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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.

Executive Summary

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.

Introduction

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.

Company Description

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.

Mission Statement

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.

Company Concept

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.

Market Analysis

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.

Target Market

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.

Industry Analysis

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.

Competitive Analysis

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.

Management Structure

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.

Product Line and Services

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.

Sales and Marketing

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.

Financial Plan

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.

Funding Request

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.

Financial Forecast

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.

Operational Plan

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.

Download Templates

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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How to start a catering business

Table of contents.

From business gatherings to birthday parties, the most memorable events in life often have one thing in common: a seamlessly catered culinary experience.

Data agrees that catering is in demand now more than ever—one survey found an overwhelming 92% of caterers experienced revenue growth in 2022. Yet despite the clear profit potential, figuring out how to start a catering business is often the real challenge.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a budding restaurateur, read on for a comprehensive guide of everything you need to go from catering concept to thriving enterprise in 8 steps.

Step 1: Find your niche

Launching a successful catering business begins with some detective work. Consider both your target market and how your offerings fit into it. This will help you decide on factors such as:

• Catering type –  Will you primarily cater corporate events, concessions at public venues, or weddings and social gatherings?
• Level of service – Do you intend to focus on food prep and delivery, or will you handle everything from setup to cleanup? 
• Menu concepts – Are there any local market gaps that can set your service apart, like ethnic specialties? 

Such market research establishes a critical foundation, enabling informed decisions for the steps that follow.

Step 2: Choose the right location

As a caterer, location choice often boils down to two options: renting a commercial kitchen or operating on-site at your client’s venue. Both options have their pros and cons. For example, on-site operations cut down expenses, but limit your customer base to those with a kitchen already in place. 

Operating out of a ghost kitchen is another cost-effective option, as they’re optimized for catering and delivery without the overhead of larger-scale commercial spaces.

Step 3: Develop a business plan and secure funding

One study found that startups with a business plan are 16% more likely to succeed, and catering businesses are no exception. When writing a business plan, aim to include details such as:

• An executive summary of your business idea and goal
• Research on your target market and competition
• Plans detailing your operations, financial projections, and marketing initiatives

Since opening a catering business costs close to $50,000 on average, a comprehensive business plan is essential for winning over potential investors or lenders.

Step 4: Acquire equipment and supplies

One of the biggest starting expenditures for caterers lies in acquiring cooking, refrigeration, and serving equipment. You might utilize a rental supplier for tables and dishware to keep initial costs low, even factoring these expenses into your overall catering service package. 

Smaller catering operations may opt to source inventory from discount clubs like Costco, scaling up to commercial suppliers as the business expands.

Step 5: Design and price a mouthwatering menu

An enticing menu is central to a successful catering business, serving as both its soul and selling point. Unlike traditional restaurants, a catering menu must be adaptable to various events and customer needs. 

Consider a few elements of a catering menu that captivates and sells:

• Core offerings , such as appetizers, main courses, sides, and desserts
• Service packages tailored to specific events, such as weddings or corporate functions
• Customizations that cater to a variety of dietary requirements

You’ll also want to determine a pricing strategy for your menu—one that allows you to remain competitive while still fostering a healthy profit margin.

Step 6: Recruit and train your team

As your catering business grows, so will the need for a skilled and reliable team. 

Look for passionate individuals who align with your business’s values and goals. Such intrinsic motivation is often more crucial than immediate skill, as it fuels the desire to learn and excel.

To that end, you’ll also want to incorporate an in-depth onboarding program and regular training sessions, ensuring your high standards of service are upheld.

Step 7: Obtain licenses and permits

When running a catering business, you must comply with local health department regulations and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. These may include: 

• Food handler’s permit
• Health department permit 
• Business license

Requirements differ by area, so be sure to research whether you have all the necessary documentation before launching your business. 

Step 8: Market your business

To attract clients, advertising is key. According to one survey, the top sources of leads for caterers are:

• References – High-quality service naturally leads to locals spreading the word about your business.
• Relationships – Networking with businesses in adjacent sectors, like event planners and wedding coordinators, can promote organic growth.
• Reviews – A responsive digital presence and positive online reviews are strong drivers of new leads.

Combining online outreach with direct networking can help you build a strong client base and enhance business visibility.

