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How To Write a Catering Business Plan w/ Templates (PDF, Word Doc)

Whether you’re starting a catering business full-time or planning to operate out of your house initially , writing a business plan is essential to getting clear on the type of catering business you want to open. After all there’s some pretty important stuff covered inside of what can seem like a stuffy document.

For the purposes of starting a catering company, think about the business plan as the one place you put your operation details. Things like the cooking equipment you need to purchase and the total cost, tentative catering menu, food costs, and who your target customer is. These are all super important details you need to understand before opening! This document provides a place for you to organize everything.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to draft your plan and start on that first catering gig you’ve been planning to open. We also provide templates you can use in PDF and Word Doc you can download and edit. Let’s get started.

Page Contents

Executive Summary

Introduction, company description, mission statement, company concept, market analysis, target market, industry analysis, competitive analysis, management structure, product line and services, sales and marketing, financial plan, funding request, financial forecast, operational plan, download templates.

Catering spread for a Mexican food concept.

Start your business plan with an executive summary. This is a way to introduce your catering business so whoever is reading your business plan will know what to expect. This will include a brief introduction of your catering business, a description of your company, the services your catering business will be providing, and the customer focus.

A quick introduction helps the reader get a bird’s eye view of your catering business. Here you’ll be talking about what to expect and what you can offer as part of your catering service.

This section isn’t considered lengthy. This usually has two to three sentences. What you need to focus on when writing this down is by the end of it, your reader will more or less understand what your catering business is all about.

Here’s an example introduction you can use as a guide:

The Big Spoon is a small catering business headed by Lydia Smith. She specializes in Italian cuisine but can cater to American, Mexican, and Asian dishes as well. The Big Spoon can accommodate an intimate dinner for 2 up to a large party of 50 accompanied with table settings and chafing dishes to complete that delicious home-cooked meal experience.

Just by the introduction, the reader will know how big your catering business is, what cuisine they can expect to order, and how many people the business can cater for. It also gives them an introductory glance about your catering style wherein you already provide more than just food but also a table setting so they don’t have to look for a supplier for this separately.

Keep your introduction informative but also short enough. You will be able to add in more to the details later on.

Some food trailers make more than 50% of their annual revenue from catering gigs.

A little background on your catering business is needed in the company description part of the business plan. Here, you can describe the meaning behind the name for your catering business, who the owners are, and what their roles are going to be. Who will be in charge of cooking? Who will be in charge of accounts and marketing?

This may just be brief but this is a way for you to introduce what’s going to happen behind the scenes of your catering business.

Catering works great for food trucks and restaurants.

Although your catering business may sound self-explanatory, it would still be of great help to you if you mentioned the services you’ll be offering.

For example, The Big Spoon already mentioned in their introduction that they’ll be catering food and offering table settings. They could also add that they will be offering an ice cream station and even a cocktail bar.

You will describe more of this in detail later on but you can summarize it and mention it here already.

Customer Focus

For a catering business to flourish, you must know your target market early on. And though a thorough explanation of that can be found in the Market Analysis section, you can briefly state them in this portion as well.

Also, remember that your customer focus would also have to coincide with your skills. You can’t be targeting customers who are vegans if your culinary skills and knowledge do not include cooking vegan food. This is why it’s important to write this early on so you can narrow down the customers you are planning to cater to.

What’s your mission statement?

Businesses with clear goals stated from the start lead to a successful operation. Why? Because every decision you make revolves around these goals which will lead you closer to success.

Here’s a sample mission statement to picture it out clearly:

The Big Spoon aims to cater delicious home-cooked meals to its customers. Every dish that is served will contain natural and fresh ingredients. We see to it that the service we provide is top-notch so that our customers will feel as if they are being served in a fine restaurant in the comforts of their own home or wherever they choose to have us cater them.

By writing this down in your business plan, you and your staff will have to stand by the standards you’ve set for yourselves. For instance, as stated in The Big Spoon’s mission statement, no fast food will be served and no artificial ingredients will be used so you and your staff will always remember this by heart.

By following this and revolving your decisions around your mission statement, you will be able to keep such standards which will lead to pleased and returning customers.

This is the section of the business plan where you can finally put in detail the concept you’ve been planning for your catering business. Remember the things you’ve been holding back in saying in the introduction? This is the time to write them all down now.

Related Reading: 7 Powerful Ways I Promote and Market My Catering Business

You can start by answering the following questions:

• What cuisine will you be offering?
• How many people can you cater to?
• Will you be offering healthy options such as vegan, keto, or paleo meals?

You may also add in other concept ideas that are not mentioned above. Just make sure to cover everything so you can have a basis for your product line and services to be tackled later on.

A compelling catering business logo.

Planning to put your business out there means you also have to know the industry you’ll be diving into. This is to help you analyze your potential customers, the growth of the catering business in your area, and the competition.

As mentioned above in the customer focus, your skills will have to match your target market. You’ve already written a brief introduction about it so in this section, all you have to do is to explain it in detail.

The catering business has been going on for a long while now so it’s important to gather in as much information as you can regarding this industry. This is to help you figure out if there is a potential market for your business and how to put your plans into action.

Another helpful guide is to look into the type of cuisine most people in your area look for. You can then incorporate it into your business and offer it as part of your menu.

The bottom line is that analyzing the industry around you helps you plan better for the future of your catering business.

You will not be the only catering business in your area. You’ll have to consider restaurants as your competition too. Check their prices and set menus. Do a competition check by tasting their food once in a while. Knowing who the players are in this competitive business game gives you the upper hand because you’ll be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and how to deal with them on the field.

Determine the key players in your business.

A catering service is run by a few people. In this section of the business plan, you’ll list down everyone who is working on this business alongside you as well as the roles they possess in your business. This includes:

• Business Partners
• Accountants
• Co-chefs (If you’re not the only one doing the cooking)

Why is this so important, you might ask? Stating clear business roles and laying out the management structure keeps everyone in check and helps avoid any misunderstandings. Most businesses that don’t define this early on end up having a messy workflow. So make sure to state each duty clearly for everyone to follow.

Burgers are a proven catering option.

This section of the business plan goes hand in hand with your company concept. Here you can present your different sample menus for all the cuisine you wish to cater to. Be sure to include the prices for the set menus per head.

You can also write down the services you plan to offer. Here are some you can consider for your catering business:

• Out of town catering
• Cocktail station
• Set up style (buffet or plated)
• Table setting (formal or casual, rustic or summer feel)
• Wait staff or food display only

Writing them all down in this section will keep your business more organized which is very important when you start on your catering business.

Grilled chicken is another popular option for caterers.

How are you going to market your catering business? Do you plan to have an ad out in your local newspaper and on social media? Both strategies are fine but you need to find more ways to get your catering business out there.

One way to market yourself is to partner up with rental spaces such as function halls that do not provide food. Give them a proposal that when there are inquiries regarding the rental of their halls, they would present your set menus to the guests as well so they don’t need to trouble over finding a caterer.

Related Reading: How I Started a Legit Catering Business Out of My House

Partnering with several event coordinators is also a way to get your business known. People these days hire event coordinators to do all the planning for them. They expect these coordinators to answer all their questions from food, music, and decorations. By partnering up with an event coordinator, they’ll be the ones to pitch in your catering business to their customers.

Remember to uphold your mission statement as well. By providing good food and high-class standards during your catering event, you’re already marketing your products and services to the number of people you’re catering to. So always make an exceptional first impression because that will stay with the guests long enough for them to remember hiring you on their next and succeeding events.

Plan your financial future.

Knowing where you’re going to get the funds to start your catering business is a must. This is how you’ll know if your plans are going to be achievable or not. Besides, having a solid financial plan will also allow you to go through with your ideas without any interruptions.

In this section, break down your financial plan into two categories which are your plans to request for funding and your financial forecast.

Some business owners are ready to put up their catering business due to having saved enough money through the years. But what if you lack the funds to do it? Don’t fret. You can still loan from the bank and invite investors.

Whatever your plan is that deals with requesting for funding, include it here so you can document it.

Make conservative and best case scenario financial forecasts.

Reaching break-even is the ultimate goal when you’re putting up a business. You can compute how long it will take you to reach it early on in the planning stage.

You can also list down all your proposed expenses here which include the following:

• Pots, pans, and other large kitchen appliances and tools for cooking
• Chafing dishes
• Dessert displays and trays
• Table cloths, plates, glasses, and utensils
• Uniforms for you and the staff
• Storage boxes and food warmers

You may also add in tables and chairs if you do not want to keep on renting these. But sometimes, the venue where you’ll be catering can provide these as well.

Download Now: Bakery Business Plan Templates for 2021

Be sure to include your staff’s payroll expenses. Since catering events are not done daily (unless you’ve already made a name for yourself and you’re booked every day), you can just have your wait staff be on call and pay them per catering event rather than a daily wage.

By computing these, you’ll know just how much you should allot for your startup capital and how much should your goals be to reach during every catering gig in order to profit off of it.

What’s your operation plan?

Put your plan into action by making a timeline of your operations. Here is an example:

Date Plan [Insert Date Here] – Finalize the business documents you need such as permits and registrations for your catering business.[Insert Date Here] – Start marketing your business on social media and the local news. Send out proposals for partnerships with event coordinators and function halls.[Insert Date Here] – Hire and train staff.[Insert Date Here] – Start catering when booked.[Insert Date Here] – Achieve goals and reach break-even.

The appendix section of the business plan is where you can put all your documentation. This includes photos of your food and table setting and your copies of the permits and registration for your catering business.

Here are the catering business plan samples in PowerPoint, Word Doc, Google Doc, and PDF. These are ideal for commercial or home-based catering businesses.

• Catering business plan template Google Doc
• PDF catering business plan sample
• Catering PowerPoint template
• Catering businesses are ideal because there is no space for you to rent which is considered one of the main expenses that can be quite heavy on the pockets. You will be cooking in the comfort of your own home. Just make sure your place can handle heavy cooking and there is enough space for you and your staff to move about.
• It would be nice to learn more about the different cuisines as you go along so you can cater to a wide variety of audiences.
• Include a checklist of all the equipment you need to operate at the start. These equipment requirements make up the bulk of your startup costs. You can download a checklist of frequently used catering equipment here .

Throughout this entire guide, we have been referring to your readers as one of the main reasons why you should make your catering business plan easy to understand. But in truth, making this business plan is for you as well. You will need this plan when you’re requesting for financial assistance in banks and this would also serve as your work guide. So remember to keep it detailed and easy to comprehend because you will be using this on the road to putting up your business.

While opening a catering business can be extraordinarily rewarding there are a few factors you should consider before deciding to push ahead. Creating a business plan lets you understand what the factors are, what’s going to make this business become a success, and how you can profit from the venture.

If you’re serious about starting a catering business, don’t forget to sign up for our Food Business Startup Kit . This free community will give you access to exclusive interviews with catering professionals you can use to help grow your own business.

Want to start your own food business?

Hey! 👋I’m Brett Lindenberg, the founder of Food Truck Empire.

We interview successful founders and share the stories behind their food trucks, restaurants, food and beverage brands. By sharing these stories, I want to help others get started.

If you liked this story, sign up for our newsletter that includes our food business startup kit and most popular interviews sent straight to your inbox.

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About the Author: Brett Lindenberg

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Catering Business Plan

How Can a Catering Business Plan Help You?

The catering business is one of the most rewarding careers as it not only lets you pursue your passion, it has the potential to grow into a huge business by size and volume if planned properly.

A business plan is helpful for a catering business because along with great cooking skills, great management skills are an integral part of a successful catering business.

A business plan can help you conduct your daily business activities without chaos, have good finances, help you find your desired customers, and make your unique business idea a marketable one.

Things to Consider Before Writing Your Catering Business Plan

Make a list of items you can serve.

Having a list of items you will serve, helps you organize your services better. It also helps your customers understand what you can offer and decide if your service is the right one for them or not.

It also becomes important that you design your menu as per your target audience’s tastes and preferences.

Figure out your location and staffing coasts

Figure out from where you’ll provide services, what would be the amount of rent you’ll have to pay, which location would be good for your business , etc.

Apart from that, you also need to figure out staffing costs, the size of your team, the skills required, and so on.

Figure out where you’ll get your supplies from

Getting good supplies is essential for a catering business. Because you need to pay attention to quality as well as the taste of the food you’ll offer. Having a fixed supplier helps you maintain consistency in the quality of your food.

Make a list of important equipment

Although many catering services work on the go and prefer to rent equipment, it is a good practice to have the basic equipment in case of contingency. It would also decrease your reliance on other people, and pose fewer challenges while gathering supplies for new orders.

Having your equipment also makes it easier for you and your team to prepare orders as you get familiar with how to use those tools.

Now that you have done the research, let’s learn how you can write a business plan for yourself.

How to Write a Catering Business Plan?

A good catering business plan consists of a clear description of your business’s functioning, your target market, the services you offer, the size of your company, a pricing strategy, and a well-designed employee management system.

Now you might wonder, where to start from, how to go about writing a plan from scratch, and most importantly how to know if you have written a good one.

Well, you need not worry.

You can easily write a well-rounded business plan either through a pre-designed template or through online business plan software.

Moreover, online business plan software can help you write a flexible business plan that grows alongside your business.

Catering Business Plan Outline

This is the standard catering business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Keys to Success
• Financial Summary
• Legal Entity
• Locations and Facilities
• Facility Design
• Boxed lunches
• Buffet style lunches
• Alternative Providers
• Future Products
• Internal Bright Future Customers
• Nonprofit External Customers
• For-profit External Customers
• Market Analysis
• Market Trends
• Market Growth
• Value Proposition
• Competitive Edge
• Distribution Strategy
• Marketing Programs
• Pricing Strategy
• Promotion Strategy
• Of Grape & Grain
• Cravings Fine Foods
• Ariana’s Deli
• Fettuccini and Co
• Napoli Restaurant
• Brindiamo Catering
• Wild Duck Brewery
• Oregon Electric Station
• Local and national grocery stores chains
• Local and national sandwich fast-food chains
• Strategic Alliances
• Organizational Structure
• Management Team Gaps
• Personnel Plan
• Other General Assumptions
• Fundraising Strategy
• Fundraising Programs
• Funding Forecast
• Start-up Summary
• Income Statement (5-Year Projections)
• Balance Sheet (5-Year Projections)
• Cash Flow (5-Year Projections)

Although your plan will keep changing as your business grows, here are a few key sections that would form the foundation of your business plan:

1. Executive summary

This executive summary section would be the first one on your plan. It provides a summary of all that your business stands for. It can be divided into the following subsections:

• Objectives : This segment would consist of the chief objectives of your company. What it aims to achieve, who it wants to serve, and where it wants to reach.
• Mission : This segment includes the mission statement of your business, it consists of what market gap you plan on filling with your business.
• Financial Summary : This segment will give a summary of the past and present condition of your finances as well as projected gains of your business.

A clear executive summary can come in handy if you need funding.

2. Operational Strategy

The operational strategy section helps you plan how to work toward achieving your business goals. It can be divided into the following subsections:

• Day-to-day activities : In this segment, you’ll write an overview of the best way of carrying out your business from onboarding clients to fulfilling the services.
• Long-term goals : This section would consist of long-term goals like serving a certain number of clients, growing your business to a certain size, and expanding to a certain number of branches, etc.

A good operational strategy would make your business activities less chaotic and prevent them from being all over the place.

3. Market Analysis

In this segment, you’ll write down every single detail you can find out about the market. It would include the following segments:

• Market trends : Knowing about all the prevailing market trends can help you design a plan that would change as per the evolving market, and also help you maintain the foundation your company stands on. It would also give you an overview of what your competitors are doing.
• Target Market : This segment would describe everything about your target market. The locations they prefer, the kind of cuisines they are into, how and when they procure catering services, etc.

This segment helps you understand what you are getting yourself into.

4. Services

This section consists of a detailed description of the services you offer. For example, the events you cater to, the volume of people you can serve, the food options your services have, what additional services you offer, etc.

This segment helps your target audience understand your services better, it helps them in deciding whether you are the right fit for them or not. So, make sure you describe your services in a clear and precise manner.

5. Financial Plan

The financial plan segment includes everything starting from the funds you need to start your business, the funds you need for procuring supplies and employing people, the projected cash flow of your business, expected profit, and loss of your business, pricing strategy, etc.

Download a sample catering business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go; download our free catering business plan pdf to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your catering business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

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Write your business plan with Upmetrics

A business plan software like Upmetrics is the best way to draft your business plan. This incredible tool comes with step-by-step instructions, customizable templates, and 400+ sample business plans to help you get started.

So, whether starting a catering business or planning to grow an existing one, Upmetrics is the tool you need to create a business plan.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning today!

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Frequently asked questions, how do i write a business plan for catering.

Writing a catering business plan from scratch requires a lot of research, but you can report it most effectively with the help of a catering business plan example. Using our business plan software, you can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less.

What should be included in a catering business plan?

These are the key components of a business plan your catering plan must include to stand out to investors:

• Executive summary
• Business Overview
• Products and services
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Operations plan
• Management team
• Financial plan

Where to find business plan writers for your catering business?

While many business plan writers are available to help you, believe it or not, no one knows your business better than you. So we recommend you write your catering business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind. You can use AI business plan generators like Upmetrics to speed up the writing process.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a catering business plan?

Following are some of the common mistakes to avoid when writing a catering business plan:

• Poor market research and ignoring industry trends.
• Inadequate and inaccurate financial projections.
• Undefined goals and lack of details.
• Including outdated and irrelevant information.
• Not proofreading the document for typos and grammatical errors.
• Not regularly updating your business plan.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How to write a business plan for a catering company?

Are you a startup catering business looking to see if your idea is viable and raise financing?

Or an existing catering company looking for ways to grow, expand or improve profitability? 

If so, this guide will provide the tools and insights you need to write a comprehensive business plan for your catering company.

This in-depth guide covers why you should write a business plan for your catering company; what information is necessary; what such plans typically include; and the best tools available for creating them. 

With these resources, you'll be well on your way toward success as an established or aspiring caterer!

On the menu:

Why write a business plan for a catering company?

• Information needed to create a business plan for a catering company
• What is the financial forecast for a catering company?
• The written part of a catering business plan
• What tool should I use to write my catering business plan?

