Any point in starting a food related business?

[qlty]

I had 2 snack routes over a 28 year period and made a living at it .The last one I had I only worked 4 days a week and hired no help.The last thing People do is stop eating and when the econemy was bad my sales never droped they increased,they might not buy a steak but a bag of chips or pretzels was affordable when they had to conserve ,stay home and watch TV.

[Just1Fan]

Originally Posted by shiphead

I wouldn't even know where to find a study on it.

Try the local Health Department.

[saekitchen]

If you want to start a food business look for classes in your area held by SORE (retired business professionals) or other kitchen incubators, they can be a word of help giving you information and things to think about. They also will be able to tell you what your local Health department requires... and weather your food product could fall under the "Cottage Food" law you may be able to start you business at home.
if you have questions about the San Diego area I don't mind answering questions.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by saekitchen

If you want to start a food business look for classes in your area held by SORE (retired business professionals) or other kitchen incubators, they can be a word of help giving you information and things to think about. They also will be able to tell you what your local Health department requires... and weather your food product could fall under the "Cottage Food" law you may be able to start you business at home.
if you have questions about the San Diego area I don't mind answering questions.

sore=score

[AlfredB1979]

Originally Posted by qlty

I had 2 snack routes over a 28 year period and made a living at it .The last one I had I only worked 4 days a week and hired no help.The last thing People do is stop eating and when the econemy was bad my sales never droped they increased,they might not buy a steak but a bag of chips or pretzels was affordable when they had to conserve ,stay home and watch TV.

Good point.

People won't stop eating, but they won't go out to restaurants near as often when "the fit hits the shan", either. When just rumors of the war started back around spring break in '03, that was the end of my good biz. Heck, I even tried delivery, but the folks I talked to were more into leaving the office. I guess people were thinking the end of the world was near back then, too, and some needed to get away for lunch.

If you can't make tons of whatever for 99 cents a pop a la McDonald's, then don't bother.

If you need this biz to make a living with, don't bother. As noted, your state and maybe even locale will have their hands out for their share of your profits.

If I could have found another job and let my manager run things and let the biz tread water to where my tax was near minimal, then maybe...but, I was 23 and not wanting to flip burgers for the rest of my life in a fickle town. It wasn't good eating fried stuff 3x a day, either.