Scale your operations with a ghost kitchen

Ultimately, the recipe for a successful catering business boils down to planning, hard work, and a dash of passion. But as your catering business grows, you may need help scaling operations due to limited kitchen space or rising rental costs. 

That’s where ghost kitchens come in. 

Ghost kitchens, also known as virtual or dark kitchens, are commercial spaces designed specifically for food businesses to prep meals for delivery or catering. With a ghost kitchen provider like CloudKitchens, you can streamline operations and expand your catering services—all without the hassle and overhead of a brick-and-mortar location. 

Consider partnering with CloudKitchens so you can focus on what you do best: delivering delicious meals and top-notch service to your clients. 

See locations in your area and get started today.

Explore ghost kitchen locations across the US:

• Ghost kitchens in Seattle
• Ghost kitchens in San Francisco
• Ghost kitchens in LA
• Ghost kitchens in NYC
• Ghost Kitchens in Toronto
• Ghost Kitchens in Atlanta
• Ghost Kitchens in Dallas
• Ghost Kitchens in Chicago
• Ghost Kitchens in Denver
• Ghost Kitchens in Miami

Nuphoriq. Catering Industry Statistics. https://nuphoriq.com/catering-stats/

Harvard Business Review. Writing a Business Plan Makes Your Startup More Likely to Succeed. https://hbr.org/2017/07/research-writing-a-business-plan-makes-your-startup-more-likely-to-succeed

Starter Story. How Much Does It Cost To Start A Catering Business? (In 2024). https://www.starterstory.com/ideas/catering-business/startup-costs

Catering By Design. Everything You Need to Know About Catering. https://www.catering-by-design.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-catering/  

More insights & stories

There’s more where that came from. Get in the know and check out our additional insights

What is catering?

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How to grow & improve your catering sales

Catering is a unique space. While large restaurant chains and major corporations may dominate the broader industry, catering offers opportunities for finding and thriving within a specific niche.  Data from a recent survey highlights this potential for success in the catering business. Only 5% of US caterers report annual sales below $250,000, while the majority …

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

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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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How to Start a Business With No Money

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10 Qualities of a Good Business Plan

Simple Business Plan Outline

How to Write a Business Plan for Investors

How to Create a Business Plan Presentation

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Catering Business Plan Template

Start your Catering business with our comprehensive business plan template. It features targeted market research for the catering and event industry and includes financial projections to secure your success in the catering sector.

Download the template today!

Features of our catering business plan template:.

Market Research : Conduct in-depth analysis of local market trends, competitors, and customer preferences to identify opportunities and challenges.

Unique Selling Proposition: Clearly define what sets your catering business apart from competitors, such as specialty cuisines, exceptional customer service, or unique presentation styles.

Benefits of Using Our Template:

Marketing Planning : Develop strategies for efficiently coordinating and executing catering services for various events.

Targeted Strategy: Develop a focused business plan based on thorough market research, ensuring alignment with market needs and preferences.

Competitive Advantage: Establish a compelling unique selling proposition that differentiates your catering business and attracts customers.

Increased Success Potential: Enhance your chances of success by crafting a strategic business plan that effectively positions your catering business in the market.

Catering Business Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Q: why do i need a business plan for my catering business.

A: A business plan for your catering business is crucial for guiding your success in the industry. It helps analyze the market, set objectives, and devise strategic approaches. Additionally, a well-structured plan can attract potential clients, investors, or partners interested in supporting your venture.

Q: What are the key components of a catering business plan?

A: A comprehensive business plan for a catering business should include vital elements such as market analysis, your business model, financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational plans tailored to catering needs. These components are essential for understanding the market, managing finances, and outlining how you will provide quality catering services.

Q: How can a catering business plan help in securing funding or partnerships?

A: A well-prepared business plan demonstrates to potential investors, lenders, or partners your understanding of the catering industry, a strong business model, and a clear strategy for delivering quality catering services while achieving financial sustainability. Financial projections play a vital role in showcasing the potential for a return on investment. Presenting a comprehensive business plan can significantly enhance your chances of obtaining the necessary capital to establish or expand your catering business, highlighting your commitment to providing exceptional catering services.

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Collectively, our team has reviewed thousands of business plans and has nearly 20 years of experience making SBA loans. We've also helped more than 50,000 businesses create financial projections across many industries and geographies.