Creating a business plan for a catering company is an essential step in the success of any food service venture. Even if you already have an established catering business, you should regularly revise and update your plan.

A business plan is essential because:

• It forces you to think about how you will grow your business
• It’s what financiers will look at if your goal is to get funding
• It helps you keep track of your progress

Business planning and your catering business growth

Having a clear vision for where you want your business to go will help guide your decisions on how to get there.

Writing a business plan will force you to anticipate every aspect of your business - from pricing, marketing and staffing to forecasting, and financial planning - and act as your roadmap for the years to come.

Obtaining funding for your catering business

A well-crafted catering business plan is a mandatory tool when looking for funding.

The business plan details your company's aims and objectives and gives crucial information to potential lenders to make informed judgments about your catering business’ borrowing capacity. 

Similarly, every Investor wants to see healthy growth, profitability, and cash generation to make sure their investment in your catering company will generate a good return on investment. 

Your catering business plan will provide this detailed financial information through the income statements (P&L), balance sheets, and cash flow statements, enabling investors to make an informed decision. 

Keeping track of your catering business’s progress

A business plan is essential if you want to track the progress of your catering business. 

It’s easy to set ambitious goals, but delivering on them is what really matters. Having a business plan in place, and regularly comparing your results to what was planned, keeps you honest about your capacity to execute.

Tracking your financial performance against your forecasts is especially key as it enables you to quickly identify if you are on track or not, and when needed to adjust your forecast in order to maintain visibility on your future cash flows. 

Now that you understand the importance of writing a business plan for a catering company, it's time to look at what information is needed to create one. 

Create your catering business plan online!

Think your catering business could be profitable? Find out how with a business plan!

What information is needed to create a business plan for a catering company?

Carrying out market research for a catering company.

Market research (a look into consumer behaviour and economic trends) is essential before writing a business plan for a catering company. 

Market research provides valuable insight into the industry and can help you to identify potential customer needs, competition, and trends in the market. 

When performing market research for your catering business you could look at answering questions like:

• Is the sector growing?
• What are the most attractive customer segments (corporate, weddings, or social events)?
• Who is the competition? Is the target market saturated?
• What types of cuisine (Mexican, Italian, vegetarian, fast food, traditional, etc.) are more profitable?
• What are the upcoming trends in customer habits in the catering business?
• What are sales like during weekdays and weekends? Is there a high level of seasonality?
• What is pricing like? And how have profit margins evolved in recent years?

With this information, you can more accurately forecast revenues (sales) and create an effective marketing strategy to give your catering company the best chance of success. 

Also, it gives investors confidence in your understanding of the industry and provides evidence that you are taking steps to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Developing the marketing plan for a catering company

You will also need to think about your go to market strategy - i.e. what actions will be put in place to acquire and retain customers. 

Having a clear sales & marketing strategy in place will help you ensure you have the right level of staff, and budget for sales and marketing costs, to hit the sales targets set in your business plan. 

The staffing and equipment needs of a catering company

Before developing your catering business plan, you should evaluate the recruitment strategy and the investments required. 

Knowing how much money is needed for staffing is key to accurately anticipating the funding requirements and cost structure in the forecast of your catering company.

For example, you could consider how much it will cost you to hire:

• A manager (event planner)
• A supervisor
• Dishwashers

Similarly, you should also factor in the money you will spend on equipment that is needed to start or expand your business.

Once you have collected all the necessary information to create a business plan for your catering company, the next step is to develop a financial forecast. 

What goes in the financial forecast of a catering company?

The financial forecast for a catering company contains the profit and loss (P&L) or income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement which we will present in more detail below. 

These financial tables enable the readers of your plan to assess the financial potential of your catering business, in particular its viability, borrowing capacity and potential return on investment.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a catering company is a financial statement that shows how much money your company is expected to make (profit) and how much it is anticipated to grow over time.

The projected balance sheet of your catering company

The balance sheet is an essential financial statement used to assess your catering company's financial position at a given time. It is a snapshot of the company’s assets, liabilities, and net worth (owner’s money left in the business after deducting liabilities from assets). 

Equipment, inventory, accounts receivable (a record of sales made on credit), investments, and cash are samples of assets a firm may own. Loans, accounts payable (purchases the business made on credit), taxes, and wages are examples of liabilities. 

Lenders, investors or business owners can get an insight into a business’s financial condition when they compare what your business owes versus what it owns. 

Also, a catering company's balance sheet will show whether it is solvent (the ability of the business to pay its long-term debt) or liquid (the business's ability to pay its short-term debt). This helps assess your catering business' funding requirements and borrowing capacity.

The projected cash flow statement

The cash flow forecast of your catering business helps you understand how much money is coming in and going out. 

This will assist you in making informed decisions about how to expand your business and plan for the future. 

Knowing your cash flow can also help you determine whether you have enough money to keep the business running or if you need additional capital.

The initial financing plan

An initial financing plan shows how much money you need at the start of your catering company business plan, where it will come from, and what it will be used for.

Now that you know what you should include in your catering company's financial forecast, it's time to look at the written portion of your business plan which provides the context needed to evaluate the relevance of your financial forecast.

The written presentation of a catering company business plan

The written presentation is composed of 7 main sections:

The executive summary

• The description of the business

The products and services section

The market analysis.

• The strategy 
• The operations
• The financial plan

The executive summary of the business plan of your catering company should enable readers to quickly and easily understand who you are, what you do, and the objectives of your business plan. 

The summary should include your mission and vision statement, a comprehensive overview of the catering business, its market, key financials, an overview of your plans and goals, your business strategy, your funding requirements, and the administrative structure of your business.

Presentation of the company

When preparing the description of your catering business, it is essential to consider the different parts that make up the business. First, you should explore the structure and ownership of your enterprise. 

This includes information on who owns the business, how many shareholders there are, and what type of legal entity (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and so on) your business operates as.

The second part to consider is the location of your business. It is crucial to explain why you have chosen a particular area or city for your catering venture, and how the local market may benefit from having your services.

Finally, you should describe the management team. Include an outline of each member’s experience and certifications, and how their jobs will contribute to the catering company's success. 

A good leadership team is vital for every business plan since it increases investor trust. As a result, ensuring that they are adequately highlighted can make all the difference.

When you are writing the products and services of the business plan for a catering business, it is important to include detailed descriptions of each product or service.

For example, in this portion of the business plan, you could state that you cater to private events, weddings, corporate groups, and so on. 

Your plan's reader should have a sense of how many guests can be served for each type of event, what types of menus are available, and if any specific dietary needs can be met, as well as other significant facts.

The goal here is to ensure you adequately present all your products and services.

This information should be clear, concise and comprehensive so that potential investors or banks can get a good understanding of what exactly your catering company offers.

When presenting the conclusion of your market analysis in your catering business plan, you should include information about demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and regulation. 

This will help lenders and investors understand who the company is targeting with its services, and help inform their opinion of your commercial potential.

In addition to demographic information, it's also important to provide an overview of your competition in order to show potential investors why your service stands out from others in the local market.

You should also explain any relevant regulations you must adhere to when operating.

By providing such details you will give potential lenders and investors a clear understanding of how well-positioned you are for success in this competitive industry landscape.

The strategy section

When writing the strategy section of your business plan for a catering company, you should detail your competitive advantage, pricing strategy, marketing plan, milestones and risks and mitigants (how to counter the risks). 

The competitive advantage should highlight how your services are unique from other competitors in the area. This could include special cuisine options or services, such as delivery or event planning. 

In addition, a pricing strategy is essential to ensure that customers are getting value for money while still making sure that profits are maximized. Pricing should be competitive yet profitable for the business, considering market trends and the customer's willingness to pay. 

Moreover, a detailed marketing plan must be included which outlines how the company plans to promote its services and reach potential customers. 

Plus, you should set milestones to measure the success of your business plan, and risks and mitigants identified to prepare for any potential issues that may arise. 

With these elements included, your strategy section will ensure that your catering company stands out from the competition.

The operations section

This section should provide an overview of how your business is organized to achieve success and must be convincing enough to investors and banks.

The operations section of your catering business plan, you should include detailed information about your staffing team, roles and responsibilities of staff members, recruitment plans, operating hours, key assets and intellectual property needed to operate the business, and suppliers. 

In terms of staffing, your business plan should detail who will be responsible for each job role, what qualifications and experience are required for each position, and how many people will fill that role. 

The financial plan section

The financial plan section of the guide is where you talk about the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide. 

By now, you should have a comprehensive understanding of the information that belongs in your catering business plan. It's time to begin assembling all the parts. 

What tool should I use to write my catering company's business plan?

In this section, we’ll be reviewing three solutions for creating a business plan for your catering company: using Word and Excel, hiring a consultant, or using online business plan software.

Create your catering company's business plan using Word or Excel

Using Word and Excel sounds attractive because they are cheap, but these tools are often not the best solution for you due to their limitations.

Do you have the skills to create a forecast in Excel? This is the first issue if you are going fully manual with Excel: you need to understand what you are doing, meaning that you need to have a solid background in accounting and finance to avoid making mistakes.

The second issue is trust. Even if you avoid making mistakes, will investors and lenders think you did? 

Now when it comes to writing the actual business plan, Word is great but you start from a blank page, without instructions, and have to do all the formatting which takes forever.

Hire a consultant to write your catering company's business plan

Outsourcing the writing of your catering business plan to an accountant or consultant may be a viable option for you if you don’t have time. 

The main advantage of this approach is that consultants and accountants are used to writing business plans and financial forecasts, and thus there is less risk of errors. 

However, this method also has its drawbacks:

• It’s expensive: it costs a minimum of $2,000 (or £1,500) to get a business plan from a consultant.
• Revisions required after the first version of the plan are often not included in the price.
• Unless the consultant knows your industry by heart, they are unlikely to be able to challenge your assumptions, and to be able to sell your positioning compellingly.
• Accountants won't touch any part of the presentation (they only help with the forecast).

Using an online business plan software

Another alternative is to use online business plan software . There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can be inspired by already written business plan templates
• You can easily make your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You get a professional document, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank
• The software will enable you to easily track your actual financial performance against your forecast and update your forecast as time goes by

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free by signing up here .

We hope that this article has helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a catering company. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a successful business plan for a pizzeria
• Coffee shop business plan template

Know someone in the catering industry? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Sample Catering Business Plan

Writing a business plan is a crucial step in starting a catering business. Not only does it provide structure and guidance for the future, but it also helps to create funding opportunities and attract potential investors. For aspiring catering business owners, having access to a sample catering business plan can be especially helpful in providing direction and gaining insight into how to draft their own catering business plan.

Download our Ultimate Catering Business Plan Template

Having a thorough business plan in place is critical for any successful catering venture. It will serve as the foundation for your operations, setting out the goals and objectives that will help guide your decisions and actions. A well-written business plan can give you clarity on realistic financial projections and help you secure financing from lenders or investors. A catering business plan example can be a great resource to draw upon when creating your own plan, making sure that all the key components are included in your document.

The catering business plan sample below will give you an idea of what one should look like. It is not as comprehensive and successful in raising capital for your catering as Growthink’s Ultimate Catering Business Plan Template , but it can help you write a catering business plan of your own.

Catering Business Plan Example – SavorFest Caterers

Table of contents, executive summary, company overview, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitive analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management team, financial plan.

At SavorFest Caterers, located in the vibrant city of Austin, TX, we are passionately committed to delivering unparalleled catering services that truly distinguish us in a competitive marketplace. Our philosophy revolves around the belief that the essence of a memorable event is not just the quality of food but also the caliber of service provided. To this end, our team is rigorously trained to execute seamless events, complemented by our meticulously prepared dishes that utilize only the finest ingredients. This dedication to excellence ensures a culinary experience that exceeds the expectations of the most discerning guests. Furthermore, our continuous innovation in offering tailored catering solutions allows us to meet the varied needs of our clients, making every event uniquely unforgettable.

Our success hinges on our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, which has been instrumental in distinguishing SavorFest Caterers within the bustling Austin catering scene. We’ve achieved this through our dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients, our flexibility in customizing our services to meet the diverse needs of our clientele, and our relentless pursuit of excellence in both food and service. These factors, combined with our ability to adapt to any event theme or dietary requirement, position us as the go-to caterers for those seeking an incomparable dining experience.

The catering industry, while competitive, presents substantial opportunities for businesses that can distinguish themselves through exceptional service and culinary innovation. This is particularly true in markets like Austin, TX, where the demand for high-quality catering services is driven by a vibrant cultural scene and a growing economy. Success in this industry demands not just culinary excellence but also the ability to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and dietary needs. Companies that can leverage local ingredients and offer personalized experiences stand a better chance of capturing and retaining a loyal customer base.

Our target customers are diverse, ranging from individuals and families celebrating special occasions to businesses and organizations hosting corporate events. These clients are united by a common desire for high-quality, memorable catering experiences that are tailored to their specific needs. They value creativity, flexibility, and attention to detail, and they are willing to invest in premium services that meet these criteria. Catering to such a varied clientele requires a deep understanding of different dietary preferences and event formats, something we excel in at SavorFest Caterers.

Top Competitors: Gourmet Delights, EliteEats Catering, and Feast & Festivities

Gourmet Delights is known for its traditional gourmet offerings, while EliteEats Catering focuses on corporate events with a modern twist. Feast & Festivities targets weddings and large social gatherings with their extensive buffet options. Our competitive advantage lies in our personalized approach, our commitment to quality and innovation, and our versatility in catering to any event theme or dietary requirement, setting us apart as the preferred choice for a wide range of clients.

Our marketing plan is centered around showcasing our diverse range of products, services, and competitive pricing. We offer a wide selection of menu options that cater to various dietary needs and event types, from intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate events. Our pricing strategy is designed to offer value to our clients, ensuring they receive the highest quality service and culinary excellence at competitive prices. To promote our services, we leverage a multi-channel approach that includes social media marketing, targeted email campaigns, and strategic partnerships with event planners and venues. Our promotions plan is focused on building brand awareness and driving engagement through special offers, tastings, and participation in local events, which allows us to connect directly with potential customers and showcase our culinary expertise.

Our operations are the backbone of our success, encompassing menu planning, ingredient sourcing, inventory management, and more. We prioritize sourcing high-quality, fresh ingredients locally, supporting the community and ensuring the best taste. Our inventory is meticulously managed to prevent shortages and reduce waste. The order process is streamlined for customer convenience, and our food preparation adheres to strict quality control standards. Compliance with health and safety regulations is paramount, ensuring a safe environment for both staff and customers. We also focus on exceptional customer service and communication, essential for customer satisfaction and retention. Logistics for event catering are carefully coordinated, ensuring timely setup, service, and cleanup. Our marketing efforts and customer relationship management are ongoing, aimed at attracting new customers and fostering loyalty among existing ones. Financial management is handled with diligence, monitoring daily revenues and expenses to maintain healthy cash flow and inform strategic decisions.

Our management team comprises experienced professionals with a passion for catering and event management. Each member brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table, from culinary arts to business administration and customer service. This diversity in our leadership ensures a comprehensive approach to managing all aspects of the business, from menu development and event planning to marketing and financial management. Together, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and innovation, driving SavorFest Caterers towards continued success and growth.

Welcome to SavorFest Caterers, a fresh and vibrant catering service now gracing the Austin, TX scene. As a local catering business, we pride ourselves on filling a much-needed gap in the market. Until now, the area has seen a lack of high-quality local catering services, a void we’re excited to fill with our unique blend of culinary expertise and passionate service.

At SavorFest Caterers, our offerings are designed with versatility and quality in mind. Our services span the entire spectrum of catering needs, from intimate events to grand celebrations. Clients can look forward to customizable menus that cater to a wide array of dietary preferences and event themes. Beyond exceptional food, our services extend to food delivery and setup, ensuring every event is executed flawlessly. We also provide comprehensive beverage services, complemented by our team of professional staff who are committed to making every occasion memorable.

Rooted in the heart of Austin, TX, SavorFest Caterers is poised to serve the local community and its diverse clientele. Our location not only allows us to be at the center of Austin’s vibrant event scene but also enables us to source fresh ingredients from local suppliers, supporting the community we are a part of.

Our confidence in our success is not unfounded. The founding team brings with it a wealth of experience from running a successful catering business previously. This, combined with our commitment to offering superior catering services and meticulously prepared food and beverages, sets us apart from our competition. Our dedication to excellence in every aspect of our service ensures that SavorFest Caterers stands out as the premier choice for catering in Austin.

Since our inception on January 6, 2024, as a Sole Proprietorship, we’ve hit the ground running. Our accomplishments to date include the creation of a distinctive logo that captures the essence of our brand, the development of our unique company name that resonates with our mission, and securing a prime location that serves as our operating base. These achievements mark the beginning of our journey to becoming a cornerstone of the Austin catering scene.

The Catering industry in the United States is a thriving and lucrative market. According to industry reports, the current size of the market is estimated to be around $60 billion. This indicates a strong demand for catering services and presents significant opportunities for growth and profitability.

Furthermore, the Catering industry is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years. Market research suggests that the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 4% over the next five years. This growth can be attributed to various factors including increasing consumer spending, rising disposable incomes, and a growing preference for convenience and personalized dining experiences.

These trends in the Catering industry are particularly promising for SavorFest Caterers, a new catering business operating in Austin, TX. As consumers increasingly seek out unique and memorable dining experiences, SavorFest Caterers is well-positioned to capitalize on this demand. With its commitment to delivering exceptional service, innovative menus, and attention to detail, SavorFest Caterers has the potential to carve out a significant market share in the Austin catering scene and establish itself as a go-to choice for customers seeking high-quality catering services.

Below is a description of our target customers and their core needs.

Target Customers

SavorFest Caterers will target local residents eager to add an extraordinary touch to their private gatherings, from intimate family reunions to larger celebratory events. These customers are looking for high-quality, memorable culinary experiences that reflect the unique flavors and spirit of Austin, TX. SavorFest Caterers will tailor its offerings to meet the diverse tastes and dietary preferences of this vibrant community, ensuring every event is a reflection of its host’s distinct style and personality.

Aside from serving local residents, SavorFest Caterers will also cater to the business sector, including corporate events, conferences, and office parties. Austin’s dynamic business environment, characterized by a mix of startups, tech companies, and established firms, presents a lucrative opportunity for SavorFest Caterers. The company will offer customizable menus and flexible service options to accommodate the specific needs and schedules of business clients, aiming to become a trusted partner for companies seeking to enhance their corporate events.

