5 Steps to Start a Successful Catering Business

If you are passionate about cooking and are considering starting a business, both and begin a small scale catering business. 

How do you start a small catering business? Well, catering doesn’t always refer to providing lunch for 100 people at a corporate meet, or buffet or  appetizers at an anniversary celebration with 200 guests. Begin small,with a dessert and coffee bar for after-theater entertaining or parties for 50 or even dinners for 12. 

Once your business has gained some considerable footing, make an evaluation of your operations and decide whether to expand or stay small. 

Here are some tips to assist you in starting a small catering business:

1. Create an Equipment Inventory

Outline all the items you’d require to start catering. Take stock of what you have and what equipment you’ll have to buy. For instance, your current dishwasher may not be suitable for washing the amount of dishes you’ll need to properly handle your business. Or you may need to buy another freezer. You’ll also require dishes to carry the food,equipment to keep hot food hot, coolers, and serving dishes.

2. Figure out your Market Niche

Go for a market niche that you believe you’d be great at or one that others have overlooked. Being a small caterer, you might not to be able to manage a dinner for big wedding. You can organize catering for smaller events such a baby showers, birthday parties or team meetings.

Create a menu to offer catering clients. Check out what your competitors are providing. Find out which local restaurants offer catering services. Curate the menu based on your skills and what your target market likes. Make your rates competitive but profitable.

3. Have a clear business plan

 Catering can be a fantastic venture. However, you need to clearly write out your business plan. You have to decide the way your business will work, and the goals you’re aiming for in each year of operation. A formal business plan is necessary if you intend to get financing. No investor or bank will look at someone with a poorly made plan. Utilizing a catering business plan template can assist you to be better organized and add everything you require.

4. Create and Provide a Catering Inquiry Form

One of the first and most important points of contact with a prospective client is an inquiry. Filling an inquiry form is how a client would disclose their details and that of the event they are planning. They would also state what particular services they want from the catering company. 

Doing all these requires the use of a catering inquiry form template. This is a unique form that has fields that need to be filled to give the kinds of information we stated above. This form has to be as comprehensive as possible and suitably tailored to the catering field.

5. Create a Marketing Strategy

Build a marketing strategy to reach your prospective clients. Design a brochure, stationery and business cards. Make some of your signature dishes and take pictures of them for your website and brochure. Although you’re planning a small catering business, bear in mind that a very high number of people use the internet to comparison shop.