Industry Snapshot (U.S.)

U.S. demand for delivered firewood peaks during colder months as households supplement heating costs and restaurants fuel wood-fired ovens and smokers. A small but meaningful share of homes rely on wood as a primary heat source, and many more use it as a secondary or backup option. Rising energy prices keep interest in predictable, pre-season cord subscriptions strong, while outdoor living upgrades, pizza concepts, and campgrounds provide year-round B2B volume.

Most firewood delivery businesses operate as lean route-based services with a mix of cutting, processing, and resale. Lenders and investors want to see realistic assumptions for cords per week, drop sizes, pricing tiers, moisture standards, and routing efficiency—not just “sell more wood.” A structured plan that turns route capacity, fuel and labor costs, and seasonality into a 3-year forecast makes approvals and partnerships much easier.

NAICS & reference: Many firewood sellers fall under NAICS 454310 – Fuel Dealers. You can review the official definition on the U.S. Census Bureau NAICS page for 454310. For broader fuel-cost and winter-heating trends, see the U.S. Energy Information Administration Winter Fuels Outlook.

Freshness note: Snapshot aligned to recent U.S. energy and heating trends; always confirm local firewood regulations, transport rules, and permitting requirements in your state before submitting your plan.

What’s Inside the Plan

In plain English, you’re getting a complete firewood delivery service business plan with every section lenders expect, plus a connected 36-month forecast. Here’s how each part works together.

1. Executive Summary

A lender-friendly overview of your firewood delivery company: service area, customer segments, pricing tiers, and funding request. You’ll outline startup costs, working-capital needs, and growth goals for the first three seasons, so reviewers understand the story and risk profile before they dive into the numbers.

2. Services & Revenue Model

Lay out your mix of seasoned and kiln-dried wood, cords and half-cords, stacking, kindling, and subscription drops. The template links volume and pricing to revenue, then layers in add-ons like premium species, off-route deliveries, and emergency runs. You’ll show how each service line contributes to margin instead of just listing “we deliver firewood.”

3. Market & Local Demand Analysis

Describe your trade area using real-world drivers: climate, number of wood-heated homes, local restaurant demand for wood-fired ovens, cabins and campgrounds, and competing suppliers. The section helps you document realistic order volume, retention, and pricing bands so lenders see where your route density will come from, not vague “high demand” claims.

4. Operations, Yard, and Safety Standards

Here’s where you spell out sourcing, processing, drying, storage, and delivery logistics. You’ll walk through equipment, yard layout, moisture control, truck and trailer setups, routing tools, PPE, and safety procedures. The plan shows how many cords per week each route can handle and how you’ll maintain quality and compliance with local firewood transport rules.

5. Marketing & Route Growth Plan

This section connects your marketing to actual orders: Google Business Profile, local SEO, flyers, referral partners, social media, and subscription promos. You’ll map seasonal campaigns, pre-buy offers, and re-order reminders to target leads per month, so reviewers can see how your marketing budget supports the revenue in your forecast.

6. Management, Staffing, and Vendor Relationships

Clarify who owns what: scheduling, cutting and processing, delivery, customer service, and bookkeeping. Whether you’re an owner-operator running one truck or a small fleet with drivers and yard staff, you’ll outline experience, responsibilities, and backup coverage. Banks want to see that someone is watching costs, safety, and route performance—not just stacking wood.

7. 3-Year Financial Forecast

A pre-built 36-month forecast that ties order volume, pricing, and route capacity to revenue, cost of wood, fuel, labor, insurance, and overhead. You’ll see month-by-month cash flow, breakeven, and profitability with seasonality baked in. Update core assumptions—cords per week, drop sizes, average price per cord, and trucks on the road—and the model recalculates instantly for lenders.

Who This Plan Is For

This firewood delivery business plan template is built for U.S. operators starting or expanding a route-based firewood service: owner-operators formalizing a side hustle, forestry and logging pros adding delivery and stacking, rural service providers applying for SBA loans or grants, and teams supplying restaurants, cabins, or campgrounds that need reliable, specs-driven delivery.

Why This Business Plan Template Works

It mirrors how lenders review route-based, seasonal businesses: clear use-of-funds, realistic volume and pricing assumptions, detailed route and safety operations, and a 3-year forecast that matches your story. You keep full control—edit in Word, share as PDF—and reuse the model as you add routes, trucks, or new service tiers.

How do I write a firewood delivery business plan?

Follow an SBA-style outline: executive summary, company and services, market analysis (residential, restaurant, campground), operations and safety, management, and a 3-year forecast. Tie weekly cord volume and route capacity to fuel, labor, and equipment payments, then show how subscriptions and pre-season sales protect cash flow during slower months.

What should my firewood pricing and delivery model include?

Define clear tiers (seasoned vs. kiln-dried), minimum drop sizes, delivery radius fees, stacking and kindling add-ons, and subscription discounts. Protect margins with realistic assumptions for cords per trip and fuel usage, then reflect those levers in your forecast so lenders can see exactly how route efficiency supports profit.

What You’ll Turn In

• Professional firewood delivery business plan in Word & PDF.
• 36-month financial forecast tied to route capacity and pricing tiers.
• Use-of-funds, breakeven, and cash-flow views lenders can scan quickly.

What You’ll Customize

• Service area, delivery radius, and route schedule.
• Wood types, pricing tiers, stacking and kindling add-ons, and subscriptions.
• Trucks, trailers, equipment, storage layout, and local regulatory notes.

What’s Not Included

• Legal, tax, or accounting advice, or preparation of license/permit applications.
• Custom spreadsheet development beyond the included 3-year model.
• On-site consulting, driver training, or equipment maintenance services.

Frequently Asked Questions

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