Furthermore, SavorFest Caterers will target the thriving event industry in Austin, including weddings, festivals, and public gatherings. This segment demands exceptional catering services that can handle the scale and specific requirements of such events, from outdoor weddings to large-scale public festivals. SavorFest Caterers will leverage its expertise and creativity to provide standout culinary experiences that contribute to the success and memorability of these events, establishing itself as a go-to caterer for Austin’s event planners and organizers.

Customer Needs

SavorFest Caterers emerges as a beacon of culinary excellence, poised to meet the sophisticated needs of Austin’s residents who desire professional catering services. These discerning clients expect not just meals but culinary experiences that tantalize the taste buds and elevate their events. SavorFest Caterers can fulfill this need by offering a diverse menu that incorporates both local flavors and international cuisines, ensuring a unique dining experience for every occasion.

Moreover, SavorFest Caterers understands the importance of seamless service in event planning. Clients can count on meticulous attention to detail, from the presentation of food to the professionalism of the staff. This reliability ensures that hosts can focus on their guests, confident in the knowledge that all catering aspects are expertly managed. SavorFest Caterers thus not only satisfies the appetite but also contributes to the overall success and ambiance of the event.

In addition to exceptional food and service, SavorFest Caterers recognizes the growing demand for sustainable and health-conscious catering options. By incorporating organic, locally-sourced ingredients and offering a range of dietary accommodations, SavorFest can cater to the diverse preferences and needs of Austin’s residents. This commitment to quality and sustainability further distinguishes SavorFest Caterers as a versatile and conscientious choice for any event, large or small.

WheelsJourney Rentals’s competitors include the following companies:

Alamo Rent A Car offers a range of services including economy cars, SUVs, and luxury vehicles for both leisure and business travelers. Their price points vary depending on vehicle type, rental duration, and location but are competitive within the industry. Alamo generates significant revenue from both domestic and international travelers, thanks to its presence in major airports across the United States and in several other countries. Alamo serves a wide customer segment including individual travelers, families, and business professionals. They operate in numerous geographies including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and South America. A key strength of Alamo is their self-service kiosks that expedite the rental process for customers. However, a potential weakness is their reliance on airport locations, which may limit their reach to local renters who prefer more accessible city or neighborhood locations.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers a broad spectrum of vehicles including cars, trucks, and vans to cater to a variety of customer needs. Their pricing is flexible, with options for daily, weekly, and long-term rentals, often including deals and discounts for certain customer segments. Enterprise boasts substantial revenues, underpinned by a strong brand and extensive network of locations. Enterprise targets a diverse customer base from individual renters to large corporations requiring fleet services. The company has a vast geographical presence, operating not just in the United States but also in Europe, Canada, Asia, and beyond. One of Enterprise’s key strengths is its customer service, often recognized as industry-leading. However, its size and scope can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in service quality across different locations.

Rose Caterings might not have the same level of brand recognition as Alamo or Enterprise but offers competitive products and services in select markets. Their vehicle offerings include standard cars, luxury models, and specialty vehicles. Rose Caterings’ pricing strategy aims to attract budget-conscious consumers with competitive rates and transparent fees. Rose Caterings primarily serves customers in urban and suburban areas, focusing on convenience and personalized service. They operate in a limited geographical area but are looking to expand their presence. A strength of Rose Caterings is their focus on customer satisfaction and local market expertise. However, their limited geographical reach and smaller fleet size compared to larger competitors could be seen as weaknesses.

Competitive Advantages

At SavorFest Caterers, we pride ourselves on offering superior catering services that stand out in the competitive Austin, TX market. Our dedication to excellence is evident in every dish we serve, setting us apart from our competitors. We understand that the key to a memorable event lies not only in the quality of food but also in the service provided. Therefore, we ensure that our team is trained to offer impeccable service, making every event a seamless experience. Our carefully prepared food and beverages reflect our commitment to quality, using only the finest ingredients to create culinary delights that satisfy even the most discerning palates.

Moreover, our competitive advantage extends beyond our exceptional food and service. We are constantly innovating, offering unique and personalized catering solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Whether it’s a small family gathering or a large corporate event, we tailor our services to ensure that each occasion is unforgettable. Our flexibility and attention to detail mean that we can adapt to any theme or dietary requirement, making us the preferred choice for customers seeking a caterer that can truly cater to their specific needs. By choosing SavorFest Caterers, clients can expect not just a meal, but an extraordinary dining experience that will leave a lasting impression on their guests.

Our marketing plan, included below, details our products/services, pricing and promotions plan.

Products and Services

SavorFest Caterers emerges as a beacon of culinary excellence, offering a diverse range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each event. At the heart of their offerings is Catering Services for Events, which stands as a testament to their commitment to delivering unforgettable dining experiences. Clients can expect to engage in a collaborative process, working closely with the SavorFest team to design a menu that perfectly aligns with the theme and expectations of their event. The average cost for these comprehensive catering services starts at $50 per person, ensuring a balance of quality and value.

Understanding the importance of personal touch and customization, SavorFest Caterers introduces Customizable Menus as one of its key services. This offering allows clients to tailor their event’s culinary journey, ensuring that every dish reflects their personal taste and dietary preferences. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate gathering, or intimate dinner party, the ability to customize menus adds a layer of exclusivity and personalization to every occasion. Prices for customizable menus are variable, starting at an additional $10 per person on top of the base catering service cost, depending on the complexity and ingredients required.

With an eye for convenience and efficiency, SavorFest Caterers also provides Food Delivery and Setup services. This offering is designed to ensure that every aspect of the event’s culinary needs is handled with care and professionalism, from the careful delivery of prepared dishes to the meticulous setup at the venue. Clients can expect this service to start at $200, varying with the size and location of the event, providing a hassle-free solution to event planning and execution.

Beverage Services complement the culinary offerings, providing a curated selection of drinks to match the quality and theme of the food served. From artisanal cocktails to fine wines and refreshing non-alcoholic options, SavorFest ensures that every guest finds a beverage that suits their taste. This service is priced starting at $15 per person, offering a range of options to suit various preferences and budgets.

Professional Staffing stands as a cornerstone of SavorFest Caterers’ commitment to excellence. Recognizing that the success of an event often hinges on the quality of service, SavorFest provides skilled and courteous staff for every occasion. Whether it’s chefs, servers, or bartenders, clients can expect professionalism and efficiency, ensuring that every guest’s needs are attended to. The cost for professional staffing starts at $30 per hour per staff member, contributing to a seamless and memorable event experience.

Through these diverse offerings, SavorFest Caterers positions itself as a premier choice for those seeking exceptional catering services in Austin, TX. With a focus on quality, customization, and client satisfaction, they are dedicated to making every event a remarkable culinary journey.

Promotions Plan

WheelsJourney Rentals employs a variety of promotional methods and tactics to attract customers in Dallas, TX. Online marketing stands at the forefront of these efforts, leveraging the power of social media platforms, search engine optimization (SEO), and targeted email campaigns. By engaging potential customers where they spend a significant portion of their time, WheelsJourney Rentals ensures its visibility and relevance in a competitive market.

In addition to online marketing, WheelsJourney Rentals also utilizes traditional advertising methods such as billboards and local radio ads. These mediums offer broad exposure, helping to build brand recognition and trust within the community. Furthermore, partnerships with local businesses and tourism agencies will play a crucial role in cross-promotion, reaching an audience that is already interested in travel and vehicle rental services.

Customer referral programs are another key tactic in WheelsJourney Rentals’ promotional strategy. By incentivizing current customers to refer friends and family, the company taps into the power of word-of-mouth marketing. This not only increases the customer base but also strengthens customer loyalty, as people tend to trust recommendations from people they know.

Loyalty programs will also be implemented to encourage repeat business. These programs reward customers for their continued patronage, offering discounts, special offers, and exclusive benefits. This approach not only fosters a loyal customer base but also differentiates WheelsJourney Rentals from its competitors.

Lastly, attending and sponsoring local events and exhibitions will raise the profile of WheelsJourney Rentals. Participation in such events demonstrates the company’s commitment to the community and allows for direct engagement with potential customers. It provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the range of services and the quality of vehicles offered, creating a lasting impression on event attendees.

By employing these promotional methods and tactics, WheelsJourney Rentals expects to attract a wide range of customers in Dallas, TX. The combination of online and traditional marketing, alongside customer engagement programs, ensures that WheelsJourney Rentals remains competitive and becomes a preferred choice for vehicle rental services.

Our Operations Plan details:

• The key day-to-day processes that our business performs to serve our customers
• The key business milestones that our company expects to accomplish as we grow

Key Operational Processes

To ensure the success of SavorFest Caterers, there are several key day-to-day operational processes that we will perform.

• Constantly update and adapt menus to meet customer preferences and seasonal availability of ingredients.
• Source high-quality, fresh ingredients from local suppliers to ensure the best taste and support the local economy.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of ingredients, supplies, and equipment to avoid shortages or excess.
• Implement a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system to ensure freshness and reduce waste.
• Ensure a seamless order intake process, utilizing online and phone-based systems for customer convenience.
• Confirm orders with customers, including specific details such as date, time, location, and any special requests.
• Prepare dishes according to established recipes and presentation standards to ensure consistency and quality.
• Conduct regular quality control checks throughout the food preparation process.
• Adhere strictly to health and safety regulations to ensure a safe environment for both staff and customers.
• Regularly train staff on the latest health and safety practices and conduct frequent audits.
• Provide excellent customer service, addressing any inquiries or concerns promptly and professionally.
• Maintain open lines of communication with customers before, during, and after events to ensure satisfaction.
• Coordinate logistics for event catering, including transportation of food, equipment, and staff to and from event locations.
• Ensure timely setup, service, and cleanup at events, adhering to the agreed schedule.
• Engage in ongoing marketing efforts to attract new customers and retain existing ones, utilizing social media, email marketing, and word-of-mouth.
• Use CRM tools to manage customer data, feedback, and communication to personalize service and foster loyalty.
• Monitor daily revenues and expenses to manage cash flow effectively.
• Prepare and review financial reports regularly to inform strategic decision-making.

SavorFest Caterers expects to complete the following milestones in the coming months in order to ensure its success:

• Launch Our Catering Business : This is the foundational milestone that involves setting up the operational structure, finalizing the menu, establishing a base kitchen, and initiating marketing campaigns to create awareness in the Austin area.
• Obtain Necessary Permits and Licenses : Secure all required local, state, and possibly federal permits and licenses to legally operate a catering business in Austin, TX. This includes health department permits, a food handler’s license, and a business license.
• Build a Robust Vendor Network : Establish relationships with local food suppliers, equipment rental companies, and event venues to ensure quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in service delivery.
• Hire and Train Staff : Recruit a team of chefs, servers, and support staff. Provide comprehensive training on food safety, customer service, and company policies to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Implement an Online Ordering and Management System : Set up a user-friendly online platform for customers to view the menu, place orders, and make payments. This system should also facilitate efficient order management, scheduling, and customer communication.
• Secure First 10 Contracts : Aim to secure contracts for 10 events (could be weddings, corporate events, private parties, etc.) as a proof of concept and to build a portfolio of successful events.
• Achieve Consistent Positive Customer Feedback : Establish a system for collecting and analyzing customer feedback. Aim for high satisfaction rates to build a strong reputation in the Austin catering market.
• Reach $5,000/Month in Revenue : This intermediate financial milestone indicates initial market acceptance and will help in refining the business model towards profitability.
• Form Strategic Partnerships : Establish partnerships with event planners, venues, and other related businesses in Austin to create referral opportunities and expand the customer base.
• Get to $15,000/Month in Revenue : Achieving this milestone within 24 months will indicate strong market demand, operational efficiency, and a path towards long-term sustainability and growth for SavorFest Caterers.

SavorFest Caterers management team, which includes the following members, has the experience and expertise to successfully execute on our business plan:

Noah Wilson, CEO

Noah Wilson brings a wealth of experience to SavorFest Caterers, marked by a proven track record of success in the catering industry. His previous endeavor as the head of a catering business laid the foundation for his deep understanding of the complexities of the catering world, from menu selection and event planning to logistics and customer service. Noah’s leadership is defined by his ability to foresee industry trends, adapt to changing market demands, and inspire his team to strive for excellence. His strategic vision and hands-on experience are crucial assets for SavorFest Caterers, positioning the company for sustained growth and success in a competitive market.

To achieve our growth objectives, we are seeking to raise funds that will be strategically invested in expanding our service offerings, enhancing our marketing efforts, and improving our operational infrastructure. This financial injection will enable us to fulfill our growth potential, capture a larger market share, and ultimately establish SavorFest Caterers as a leader in the catering industry. Our detailed financial plan outlines the required investment and the projected returns, demonstrating our commitment to creating value for our stakeholders while delivering exceptional catering experiences to our clients.

Financial Statements

Balance sheet.

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Income Statement

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Cash Flow Statement

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Catering Business Plan Example PDF

Download our Catering Business Plan PDF here. This is a free catering business plan example to help you get started on your own catering plan.  

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Catering Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Catering Business Plan Outline

• Catering Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Start Your Catering Plan Here

Catering Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your catering business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start a new catering business or grow their catering company.

Below are links to each section of a catering business plan template example:

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Catering Business Plan FAQs

What is a catering business plan.

A catering business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your catering business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your catering business plan using our Catering Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Catering Businesses?

Catering services are available for a variety of different occasions including parties, weddings and corporate events. 

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Catering Business?

The primary source of revenue for catering companies is individual, private events and corporate events. 

The key expenses for catering companies are rent, wages and salaries, equipment and food costs.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Catering Company Business Plan?

Catering companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Catering Business?

Starting a catering business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Catering Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed business plan for a catering business that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, market resarch on the catering industry, the services or products you will offer, business operations details, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  You can quickly complete your catering business plan using our Catering Business Plan Template here .

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your catering business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your catering business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Catering Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your catering business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your catering business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Catering Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your catering business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your catering business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful catering business and catering business planning:

• How to Start a Catering Business
• How to Start a Catering Company

Where Can I Get a Catering Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free catering business plan template PDF here . This is a sample catering business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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Catering Business Plan Template

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What You Get

• A compelling & detailed pre-written Catering business plan template in WORD
• A full and automatic Catering financial plan model in EXCEL you can easily customize
• Text tailored to the Catering business
• The ability to paste advanced charts and tables within a click
• No accounting or specialized financial knowledge needed
• A truly cost-effective solution that saves you time and money

Catering Business Plan Package Description

Our Catering business plan package comes with a pre-written business plan in Word and automatic financial plan in Excel tailored to the catering business. All you need to do is easily customize the templates in just a few hours according to your project’s needs and then you’ll end up with a solid investor-grade Catering business plan ideal to show to prospective investors. Save time and money by taking advantage of our ready-made catering business plan package. Check below the full details of the package’s content.

Catering Business Plan Document in Word

Our ready-made Catering business plan template is in Word format and includes 24 pages. The document is divided into multiple sections. Each section contains the essential points that are necessary to effectively present your Catering project. Each section and sub-section offer you a sample text that you can easily customize to make your business plan unique. Below is a small excerpt from your pre-written Catering business plan in Word.

Automatic Catering Financial Plan in Excel

Our pre-populated automatic financial model is in Excel format and includes multiples worksheets. You can easily edit the model’s inputs including changing costs and revenue assumptions to generate pro-forma financial forecasts including P&L, Cash flows and Balance Sheets. Below is a small extract from your automatic Catering financial plan in Excel.

The Benefits of Creating a Business Plan for your Catering Business

• A business plan is a crucial document that can help your catering business clarify its concept, target market, and value proposition. It can also help you understand the needs and preferences of your target customers, and determine how you can meet those needs better than the competition.
• If you need outside financing, a business plan and financial plan can be key in convincing investors to fund your catering business. The financial plan should include detailed projections that show how you plan to generate revenue and achieve profitability, including information on start-up costs, pricing strategy, and marketing budget.
• A business plan and financial plan serve as a roadmap for your catering business, allowing you to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. By regularly reviewing and updating these documents, you can stay on track and identify potential financial risks or opportunities.
• A financial plan is an important tool for managing the financial aspects of your catering business. It provides a clear overview of income and expenses and helps you create a budget that aligns with your business goals. It can also help you make informed financial decisions by identifying potential risks and opportunities.
• A business plan can also help your catering business attract and retain top talent. By outlining your business goals, values, and culture, you can attract employees who are aligned with your vision and mission. A well-written catering business plan can also help you communicate your goals and expectations to your team, keeping them motivated and engaged.

This Ready-Made Catering Business Plan is For

• Entrepreneurs wishing to start a Catering business
• Aspiring Catering business owners who want to create a business plan fast & easy
• F&B entrepreneurs who wish to pitch their project to investors
• F&B professionals who wish to better understand the potential of the opportunity

Immediate Delivery by Email

• Once you complete the order, you will receive an email with links to download your documents
• Your order will contain the full pre-written business plan in Word
• Your order will contain the full customizable financial model in Excel

Your Catering Business Plan Content

Executive Summary:  Our Catering business plan template starts with a compelling Executive Summary. This key section is very important as it summarizes in 1 page your Catering concept. It will introduce your business model, the key people behind the project as well as the unique selling proposition offered by your Catering concept. This section will also mention how market conditions and consumer trends are favorable for launching your project.

The Problem Opportunity:  Next, your ready-made Catering business plan will list a number of problems experienced by your prospects in your target market and will show how this presents a unique opportunity for your Catering business. These can include issues such as lack of quality Catering companies in a certain location, undifferentiated offerings by current actors in the market…etc.

The Solution:  This section explains how your Catering company will take advantage of the current problems in the market and will detail your innovative solutions.

Mission & Vision:  Your mission will explain in a couple of sentences your Catering company’s business ethos. In other words, it will summarize your unique value proposition and will explain how you are different than the competition. Your vision will explain the long-term plans for your Catering concept. Are you planning to start with one branch today and expand to a multi-branch business model? Are you looking to transform your Catering business into a franchise model?…etc.

Business Model:  This section details your Catering concept using the business model canvas method. In a visually appealing table, we will detail your Catering company’s key partners, activities, resources, value proposition, customer segments, customer relationship plan, marketing channels, cost structure and revenue streams.

