Starting a food catering business. (financial, investors, advertise, requirements)

[anu123]

I am planning to start a catering business in Indian food in Howard County, MD. I know that I have to have a permit and work out of a commercial kitchen, but other than that I pretty much don't know where to start. Any ideas and pointers from anyone in or considering the same business is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time folks.

Anu.

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by anu123

I am planning to start a catering business in Indian food in Howard County, MD. I know that I have to have a permit and work out of a commercial kitchen, but other than that I pretty much don't know where to start. Any ideas and pointers from anyone in or considering the same business is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time folks.

Anu.

Where's your business plan?

What's your direct competition? Who's your indirect competition? What prices do competitors charge? How will you advertise and market your services? What services will you offer in addition to catering?

[DLowery]

If you have not done it yet; the best starting point for you is to get what you want to do down on paper. [/font]

Developing your business plan helps you to make your dream a reality; but only if you work at it to do the things necessary to reach your goal. [/font]

A good business plan is something that funding sources and/or prospective investors are going to want to see so that should be your priority at this point.

In general, Business Plans should consist of the following

Executive Summary
Market Opportunity
Vision, Mission, & Objectives
Management
Business Strategy
Competition
Risk
Financial Plan/Capital Requirements
Summary

How complex and comprehensive your plan should be depends on what you plan to use it for. This generally falls into 3 categories:

1. Internal Planning (to form the business)
2. Internal Planning and presentation to close contacts that might want to invest in the business.
3. Internal Planning, close contacts presentation and presentation to experienced investors and/or sources of funding for the business.

Business plans can range from 10 pages to 50+. Simpler business plans (really more of an extended Executive Summary) are usually 10 pages or so and would primarily be used for internal planning purposes. These type plans are less complex.


Plans for presentation to personal funding sources or investor-ready business plans designed for professional investor presentation are longer and much more comprehensive (they have to be to cover all of the aspects of your business that an investor or funding source is going to want to know about).

I hope the above helps.

Moderator cut: no signatures per site ToS please

[Ines74]

What permits do I need for a catering business in the state of New Jersey?