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Catering Company Business Plan

We all know someone who’s a master chef in their own kitchen. Spending hours upon hours whipping up something good for the rest of the family or their group of friends. It’s more of a hobby, or even a passion, rather than a random chore that their mom forces them to do. You may also see company plan examples .

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Catering Company Business Plan Template

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If working hard in the kitchen while everyone else is too busy eating, drinking, and socializing in the living room is your idea of a good time, then you might want to consider joining the catering business .

Opening your own catering company is a great way to earn extra income for the family, while also doing something that you actually love. The food and attractive restaurant industry has one of the most profitable markets in the world, making it the perfect business venture for food enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike.

Catering Company Business Plan Outline Example

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Catering Company Business Profile Plan Example

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Reasons Why You Should Start a Catering Company

You’ve probably hosted numerous gatherings at your place, cooked for large groups of people, and would rather prepare a homemade meal than order takeout from a nearby pizza parlor.

If all these sound familiar, you might have pondered on the idea of starting a catering company at some point. But like any other young, hungry dreamer, those thoughts were likely met with the one question that has made everyone think twice about their choices in life—can I really make it as a professional in a competitive industry, especially where someone in the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Ina Garten exist? You may also see how to make a business plan .

While no one can answer that question other than yourself, there is some motivating news that might convince you to think positively.

The catering business is a thriving industry that is also flexible enough to tailor to your personal interests and specialties. Though it may not be for the faint of heart, as the food business can be a relatively demanding industry to satisfy, your burning desire to start a catering business may outweigh the obstacles you’re likely to face. You may also like business plan outline with examples .

If you’re still on the fence with your decision, here are a few reasons why you should start your own catering company:

1. Your Love for Food

Everyone loves food, but not everyone is willing to go the extra mile to make a home-cooked meal for one on a late Saturday afternoon.

You see, there are different types of food lovers: those who spend a good amount of time preparing their own meals and those who simply enjoy devouring a plate of food that someone else has cooked. You might be one of those people who would rather savor a good meal and experiment with different ingredients, as opposed to just popping a bowl of leftover soup from the other day into the microwave. You may also check out how to create a business plan .

Perhaps you just love to cook for other people and see their faces light up after every bite. You take pride in your work, and it’s fulfilling to see people sample what you’ve made. If you’re thinking about starting a catering business, then your love for food is the first and foremost factor to consider. You might be interested in market analysis business plan examples .

You need to enjoy the amount of time and energy you spend in the kitchen because without the drive to do it, you could be wasting your life away on a job that does not appeal to you.

2. Your Love for People

If anything, catering is not an ideal business for a wallflower. Being a caterer is an all-around job that puts you at the front and center of the entire event. You’ll spend many days meeting up with clients, working with event planners , and making sure your employees are performing as expected. Besides shopping and cooking, you’ll spend a lot of time talking and socializing as well.

The three primary markets for off-premise caterers include the following:

• Corporate clients –  Many companies conduct breakfast and lunch meetings in their own office building. Cocktail parties and sit-down dinners are also a given, but the former is a more common scenario you’re likely to face. This may involve anything from delivering platters of food to a nearby location to arranging an elaborate meal at the actual meeting site. You may also see annual plan examples .
• Social gatherings –  Think about the millions of dollars that are spent on wedding receptions and other formal celebrations, with a good portion of that being spent on food alone. Social events are one of the major reasons why catering is a booming business to begin with.
• Cultural organization events –  Cultural and community events held at opera houses, museums, symphonies, and town centers usually demand caterers to serve masses of people, and we’re not just talking about 50–100 guests, as you can only imagine the amount of work (and money) that goes into feeding several thousands of people. You may also like advertising and marketing business plan examples .

3. Your Love for Freedom

Working a 9-to-5 job isn’t for everyone. Some people find it extremely hard to spend their entire day for a career they’re uncertain about. If you’re somebody who’s passionate about food and would rather have the liberty to do things your way (most of the time), then the catering business might be perfect for you. You may also check out business plan guidelines examples .

In catering, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to prepare each meal, as long as you can get it finished on time. This could mean longer hours or shorter hours, but if you enjoy what you do, the amount of time you spend in the kitchen won’t matter as much. You might be interested in annual plan examples .

In starting a business , you become your own boss. The catering business also allows you to attend lavish events and parties, relax when you need to, and work with clients you’ve always wanted to work with before. Although you do need to sacrifice most of your time and energy to make a breakthrough in the market, the outcomes will definitely be worth the sacrifices.