Products & Services:  Next, we will talk in detail about your various products and services. We will describe your various menu options and catering services as well as provide information about your pricing.

Market Analysis:  This important section describes the various market statistics and consumer trends in the catering industry and explains how they support your own Catering concept. The purpose of this section is to show that the market conditions are favorable for launching your new Catering project.

General Market Trends:  In this sub-section of the market analysis, we will discuss the latest general market trends in the Catering industry. We will look at the global industry size, growth rate, growth diving factors and consumer trends.

Local Market Trends:  This sub-section explains the local market trends that are relevant to your specific Catering business.

Target Customers:  In this section, we will describe your various customer profiles by providing information about their demographics, behavior and purchasing habits.

Competitive Analysis:  We will analyze key competitors active in your target market and provide insights about their strengths and weaknesses.

Competitive Advantages:  After looking at the competitive landscape, we will then show how your Catering business is differentiating itself from the competition through a number of key advantages.

SWOT Analysis:  This section features a 4-quadrant table with explanations about how your Catering intends to leverage its key strengths, mitigate weaknesses, capture opportunities and thwart any future threats.

Marketing Plan : This chapter provides detailed information about your go-to-market strategy. It includes a detailed action plan to help you build brand awareness and generate sales.

Branding & Awareness:  We will describe in this sub-section your choice of key marketing channels to build branding and awareness.

Customer Acquisition:  We will describe in this sub-section your choice of key marketing channels to acquire customers and increase sales.

Operating Plan:  This chapter provides information about your Catering company’s opening hours, internal processes and describes the interactions between various key departments and teams.

Management Team:  It is very important to present the key people behind your Catering project and thus we have dedicated a section for this very purpose. It is also important to talk here about the founder’s vision, his past education and professional experience.

Hiring Plan:  No business can succeed without having on board the right team. This section lists all the key positions you plan to hire with information about their salaries and expected start dates.

Key Milestones:  To be able to launch and execute your Catering project, you need to follow a set of actionable tasks with target deadlines. This section serves this purpose.

Financial Plan:  Without a robust financial plan, your Catering business plan would be an incomplete document. This important section provides crucial information about your pro-forma financial projections and shows that you have really done your homework. The data mentioned in this and the following sections will be provided by the dynamic Excel financial model accompanying your Catering business plan.

Projected Revenue:  This module shows your Catering company’s revenue projections over the next three years.

Projected Profit and Loss:  This module shows your Catering company’s income statement (also called profit and loss statement) over the next three years. Your income statement includes detailed projections about your sales and expenses and shows how your Catering company’s revenue is converted into a net profit.

Projected Cash Flows:  This module shows your Catering company’s cash flow projections over the next three years. The first year of operation is even detailed on a monthly basis. Your cash flow statement will detail the various cash inflows your Catering business will generate from its day to day operations and from funding sources, as well as the various cash outflows required to pay for operating expenses and business investments.

Projected Balance Sheet : This module shows your Catering company’s balance sheet projections over the next three years. The balance sheet will provide a summary of your Catering project’s short term and long-term assets in addition to your short term and long-term liabilities and capital.

Profitability Analysis:  In this section, we will provide information about your gross margin, net margin and discuss the profitability of your Catering business.

Funding Requirement:  This module states the amount of funding your need to be able to comfortably launch your Catering business. It also describes the planned allocation of the funds between Opex and Capex.

Conclusion : Finally, we will conclude your business plan by recapitulating the key points that make your Catering project compelling and reiterate the rationale behind your business opportunity.

Catering Business Plan Excerpt

Catering Financial Plan Excerpt

Why Use our Ready-Made Catering Business Plan?

• Speed & Convenience:  Once you complete your order, you will receive the Catering business plan directly in your mailbox. Since it is already pre-written with fully customizable financials, you will only need to spend a couple of hours to edit it and adapt it to your own Catering project.
• High Quality:  Your Catering business plan has been written by our professional team of business plan writers and experts from the F&B industry. You will receive a professional Catering business plan template ideal for presenting to potential investors or banks.
• Low-Cost:  Our pre-written Catering business plan template is the most cost-effective solution in case you need to build a solid and professional Catering business plan. We are confident you will save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by ordering our premium business plan compared to hiring a consultant or subscribing to complicated and expensive software.

If you have any question regarding our ready-made Catering business plan package,  do not hesitate to contact us , we are here to help.

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Catering Business Plan Sample

• 22. June 2016
• BrainHive Know-How Base @en , Business Plan Samples EN

This is an example of a completed turn-around business plan for an already operating non-food catering business. It operates as a franchise/license chain and has been leasing catering equipment and other gastronomic products (like dishes, flatware, glasses, bar constructions etc.) to business and private events for several years. It has several branches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The branch in question has been experiencing operative losses. The branch manager is about to retire, and the business unit will be purchased and redeveloped under a new management, the new manager being the founder of the franchise himself. The branch will undergo a redevelopment program consisting of a financial investment as well as a marketing program to reach out to new potential customers. Break-even is expected one year after the launch of this program.

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The business plan elaborates on crucial points like the product and service range as well as the operative processes, USP (in this case the already established reputation and prominent clients), vision and strategy – in this context it is worth mentioning that the city of the subsidiary’s location is an established hub of trade fairs and technology, which provides a good basis for reaching the right kind of customers. In addition, special emphasis will be given to the dedication and quality regarding suppliers/potential business partners. Market/economic research provides a positive outlook of the market situation, and the extensive knowledge and business experience of the new Manager constitutes a very positive aspect of the risk analysis.

The financing of a business is an important issue, and even if the facts and numbers as such are already promising: Being able to present an appropriate and convincing business plan to banks and/or potential investors is a prerequisite for obtaining such financing, also for turn-around purposes.

On a side note: A good way to get started quickly, efficiently and professionally is to hire a business plan writer to write your business development plan. At BrainHive, we offer experienced business plan writing services. If you want to know the business plan consulting fees , we can also help you out, being one of the most affordable and yet professional business plan consulting firms in the market. Don’t hesitate to contact us anytime if you want to learn more about us or get an individual quote for your business plan project. It is perhaps also worthwhile to note that we can also help you with your existing business plan , as well as prepare just the financial plan for your business plan . This way, you can rest assured that you will receive a custom-tailored business planning service that fits your exact need at the best price imaginable.

Catering Business Plan Sample Overview

1. Executive Summary 1.1 Business Plan Product and Service Range 1.2 Business Plan Operative Processes 1.3 Business Plan USP 1.4 Business Plan Strategy / Vision 2. Business Plan Market Analysis 2.1 Business Plan Competition 2.2 Business plan target group 2.3 Business plan risks 3. Business Plan SWOT-Analysis 4. Business Plan Location 5. Business plan partner/s 6. Business plan marketing 6.1. Business plan pricing 6.2. Business plan communication strategy 7. Business plan manager 8. Business plan staff 9. Financial Planning 9.1 Business Plan Clarification 9.2 Revenue Source Clarification 9.3 Business plan capital

1. Catering Business Plan Sample: Executive Summary

The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is a non-food caterer who has been leasing gastronomic products and catering equipment for events to companies and individuals since XXXX. The company operates as a franchise / license chain and currently has XX branches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The headquarters are located in the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] Village. The branch in [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city has not generated any operative profit after losing a major client in XXXX. The total loss is approx. XXX.XXX Euro (the company has liquidated XXXX workshop equipment, generating a profit of approximately XX.XXX Euro). The former manager of the Business plan branch is retiring, the branch will be bought and redeveloped as part of an investment program with a new manager. The management is being taken over by Mr. [Business plan], the founder of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] franchise. XXX.XXX Euro will be invested in new returnable packaging and new clients will be reached by means of a marketing program, in particular cold calls. We should be able to break even in the first year after launching the redevelopment program. Achieving this objective is supported by the general market conditions and location factors.

1.1 Business Plan Product and Service Range

Each branch of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] has the full range of necessary products and business equipment to meet the needs at even the most demanding events. A set of service options is offered as part of the order execution, and cleaning used goods is included in the lease cost. It is leased exclusively over a three-day period; an intraday settlement is not possible. There are three basic ranges: standard products, special products and regional products (exotic) with over XX.XXX different individual items. The range is divided into returnable packaging and goods for sale. Returnable packaging includes all durable goods in the areas of catering, furniture and equipment. The typical gastronomy goods are dishes, glasses, flatware, chafing dishes (heatable metal plates) and other serving equipment, tablecloths, slipcovers and catering equipment such as grills or oven stands. Tables and chairs in various designs for different occasions are available, including elegant padded furniture and LED illuminated party lounge cocktail tables. We also have display cabinets, closets, partitions and bar constructions in our product range. The catalog of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is completed with additional equipment and decorative items such as lottery-wheels, informing tablets, table decorations, art works and electrical accessories such as cable reels.

Sale goods are of low quality, but nonetheless important for a successful event. These products include napkins, candles or cable ties. In addition, the business with ice cubes and crushed ice is very important in this segment. The ice is produced under strict quality requirements with an ice machine in the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] store, packed in polythene plastic bags and delivered in Styrofoam cartons to the client. The product range rests on the founding principles of high quality and pragmatism. The company offers dishes and cutlery produced by a small group of European quality suppliers like Rosenthal or KPM. Pragmatism comes into play when chairs are purchased: these must all be stackable and cannot exceed the maximum weight of xxx kg. Damaged or badly worn goods are removed, discarded and replaced. [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] offers a full range of services to fulfill the ideal event request of a customer. Customers can look at different products in the Sample brand salesroom and make an informed decision. The selection process is competently supervised by Sample brand staff, who in some cases have many years of experience in event catering and support clients in their planning. Clients can opt to transport the leased equipment to the venue themselves or have Sample brand deliver and pick it up. An important part of the leasing agreement is the professional cleaning of the products. This is a standard service for Sample brand and is performed very conscientiously.

1.2 Business Plan  Operative Processes

The typical [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] facility follows a detailed plan to carry out daily activities. The tight organization includes taking orders, processing them and offering logistic support especially with high-quality, fragile goods. The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city branch has XXX square feet of premises (storage, washing space, office, retail space), two delivery vehicles and a cutting-edge rinsing machine. To simplify the administrative processes, [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] had special software called Leihoffice (Lease Office) designed. This program is a very important part of the success of the sample brand and ensures an optimum overview of the stocks and their borrowing hours at all times. In addition, entries can be made to block damaged goods and keep track of those returned. The ways of packaging and storing the goods are preset. This way the space in the warehouse and in vans is optimally utilized and there are no damages or losses of small products. The criteria to determine whether a given product can remain in the leased range are also well-documented. A very important part of the daily operations of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is cleaning kitchen utensils, in particular dishes and cutlery. [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] has set very strict requirements. The correct selection and the correct operation of the machines for the gastronomic needs and recommendations for selection of the cleaning agent are defined. Each dish or cutlery item is sealed and a certificate that guarantees the hygienic cleaning of these goods is provided.

1.3 Business Plan USP

The brand’s reputation is the most important USP. The company has built it over its XX-year market presence. It is recommended by countless prominent companies and establishments, such as the delicatessen “XXXXX” or the Chancellery. The trademark brand is protected by law and associated with the “XXXXX of non-food caterers” in the hospitality industry. Careful adherence to the standards in place for franchised licensees is at the core of every [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] operation. This commitment is also reflected in the training of employees and subcontractors, who leave the relevant impression shaping the client’s perception of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.]. The great efficiency of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.], consequent customer satisfaction and capacity for expansion are achieved mainly by the standardization of products and packaging, the software Leihoffice and the correct operation of facilities, in particular the washing process. By following the guidelines set by the parent company the branches enjoy high productivity, while remaining flexible enough for regional adaptations. The founder and business plan manager spent three years planning and preparing the franchise concept and gathered ideas in the US and Canada among other countries. His core beliefs evolved over time in his long career in gastronomy, event catering and the hotel industry. The continuous development of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.’s] expertise will allow the company to remain at the top in the long term. The vast network of well-located branches and well-coordinated exchange between them ensure there will always be enough leased goods. In addition, the branches uphold best-practice guidelines on marketing and operation levels.

1.4 Business Plan  Strategy / Vision

[Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] will continue to delight its well-paying clients in German-speaking countries and regions with perfect services in line with its high-value, pragmatic strategy. New licensees will become part of the network only if they prove they will manage the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] with diligence and zeal. An important objective was addressed to strengthen the communication between the branches in the medium term and affirm the general concept of the company in the increasingly competitive environment. As age is an issue not only in the Sample city branch, but also affects the dynamics of management of individual branches, coordinated cooperation is even more important to ensure adequate drive for growth and development of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] in the long term. A broad investment program is planned for the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city branch, which has two aims: improvement in the product lease capacity and new customer acquisition. The sample city, known as a hub of trade fairs and technology, offers good possibilities to help the faltering branch get back in the black given targeted researching is performed and customers are acquired. The overall vision of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is to remain a market leader in upscale non-food catering and anchor the brand in the minds of German customers. At present [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is preparing to open a branch on XXXXX. This way the brand proves to itself expansion on new markets outside of Germany, yet controlled by German companies, is on the horizon of the parent company. The tight organization, flexibility and scalability of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] facility are applicable to many markets. The company’s steady long-term success ensures adequate resources for a profitable future.

2. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business Plan Market Analysis

Countless of data sources were used to assess the market conditions of the Business plan  Sample brand Sample city branch as accurately as possible. The non-food catering segment does not have a central union at this time that is organized enough to provide quality market research. The closest to a central union is the Partyservicebund e.V. (www.partyservicebund.de), which doesn’t have the required capacity and reports to the press that XXXX was a good year, but without specific figures. This is why we retrieved and analyzed national and regional consumer barometer, gastronomy, trade fair industry, event marketing, luxury goods sector and tourism industry data. The overall result of the analysis showed the quality-conscious non-food caterer market situation was indeed good both nationwide and in the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city (see location analysis), but there are numerous market risks due to the global economic crisis, fierce competition (see Competition Analysis) and the shrinking gastronomy industry.

Economic Barometer : Consumer sentiment in Germany is inconsistent as reflected in the GfK report from November XXXX. The economic outlook is improving, but Germans remain unsure in light of the European debt crisis and the declining economy. Despite the downward trends, economic prospects remain stable up until the end of XXXX. The index has improved for the third consecutive time. Germans believe that their income will increase in the future. The stability is due primarily to the positive labor market figures. The high employment reduces the fear of job loss and thus promotes predictability. The consistently moderate inflation serves to encourage consumer spending, which is further stimulated by the weak propensity of German consumers to save because of very low interest rates and uncertainty caused by the European debt crisis. Strong economic growth continues in Lower Saxony based on y/y data of the regional CCI. With real economic growth of X, X%, the pre-crisis levels of XXXX have been reached again. After two years with growth rates of more than X%, Lower Saxony currently enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in XX years. In order to stabilize the rapid economic recovery, the state government has established a policy for growth and employment. In recent years hundreds of millions have been invested in technological capability, for example at the Brunswick Research Airport, in the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Vehicle Technology or the CFK-Valley Stade. The economic development in Lower Saxony is tense but solid in the third quarter of XXXX. Only one of ten companies finds its current business situation poor, but one in four companies is afraid of the prospects in the next year. These assessments, as well as insufficient new orders and falling exports in neighboring countries indicate stagnation on this market in the medium term.

Gastronomy: The gastronomy industry in Germany grew by X,X% in nominal and by X,X% in real value from January to August XXXX y/y according to data of the German Hotel and Catering Association (GHCA). The hotel industry, an important market factor, developed favourably nationwide. Just under XXX million overnight stays (X,X%) were counted in XXXX in establishments with more than nine beds, with Germany taking the first place in Europe. The data for Hessen in the following table show the stagnation in the gastronomy industry (except for the fast food establishments) and the growth of the catering industry (important rows marked red). There are currently XXX.XXX enterprises classified as catering companies nationwide with per annum revenue of X,X billion Euro (GHCA, Year XXXX).

Number of enterprises in the German gastronomy and hotel industry [TABLE REMOVED]

Source: GHCA Hessen and Federal Statistics Office, Income tax statistic XXXX

Trade Fair Economy: Germany is one of the world’s leading trade fair venues. Two-thirds of all international trade fairs in a wide range of industries take place in Germany. In XXXX almost XXX.XXX exhibitors were participating in XXX international trade fairs. That’s just under X% up y/y. In XXXX there was a decrease of X%. Compared to XXXX, the key figures in XXXX rose very significantly (see following graphs). A larger-on-average exhibition stand is a good indicator for the Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd. sample city branch, as the company relies on fairs and major exhibitors have high budgets for high-quality non-food catering.

[GRAPH REMOVED]

Source: AUMA Press release (XXXX)

Event Business: In XXXX the event business is expected to grow and event budgets to regain the levels of XXXX. Event Budgets in Germany

Source: FAMAB Branchenbrief

In XXXX the German concern and event market recovered from the dramatic revenue drop in XXXX. After branch revenues dropped from X,X billion to X,X billion Euro by a total of XX% in XXXX and XXXX compared to XXXX, the peak revenue of XXXX was exceeded in XXXX with the record (almost) X billion Euro. This is why the branch aimed for growth of XX%. The revenue is based on XX,X million visitors, translating to profit of X% (two million consumers).There were a total of XXX,X million visits, almost XX million more than in XXXX.

Source: GfK-Press Release (XXXX)

Tourism: The German tourist industry generally has solid results. Luxury tourism is especially interesting. Well-off Chinese, UAE and Russian tourists are often encountered in German cities. Overnight stays of tourists from China and Hongkong in Germany increased by XX% y/y, while those of Russians increased by XX%. Pro capita spending, especially for shopping, shows a positive tendency. According to the tax free experts of Global Blue there was an increase of shopping expenses of around XX% y/y in XXXX. The luxury hotel segment increased by XX% y/y, the German art market by XX% and private/first class flights by XX%.Lower Saxony is an attractive destination with XX,X million overnight stays in XXXX. Its sea, mountains and nature parks make it the most popular northern province. There are more nature and amusement parks in Lueneburg Heath than anywhere else in Germany. The Zoo Experience Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd. city attained a new attraction in May XXXX – Yukon Bay – and developed into a unique European adventure park and zoo in recent years. The Automobile City of Wolfsburg had approx. X,XX million visitors in XXXX. The most important groups are from Holland, the UK, Denmark and Poland. In summer the industry naturally experiences a boom.

