business
THE A-Z OF BUSINESS How To Start And Run Your New Catering Business.
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n my previous articles we covered two related business ideas. One was how to start and run your own restaurant and the second article was related to the restaurant franchise business. In this new article we shall cover a new area of expertise in the hospitality business. The catering business. First and foremost, it is essential to know that catering is similar to running a restaurant business in the sense that it is a highly vocational business. The hours are long and the work is very hard, particularly if you are wellestablished. It is by no means an easy business and it is highly demanding and very competitive, but also fascinating. I have been involved both directly and indirectly in catering for some odd twenty years. Some good results were obtained along with a few disappointments as well. The good news about catering is that it is somehow simpler to run than a restaurant and that waste and stocks are practically non-existent. In that sense it is a blissful business but do not think for a second this is an easy sector. Nevertheless, and taking into consideration the complexity of any food-related business or hospitality venture, catering 26
can be quite attractive and very productive. Competition is fierce out there so that is the reason why you should be offering different services and offer something more original and of the best quality. The first thing you should bear in mind is where and to which market do you wish to cater for? In my opinion you should not limit yourself to a small market. Particularly in the early stages. Take anything that can yield a profit within reason, and think what area of catering do you wish to establish yourself in.
You can pick up some incredible deals. For instance, if you are thinking of weddings, parties, and events (where there is good money to be made), you should create an infrastructure that can cope with this sort of market. A warehouse from where to operate your business. Make sure you study and know the regulations inside out and when looking for warehouse premises check that they suit your needs. Smoke
In today’s market you need a good website. extractors, sanitary regulations, water supply, and the very long etcetera that comes with this. The answer is to employ an industrial engineer who specialises in this sort of business. If you do not know one just get out there and check as many restaurants as you can and ask them who did this sort of job for them. They will give you some recommendations worth gold. Once this point is sorted you go on to step two. An initial investment is necessary to include machinery and equipment. The answer is to buy second hand machinery in different outlets that sell catering equipment for the trade. You can pick up some incredible deals. The restaurant and catering trade attract an important number of people who set up business and do not succeed. Their equipment is normally sold off at bargain prices and often it is in very good working order. Plan out what you really need. Your cook will help you with this and make sure you stick to the bare minimum. Over GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE APRIL 2020