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How to Start a Catering Company

One key step to opening a catering company is the process of developing a good business plan . This serves as a guide for you to follow as you attempt to overcome the challenges faced in the world of business. So before you can begin pitching with small-time clients to bring your company up the competitive ladder, you need to figure out a plan for your catering business to live by.

1. Identify your niche.

There are many ways to gain a competitive advantage over other businesses, one of which is the ability to set yourself apart from competitors. You can start by determining what makes your business unique. It’s important to establish your niche in the marketplace and grab the attention of potential clients. You may also see evaluation plan examples .

• Pinpoint your concept.  What is your most distinctive trait as a business? Are you target-based, where you specialize in certain gatherings like weddings, birthdays, or social fundraising events? Or are you a cuisine-based caterer that specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine or vegan alternatives? You may also like implementation plan examples .
• Conduct market research.  Once you have identified your niche, you need to find out how existing businesses of the same niche carry out their services in the marketplace. Look into their marketing strategies as well as their successes and mistakes since they first started. Learning from the triumphs and struggles of others will teach you a lot about what to do and what not to do for your business.
• Decide your price range.  Your price point can be quite tricky to determine. Your business can range from the very affordable to the luxurious and expensive. A good way to decide on the final say is to take a good look at your target market. If you’re looking to cater lavish events, then your services may lean toward the pricier side; otherwise, you can be a budget-friendly business for smaller gatherings. You may also check out personal plan examples .

2. Develop your menu.

A good caterer can do many things and can wear any hat, all at the same time. But nothing is more principal to the core identity of a catering business than its food menu . As a vital aspect of a food and restaurant business, there are a few things that you need to consider when designing your menu .

• Identify your area of expertise.  Naturally, you’d want to impress your clients with high-quality dishes. But creating an attractive menu that’s beyond what you’re capable of is not only ambitious, but it’s also a flat-out lie. You need to be conscious of your limitations. Starting out, you have to be more narrow with your simple menu offers. Focus on underselling while simultaneously over-delivering to exceed market expectations.
• Study the latest food trends.  The standards in the food and restaurant industry have gradually risen due to the number of self-proclaimed “foodies” who have taken inspiration from various cooking networks on television. Several years ago, it was all about cupcakes of different flavors and designs, but that eventually became a thing of the past as we slowly entered the macaroon phase. In a fast-changing industry, staying on top of the current trends is the best way for you to survive. You may also like communication plan examples .
• Make sure it’s cost-efficient.  For obvious reasons, you’d want to make sure that your food items (and their respective ingredients) do not cost more to produce than what you are charging the client for. This is why it’s important to factor in all food preparation costs when creating your modern menu .

3. Work on location and logistics.

Unlike an average restaurant, a catering company has to worry about transporting the food that they prepare from their main kitchen to the chosen venue of their clients.

For one, you need to choose an appropriate business location that has plenty of preparation and storage space. Walk-in fridges and walk-in freezers are highly advised, especially if you hope to accommodate larger groups. The more people that need to be served, the more ingredients and orders that need to be prepared. You may also see quality plan examples .

Besides your location, you would also need a reliable and a sizable transportation to transfer goods from one place to another. You can opt to purchase a company van or simply rent one as needed.

Special units such as food and beverage carriers, insulated food carts, cold packs, banquet carts, and thermal insulators are a necessity as well. This will help prevent food spoilage, spillage, and other possible risks that come with transporting delicate items. You may also like farm business plan examples .

4. Design your marketing strategy.

No matter what industry you are in, there will always be another business specializing in the same field. Even if your food is great, your business will never make it without the clientele.

There are many ways to market your catering business. You can go for the traditional method with advertising flyers and business brochures, or you can take the modern approach with websites and  social media marketing . These days, one of the best ways to promote your products and services is through the Internet. Building your online presence allows you to reach out to wider markets. It also makes it easier for prospects keep in touch with you via email and chat messengers.

Simple Catering Company Business Plan Example

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Wedding Catering Company Business Plan Example

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Ultimately, the catering business can be an incredibly successful, enjoyable, and fulfilling industry to be a part of. It gives you the opportunity to share your talents and skills in the craft by preparing indulging feasts for hungry and enthusiastic clients. You may also see simple business plan examples .