Luxury goods market: The German luxury goods market is growing rapidly and growth is stronger than in all other European countries. Turnover increased by XX% to XX,X billion Euro y/y according to a luxury market survey by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, ordered by a branch association called the Master Circle German Luxury Forum, which was established in May XXXX. Growth improved substantially upon the previous year (XX%). Germany is a worldwide leader, clearly surpassing the global luxury market growth of about X%. Highest growth was observed with watches (XX%), jewellery (XX%), and fashion and accessories (XX%). The German luxury vehicle market skyrocketed by XX%.Germany’s largest representative consumer survey with XX.XXX interviews per year pointed to a trend towards enhancing personal luxury, which was socially unacceptable just a few years ago, namely the “Typology of Wishes”. In the affluent age group of XX-XX XX% agreed with the statement, “I treat myself to expensive things, luxury makes life beautiful”, which increased in XXXX to around XX%. Another indication of the attitude change is the agreement with the statement, “I like to go to exclusive shops”. Here the agreement increased from XX% in XXXX to XX% in XXXX. Agreement with this statement among boys also increased – by X-X%. A survey of the top management of Master Circle member companies paints a positive picture for XXXX. Most market segments expect a revenue growth between XX and XX%. In order to realize the growth potential, the companies plan an increase of their investments of up to XX% for the expansion of the branch network and additional marketing. The number of employees should increase significantly both in the sales and in the administrative departments. In some cases profit is deliberately avoided to lay a solid foundation for the anticipated growth in the years to come.

Conclusion: The market conditions for the Sample brand are quite positive in light of several factors: solid consumer confidence in spite of the downturn, solid growth of the catering industry despite an overall stagnant gastronomy industry, and very good data from the exhibition industry, the tourism industry and the luxury goods market. However, market distortions are expected in the short or medium term as a result of the ever more threatening world crisis scenario in the long term. Paradoxically, the luxury segment will suffer the least due to the lower price flexibility. This is also the reason why Roland Berger’s experts are so optimistic about the market.

2.1 Business Plan Competition

An almost infinite number of companies with a similar business focus are active in the field of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] The startup will have to invest significant resources in marketing to be able to remain competitive. Recommendations and conventional print marketing will not be sufficient to achieve the desired revenue and expansion in the short term. The quality of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.’s] products and services distinguish it from other brands. Often competitors are unable to meet clients’ demands and deprive themselves of the opportunity to be promoted and to become more recognized through recommendations and positive experiences. Consistently good work, professionalism and credibility are appreciated by customers and can be used to compete effectively. Price-based competition can be risky, especially as many corporate clients have cut their budgets in the crisis. This is exactly what Volkswagen did. It was [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] sample city’s most important client, which is why the company has been operating at a loss in the past three years. There are three classes of competitors, whose activities exert a significant influence on the Sample brand’s business. First, there are the price-aggressive, professional, national non-food caterers such as ProfiMiet (www.profimiet.de) or M. Ferber Party-Miet-Service e.K. (www.party-miet-service.de). Then there are the national party service / catering / cafeteria- operating companies such as Aramark (www.aramark.de), Apetito (www.apetito.de), Dahlmann Ltd. (www.dahlmann-catering.de), Compass Group Deutschland Ltd. (www.compass-group.de),  Mövenpick (www.moevenpick-restaurants.com), Party Rent (www.partyrent.com), Perfect Show Events (www.pseonline.de), Esmeyer (www.cateringequipment.de), Broich Premium Catering (www.broich-catering.com) or MKS Premium Catering (www.mks-catering.de). Finally, there are regional competitors like Event-Mietservice Ltd., [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city (www.eventmietservice-business plan  samplecity.de), Sternzeit Catering (www.sternzeit-catering.de) and restaurant catering services like La Piazzetta (www.la-piazzetta-gehrden.de). There are dozens of skilled, small-scale competitors like this Italian restaurant, which can be seen on www.Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd. city-locations.de. The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] must compete with all three classes with unique selling points in order to remain on the market long-term. The company should get an edge over its strongest competitors – national non-food caterers – through enhanced market presence and better service quality, taking away high-value customers and ensuring long-term commitment. [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] should compete with standard catering companies and party service providers effectively by offering a wider range of high-quality leased goods. Collaborations using the strengths of similar established companies are a good idea. A good example of this is Business Plan Musterstadtaner provider Music & Light VT ( www.music-and-light.com ), known mainly for party electronics. The smaller regional providers should not be allowed to take away [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.’s] important target group clients through their bespoke product range and greater proximity to customers. The flexibility of the local branches concurrent with a much greater range of services is enhanced by the symbiosis with other [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] facilities in northern Germany. The strong search-engine-optimized portal XXXCatering (www.XXXcatering.de), which has a special luxury non-food catering page, deserves special mention particularly due to the Business plan facility’s location in Sample City. According to the profile the website is a finder tool for local catering providers. The website, which has a significant amount of pure SEO content, actually keeps referencing to the company Wengenroth and Partners (www.wengenroth-and-partner referenced.com /). This is, in fact, a marketing and management consultancy firm based in [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city that specializes in search engine optimization. It is necessary to clarify whether this company would be a good partner or a potentially dangerous competitor given its extremely skillful internet marketing. In the latter case, the company would be a direct niche competitor, since it explicitly targets high-end customers. A broad contact network could be developed through cooperation, by attending industry events, with sponsorship events and by directly contacting promising potential customers. The company will be able to promote sustainable growth of the loyal customer base quickly based on this network of contacts. This way the company can withstand the ever increasing competition, increase the value of its brand and take root regionally and nationally. We can conclude that the status of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is generally satisfactory in terms of competitiveness. The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city site will be rehabilitated successfully thanks to the competence of the manager and the planned investments and despite the immense pressure from competitors.

2.2 Business plan target group

[Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] targets high-value clients in the hotel/gastronomy/trade fair industries, both companies and private entities. Revenue is typically derived from these three target groups equally, although there can be location-based deviations. For example, orders from state institutions form the bulk in the Berlin branch. What all of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.’s] clients have in common is the desire for perfect event planning and clean, high-quality leased goods. A big client from the automobile industry played a big role for [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city in the past. There are plans to maintain this contact and acquire more clients in this industry. The following is a list of the biggest companies in the area of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city. Attractive potential clients are framed in red.

Source: CCI Lower Saxony

Another focus of the operations involves attracting customers from the exhibition and event industry. The size and prominence of the exhibition industry in Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd. city and the numerous major local events will certainly help the company make significant progress in obtaining a share of this market.

2.3 Business plan risks

The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] model faces primarily operative and political risks. One recent example is the changes in taxation, which the Party Service Association e.V. finds impacted the business model of catering companies negatively. Stricter requirements with regard to hygiene are expected in XXXX (partly due to the recent norovirus epidemic). However, we of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] believe the more stringent hygiene requirements will affect mostly low-cost providers’ business. It is important that marketing investment be aimed at the target group and generate more revenue. The manager has the necessary knowledge and contacts to quickly hike up the revenue of the recently faltering [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city branch. The numerous challenges of the business model are very likely to be overcome given his experience and qualifications.Other risks may arise in day-to-day operations, such as dishwasher malfunction. To this end, sample brand businesses are advised to maintain very good communication with the manufacturers and to think ahead when they are buying cleaning products and installing water filters/softeners. Insurance is a key issue when operating with valuable and fragile goods. Health and accident insurance and labor and service agreement details (especially with long-term subcontractors) must be researched very thoroughly in order to ensure legal protection.  [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] has had a special agreement with the “Leipziger” insurance for several years, which guarantees the company insurance coverage across the board on very favorable terms.

3. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business Plan SWOT-Analysis

The following SWOT matrix gives a clear picture of all strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats:

[TABLE REMOVED]

4. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business Plan Location

Due to its location, the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city offers attractive starting conditions for potentially profitable operations of the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] branch. The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city and the region of Lower Saxony are a business hub and travel destination in the heart of Europe. A good infrastructure of roads, railways and waterways enables fast connections to national and international markets. The wealth of the region is based mainly on a strong industry. The Lower Saxony Harbor Group shipped XX.X million tons in XXXX, which puts it in position X in Germany. The largest cruise ships in the world are built in Lower Saxony, as are parts for XXX, the biggest planes in the world. The headquarters of Volkswagen are located in the sample city. The Brunswick-Wolfsburg greater area is one of the largest metropolitan areas of the automotive industry in Europe. Numerous research institutes for aerospace and other innovative industries are based in the region. Lower Saxony also has a strong agrarian industry and is a leader in the renewable energy sector. [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city is considered to be one of the most important German trade fair locations. Since XXXX visitors from around the world have come here to see the latest achievements in industry, technology and science in Germany. Its CeBIT, the Agritechnica, the Biotechnica and the IAA Commercial Vehicles are world-famous. The German Trade Fair Group organizes over XX events in the Business plan city with XXX staff a year. The sample city has a very attractive location. The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] sample city branch is located in the Kriegerstrasse XX, north of the center, with very good road access. We can conclude that it will benefit optimally from the favorable onsite conditions.

5. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business plan partner/s

Partner companies of various types are very important for the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] both in terms of the purchase of equipment for leasing and facilities as well as for administrative or financial processes. The most important partner companies are listed below. A potential partner company is presented, which [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] can use to gain a unique edge over competitors in an important non-food catering segment.

6. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business plan marketing

6.1 Business plan pricing

The founder and manager of the Sample brand has pursued a strategy of quality leadership ever since its launch. The [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] is inseparable from its reputation as the “XXXXXX of non-food caterers” and therefore has the best access to the most affluent, highest-value clients. The high prices are therefore an important feature of the business model because they guarantee perfect services and performance. The company goes so far as to quote a British social reformer on “being rich and cheap goods” on its website and in catalogs.

6.2 Business plan communication strategy

As already mentioned, [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] builds on strong marketing to communicate the advantages of its offers through multiple channels. In addition to conventional media (print advertising, trade shows, cold calling, etc.), we also utilize electronic media to attract customers. The sample brand, multiple winner of the Catering Star award, and its corporate identity are present daily on each level of communication with current and future customers, suppliers and employees. The logo with confetti fountain, slogan ( “We’ll make your party shine!”) and the bright turquoise are to be seen not only on marketing channels, but also on the delivery van, correspondence, on the uniforms of the staff and of course the packaging and hygiene certificates. The brand book, which the franchisee abides by, details the structure of the retail premises. Potential customers can look at the goods and receive expert advice on their event.  Over the course of time and development of the company it emerged that the name “Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.” had been chosen very cleverly. The company name is not only among the first ones in alphabetical yellow pages – it also amuses cold call recipients, leading them to open their ears.Presence at trade fairs is very important for the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.]. The company disposes of modern, high-quality exhibition equipment, which can be used by any branch participating in a fair. The parent company organizes central exhibits. Among the fairs in sample city where branches can be featured are „TrauDich!“ (Trust you), „Hochzeitstage“ (Wedding days) or the Wedding Expo in Sheraton, the gastronomy fair „GastroTrends“, lifestyle expos „Lebensart“ (Way of life) or „Christmas“, the biggest Christmas fair in Germany. Consumer goods expos such as „Infa“, „Garten & Ambiente“ (Garden and Ambience), „ReiseZeit“ (Travel time) or the regional SME fair. Taking part in these fairs could be a lucrative way of acquiring clients and partners.Well-designed catalogs are printed and issued to ensure the company will be remembered. The company also prints a series of flyers, which have advertising slogans on one side and tips and advice for a successful event on the other, such as how to fold napkins properly or which cocktails are appropriate for which occasion. These tips are also listed on the website. There is currently no glossy brochure or such print advertising for promotional purposes. This has been criticized by some [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] licensees, which is why there are plans to create a high-quality brochure in the next few years. Giveaways will be organized on the premises of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] as well as at trade fairs and to a lesser extent also upon delivery of rental equipment with the aim to attract new clients. These goods are mainly classic promotional gifts like matchboxes, but also pens, wet wipes and mints. These gifts are used to make [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] more memorable. They are more likely to be remembered by potential customers than leaflets or brochures. In the long term, the range of freebies could be extended to include innovative products, like the magnets and post-its put on refrigerators and kitchen utensils in the US. The sample brand website, currently being reconstructed, is a key element in the overall marketing strategy. It was last redesigned in XXXX in order to meet the growing demands of the German catering business. The site, which features pages on branch locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and includes pure advertising and marketing elements, generates significant revenue. Here clients can view catalog pictures and prices of all products and make orders when they log in a password-protected area. All pages feature advertising content. At the bottom clients can leave feedback on the service quality. There is also a page of references, key suppliers and partners. [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] has barely done any Internet advertising. It currently has deficits both in the area of traditional keyword or email marketing as well as in the use of social networks. Moreover, the company ranks much lower in the most important keyword searches than its competitors. There is a lot of quality content on the site, but it is duplicated because of the design. It is likely that this circumstance as well as the occasionally hidden pages affect search engine ranking and readership adversely. [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] also has no video marketing and no continuous news flow management. Both instruments would help promote the company and result in a higher ranking if put to good use.

7. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business plan manager

Mr. [Business Plan] is the manager and managing partner of [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] Mr. [Business plan] founded [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] XX years ago and has XX years of experience in gastronomy. He has proven time and again that he is able to put struggling companies back on the track to growth. He stands out with his fierce entrepreneur spirit, ambition and love for detail.

[EXCERPT DELETED]

Although his journey has been a long one, Mr. Business plan still has a lot of enthusiasm and spirit and is developing his business steadily on the levels of IT, product range and marketing. Buying out problematic branches (in some cases unclear succession in management is an important reason to sell) helps affirm and spur the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] toward growth. His vast market knowledge, leadership skills and traits ensure Mr. Business plan manager will be able to bring the [Catering Business Plan Sample Ltd.] city branch back in the black. His numerous personal contacts will play an important role in this context.

8. Catering Business Plan Sample: Business plan staff

The staffing needs and tasks are presented in the following table.

9. Catering Business Plan Sample: Financial Planning

9.1 Business Plan Clarification

After three years of operating at a loss the company’s capital base has eroded. Shareholder loans are needed to recapitalize the company for the planned investments. In the current fiscal year XXXX it is possible to make a small profit due to the liquidation, but the operating revenue has plummeted and most of the processes have been shut down. The new shareholder loan of XXX.XXX will cover the initial capital requirement during the turn-around because payment is demanded for services. The other cost parameters, in particular personnel, leasing and event costs are planned so that no additional borrowing will be necessary. Sample Brand is expected to enter the market quickly due to the available contact network as the reputation of the brand speaks for itself. The revenue volume will skyrocket thanks to high marketing investments.

9.2 Revenue Source Clarification

Reactivated clients will generate revenue of around XX.XXX Euro starting from the very first month. The monthly revenue should reach ca. XX.XXX Euro by the end of XXXX. Annual revenue will increase by XX% between XXXX and XXXX and again between XXXX and XXXX by ca. XX%. The sample brand’s market segment is difficult to predict as the positive effects mentioned in the market analysis could easily lead to higher revenues, which is why this estimate is rather conservative. The annual revenue will attain growth of XX-XX% in the long term. After the second year the revenue in the first month of the following year will start to decline y/y. This is accounted for by the expectation that demand will rise around Christmas (seasonal) and revenues in January will drop in comparison. Despite this, progressive revenue growth is still expected.

Source: Financial plan (estimates of manager, numbers in Euro)

We expect business entities, including trade fair participants to account for slightly higher revenue portion than the other two target groups, namely hotel / gastronomy and private clients. We thus expect a revenue ratio of X: X:X for the three target groups. The breakdown by sector is as follows (see chart). The leasing business accounts for around two-thirds of the total revenue. The rest is generated by selling products and services. The most important segment overall is leasing dishes / utensils, contributing to one-third of the total result.

9.3.Business plan capital

Mr. Business Plan will provide XXX% of company capital as the sole managing partner of the branch.

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Starting Catering Services Business Plan (PDF)

Catering simply refers to availing food at wide-ranging events. A catering business is a very lucrative business to start, with huge profit margins. No matter the prevailing conditions people will always need catering services. The customer base is large, as you can offer catering services at corporates events, weddings, birthday parties, social gatherings, sporting events, political events and even religious events. It is usually the norm that the majority of these events outsource catering services. That makes a catering business very viable. There is no end to the types of events where catering is usually needed. Since it is such a huge market it is strategic to start a catering business. Understand that the nature of catering business is so broad, diverse, and dynamic. That is why niching is a common element in the catering business. The choice of niche is often informed by a number of factors. It could be how the food is prepared and served. It could be how the food is priced. It could also be type of event to be served. At the end of the day you need to come up with well-defined catering services and the menus on offer. This article will outline how to start the catering services business, and the catering business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

Business Model

There are several approaches to the catering business. You can offer catering services for corporate events. One of the most common ones is providing catering services for weddings or engagements. You could do catering for social events. This is quite broad; it includes events such as parties, official launches, bridal showers, and the like. The other common one is providing catering services for big events. This can include live shows or sporting events. How you will make money is based on which niche(s) you will be serving. Other than the catering services, there are always several other ways to incorporate to make more money.

Market Research

Due to the colossal size of the catering industry it becomes even more important to conduct research first. You need a good understanding of how the catering industry works, its trends and financial viability. Find out and closely study how existing catering business players are doing it. We are talking about things like services provided, food packages, markets served, pricing  and marketing strategies amongst other things. In this age of the internet and social media this can be done by looking them up online. Alternatively you visit such service providers to learn about their business structures and models. Even when you attend events or are being served as a customer by a catering business service provider you can always find a way to draw insights on how they operate. If you do this diligently you are rest assured to build your own catering business with a strong value proposition. Most importantly you require a detailed catering services business plan before you venture into this business.

Location And Premises

There are basically 2 ways in which you can prepare the food that you will serve to your clients. You will either prepare it onsite or offsite. Preparing it offsite implies you will need a working space and that branches off into basically 3 possible options. You can set up a working area at home, you can have dedicated office & kitchen premises or your pay to use an already established working space. Operating from home might somehow be cheap but it is not recommended unless you build a professional working area. Bear in mind that catering businesses can be inspected by local and health authorities so it is important to have a standard working area. Generally, preparing offsite requires excellent logistical management to avoid inconveniences for the clients. Preparing the food onsite might be the best considering the elimination of other costs plus providing the food whilst still fresh. At the end of the day you will have to assess and see which approach works best for you. The approaches might not be cast in stone since you might have to alternate amongst them according to the dictates of each new client or scenario you encounter. If you are to establish a fixed working area it must be visible, accessible, clean and distanced from any possible contaminant factors. Your catering business plan should take into account the costs of renting or buying the premises.

