How do I plan a slow handover for my donut shop’s early crew?

Begin with a simple map of the early shift: who bakes, who fries, who fills the case, who opens the till and who knows the oldest tricks. Note who has been there longest and who the others look to. Those are the people to speak with first.

Plan the handover in stages. At first the new owner watches and learns. Next they work alongside each person. Later they run a shift while you stay nearby. Write the stages down with the buyer, along with who is responsible at each stage and what would make you slow down.

Be open with the crew. Early bakers worry about hours, pay and whether the new owner will respect how things are done. Tell them what you know once the sale is firm, and let them ask questions. A business continuity plan for the first weeks, covering sick days and equipment trouble, gives everyone something concrete. Build the timeline into your cash flow and your sale terms, since your time has a cost. Ask your lawyer how a transition role should be recorded. Keep a short list of questions from the crew, and answer each one before the next stage begins.

Key takeaways

• Map each early role and note who the other crew members rely on.
• Move in stages: watch, work alongside, then lead while you stay close.
• Write the plan down with the buyer, including how you would slow it.