If your love for food, people, and freedom to express yourself through mouthwatering dishes is your idea of a successful career, then make sure your catering company business plan is just as promising as your passion, because it takes more than just your sautéing and flambéing skills to make a breakthrough in such a competitive market.

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How to create a management plan for a catering business

Table of Contents

Goals and objectives 

Roles and responsibilities , assess your strengths and weaknesses , partnerships and collaborations , organisation , marketing strategy , financial strategy , simplify your catering finances with countingup.

If you plan to turn your catering skills into a profitable business, you’ll need a strong plan to get it running smoothly. A management plan helps you outline your business’s structure and how it will run. 

With this plan, you can organise your objectives and prioritise tasks to avoid a messy start. 

This guide will cover how to create a management plan for a catering business , including: 

• Marketing strategy
• Operations strategy 

The first step to outlining how you’ll manage your catering business is to define what’s important. So, create short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals for how you want your operations to work and grow over time. 

Turning those goals into clear objectives with detailed pathways will help you achieve them. 

To make your objectives work, use the SMART method, meaning they’re:

•  Specific
• Time-based. 

For example, you may want to create a system and best practices to offer new catering clients quality and timely services. From setting up consultations and building menus to delivering food on the day, you’ll need standard processes. 

Creating a standard process could be a short term objective to iron out in the first month of your business. Be sure to list everything you need to decide on and include.

See also: How to achieve your business goals

Defining your roles and responsibilities is another essential aspect of the management plan for your catering business. Since you’ll manage this business independently, it may feel overwhelming to wear many hats. 

But, if you outline what you need to do and separate your responsibilities into different sectors, you can more easily handle the workload. For example, you will likely be doing the cooking, transport, client management, marketing, and financial management. 

So essential tasks don’t split through the cracks, you may want to invest in business management and project management tools like Google Workspace and Trello . These tools help you better organise your time, juggle business and client obligations.

Key tip : One person businesses can be difficult to manage, but separating your job into different roles can clarify your responsibilities. 

In this aspect of the plan, you might also want to assess your strengths and weaknesses concerning your business. You may feel comfortable organising large catering projects and delivering them on time. But, financial management might be a bit more challenging for you. 

With this information in mind, you can create a plan to strengthen the necessary skills, such as attending an introductory small business finances course. Plus, you could plan to outsource your weak spots, such as hiring an accountant, as your operations grow. 

If you plan to benefit from partnerships or collaborations, describe that as well. For example, you might partner with a food supplier for your catering business or collaborate with an event planner to earn more clients. 

Once you define your roles and responsibilities, be sure to outline your organisation in the management plan for your catering business. In this section, detail how you’ll run your catering services, including best practices, processes, and necessary equipment and supplies. 

Clearly outlining your to-do list will help you structure your typical day, month, and quarter. So, fill out a calendar and create timetables that guide your operations. 

This section also considers how you’ll organise and manage your catering business’s supply chain. What food and beverage will you need, and which reliable supplier will you use? Since making, storing, and delivering food is time-sensitive, you’ll need to stay organised and prompt. 

Key takeaway : With a clear understanding of what you need to do daily, it’ll be much easier to manage and organise your workload .

Alongside your organisation, consider your marketing strategy . This strategy guides you as head of marketing. Start this section by outlining and developing your brand identity. A strong brand will help you be memorable to potential clients. 

You might then decide to focus on building a compelling website and social media presence for your catering business. Then, you could list your services on freelance or event service sites, like Add to Event or Feast It . 

Your financial strategy is another essential thing to consider in your management plan for a catering business. How will you stay on top of your financial management, including your funding, budget, and bookkeeping ? 

This section outlines the money you need, the money you spend, and the money you hope to earn. List your regular expenses and use your market research to define profit estimates and sales goals . 

Then, consider what management practices you’ll put in place. For example, you’ll want to open a business current account to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This account will help you better track your expenses and avoid mixing them up. 

Then, you can stay on top of your finances with the right accounting software. A tool like Countingup, which combines a business account with accounting software, will simplify your money management by bringing it all in one place. 

With Countingup, automatic expense categorisation, using HMRC approved labels helps you stay on top of your catering transactions. The app even lets you create and send unlimited invoices on the go. Even more, the app offers cash flow insights and tax estimates to save you time and let you stay on top of your finances from wherever you are. 

Finally, be sure to create a timeline for your management plan. Creating a plan for your business management will only work if you give yourself time-based tasks. Plus, focus on how you’ll organise your calendar to structure your time well. 

