Food Service

Step 1: Assess your skills

Before you start, take a moment to write down your strengths, consider your support network, and brainstorm your resources better yet, research what resources are available to you.

Step 2: Create a business plan

This is a great way to get your thoughts and plans on paper, which can be useful for you to refer back to you during the process of starting and operating your business. A business plan can also be beneficial if you’re looking for funding to start your food business.

Step 3: Set up your business

Once you’ve studied your market, you know where there’s a hole that needs to be filled, and you’ve taken some time to create a business plan, you’re ready to take the first steps toward starting your food business.

Step 4: Look for funding options

When you’re thinking about how to start a food business, one of the major concerns can be the funds you need to get started. The initial investment in a business can be costly and it can take months, even years before a business is profitable.

Step 5: Invest in products and tools

One of the most important relationships you form as a food business owner is with your suppliers. Your suppliers are the businesses that make sure you get the food and products you need to keep your business going.

Step 6: Create an online presence

The food industry is notoriously difficult to break into. For example, 85% of consumer packaged goods products fail within the first two years. One important step to avoiding that fate is establishing your online presence and nurturing your consumer base.

Step 7: Set your pricing

One of the first steps in figuring out what you should charge for certain foods is to do market research. Go to your competitors to see what they’re serving, what their portion sizes are, and how much they’re charging.

Step 8: Serve up delicious foods

What you’ll cook, how it will taste to the diners, and what seasonal changes you’ll make to the menu. Owning a food business is only partly about the food, though—there’s also a ton of time spent on operating and managing the business. Study up to ensure success.

Cited Sources:

How to Start Your Food Business: an 8-step Guide

How to Start a Food Business - NerdWallet

Starting a Food Business Checklist: What you Need to Know - Lightspeed