Another important task is to have a cash flow plan. You can be profitable but lack of cash can kill your business. With a high inventory turnover business like a restaurant, it is not as big of a concern, but you should take a look at it.

As Musicmanryann pointed out a 5 year plan (also known as a long range plan) keeps you focused on your long range goals. A good business has a Short range and Long Range plan (Short = 2-3 years Long=5 years). The plan is more of an excercsie to let you plan out your business and allows you to focus on growth. If you have no loans to worry about then a 5 day plan may work for you as you do not have any long term financial commitment, however if you ever do need to make a big ticket purchase and are looking for a loan, every bank will ask for a Business Plan and part of that plan is a 5 year plan.

If you are maxed out now and can't grow any bigger without capital or increasing the workforce and thats how you like it then don't worry about a 5 year plan. If you have expectations that go far beyond where you are and expect to increase your workforce to meet that then a five year plan to give yourself a schedule to follow would be helpful. It will also help if you find yourself needing quick capital. A working five year plan shows creditors/investors that you are dedicated and have a clear plan. Bonus if they find the goals attainable in the plan.

A five year plan imo opinion is as good as the paper it is written on. If I want to know where I'll be in five years, I'll know in 1825 days!!!