Start your own catering business
82Business Plan
This is the first thing you need to think about before you can think of starting a catering business. It's not something that you can rush into, but to be successful careful planning has to be thought up.
- Name and Location
- Who customers will be
- Content of menu and drinks list
- Staffing costs
- Purchase costs
- Rental costs
- Projected Income
- Intro - purpose, history, staff, unique selling point
- Executive simmary - business in general ( short and to the point)
- Overview - mission, what you are looking to achieve and why do ou think it will work (be clear and short)
- Business Environment - Market Research, Location, problems, solutions, competition, expansion potential. You could be looking for a home catering business or you might like to stick to a restaurant in the town or city.
Different Types of catering services
There is no limitation when starting a catering business. You can branch out into many areas, looking at what suits you best. Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages apply it to your case. You could be best suited to starting a home catering business and then again starting a mobile catering business might be the better option for choice. It all depends on your circumstances.
Home based catering business
Starting a home based catering business is a great option if you need to stay at home, but would like to set up a business. It is definitely a possibility
Mobile catering business.
These are more popular. They are cheaper and easy to set up.
Small catering business
For example you could bake cakes or specialize in childrens' birthday parties, which in could in fact turn out to be a big business if you want it to.
Estimating Start Up Costs
Starting up a catering business is easier than it sounds. These are the things you will need to think about when starting up your business
Business premises
Equipment needed
Marketing tools (eg. business cards, menus, telephone, website, computer)
Accountancy Costs
Basic Food Supplies
Operating Costs
- Utility Costs (water, electricity, gas)
- Insurance coverage
- Business Rates
- Salaries
- Rent
- Taxes
Seasonal Peaks and Troughs
- Marketing
- New Menus and send to customers
- Set up some cookery classes
- Practice Accounting
- Paint the kitchen
Ideas for starting a catering business
- Keep up with the latest trends, French catering is out of date eg. Duck a ' l orange. Use the best of everything. If you are making tomato soup use the best tomatoes.
- Cater for people with different needs such as vegetarians and Diabetics.
Suggestions with Sandwiches
- Beef with beetroot chutney
- Best BLT
- Caesar Salad in ciabatta
- Camemberet with dates and grated apples
- Chicken with saffron mayonaise and red peppers
Here are a few salad suggestions
- Roasted Mediterranian vegetables
- Moroccan couscous with mint, tomato and red pepper
- Roquefort, french beans and hazelnut
- Salmon with pasta and dill
- Roasted Aubergine, mozzarella, tomato and pesto
Send new recipe ideas to your customers
Keep a note of costings per head
Keep recipes on file for staff in kitchen
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Thanks for stopping by!
once catering business is up and running the next step is maintaining it and attracting customers and improving products and services.
that's the next chapter, haley
Very well written!
thanks BrainSpace, thanks for reading :)
Great share! Very helpful for those who wants to really start a catering business. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment, catering101,indeed hope it is helpful
I must say great tips!!
This is a valuable information for those who would like to start up a business and for those who are already in business.
Thanks guys, appreciate it!
Interesting article, I would also recommend this link for a sample business plan file for those seeking to start a business
http://bit.ly/dAeYEM - Business Plan Kit
Whatever it is, the long term success of your catering business will depend on few factors such as taste, cleanliness, cost, presentation, innovative poducts etc.
Anyway a useful hub.
Some great catering business information here thanks. http://www.cateringbusinesssuccess.com
thanks for the comments, guys
ps. easy on the links
Thanks for the info, I was thinking about starting up one, but I'll see what happens. Nice hub. Vote up + useful :)
go for it, Liberty
No doubt, it's difficult to setup but if someone follow above instructions, definitely, s/he will reduce the time, efforts and chances of losing it. Voted!
Thanks, Ankush!
thanks for the info,iim really into it now becausei was doubting at first but u gave me courage and strength
thanks for dropping by, leo!
Really great post. My friends and I would love to give our course away on starting a catering business. The only thing I'd need is your new catering business questions. :)
Thanks. I will give it a trial
Wow this is nice advice that you have shared. Well i am also into catering business.
asdas
This is indeed very interesting. Am on it
Very nice , it was very helpful..
Thanks so much
I am in the process of getting my catering business off the ground. I think when starting small take it slow and do not go into debt the worst thing you can do is eat up your profits before you make them. Also do not forget to check with your local laws and health dept.
I AM A 20 year old who is planning on staring a catering business, will be working with my best friend and i realised that to ge a loan we need tio have an extremely good presentation
Great post and was good read. Looking forward for more!
this is good, i learned alot!
Thank you, you have no idea how much u have helped.
Hey thank!this is going to be useful for mother.she's not close to information like this,but i am.Unversity of Turfloop,this is the place she pushed me to,i am close to internet.She always needed me and my brother to get this information for her,well i have got it.Once again thank you very much.
i want so bad to cook for people and have my own cooking business it is my dream.
thanks guys,
turn your dreams into a reality. All you have to do is believe it is possible and set up your goals.
Was fun to read through your hub today. My mom used to do catering with several friends when I was growing up so that she would have extra money for all of the things we demanded as kids I'm sure. But it was a great occupation she enjoyed doing the events and parties and we loved the left overs she would bring us home. As I got older myself and friends were often hired to be the helping hands running around setting up tables, picking up spills, etc. Will never forget the 90 year old guys that always like to stop by and ask when we were gonna start spiking the punch.
I love catering business.
Catering Trailers 2 years ago
Fascinating - Good Post.
Seems to me that a bit more emphasis is needed on finding a gap in the market, and as with all retail or quasi retail businesses catering is very location sensitive. What works in one place may be over competitive elsewhere.