How to Open a Catering Business
Are you passionate about enjoying the hustle, joie-de-vivre and pride that a catering business can provide? If so, opening your own catering business might be the perfect business for you! But where do you start? Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate the process of launching your catering business.
Step 1: Develop a Clear Concept
Firstly, decide on the unique selling proposition of your catering business. Think about factors like the target audience, location, and menu, packaging and delivery vehicles. Having a crystal clear concept will help your catering business stand out in a competitive market. Find your lane, be specific, and aim to be the best at it.
Step 2: Create a Business Plan
A comprehensive business plan is crucial for securing funding and keeping your catering business on track. Key components should include:
- Executive summary (one or two paragraphs succinctly describing the Plan)
- Company description (who are you and what do you stand for?)
- Market analysis (why your concept will work)
- Product offerings (what will you be the best at?)
- Marketing and sales strategies (how will you find your clients?)
- Management and organization structure (who’s running the show?)
- Financial projections, including Business Model and Prime Cost percentages (VERY Important. If the money doesn’t work, your business doesn’t work.)
- Profit First for a Catering Business (MacDaddy PF Cash) Buy and read or listen to the book, Profit First for Restaurants by Kasey Anton.
Step 3: Raise Money – If needed
Secure funding with a solid business plan in hand, approach banks, investors, or other financing options to secure funding. Be prepared to present your plan and discuss your catering business’s unique selling points and why you are a good investment.
Step 4: Choose an Efficient Location/Area
… and learn everything about it. You will need to find a reliable kitchen in a location not far from your ideal audience of course. The nice thing is, that it doesn’t have to be in the most beautiful area or town considering you will be taking the food to your clients thus helping to keep overhead low – this is key!
Step 5: Design Your Catering Business
Design your catering business with your target audience and brand identity in mind. Prioritize strategic client management (buildout their “love journey”), efficiency, excellent customer service, and great branding and marketing. Most people will find you through friends and family, or online.
Step 6: Select Suppliers and Obtain Necessary Permits
Research and select suppliers for your beverages, food items and packaging. With your suppliers and equipment in place, make sure you have all the required permits and licenses to operate your catering business. These may include business licenses, health permits, and vehicle permits. (Note: Some suppliers may also “lend” or “lease” you equipment if you agree to sell/use their products. It’s worth looking into…)
Step 7: Hire and Train Staff
You should already have an idea in mind of who your ideal staff is and where to find them. If not, stay tuned for a separate blog on that.
Step 8: Develop a Marketing Strategy
To simply just “know” that you have an impressive catering business and “everyone” will want to be there is not enough. A marketing strategy of “if we build it, they will come” is no strategy at all. A strategy could include a completed social media calendar and how that will work. Maybe a day dedicated to stopping in at local businesses, dropping off homemade treats with literature on why they should hire you for their next event. Joining the Chamber of Commerce and other local business networking groups and get involved…
Step 9: Implement Profit First! (MacDaddy PF Cash Management System)
Read the book, Profit First for Restaurants by Kasey Anton. Order it HERE! THIS cashflow management system will be the foundation ensuring that you have a very successful catering business. This is non-negotiable. Do it.
Step 10: Launch and Iterate
With everything in place, it’s time to open your catering business! Once you’re up and running, regularly evaluate your business performance and adjust your strategies as needed. Continuously refine your menu, marketing efforts, and customer experience to ensure long-term success.
Opening a catering business requires careful planning, but with passion, determination, and the right strategy, (as well as reading the book, Profit First for Restaurants) you can turn your dream into a thriving business. By following these ten steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a catering business that will be a cherished part of your community. Cheers to your future success!
Ending Notes
If you have questions, please feel free to email us at hello@sparkbusinessconsulting.com.
Need help getting organized? Get the Spark Business Tool
We created a Business Tool in Trello that will help you get your business idea organized and able to evolve with your business. Check it out HERE.