Competitive Analysis

The catering business is marked by stiff competition. It is often the case that there are several competitors in your target location or market. You need to closely examine all those competitors. What type of foods do they serve? What are their prices? What is their niche(s)? It is essential to not forget that you have indirect competitors too. People can sort out their catering needs themselves; that is a competition element you cannot ignore. There is a wide range of other businesses that can provide catering services.

Examples of such are supermarkets, hotels, or fast food joints. You have to study all of those to figure how to find your place in the market. Also take time to analyse their digital footprint. This will help you know how they reach out to people and generate leads. Your aim is to identify areas you can improve to become a superior catering business.

There are different kind of equipment that you will need for the catering services business. Examples are working areas (fitted with necessary items such as tables, sinks, taps and so on), freezer units, stoves, ovens, fryers, grills and the like. It is better to acquire or use industrial-grade equipment rather than makeshift with domestic equipment. Especially when the business grows to medium or large scale you will see how important this is. You will also need utensils some of which are knives, spoons, graters, scales, chopping boards, bowls, pots and so on – the list is endless. Transportation vehicles might also be vital for delivery purposes. When starting with a limited budget, you can consider buying preowned equipment, as this will lower your startup costs. Your catering business plan should include the costs of purchasing the equipment.

Products and Services

There are several ways of doing the catering services business. You can  partner with event planners and provide food and beverages at a wedding parties. Most wedding clients prefer full service and real display catering services. You  will provide all the equipment required to prepare and serve the food including silverware, plates, napkins. Also you prepare and serve the food. Catering services can also be offered to corporates & organizations, whereby you prepare and serve the food daily to company employees, or at corporate seminars & training events, business conference catering etc. Social event catering also has a big market, you can offer your catering services at music events & concerts, social parties like birthdays etc. Sporting events, religious events and political events also require catering services. Your products/menu will depend on the need of your clients. Practically you will end up preparing different kinds of meals as clients have different requirements. The catering services business plan should outline the services you will be offering. 

Permits/Licenses, Insurance & Business Bank Account

Permits or licenses.

Avoid the temptation to operate as an informal catering business. Build your catering business into a brand and get is registered as a business or company. It is even wiser to set up a proper office for your catering business. Catering entails food services so you need to be licensed. Apply for an operating license from your municipal or local authorities. It is also strategic to hire or work with properly certified catering staff. This will cement your brand image. Plus it will make your catering business more preferable; clients love getting served by professionals.

Insurance & Business Bank Account

Due to the nature of processes involved in catering, getting insured is paramount. That is why you need proper premises from which to operate from. This will make it easier to get your catering business insured. When looking for an insurer, do not just consider one insurance provider. Explore several of them so that you can compare. Handle the finances of your catering business via a business bank account. Every banking services provider has a facility specially tailored for businesses to open such accounts. This will help you manage your catering business finances separately from your personal finances.

Staff And Management

The required staff depends on the size of your business and the nature of the services that you will be offering. At the minimum you need chefs, waiters and logistics personnel. Some of these employees may be part time workers which you can call in whenever you get a contract to do. This maybe necessitated by the fact that offering catering services may not be a daily thing. Other required staff include accountants, supervisors, security team, stock controllers and managers, though this depends on the size of your catering services business. Your catering business should have sufficient number of well trained staff. This is because repeat purchases and ever-growing customer inflows are a product of swift, good and quality service from the staff. Having a small or skeletal staff makes it very difficult to provide swift service. Remember we are living in a fast-paced world where people don’t want to be kept waiting for too long. The salaries of all your employees must be catered for in your catering services business plan.

Marketing And Sales Strategies

Be known online.

Get a website set up for your catering business. Include e-commerce functionality on the website. In fact, make it a web app so that it is also optimized for mobile access. There should be functionality for clients to order online. Have high definition visuals showing your catering business offerings. These will also be instrumental in your digital marketing efforts. This includes social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and social media influencer marketing, amongst others. Getting known online is enhanced by propagating positive reviews and testimonials for your business. Any client you serve must be a source of social proof to buttress your catering business brand image. Get included on local online business listing platforms.

Community Involvement

As a catering business you have the advantage of being able to make a difference in the community. There are lots of charitable activities you can do to put your catering business name out there. You can be involved by providing your services at community events. For instance, there can be sporting or entertainment events. There can be a wide range of conferences that can be held e.g. church conferences. You can always find a way to prepare and sell food to anyone participating in such events. You can even consider sponsoring community-based causes or events. This solidifies your catering business’ brand image.

The demand for catering services is huge. Catering services can be offered to weddings, business seminars, corporate canteens, training events, business conferences, funerals, sports events, political events, birthday parties, social gatherings, picnics, universities, religious events etc. A good reputation for reliability, consistency and good products & service are the key ingredients for developing the customer base for your catering business. You must also invest in proper branding and extensive marketing drives (especially on the internet and social media). Figure out competitive pricing regimes that can tip your competition over. One way to attract customers is by coming up with regular specials. Hygiene and presentation of your service offering and products are paramount to a favourable brand image. Take your time to conduct customer surveys in order to fully acquaint yourself with what exactly your customers like or dislike. Your catering services business plan should have a proper marketing plan.

Keys To Profitability

No substitute for quality and efficiency.

When it comes to preparing food, clients always expect efficient services and quality food. When you are expected to deliver lunch at 1pm, it has to be so. The food must exceed expectations in terms of quality. Quality should also be in the form of general cleanliness and presentability of catering staff. These are the most important considerations clients make when choosing catering businesses. They of course also consider the pricing but efficiency and quality can overshadow pricing.

Explore Cost Control Strategies

In order to offer competitive prices you need to control costs. In order to widen profit margins you need to control costs. Find areas you can tweak to reduce your operating costs. One area to explore can be your raw materials, ingredients, and the like. A catering business involves several inputs so factor in everything and seek to keep costs low. You should not compromise on quality though.

A catering business thrives on having a good reputation. Providing the best customer experiences is the core aspect your catering business must strive for. You should also look to perpetually expand your clientele.

Pre-Written Catering Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the catering business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive catering services business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the catering services business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global catering business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your catering business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for catering services. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the catering business.

Uses of the Catering Services Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The catering business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your catering services business
• As a catering business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the catering services business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Catering Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for catering services includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the catering business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your catering business

The catering services business plan package consists of 4 files

• Catering Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 84 Pages)
• Catering Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 84 Pages)
• Catering Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 43 pages)
• Catering Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the markup, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Catering Business Plan (PDF)

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I was extremely lucky to come across StartupBiz Global. Their business plan exceeded my expectations, and most importantly I was able to secure a loan from my bank. Thank you guys, now my dreams are coming true!

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Get the Catering Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your catering business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Catering Business Plan Template

NOV.11, 2016

If you are planning to start a catering company, you need to have a professional catering business plan. OGS Capital can help you with that; we have a team of professional business personnel and writers who work with us on a daily basis to ensure that clients get customized plans for their business. We strive to make sure that we deliver the final copy of the business plans for catering companies  to the customer on time, and this has so far helped us to get referrals and returning customers.

Tips for Succeeding in Writing a Mobile Catering Business Plan

The quality of your catering company business plan will determine whether you will get capital from investors and financial institutions. Hence, it is important to make sure that every detail in the plan is factual and verifiable before presenting it to the investors or banks.

Here are four tips for writing a good business plan for your catering company.

• Carry out an intensive study to understand the hospitality industry
• Convey information about the firm in a professional, cohesive, conscious language
• Layout the various sections clearly using headings and sub-headings
• Proofread the catering business plan to ensure that it is free of any grammatical errors and typos

Adhering to these four tips will help you to come up with business plans for catering companies  that you will not be afraid to present and defend when pitching the business idea to the financial institution. Let us proceed and discuss the primary benefits of having an expertly written small catering business plan.

Assist in Decision Making

Every decision that you make will have a positive or negative impact on your catering business. It is, therefore, important to make sure that you consider all the plausible direct and indirect effects that a resolution may have on the enterprise before implementing it to avert regrets.

A good catering company business plan will act as a blueprint that will guide you through the decision-making process. Our team will work hard to make sure that each recommendation made is right for your business. Without a catering company business plan , rest assured that you would be prone to making hasty decisions that could plunge your business in deep financial crisis.

Proper Management of Funds

Unknown to most people is that a catering company business plan does not aim to discuss the business idea only. It goes an extra mile to provide precise details of how the funds will be spent at every stage of the business growth. For instance, it describes the total amount of money that will be used to acquisition equipment. Hence, it will be instrumental in helping you manage your funds correctly. Note that it only takes one financial mistake to compromise the financial stability of the business.

Fosters Transparency and Management

Transparency and proper management are the two primary virtues that set professional catering companies from their counterparts. Poor or lack of transparency results in losses and unnecessary disagreements. All this information will be included in the plan to not only increase your chances of getting funding but also to help you make informed managerial decisions.

Facilitate Setting of Sales Targets

The marketing teams need to have sales goals that they want to achieve after a given duration. Without these goals, they will be operating in a void, and you will also not be able to monitor their performance.

Our marketing professionals will not only help you to come up with a marketing strategy but also provide ideas on how you should set sales targets and objectives.

If you are looking for professional business plans for catering companies that will enable you to enjoy these four benefits, get in touch with us by filling this form. One of our customer care business consultants will get in touch with you to discuss our services in details.

Catering business plan for starting your own building firm

Catering is a business in which you provide food to remote locations to serve people at parties, ceremonies, events, filming sites, and hospitals, etc. The service can sometimes also include the provision of furniture, tables, chairs, utensils, and crockery.

If you are a person who wants to start a business that holds minimum risks, takes a small team and a little investment, then catering is the right choice for you. Besides, another good thing about this business is that it starts yielding profits as soon as it is launched.

What you need to do is just ensure that you manage and market your business plans for catering companies properly. For that purpose, the first step to take is making a business plan for catering. If you need any help regarding how to start a catering business plan, you can have it from here. Here we are providing a business plan for a catering startup, Marlon Caterers.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Marlon Caterers will be a registered and licensed catering business in Atlanta. The business aims to help people celebrate their memorable events with an unforgettable dinner. Moreover, the business will also take care of the needs of patients in hospitals by offering them healthy and nutritious food according to their doctors’ advice.

The business will provide several types of catering such as buffet catering, sit-down catering, hospital catering, corporate catering, and more.

2.2 Management

Management is a very important factor in the catering business. It’s only through efficient management that you can ensure

• The quality of your servings is intact
• The food prepared fulfills the dietary and hygiene requirements of your clients
• The order is delivered and served timely and perfectly

To maintain a good reputation among your customers, you must know all the difficulties and risks you can encounter. The risks may include budget disruptions due to sudden cancellation of orders, or any small/ large mistake during the business operations.

Before starting a catering business, you should study many catering business startup plans and then prepare a set up catering business plan for your business.

2.3 Customers

Our target customers belong to various niches. They will include the residential community, business organizations, film studios, government institutions, and hospitals.

2.4 Target of the Company

In this how to start a catering company sample business plans for catering companies we are enlisting the business targets set by Marlon Caterers.

• To reduce our customer acquisition cost by 20% by the end of five years
• To keep our customer churn rate below 5% throughout our service years
• To achieve a net profit margin of $22k per month by the end of the third year

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Marlon Redford will be the owner of Marlon Caterers. Marlon has acquired a degree in Business Administration from McDonough School of Business. Marlon has been serving on a managerial post in New York’s top luxury wedding planner company, Colin Cowie for four years. But a few months back, he decided to quit the job and start his own business.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

Marlon always wanted to have a career in which he could utilize his creative ideas to serve his community. He loved food and had an interest in cooking as well. So he decided to make a small team and start a business plans for catering companies .

3.3 How the Business will be started

The first step before starting a catering business is creating a description of catering business plan. Your catering company business plan should cover all aspects such as startup expenses, market analysis, sales strategy, personnel plan, and an extensive financial plan for your business.

In this catering company business plan example, we have listed the business strategy created by Marlon Caterers. Marlon devised his start a catering company business plan himself as he had adequate knowledge to do so. If you don’t know how to write a business plans for catering companies , you should either take help from this sample business plan for catering service. Or you should hire a professional person.

Marlon will rent a facility in Atlanta to set up his office there and keep the inventory. He will purchase luxurious crockery, flatware, tableware, chairs, tables, and sofas to host high-end events. To serve the other categories of target customers, inventory that comes in reasonable rates will also be acquired.

Besides, Marlon will hire the general staff, chefs, waiters, and some supervisors to help him run the business.

The start-up requirements, start-up expenses, total assets, funding, liabilities, planned investment, and other parameters for the successful launch of the business are given below.

Before you start a business plans for catering companies , you must identify the services you can provide under the catering domain. Including your services in your business plan about catering, can help you in acquiring the right licenses, required inventory, and relevant staff.

In this template of a catering business plan we are enlisting the services provided by Marlon Caterers.

We’ll offer on-premise and off-premise catering in the following categories.

• Plated Sit-down catering

In this catering, our waiters will lay out the food on individual tables. So, the guests will have to eat whatever is laid out on the plates for them.

• Buffet Catering

In this type of serving we will serve the dishes and food in one place. The guests will have to prepare their plates themselves according to their needs and wants.

• Cocktail Reception

Our wedding or party dinner will be preceded by a cocktail hour. Our cocktail servings will include Manhattan cocktail, Daiquiri, Margarita, Bloody Mary, Mojito, and Hurricane.

• Snacks & Drinks For Production Sets

We will supply food, snacks, and drinks to film studios, production sets, and shooting sites located near us. As the film crew works on a particular site on a weekly or monthly basis, so we’ll offer them various weekly and monthly packages.

• Hospital Catering

We’ll offer fresh, healthy, and nutritious foods to hospitals for patients. Our nutrient-rich meals will help them recover fast.

Marketing Analysis of Catering Business

If you are starting a business plan for catering companies , you should focus on doing accurate marketing analysis. Through market research, you can identify local trends and expectations. Besides, you can also select the most suitable location to launch your startup.

Marketing analysis should be completed before you create a business plans for catering companies . Because it will help you in recognizing your customers and setting your prices accordingly while also making sure that you are not running at a loss.

excellent work

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

5.1 Market Trends

The demand for the catering business has been high in the last few years. Due to a boost in average household income, more people had started utilizing private catering services to hold events. However, there is a slight problem these days. Due to the coronavirus pandemic mass gatherings aren’t allowed. So, your business might suffer a loss in the initial phases if you only provide catering for wedding ceremonies and parties. Marlon found the solution to this problem as he decided to offer hospital and film catering too.

Overall, business is surely profitable. According to First Research, catering industries in the U.S. make up above $11 billion in revenue on annual basis. More than 12000 catering industries are running in the U.S. Moreover, Statista also reports that the market size of this business has reached $12 billion in 2020.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

Before you think how to write a business plan for a catering business, you should consider who will be your customers. Knowing your customers will enable you to devise customer-oriented pricing and sales strategy.

In this sample of business plans for catering companies , we have listed the market segmentation done by Marlon Caterers.

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

5.1.1 Residential Community

The biggest consumer of our services will be the residents of Atlanta. They are expected to avail of our catering services whenever they host birthday or anniversary parties, gatherings, wedding ceremonies, etc.

5.1.2 Corporates & Film Producers

The second category includes business organizations that will need our catering for their business meetups, events, and parties. They are also expected to contact us for arranging just a cocktail party as that contains light refreshments and drinks to boost the energy level of workers.

Moreover, film studios that happen to shoot in Atlanta will also be needing our services. This group usually spent weeks and months on a particular site and thus need catering service continuously for days. So to compel them to hire us, we’ll offer them various weekly and monthly packages.

5.1.3 Hospitals

The last category of our target customers include hospitals based in Atlanta. They are expected to contact us for making nutritious and healthy plated foods for patients.

5.3 Business Target

Our business plans for catering companies targets to be achieved within a specified time are listed below

• To maintain an average rating above 4.75 on our website

5.4 Product Pricing

Our prices are almost within the same range as that of our competitors. However, we’ll be offering several discounts on our initial stage to attract as many customers as possible.

Marketing Strategy

Sales strategy is also an important component of a catering business plan proposal. Through this, you can reach your qualified customers and make them comprehend that you are better than all your competitors. To give you an idea of what to include in sales strategy, we are providing the sales strategy of Marlon Caterers in this example of marketing plan for a catering business.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

Our biggest competitive advantage lies in our customer service. We are highly customer-oriented and are always willing to go the extra mile to satisfy our customers. Secondly, we have developed a user-friendly mobile app that will allow our customers to

• Make online bookings
• Choose venue
• Select dishes from our menu

Third, we provide on-premise catering in which we prepare the food on site. This will be a competitive edge for us as just two to three competitors are offering it.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will offer a 35% discount on our services for the first month of the launch
• We will develop an SEO website to show our business in the top results on searches
• We will establish a strong social media presence
• We will advertise ourselves through Google Local ads service, local magazines, and newspapers

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

While writing business plans for catering companies you should also create a list of your required employees along with their job responsibilities.

7.1 Company Staff

Marlon will manage the business himself. However, he will hire the following people

• 1 Quality Manager to ensure the quality of service by active supervision
• 1 Inventory Manager to manage and maintain the merchandise
• 1 Accountant to maintain financial records
• 2 Sales Executives to market and to discover new ventures
• 5 Catering Assistants/ Catering Chefs to prepare the food
• 4 Waiters to serve the guests
• 2 General Assistants to bring ingredients daily
• 1 Web Developer
• 2 Drivers to provide transport
• 1 Front Desk Officer to act as a receptionist

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

As you make a catering business plan, you should also start analyzing your finances. Crafting a financial plan is an absolute need for a business as it maps the ways to minimize or even avoid loss. A good financial plan comprises a strategy to cover startup expenses with earned profits. Moreover, it also proposes a systematic approach to managing employees’ salaries, cost of business operations, and costs to cater for unexpected events.

