How did you start your catering business?

Question

I live in PA and want to cater in NJ. Has anyone started a catering business here? If so, how did you start? I plan on using a home office.

Answer 1

You must be licensed to operate in each county that you service. You should be trained in food service sanitation, and most importantly, all food served must be prepared in a certified kitchen (rules out most home kitchens). Food prepared in a client's home kitchen and served in the same is ok, but that limits the size and type of catering you offer. Establish a Limited Liability Corporation (LCC) to keep legal issues apart from your personal assets, and make sure that the insurance you take out covers a catering business. Inquire at your local small business development center for more details. It is more complicated than it seems. Good Luck in your business.

Answer 2

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 5th by Denise Vivaldo
* How to Run a Catering Business from Home by Christopher Egerton-Thomas
* Start and Run a Catering Business by George Erdosh

State Specific:
* How to Start a Business in Pennsylvania by Desiree A. Petrus, Mark Warda
* How to Start a Business in Pennsylvania by Entrepreneur Press

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

Your decision to begin the business from home is quite right for, like charity, business also begins at home.Try on a modest scale a Tiffin service reaching food tins to thesubscribers at the office in time. There is indeed an urgent need of this tothe office-goers who have to leave the house quite early to reach office in time.If in addition you get some boarders do enrol them.The boarders would love if you can also extend the service to providing wholesome breakfast. From there opening a small catering established is but a step away.

And you have already founded a future catering business.

Answer 4

first check the local food laws in the area...
the call around to other catering companies to see what they charge and do..

Answer 5

I was watching food network and it said a big mistake is cateringfrom your home, so make sure you rent a kitchen from a church or from a culinary school when they dont have classes..