Establishing clear deadlines will help you stay productive and remain aware of what needs doing. 

Key takeaway : Time is money, so use yours wisely.

Countingup is the business current account and accounting software in one app. It automates time-consuming bookkeeping admin for thousands of self-employed people across the UK. 

Save yourself hours of accounting admin so you can focus on growing your business. 

Start your three-month free trial today. 

Apply now .

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• Purchase History

Catering Business Plan Template

Trusted by 400+ Downloaders

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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Launching a catering or small catering businesses plan can be tricky for new business owners. You need to have the right financial resources, marketing strategy, and more to present your investors or bank. We prepared every content you need to launch your food service or catering company with our food catering business sample plan templates. The catering templates also provide a format and sample content suitable for launching other food businesses like a food truck or a mobile kitchen.

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No Food, No Party

Tips in managing a food catering business.

• Go realistic with the budget proposed . Make sure that you discuss the costs well with them so that you can understand why not everything is possible. Negotiate on the simple menu while taking note of your budget sample. There may be some dishes you need to give up for something more practical. That way, you will be able to accommodate everyone on your guest sample list . You would not want to end up at the party running short on food.
• Lay out your payment process . The arrangement about the date is something that should be agreed on, and the security you get out of the payment it entails. You do not want to end up surprising your sheet client with another sizable bill at the last minute. It is important that they are aware of the total cost of the service and everything it includes. Customers should also be firm about knowing this straight up. Encourage your client to be honest about their sample budget because you do not want to be producing a buffet for a king’s court out of nothing.
• Communicate the terms properly with your clients . In doing so, ask them not to risk stretching their finances thin just because they want it to be perfect. Be honest. Let them know that they will still be able to have a wonderful printable menu with a package that is ideal for them and the number of guests they plan to have. You should be able to let them know what your options are or you can offer you something that will suit their needs while being realistic.

Importance of A Catering Business Plan

Top tips for catering business planning.

• Only Sell Dreams If You Can Make Them Real . Couples, especially brides have dream weddings, corporate leaders and guests on inviting company events have expectations, birthday celebrants have perfect birthday dreams and by all means, you can sell them dreams if you can live up to making it a reality on the day of the event. This is why your business plan format would matter. It’s something that will serve as your reference when the situation calls for it, and with weddings, that practically happens all the time. You’re selling dreams but you can still be realistic no matter how much you want to give them what they want. At the end of the day, you can really only give them what their simple budget allows, while you can still profit from it.
• Invest On Training And Experience . Before you start having a food catering business plan Word of your own, it is always better to learn the ropes by working with the area’s most reputable caterers. Firsthand exposure to this kind of business allows you to pay attention to small details, the challenges you’re likely to face, risks involved, bottlenecks, and a lot of grey areas without having to squander your hard-earned money at the first opportunity of opening your own. An experience like this will not only make you learn valuable tricks of the trade but will also be a good chance for you to assess your preparedness in embarking on this type of business venture. How badly do you really want this? Why do you want this? Is it to prove to others you can, or do you really see yourself thriving? Those are the important questions you need to ask yourself before making your investment templates .
• Write A Detailed description Of Your Catering Service . This would include the kind of food you want to prepare, especially the specialty of the house. Obviously, catering businesses are all about food, but it’s still important to define what your business goals are and how you plan to achieve them. In doing so, you’re giving investors a feeling of confidence that you’re serious about your business activity plan , no matter what it takes, and that you’re ready to take on the challenges of competition in such a tough market.
• Make A List of The Services You Provide . Some catering services have staff that serves guests at the table while others prefer to give meals buffet-style where guests are free to choose from a variety of food, depending on what they decided with the event coordinator or host. Usually, the menu planner would include beverages and desserts. Provide a list of specific types of food you can serve on specific occasions, celebrations with their specific themes. Be flexible. Tell them you can serve Asian, Italian, French, or Mexican cuisine and provide a modern menu to literally give them a taste of what you can cook.

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10 free catering business plan templates and examples

• Published on February 8, 2024
• by Patricia Fernandes
• Last updated: 2 months ago

When starting a catering business, it’s essential to have a well-structured business plan in place. A comprehensive business plan not only helps you outline your goals and strategies but also serves as a detailed roadmap for success. However, creating a business plan from scratch can be a daunting task. That’s where catering business plan templates come in handy. Understand the importance of a well-devised plan for your catering venture , as it can significantly improve your chances of overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success.