To give you an idea of how a financial plan should look like, we are giving here the financial plan of Marlon Caterers.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 brake-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

Download Catering Company Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGScapital also specializes in writing business plans such as starting coffee roasting business plan , brewery startup business plan , confectionery shop business plan , bakery business idea , cookie business plan , bed and breakfast business plan and etc.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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How to Write Up an Airbnb Business Plan: Free PDF Template

Having a well-crafted Airbnb business plan is the best way to set your business up for success from the get-go. It outlines your business goals, operations plan, and the timeline for accomplishing all of this.

After all, you don’t want to be flying blind when it comes to the vacation rental industry.

Try not to get too overwhelmed: it’s easier to write a business plan than you might think. In this article, we explain why having a business plan for Airbnb hosting is important, offer best practices for writing an effective one, and provide a free Airbnb business plan template to download.

Don’t see the form to download our Airbnb Business Plan? Click here .

First, what is an Airbnb business plan?

An Airbnb business plan is a living document that outlines the direction you want your business to go in and strategies for getting it there. It will include details such as your target market and customers, financial plan, and goals and milestones.

You’ll be referring to your business plan often as you work to open your Airbnb , so be sure to be as detailed as possible.

Airbnb business proposal vs. business plan

We sometimes see people get confused between Airbnb proposals and business plans.

To be clear, a business proposal is a document that explains how a company’s product or service can meet a specific customer’s needs. Its goal is to attract customers.

You might need an Airbnb business proposal if you were, say, trying to get investors for your Airbnb business. However, chances are that what you’re really looking for is a business plan.

Why do you need a business plan for Airbnb hosting?

A well-thought-out business plan for Airbnb is the roadmap you’ll use to steer your business into the future. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider writing a business plan for your short-term rental property.

Helps you meet your goals

It’s easy to get sidetracked while trying to grow your business.

Of course, entertaining new ideas is never a bad thing. But having your original vision in writing

will ensure you don’t deviate too far from what you truly want to achieve. It motivates you to move forward and gives you something to measure progress against, too.

Prompts you to make important decisions

You’re going to have to reflect on your operations strategy, competition, future guests, and more when you sit down to write your business plan.

You may find some of the difficult decisions you’ve been putting off coming up in this process. Now is the time to face them head-on.

Don’t sweat this too much. Remember that you can always come back to your business plan and adjust as you go. It’s an ever-evolving document!

Gives you the framework to communicate your business to others

We all like to think we can handle things on our own. However, the time will come when you’ll need help to run your business, be it from a business partner, investor, or assistant.

When that time comes, you need to be able to clearly and confidently communicate what you’re doing and where your business is headed. It wouldn’t make any sense to order an Uber and not tell the driver where to go, right?

Not to mention that an Airbnb business plan saves you the headache of having to explain every nuance of the business to the person you’re bringing on board. Forward the document and let it speak for itself.

How to write a business plan for Airbnb: best practices

Now you know why having a business plan for Airbnb hosting is so important. But how do you go about writing one?

Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair. Let’s go over some best practices.

Brainstorm a mission statement

Contrary to popular belief, mission statements are not reserved for major corporations. Before you even start writing the business plan itself, consider writing an Airbnb mission statement for your business.

A mission statement is simply a concise explanation of the business.

Think about how you would explain what you’re doing to a friend at a cocktail party without losing their attention. What vision do you have for the business? Why is this important to you? What value do you provide to your customers?

Take some time to reflect, but keep in mind that mission statements are meant to be quick and to the point.

Airbnb mission statement examples

Here are some examples of Airbnb mission statements for inspiration:

• “The Cozy Cottage provides budget-friendly accommodations to travelers seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of our neighboring national park.”
• “The Little Apple is an eco-conscious studio that gives guests unparalleled access to downtown Manhattan at competitive rates.”
• “The Malibu Oasis offers the ultimate in luxury with a beachfront property, high-end amenities, and services tailored to our guests’ specific needs.”

Recognize your audience

Who will be reading your business plan?

The language you would use with one audience may not be appropriate for another. You might even consider writing different versions of your business plan for different audiences.

For example, a version geared toward investors might use more formal terminology. A version created for a future business partner, on the other hand, might be more casual.

Tap into the power of self-reflection

Starting an Airbnb business is a huge undertaking! Making sure you are ready to take it on is just as important as having a sound business plan.

Take inventory of what skills you already bring to the table and what things you will have to learn along the way. Are there things you should outsource to lighten your load? Do you feel prepared to take the next step with your Airbnb business?

Acknowledge any uncertainties now before you get started. It’s a great way to be honest with yourself and boost your confidence!

Be realistic

Should you push yourself to think big? Absolutely!

Should you set unrealistic and unattainable business goals? Not so much.

It’s all about striking a balance between dreaming big and keeping your feet on the ground. Take into account anything that might go wrong so you aren’t blindsided later on.

What to include in your Airbnb business plan

When it comes to writing a business plan, Airbnb is just like any other business. That’s to say, there are certain things you absolutely must include!

Take a look at our list and stay tuned for our free downloadable business plan template for Airbnb.

Executive summary

An Airbnb executive summary consists of a short description of your Airbnb business. People should be able to read your executive summary and know, at a glance, what your business entails.

To begin, ask yourself the famous five Ws to ensure you cover all the key information:

• Who is my Airbnb for (groups of friends, families, couples, etc.)?
• What is it (family holiday home, beachside condo, bachelor pad, etc.)?
• When is it best to stay at my Airbnb (summer, winter, weekends, etc.)?
• Where is my Airbnb located?
• Why should guests book my property?

Once you have these answers, you can rewrite them into a suitable executive summary.

Operations plan

Your operations plan outlines how you are going to run your Airbnb on a day-to-day basis.

This is one of the most straightforward parts of your business plan. Chances are, you’ve already thought through most of the details.

Here are just a few helpful prompts in case you get stuck:

• Am I going to hire any staff or run the business myself?
• How will I manage inventory ?
• Who is going to clean the rentals between guests?
• Do I need to hire an accountant to manage my finances?
• Who will deal with bookings and customer complaints ?

Business goals

You broadly detailed where your business is going with your executive summary. Now, you need to further solidify your vision in your goals section.

Are you satisfied with a couple of bookings a month? Or are you expecting a full reservation calendar by the end of the year? You’ll need to set goals to help pin this down.

It might sound elementary, but setting S.M.A.R.T. goals will help your business make progress. Is your business goal specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely ?

Setting good goals is the basis for any successful Airbnb business plan.

Unique selling points

As with any business, you’ll need to detail the unique selling points (USPs) your Airbnb will bring to the existing market. That is, why are customers going to choose your Airbnb over the competition?

Thankfully, finding your USPs is much easier than you might think. Simply analyze your business and consider how your Airbnb provides a better guest experience than other properties in your area. Ask questions such as:

• Is it better than others because of its location?
• Is the price of your accommodation better?
• Are the interiors of your property different or better than the rest?

After all, once you are confident in your strengths, your guests will be, too!

Target customers

Your guests are how you are ultimately going to make your money. So, it’s incredibly important to understand and target them properly.

This starts with creating buyer personas to outline the types of guests you want to attract. As profiles of your ideal customers, buyer personas should be as detailed as possible to help your business grow down the road.

When considering your ideal guests, ask yourself questions such as:

• What’s their name?
• What do they do for work?
• How old are they?
• Do they have a family?

Understanding and visualizing your ideal guests enables you to prepare for their specific needs and pain points.

For example, if you’re tailoring to young digital nomads , you’ll want to offer fast and reliable Wi-Fi, a designated work area, and suggestions for laptop-friendly cafes in the area. If your ideal guests are families with young children, on the other hand, you’ll want to make sure your property is child-safe .

Competitor analysis

It’s not all about your own business. No business plan is complete without some competitor research as well.

Take a look at the market to find your direct competitors (these are the properties that might win bookings over you). Then, analyze them to see how you can put your own Airbnb on top .

For example, ask:

• How much are my competitors charging per night?
• What standard of accommodation do they offer?
• Do they offer airport transfers/pickup services?
• Do they offer a wide range of amenities in the house?

Marketing plan

Explain which marketing strategies you will use to target your key markets and achieve bookings. Think about both offline and online marketing , as well as any campaigns or promotions you plan to run externally.

This is when the buyer personas you created earlier will come in handy. If you know the people you’re trying to target, you’ll know what type of marketing will be suitable for them.

Here are some questions that can help you sketch out your marketing plan:

• What methods of online marketing should I use?
• What methods of offline marketing should I use?
• Do I have a direct booking website ?
• Do I have business cards ?

Financial plan

How are you going to finance your Airbnb ? You’ve probably given this lots of thought by this point (or even stayed up at night stressing about it).

But now it’s time to get serious. Will you self-finance your Airbnb or take out a loan ? Is financing unnecessary because you’re simply renting out a spare bedroom?

These questions form your financial plan . As we all know, money doesn’t grow on trees—so you need to know where yours will be coming from. To that end, estimate your expenditures and projected income for the first five years.

So, what kind of information makes up a financial plan?

• Will I need to take out a loan?
• What will the interest rates be?
• Do I have savings I’m ready to invest into it?
• What level of monthly loan payments can I manage?

Milestones and goals

When you start any project—whether it’s going back to school, losing weight, or starting a business—tracking your progress is essential.

So, outline your plans and goals for your business, plus what key milestones will help you achieve these targets. You can refer back to this section later on to ensure you’re on the right track.

Here are some good milestones to use for your Airbnb business:

• How much do I want to make each month?
• How many guests do I want in the first quarter?
• What rate of growth do I want in my bookings year-over-year?
• How many returning clients do I want each year?

Mistakes to avoid when writing an Airbnb business plan

Like we mentioned above, your business plan is a living document. So, you don’t need to worry about making it perfect on the first try. And you will have to update it over time.

That being said, you’d do well to avoid these common mistakes the first time around.

Don’t be too vague

Avoid making big, vague claims that you can’t quantifiably measure. Claims like this will only make it harder to see where you’ve succeeded and where you can improve.

After all, the point of a business plan is to give your business a sense of direction. Your future self will thank you for being specific about your goals and plans.

Also, don’t be too specific

We know—we just told you the exact opposite. But hear us out.

If you get too specific in your plan, you don’t leave yourself very much wiggle room. Yes, you want to have a clear direction of where your business is going. But you don’t want to close yourself off to other possibilities.

Be firm about the destination (your business goals) but flexible about the journey (how you will achieve those goals). There’s a sweet spot in there somewhere.

Airbnb business plan example

Sometimes the easiest way to get started is to see examples of others’ work. We’re also providing an Airbnb business plan template you can follow below. But in case it helps, here’s a sample business plan for Airbnb, based on the fictional business of “the Cozy Cottage”:

• Executive summary: The Cozy Cottage is a cottage located in the small town of Green Meadows. The Cozy Cottage is perfect for couples and small families looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the greater Green Meadows area.
• Operations plan: I will be able to manage guest communications and turnover myself, as I am semi-retired and live on the property adjacent to the Cozy Cottage. I’ve contracted a local accountant to handle my finances.
• Business goals: We intend to have every weekend booked by the end of the year, and a full reservation calendar within six months of opening.
• Unique selling points: The Cozy Cottage’s location (equidistant between the historic downtown and the nearby national park) is especially attractive to visitors. The property also provides a fully stocked kitchen, making it ideal for longer stays.
• Target customers: The Cozy Cottage has one bedroom with a queen bed, as well as a sofa bed in the living room. The space’s size and offerings make it perfect for small families or couples.
• Competitor analysis: Green Meadows has only recently become a popular tourist destination, meaning that competition is still scarce. Most existing Airbnbs in the area have higher price points and cater to larger groups. We plan to differentiate ourselves by catering to smaller groups and offering similar amenities at lower prices.
• Marketing plan: Our initial marketing plan consists of tapping into Airbnb’s customer base, posting on Facebook and Instagram , and distributing print materials in local businesses .
• Financial plan: The property on which the Cozy Cottage sits is already paid off, as it was part of a family estate. The initial investment for furnishing , decorating, and stocking the Airbnb will come out of my personal savings. According to my projections, the Airbnb should be paying for itself within one year of opening.
• Milestones and goals: We hope to be booked every weekend by the end of the year and self-sustaining within one year of opening.

Your own business plan will likely be longer, much more detailed, and backed by real data. However, this Airbnb business plan sample should give you an idea of what your own document might look like.

Download our free Airbnb business plan template

We’ve created a free Airbnb business plan PDF that you can download and customize to get started. This business plan template for Airbnb was designed with three specific pain points in mind:

• Why do I need a business plan in the first place?
• What do I need to do before I can start creating my business plan?
• What should I include?

Fill in the form below to download our Airbnb business plan template free of charge!

Disclaimer: Lodgify is an Airbnb Preferred Software Partner. This post, including any claims or statements within, is solely from Lodgify and is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, authorized, or sponsored by Airbnb in any way.

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Self-Catering Business Plan

Self-catering is a field in the hotel and hospitality industry wherein the holiday accommodations rented to customers provide them with facilities where they can prepare their own meal.

• 11+ Operational Plan for Business Plan Examples
• 9+ Restaurant Consulting Business Plan Examples

Self-catering cottages are also, by far, more spacious than common hotel rooms and B-and-B spaces. Aside from the bedrooms and bathrooms, they also provide a sitting room and a kitchen which can shelter multiple people at the same time. You may also see importance of business plan .

The concept of self-catering is to provide a literal home away from home. The clients will be leasing an actual house with the amenities that a normal abode would contain. It offers an exclusive access to the rented sanctuary, and can be serviced by the vacationing group for a week up to a month, depending on their general agreement with the landlord.

But if you already are, or want to be, in the self-catering business, then, surely, you already know all this. However, having a better understanding of the meaning behind the business you are venturing into and the values that the field upholds will help you picture a clearer view of the efforts you must exert to succeed at it. You may also like how to make a business plan .

Catering Business Plan Example

Self-Catering Business Plan Template

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Cultybraggan Heritage Self-Catering Business Plan

Starting a Self-Catering Business

Starting a self-catering business, or any sort of business, for that matter, is never purely fun. It’s both worrying and stressful. You have to plan and decide every tiniest detail about your business. Its location, its target market, your marketing techniques, and even your brand’s design is an aspect that should be pondered upon. You may also see business plan guidelines examples .

Before you can successfully open your very own self-catering cottage, there are multiple things about it that you must think about first:

1. Would you allow pets to stay or not?

This can be an issue for some of your interested clients because a lot of vacationing groups want to take their pet (who is an extension of the family) along with them, especially if they are planning to stay in the cottage for a long time. Allowing pets into your cottages is a decision you must make for yourself. You may also like hotel business plan examples .

However, if you look at it through a businessman’s perspective, permitting pets is a great way to maximize your market audience since everyone, even the hairy, tail-wagging members of the family, are welcome to stay at the places you offer.

2. What about staff?

Most people in the self-catering business think that since they are renting a whole house for tourists to make use of, they no longer have to hire extra pairs of hands to assist the guests who are expected to be, for a lack of a better word, self-catering. You may also check out market analysis business plan examples .

Not only is this a misconception, this is also a terrible, terrible mistake. There is a big difference between simply leaving your guests with keys to the cottage and leaving them to their own devices, and introducing them to a helpful staff who can help them adjust to their temporary house and even show them around the town. You might be interested in how to create a business plan ?

This is a big plus in your hospitality points, and your guests will feel much more confident knowing that there is a nearby help who can assist them in their tiniest need, especially since they are in a foreign place. Plus you will need help to clean and prepare the place for the next customer who will stay in the cottage. Or if you want to do all that yourself, be our guest. You may also see how to do market analysis of a business plan .

3. How much should your cottages cost?

The best way to know how much you should charge your guests for staying in your cottages is to look at the prices that your direct competitors are asking from customers. If your facilities and the general appearance of your place is better than those in your immediate area, its only logical that you charge higher than them. You may also like business operational plan examples .

But make sure you don’t go too high, otherwise, your interested clients would just look for another place that offers similar amenities at a lesser price. People will always be reluctant to spend too much money on an accommodation, irregardless of how grand it is. Overcharging is a great way to lose your business, especially if you are yet to make a name for yourself. You may also check out business plan outline with examples .

4. What about your rental bookings?

A common practice in the self-catering industry is the practice of asking for a deposit. This is a way to ensure that the customer is serious about the reservation he has made. The general rule is to ask for 25% out of the amount that the client is supposed to pay for the whole cottage, but if you want to ask for a higher or lesser amount, it’s up to you. You might be interested in implementation plan examples .

These deposits are often non-refundable, which means that you, as the owner, can keep it even though your customer has decided to not push through with the reservation. However, some owners also choose to return the money if they immediately find a new guest for the cottage in question. You may also see advertising and marketing business plan examples .

A lot of self-catering businesses also ask for housekeeping deposit. This is a specific amount of money that the customer will have to give to the owner, and from which the owner can subtract any damages that the guests may cause to the property they’ve rented. But this practice is not very effective since it tends to scare interested clients away who are a little doubtful of the extra charge. You may also like evaluation plan examples .

Once you have settled these four minor issues, you can now proceed to creating a business plan for your holiday rental.

Self-Catering Business Plan Strategy Example

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Self-Catering Accommodation Business Plan Example

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Free Self-Catering Business Plan Example

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Creating Your Own Self-Catering Business Plan

For both business newbies and veterans, a simple business plan is an indispensable tool. It’s a great way to look at your business with an objective eye to effectively recognize important aspects such as targeting the right market, keeping up with the present day market trends, and simply maximizing the potential of your cottage as a vacation home to tourists. Here are four key strategies that can serve as your business plan’s model:

Do a situational analysis

1. target markets..

Even for the most experienced members of the self-catering industry, taking the time to assess the groups of renters, families, travelers, and tourists who you can target for your marketing attempts has been proven to create a considerable raise in your sales. Instead of blinding advertising your business where getting a positive response is doubtful, you can focus your efforts toward a more specific group of people who are more likely to respond to the affirmative.

2. Demographic.

Understanding the demographic groups to which most of your previous clients are a part of is a great way of understanding your potential customers who might enjoy the comforts of your cottages as well.

3. Psychographic.

Still studying your clients at a more objective view, how do you think they like spending their leisure time? What do you think are their hobbies? What are the activities they would want to engage in while staying with you?

