{"id":1516,"date":"2017-10-31T19:58:24","date_gmt":"2017-10-31T23:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/?p=1516"},"modified":"2017-10-24T20:20:41","modified_gmt":"2017-10-25T00:20:41","slug":"advice-launching-successful-catering-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/advice-launching-successful-catering-business\/","title":{"rendered":"More Advice for Launching a Successful Catering Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"More<\/p>\n

Opening a Catering Business \u2013 Part II<\/strong><\/p.\n\n\n

Earlier, we discussed the first steps you should undertake before launching a new catering business<\/a>. These steps included researching the local competition, finding a niche for your business, identifying potential customers, and writing a business plan. In addition, we discussed contacting your state\u2019s occupation licensing authorities and health department to find out exactly what you need (the National Federation of Independent Businesses<\/a> website can help you in that regard). With those preliminary actions under your belt, you\u2019re ready to move on to the next and more enjoyable stages: planning your enterprise.<\/p>\n

Creating a Catering Menu with Pricing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creating a catering menu will help you figure out how much kitchen space you’ll need, what appliances you should buy and install, and how much you can expect to bring in financially. Base the menu on your specialties and what your targeted market niche wants on its plate. Price the items so that you stay competitive but still make a profit. <\/p>\n

Pricing, always a challenge, is especially difficult for those just starting out. In general, prices are determined by the time it takes to prepare the dish, plus the cost of the ingredients, plus the profit margin you\u2019re aiming for. Keeping your menu a manageable size, with foods you’re comfortable cooking and items that are made with ingredients you know you can source, are your best options for creating a realistic menu with fair pricing. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Equipping Your Kitchen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019re planning to lease an already-existing, fully equipped professional kitchen, you will probably want to start small, perhaps even in your own kitchen. Although you can build your equipment inventory as you grow, you will still need to invest in new (or used) professional equipment and supplies. Starting a professional catering business is more than just cooking for a friend\u2019s party, and it will take time before you and your kitchen are up and running. Depending on your state\u2019s health regulations, you may need to have a separate set of cooking utensils, pots, serving dishes, etc., that are used for business only, and not from your personal kitchen. The same may be true for food ingredients. <\/p>\n

\"Launching<\/p>\n

Give Yourself Space to Work and Expand<\/strong><\/p>\n

Making a list of equipment and cookware that you will need to start can be a particularly labor-intensive part of the set-up. Write down the items you’ll need to begin with, and inventory what you have and what equipment you’ll need to purchase. Remember to check the Internet for second-hand equipment.<\/p>\n

Plan to allow room for plenty of food preparation and storage space. You may not have room for a commercial walk-in refrigerator, for example, but you will probably need to invest in additional refrigeration and freezer equipment that can fit into your space. You may also want to install at least one more sink to make your prep work more efficient, especially if you plan on hiring staff. <\/p>\n

Invest in Durable Catering Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n

The equipment you will need to purchase depends on the type of service you will be providing. At minimum you will need serving platters, serving utensils, glassware and dishes, as well as food transportation products such as insulated food carriers and tote boxes. You will also need equipment to keep the food hot before being served, such as chafing dishes, coffee urns, and soup warmers. Many catering businesses also have special display trays and tiered food platters to help make their catered events look more festive. <\/p>\n

Smaller electric appliances such as mixers, convection and toaster ovens<\/a>, food processors, coffee makers, electric kettles, pressure cookers, steamers, deep fryers etc., should also be on your shopping list. And, while you may not need everything at first, you should always buy the best equipment you can afford. <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Finding the Right Vendors: Key to a Successful Catering Business<\/strong><\/p>\n

Catering is much more than just cooking; often, the caterer is also expected to provide linens, china, and even the tables and chairs at some events. Most caterers learn to rely on key vendors to supply these products, so begin by researching the suppliers in your area. You want vendors who take the time to learn who you are so they don\u2019t waste your time (and theirs) trying to sell you products that are inappropriate for your business. Professional vendors will take the time to visit your premises so they\u2019re familiar with the operation. They should ask questions and conduct an interview to find out what your company really does. Price is of course a factor in choosing the right vendors, but reliability, honesty, flexibility, and professionalism are equally important.<\/p>\n

Focus on Marketing<\/strong><\/p>\n

In parallel with the above steps, as you come closer to opening your business, start developing a marketing program to reach your potential clients. Create a website and include a system for showing testimonials and referrals. Make a few of your signature dishes and take photos for your website, Facebook page, and Instagram account. Although you may be starting small, a big marketing plan is essential, as more and more people use the Internet to comparison shop. If you don’t have a powerhouse website or blog, they won\u2019t be able to find you. If you don\u2019t know how to make your own website, use services such as Shopify<\/a> or Quick2Host to create a professional-looking online presence. <\/p>\n

Hire the Best Staff for Your Catering Business<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even at the very beginning, you won\u2019t be able to do everything yourself, so decide what staff you will need to help with food preparation, delivery, and service. If you\u2019re the chef, you will need a few people for the prep work \u2013 the peeling, chopping, and mixing \u2013 things that you won\u2019t have time for. On-site, you will need workers to set up and serve. If you don\u2019t want to jump into time-consuming interviews and advertising, consider using a temp agency to provide you with cooks and servers, at least until you build up your business. However, once you see that you\u2019re up and running, you should bring in your own people whom you can train to provide the type of service you want to offer your clients.<\/p>\n

Catering: Not for the Faint-Hearted<\/strong><\/p>\n

Catering is a hard business; it\u2019s short on glamour and long on hard work, grit, and determination. However, if you love to cook and are prepared for the work and accompanying investment, the catering industry can be rewarding \u2013 financially, professionally, and artistically. Once you work through the kinks that are part of every new business, your enterprise can be enjoyable and fulfilling, combining your love of food and your ability to make people happy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Opening a Catering Business \u2013 Part II<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5],"tags":[20,22,23],"class_list":["post-1516","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-buffett","category-guides","tag-catering","tag-catering-menu","tag-catering-service"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Open a Catering Business in Your Home Kitchen \u2013 Part 2<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Equipping your kitchen, creating a menu, and building a solid marketing plan are all part of opening a successful catering business.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/advice-launching-successful-catering-business\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" 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