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Niche Business Idea | Vegetarian Catering 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
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.
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 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!
About the author:
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. You
can visit her site at Digital Women: "Women with their modems
running..."
http://www.digital-women.com