Niche Business Idea | Vegetarian Catering
Business
Niche Business Description
Catering is a popular business. Starting
a niche catering business will guarantee you a segment of the market. Presently
there are more than 50,000 catering businesses in the US alone. Carving
a niche in this market can be profitable as it will make you stand out
from the competition. Starting a vegetarian catering business will be slightly
more profitable than most catering businesses simply because you have cut
one major cost, the cost of meat.
A caterer purchases, prepares, delivers,
and serves food for special events. If you have the cooking know-how, some
good business and communication skills, you can start an enjoyable enterprise.
To Get Started With Your Business
The first thing you will need to do is
check with your local state health department to find out what licenses,
permits, or certifications you will need to operate your business. If you
will be preparing the food, you will probably need to get your own kitchen
inspected and certified or you will need a certified commercial kitchen
to work from.
Access to a commercial kitchen can become
expensive in overhead costs. You might get around this buy renting a certified
kitchen for your events.
Business Supplies Needed
Startup costs could easily reach $5,000
to $20,000.00 depending on how well you budget. You will need a variety
of supplies for your business including but not limited to:
pots and pans
cooking and serving utensils
delivery and service tools
source of food
Other Business Costs
Other costs could include insurance payments,
legal fees, licensing fees, inspection fees, marketing materials, advertising
costs, travel expenses, hired help, etc.
Marketing Your Business
Your customers would include individuals
who like to give parties, companies needing to feed employees or giving
corporate parties, groups and associations for meetings or seminars or
conventions. You could even market to film crews when in your area. To
be successful you will have to devote a lot of time to marketing your business
by meeting potential clients on a speculative basis. Try to stay away from
traditional menus and explore new exotic menus.
Don't forget that social catering involves
weekend and evening work so be prepared to give up those times when needed.
It's also a seasonal business and can require much longer hours during
holidays.
Show Me the Money
Your potential earnings are unlimited.
Traditionally a caterer can make anywhere from 40,000.00 to 100,000.00
per year depending on their clients. Average fees run from $750.00 to $15,000.00
per event depending on the number of people being served and how.
Catering Business SIC Code: 5812-12
Happy Catering!
Rebecca Game has been an entrepreneur for
over 30 years and is the Founder of Digital Women®, an online community
for women in business providing business resources and tools including
loans for women, grants for women and business networking tools.
http://www.digital-women.com
Home Business
Ideas
Small
Business Ideas |