These questions are important because the better grasp you have of the preferred lifestyle of each of your guest, the better you will be at understanding what they would need to enjoy their stay with you, which is your primary responsibility. You may also see food catering business plan examples .

4. Conduct a S.W.O.T. Analysis.

After you have gotten to know your clients, it would be best to try to understand your business next. What are your strengths or the advantages that your business has against your many competitors?

What are the areas where you fall short, and where your competitors are better than you at? What are the open opportunities you can grab to better your services? What threats can you predict that can jeopardize your business’s existence? By answering these simple questions, you are looking at your business and the factors that can directly affect your business. You may also like event operational plan examples .

5. Competition.

The business industry is a survival of the fittest. It is a constant battle between who can outsmart who. By looking at your competitors and studying their strategies, you can design yours to serve as a more effective counterattack.

Unfortunately, your competitors are numerous. We have hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, resorts, hostels, caravan parks, and even camp sites. Understand what these places have against you so that you can do something about it. You may also see operational plan for restaurant examples .

Determine your marketing strategy

1. marketing objectives..

What is your purpose for marketing your holiday home? Are you doing it to gain more inquiries about the place? Are you doing it to earn reservations and bookings for a certain date? Or are you doing it to raise your revenues? You should be clear on the reason why you are doing it so that you can exert the right amount of efforts and conduct an exact series of steps leading up to it. You may also like bar business plan examples .

2. Online and Offline Advertising.

Which marketing activity are you going to adopt for your business? Are you going for online marketing, offline marketing, or a combination of both? Knowing your marketing strategy will help you understand the platform that you will be using and the techniques that will help you make the most out of it.

3. Become an Expert in Your Area.

Although you are not offering a tour service along with your accommodation, it is best to know the parts of your locality that your guests would enjoy. You can also add to your sales pitch the tourist attractions and restaurants that will be accessible to the clients if they choose to stay at your cottages. You may also check out catering company business plan .

Self-Catering Business Start-up Guide

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Hostel Self-Catering Business Plan

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Self-Catering Business Plan Outline

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Get your money in the right place

1. break-even analysis..

Understanding the financials of a business is fairly simple. You need to keep track of the money that goes into your business, and the money that goes out of it for a certain period of time (which, usually, is a month). If you have more money leaving than arriving, then you’re surely in trouble. You may also see restaurant strategic plan examples .

Keeping a balance between the two is crucial. If your profit is not solely dependent on the rental fee you earn for your cottages, include into your calculations the other sidelines you having going.

2. Expenses.

Your expenses refer to the amount of money that your rental houses need to keep running. This may also refer to the renovations and repairs that you might need to conduct to your establishments, and the payment that you owe your staff for their services. You may also like management plan examples .

3. Cash Flow.

Your cash flow will help you understand your present location in terms of your rental goals or the benchmarks you have designated for yourself to reach. If your cash flow does not match your professional goals , then perhaps it’s time to implement a contingency plan.

4. Sales Forecast.

Unfortunately, the tide of tourists aren’t equally distributed throughout the year. There are quiet months with rarely a renter in sight, and there are months where you’ll need more cottages to accommodate them all. It’s important for you to determine which months your business is at its peak and factor in your payment schedules to help you budget your income.

5. Contingency Planning.

It’s always better to have one good eye on the lookout for possible sources of problems for your business so that you won’t be caught off guard by any of it when they come. A contingency plan is designed to help you predict all of your potential issues, and design a backup plan for each one of them. You may also check out advertising plan examples .

Determine the areas where your self-catering will succeed

Looking at the dark side of the business such as your pitfalls, shortcomings, and risks is a smart way of always being ready for battle. But by looking at your advantages and your assets that can lead your business to success, you are also making yourself aware of the things that you should cultivate and strengthen to make that success definite. You might be interested in marketing strategy business plan examples .

By this time in your general business plan , you should already be capable of answering the following questions:

• Who is your target market?
• What is your home’s theme that can attract customers?
• What marketing platform should you adopt for your business?
• How many rent days, weeks, or months do you need to get back what you’ve spent on expenses and earn a profit?
• What are the risks that come along with renting a self-catering cottage home and what can you do against them?

Your own definition of success for your business may be completely different from the success that your competitors have in mind. If having guests who enjoyed their stay is already enough for you to feel like your business is being successful, then it’s your right to think so. You may also see business plan examples .

But if you need a full house during every month of the year before you can be convinced of your business’s prosperity, then you have a long way to go to get there. But by setting goals , you are creating tiny milestones that you can work toward and achieve sooner.

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Catering and Ballroom Rental Business Plan Template

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Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample.

1. Don't worry about finding an exact match

We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

3. Know why you're writing a business plan

To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

But, if you don't plan to share your plan with anyone outside of your business—you likely don't need everything.

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Starting a Catering Business in South Africa – Business Plan (PDF, Word & Excel)

Posted by BizBolts | All Articles , Business Ideas , Business Plans , Retail Industry

Organizations, clubs, and individuals frequently hold events, parties, and workshops, so they will always be in need of a caterer for food services. The food services industry in South Africa has become very competitive, with its own identity that matches South African consumers’ needs. Starting a catering business in South Africa is very profitable. The food sector has been growing due to the growth of the tourism sector and an increase in income.  As a result, more people have been eating out in addition to the various events held by companies and individuals.  There are a number of reasons for this, including events, festivals and gatherings that are held yearly. Educational institutions, private companies and other tourist organizations are always in need of catering services.   Thus, becoming a caterer is a lucrative business that one can explore. Keep in mind that many South Africans are becoming health conscious when it comes to the food they consume. More people now demand nutritious ingredients that are procured in a sustainable and ethical manner. There has been an increase in the demand for local produce and ethically-sourced indigenous ingredients, traditional meals, and healthier food options. Also, the food services market in South Africa is very competitive and it has its own identity that matches South African consumers’ needs. This article will outline how to start a catering business in South Africa, and the catering business plan – PDF, Word, and Excel.

Business Model

A caterer works closely with clients in designing, preparing, and serving food for events such as wedding dinners, charity balls, holiday brunches, office lunches, birthday parties, and any other occasion where people come together. As a caterer, you will be required to prepare food menus based on the choice and budget of your client. Your menu can include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, delicacies, and any  of your trademark meals that bear your signature as the caterer. It is important to include various types of foods for vegans, non-vegans, and gluten-free meals in your menu. There are different ways you can offer your services, either by cooking at the venue or delivering the food there. There are some hosts that require the caterer to set up the food area, set tables, chairs, sofas, and other furniture for guest seating. It is also the responsibility of the caterer to clean up the food and dining area when the event is done. This includes removing plates, glasses, silverware, and linens from the tables and cleaning the garbage. As a caterer, you must understand how certain meals work together, have strong interpersonal skills, particularly listening skills, and be able to manage cooking and serving staff.

Market Research

A catering business is a lucrative business that has been providing income for many entrepreneurs, but there are some essential factors you need to consider before you venture into this kind of business. Some of these factors include the size of your facilities; location, the various packages you will offer, your menus, and the food you intend to provide, plus your target market. These factors will be affected by the amount of capital you have. Thus, you should carry out a feasibility study, market research and have a good catering business plan before you venture into this business.

There are many opportunities available for a catering business in South Africa. The market for catering services is large; you can target the growing tourism industry, schools, universities, private businesses, events, and various other organizations that require catering services.  Being a caterer exposes you to different cultures and people from various backgrounds. Also nowadays, people are becoming more conscious about what they eat and require caterers to prepare healthy food. This means that there may be a gap that needs to be filled. It is important that you conduct market research so that you know what your clientele is like and what they expect from you. Conducting market research will also help you identify opportunities that you can capitalize on to grow your business.

Location & Premises

The location of your business is an important decision to make before you start a catering business in South Africa. It’s important that you locate your catering facilities and offices close to your target market. Consider the amount of road traffic and find an easily accessible location where people can stop and quickly get service. There are several possible locations, including shopping centers, malls, and the CBD. Opening a catering services business close to places that typically have potential for traffic is ideal. The cost of leasing the premises should be included in the catering business plan.

Equipment For Catering

You need various kinds equipment for your catering business and the type of equipment you may require will depend on the size of your catering facility plus the kind of packages and food you will serve your clients. Some essential equipment for caterers includes stoves, ovens, refrigerators, cooking utensils, and cutlery among other things. You may need to buy vehicles, delivery vans, and bikes depending on your services and if you plan on transporting meals for deliveries. It is important to include all of these costs into your catering services business plan.

Permits/Licences, Insurance & Business Bank Account

The South African Business Act demands that all businesses offering food and beverages have a license. Thus, you must have a business license for your operations.  A certificate of acceptability is also necessary. This certificate shows information about the nature and type of food you cook, as well as how you handle the food. You must indicate how you prepare, pack, process, and store your food for a certificate of acceptability. Insurance is also just as important when you set up your catering business. Consider having property insurance, which will cover your premises, stock, and equipment. You must also have general liability insurance that covers legal expenses in the event of an accident involving any one of your employees or clients. Insurance is useful when you need to cover equipment breakdowns or damage. You should have insurance to protect your catering business and yourself from physical loss due to accidents, faults, or even natural disasters. With regards to business finances, consider keeping a separate bank account for your business and for your personal use. Your businesses’ transactions must not mix with your personal transactions. Mixing business funds with your personal funds can put you at risk, especially if your business experiences any challenges. You risk losing your personal assets if your catering company gets sued or has to file for bankruptcy.

Your target niche will determine the kind of packages, menus, and products to sell. There are various caterers that offer catering for weddings, corporates, and for private parties, among others. It is advisable to create attractive packages that will help you bring customers to your business. It is very important for a catering company to source food ingredients from the right suppliers. Consider developing relationships with suppliers who can provide affordable and quality ingredients consistently. These factors in addition to other important matters should be clearly written in your catering services business plan.

Competitive Analysis

Starting a catering business means that you are going to battle with hundreds of other caterers who are all trying to get the biggest bite out of the market. In order for you to stand out, you need to conduct a market analysis. You must know who your competitors are, what products and services they offer, and who their clients are. You should also find out what your competitor’s strengths and weaknesses are. A competitive analysis will also help you figure out where you fit in the market. There are plenty of opportunities that you can take advantage of, and a competitive analysis will help you figure out where these gaps are.

Staff & Management

As a customer-centric catering business, it’s important that you hire employees that are friendly and efficient. Your employees should be passionate about serving your clients. If you want to hit the ground running it’s better to hire a team of people who have experience in this business. Your cooks and chefs should be able to prepare good and attractive meals, and your waiters and other staff members should be able to serve customers efficiently on a regular basis.  Inexperienced staff members need to go through extensive training before they can be given intricate tasks. Keep in mind that the equipment and machinery used for catering can cause serious injury. Ensure that you take the necessary precautions when operating your facilities.

Depending on the size of your business, the actual number of your staff will vary however, you will need a reasonable number of chefs, cooks, waiters, cleaners, security as well as management. Your catering business plan should cater for the salaries and day to day expenses and operations of your business.

Some of the day-to-day operations of this business involve:

• Food preparation (cooking/baking)
• Serving Customers and doing deliveries
• Liaising with /suppliers
• Sales and communicating with customers
• Preparing and organising for events
• Managing Staff
• Marketing and advertising

It is essential to take great care when you handle food products and beverages. Food contamination can cause health issues. There is need for you to adhere to all industry related health and safety measures in place. These safety measures cover the cleanliness of your environment; how your staff members dress plus how and where food is prepared and stored among other issues. Businesses related to the preparation and serving of food can be a great risk, that is why adhering to health and regulations is important.

Marketing And Sales Plan

Marketing and sales are all about connecting with people. Finding ways to impress and connect with people is important. This means you should network with wedding planners, golf clubs, sports clubs, exhibition centers, and bridal shops. Make time to visit businesses in order to introduce yourself and tell them what you can offer them. Consider offering discounts to your clients if they refer you. Occasionally, offer bridal tastings and reach out to other types of companies or corporations. You can have a small, intimate tasting with 10 or more qualified leads and make a major impression through your food and service. It is essential for your business to reach out to the corporate community. For a catering business, bridal expos should not be your only target. You must also consider fairs hosted by companies in various sectors, including legal, architecture, financial, marketing and advertising, TV, and production. Reaching out to these other sectors is important because they have conferences on a regular basis and meetings that need food, event coordination, and planning, plus they usually invite vendors in to showcase the services they provide.

Given that the South African market is one of the leading emerging economies on the African continent there is potential for high growth, especially when it comes to the food and beverages sector. This sector has been growing steadily for the past 10 years, thus becoming a caterer can be a good investment. Whether you are a young entrepreneur, a professional seeking to start your own business or someone who needs a retirement plan, investing in a catering services business is something worth considering. Large institutions both public and private such as universities, hospitals and companies outsource catering services to feed their staff members, students, and clients. There is always a demand for catering services in the country due to sporting events, food and wine fairs, weddings, funerals, festivals, and corporate events that take place all year round, so becoming a caterer can be rewarding financially. One thing that can set you apart before investing in any venture is developing a business plan. A well thought out catering business plan will help you in both the short term and long term when it comes to any investment. There are various risks associated with running a food services business, like any other venture, your catering services business plan should clearly outline these risks and ways to minimise them.

Is A Catering Business in South Africa A Good Investment?

There is a reasonable number of caterers with a large market share in South Africa. Even though the industry is highly competitive it is still possible for you to open your own catering company and make money. Starting your own catering business is not expensive, especially if you start small. It is the kind of business you can run with little equipment at first and grow the business overtime. However, building your own catering services business from scratch can be challenging but rewarding if done well. Investing in a catering services business can be a profitable venture, but obviously, this will depend on many factors such as your target market. The input costs of running a catering business varies depending on how you start, it is cheaper if you start small. Whichever way you start, with a catering services business you can make reasonable profit margins. Apart from the obvious advantages of becoming financially independent and becoming your own boss, operating a catering business can be a profitable way of uplifting your community.

Keys to Profitability

In order to grow your catering business  you should prioritize your online presence. Create an attractive, informative, and well-designed website that showcases your dishes, menus, and different packages. People in need of catering services will for sure compare you to your competition, so having a stunning website can help you stand out. Take advantage of social media and use it often. Social media offers strong platforms for catering marketing where you can keep your clients engaged and attract new ones. Make use of testimonials because they can build trust and credibility for your catering brand. Invite your clients to leave positive reviews on your website and on your social media pages. Lastly, keep an eye on your operations and do not spend too much money as you start out. You can start your catering business small with a few staff members and second-hand equipment until you grow your business.

PRE-WRITTEN CATERING BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL): COMPREHENSIVE VERSION, SHORT FUNDING/BANK LOAN VERSION AND AUTOMATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For an in-depth analysis of the catering business in South Africa, purchase our catering business plan. We decided to introduce the business plans after noting that many South Africans were venturing into the catering business without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the business, the risks involved, profitability of the business and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of their businesses.

Our business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run a catering business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as the catering business plan will lay out all the costs involved in setting up and running the catering services business. The business plan is designed specifically for the South African market.

USES OF THE CATERING SERVICES BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The catering business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your catering business
• As a catering business project proposal
• Assessing profitability of the catering services business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

CONTENTS OF THE CATERING BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The business plan includes, but not limited to:

• Market Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• 5 Year Automated Financial Statements [ Income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, monthly cash flow projections (3 years monthly cash flow projections, the remaining two years annually),break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortisation]
• Marketing Strategy
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some South Africans in the catering business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your catering business in South Africa

The Catering Business Plan package consist of 4 files

• Catering Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive – 92 pages)
• Catering Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive – 92 pages)
• Catering Business Plan Funding Version – Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan – 46 pages)
• Catering Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel file)

Testimonial 1

Many thanks to the BizBolts team for putting together a fantastic business plan, I could not have done this business plan on my own. I managed to get funding from investors to start my butchery business using your business plan.

Testimonial 7

Thank you BizBolts for the business plan. I received the business plan immediately after payment, it was money well spent ! I was able to easily edit the business plan. After using the BizBolts business plan, I can wholeheartedly recommend their products and skills.

Testimonial 6

It is with excitement and pleasure to inform you that I have been successful in securing a loan from my bank. This would not have been possible if not for the BizBolts Business Plan. Thank you for your help, my dreams are now coming true.

Testimonial 5

The BizBolts poultry business plan led us down the path from start to finish. Contact details of suppliers of key requirements were included in the business plan. It helped us crystallize our strategy, and the business plan was well received by the bank.

Testimonial 2

I am extremely pleased with the business plan and financial statements. The business plan is very detailed & it meets my requirements. I feel better equipped with tools that can help me secure funding.  I would have no hesitation of recommending your business plans to other people.

Testimonial 3

The business plan has a highly professional look and feel. The research really helps me look deep into the market that I am targeting, it’s well suited for the South African market. The business plan clearly outlined everything I need to start the business and the costs. It’s now easier to budget and plan. Thank you very much.

Testimonial 4

The business plan was very helpful, you did a great job of taking ideas and putting them into words as well as pointing out other aspects of the business plan I wouldn’t have thought of. I got funding using your business plan and it’s now 4 months since I started my poultry business, and everything is going well.

GET THE CATERING BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL) - R500 Only.

We decided to make the business plan affordable to anyone who would want to start the business, and the price for the pre-written business plan is only 500 Rand.

We have several payment methods which you can use.

Payment Method 1 (Visa card, Mastercard, Credit card, Debit Card)

Click  Buy Now  below to purchase. After you have purchased, you will instantly see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. We will also email you the download link. Get instant access to the business plan now!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once using Visa Card/MasterCard then  click here: Business Plans Store

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

Payment Method 2 (Instant EFT - FNB, Absa, Standard Bank, Nedbank, CapitecBank, Investec, TymeBank and African Bank. )

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once using Instant EFT then  click here: Business Plans Store

Other Payment Methods

• Cash deposit into our FNB Company Bank Account
• EFT Transfer to our FNB Company Bank Account

Call/Whatsapp us on +27606334830 for the other payment methods. (Whatsapp us by clicking the link https://wa.me/27606334830 ). Email: [email protected] .

About The Author

BizBolts (Pty) Ltd is a business research company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We sell prewritten business plans for various industries including livestock production, crop farming and retail businesses. BizBolts also publishes articles on business ideas, business news, business tips, personal finance, and entrepreneur profiles.

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