Starting and running a catering business pdf

To start a catering business, start by deciding what kind of food or events you want to specialize in, like appetizers and cocktails or wedding receptions. Make a catering business plan. Bbq business plan pdf sample.

The first part of your dessert catering business plan is the overview of the industry you are in. Before you begin, no matter how sure you are about your decisions, always remember the value of planning.

At the state and federal level: After you have purchased, you will see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. But the first step to success is having a clear plan. We will also email you the download link. After getting started with upmetrics, you can copy this sample catering business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your catering business plan pdf or doc file.

This serves as a guide for you to follow as you attempt to overcome the challenges faced in the world of business. It should define your company goals, target audience, and market competitors in a clear and concise manner. Contact the small business administration sba to get guidance on the rules in your local area. A business plan can help you conduct your daily business activities without chaos, have good finances, help you in finding your desired customers, and in making your unique business idea a marketable one.

Having a list of items you will serve, helps you organize your services better. It also helps your customers understand what you can offer and decide if your service is the right one for them or not. It also becomes important that you design your menu as per your target audiences' tastes and preferences. Figure out from where you'll provide services, what would be the amount of rent you'll have to pay, which location would be good for your business , etc. Apart from that, you also need to figure out staffing costs, the size of your team, the skills required, and so on.

Getting good supplies is essential for a catering business. Because you need to pay attention to quality as well as the taste of the food you'll offer. Having a fixed supplier helps you maintain consistency in the quality of your food. Although many catering services work on the go and prefer to rent equipment, it is a good practice to have the basic equipment in case of contingency. It would also decrease your reliance on other people, and pose lesser challenges while gathering supplies for new orders.

Having your own equipment also makes it easier for you and your team to prepare orders as you get familiar with how to use those tools. Now that you have done the research, let's learn how you can write a business plan for yourself. Now you might wonder, where to start from, how to go about writing a plan from scratch, and most importantly how to know if you have written a good one?

You can easily write a well-rounded business plan either through a pre-designed template or through an online business plan software. Moreover, an online business plan software can help you write a flexible business plan that grows alongside your business. This is the standard catering business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan. Although your plan would keep changing as your business grows, here are a few key sections that would form the foundation of your business plan:.

This executive summary section would be the first one on your plan. It provides a summary of all that your business stands for. It can be divided into the following subsections:. The operational strategy section helps you plan how to work towards achieving your business goals.

A good operational strategy would make your business activities less chaotic and prevent them from being all over the place. It would include the following segments:. This section consists of a detailed description of the services you offer. You must obtain a georgia business license and also meet requirements specific to retail food service businesses. All food sales establishments must obtain a license from the ommissioner of agriculture. Asi regulatory requirements additional guidance and regulations for starting a food business are available on the gda website.

Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a certificate of occupancy co. A catering business is generally run out of a large storefront.

Have you thought about starting a catering business out of your home? You will need a business license or business permit in most places, which gives you the right to conduct business in your area.

Catering offers a lot the same creative freedoms as running a restaurant, at a fraction of the cost. Who is catering suited to? Order a business license from the georgia department of revenue. Discover the ins and outs around starting a home based catering business!

Find a place with adequate plumbing so you'll be able to set up your cooking and catering equipment. Check with your landlord and your local zoning office to make sure you can install the proper equipment like ventilation hoods and grease traps. If you plan to host tastings or sell food directly from your kitchen, look for a place with a storefront that's separate from the kitchen, and provide tables and seating for customers.

Set up your kitchen. Catering work requires industrial equipment that is usually more expensive than equipment you would use in your home kitchen. Create a budget and figure out exactly what you'll need to run your business efficiently.

For example, if many of your items are baked, install at least two ovens. If you have a lot of fried foods, opting for more than one fryer might be a good idea. You may want to install multiple sinks to make your prep work more efficient, especially if you plan on hiring people. Plan ahead for food storage, too.

Multiple refrigerators and a walk-in freezer might be necessary to store dishes you prepare ahead of time. Heated and non-heated holding areas are important for holding temperature and storing prepared items. Obtain all the pots, pans, and other kitchen equipment you need to make the items on your menu. Purchase the catering equipment that you will use on-site. The equipment you choose will depend on the type of service you want to provide, but at minimum you will need serving platters and serving utensils.

You may want to offer special display trays and tiered food platters to help make the catered event more festive. Make sure you have the proper equipment to keep the food either cold or hot, such as chafing dishes with liquid fuel burners. Consider buying linens, napkins, table decorations and centerpieces. Some catering businesses also offer tent canopies for outdoor events. Part 3. Get applicable permits and licenses. Research the laws in your area regarding distribution of food or alcohol at catering sites.

Make sure you have the permits and licenses you need before you get started. Set your prices. Make sure you have paperwork in order for when you do consultations, tastings, and cater events.

Either hire an accountant or do your own bookkeeping to keep track of your expenses, invoices and income. Buy a van and other equipment for transporting food. Make sure the van has plenty of space for storage of food, linens, tableware, and any other equipment you might need to bring to your clients' sites. One vehicle should be sufficient to start. You may decide to buy more if your business expands.

Hire staff. Decide what staff you will need to help you with food preparation, delivery, and service. Instead of hiring staff right off the bat, you could also use a temp agency for your cooks and servers, at least until you build up your business. Consider what type of uniforms you want your serving staff to wear. Train your employees to provide the type of service you want to offer your clients. Apply for an account with food suppliers.

When you're just starting out you may be able to use a local wholesale club to buy your food, but if you get busy enough, you will find it easier to do business with a larger supply company.

Produce can be acquired locally from farmers. The makers of alcohol will sometimes give you a special deal on their brand if you display their logo at events. Market your business. Pass out fliers and menus, post on Facebook, and take out ads in local newspapers a few weeks before you plan to open. You can start taking orders ahead of time and do mobile tasting events to get the word out. Submit your business information to wedding sites and ask for banquet halls and popular local wedding venues to refer potential clients to you.

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get new catering business. Do your best to make the first few events go smoothly, and soon you'll have your hands full with new clients.