Once you’ve found a suitable template, the next step is to customize it to fit your unique catering business. This involves filling in the specific details of your business, such as your target market, menu offerings, pricing, marketing strategies, and financial projections. Customizing key elements of the template allows you to tailor it to your specific goals and vision, ensuring that your business plan accurately reflects catering businesses. Understanding the challenges that come with taking on the catering industry, developing a strategy through a tailored catering service business plan from the onset can significantly influence your path towards achieving long-term success and stability.

Why Creating a Catering Business Plan is Essential

In the catering industry, having a well-thought-out business plan is crucial for success. It provides a roadmap for your business and helps you make informed decisions. Here are some key reasons why creating a catering services business plan is essential:

Defining Your Goals: A business plan allows you to clearly define your goals and objectives. It helps you identify what you want to achieve with your catering business.

Understanding Your Target Market: By conducting market research and analysis, you can gain valuable insights into your target market. This information will help you tailor your services to meet the needs and preferences of your customers.

Outlining Strategies: Your business plan serves as a guide to outline the strategies you will implement to achieve profitability. It includes details on your menu, pricing, marketing tactics, and financial projections.

Setting Yourself Up for Success: By carefully considering all aspects of your business and planning for potential challenges, you can set yourself up for long-term success in catering companies.

If you’re dreaming of starting your catering biz, you’re in the right place. We selected 10 catering business plan templates to help you get from daydreaming to doing. We’ve broken them down into three categories: Basic, Intermediary, and Complete, so you can find just what you need, no matter where you’re at in your catering business planning process.

Basic Catering Business Plan Templates

Template 01: the quick start guide.

This business plan template is like the fast food of business plans – quick, easy, and gets the job done. It’s perfect if you’re just getting your feet wet. Considering launching a catering service? Ensure you have a robust plan for your catering venture by understanding the essential components and pitfalls to steer clear of.

Use the Quick Start Guide Template

Template 02: The Budget Buddy

Focused on the numbers, this one helps you figure out your starting costs and financial plan for how you’ll keep the lights on.

Use the Budget Buddy Template

Template 03: The Startup Planner

This template helps you outline your business concept’s initial needs, legal structure, and pricing strategy.

Use the Startup Planner Template

Intermediary Catering Business Plan Templates

Template 04: conscious catering strategy.

Focusing on the growing trend for healthy and dietary-specific menus, this sample menu template is perfect for caterers wanting to market and specialize in health-conscious catering industry food offerings. Learn to adapt and enhance your catering business plan to cater to health-conscious consumers, ensuring the long-term growth and success of your business.

Use the Conscious Catering Strategy Template

Template 05: Full-Service Catering Plan

Designed for established catering services and catering companies ready to expand, this template focuses on operational and pricing strategies, detailed menu planning, and advanced, marketing strategies and techniques. It’s ideal for caterers looking to scale their operations and refine their service offerings. Discover strategies on constructing a lucrative catering business plan , with guidance on enhancing operations, menu selections, and marketing approaches. Visit Metrobi’s website to delve deeper.

Use the Full-Service Catering Plan Template

Template 06: Catering Growth Accelerator

Unless you’re planning to do everything yourself (spoiler: not a good idea), this template helps you plan out your dream team.

Use the Catering Growth Accelerator Template

Complete Catering Business Plan Templates

Template 07: the full feast.

This is the big one – a comprehensive marketing plan for a full catering company template that covers everything from A to Z. If you’re ready to dive deep, this is for you. Planning to launch or manage a catering service? Ensure you have a detailed catering service business plan to guide you through every step.

Use the Full Feast Template

Template 08: The Event Ace

Specializing in events? This template focuses on planning for different types of clients at events and managing bookings at networking events.

Use the Event Ace Template

Template 09: The Growth Guru

Thinking ahead? This template helps you map out marketing strategy detailed plan for how you’ll expand and grow over time.

Use the Growth Guru Template

Template 10: The Risk Wrangler

Every serious business owner faces challenges. This template helps you identify potential risks to business goals and plan how to handle them.

Use the Risk Wrangler Template

Taking Action and Customizing Your Business Plan

Now is the time to take action and start creating your catering business plan. While examples and templates can be helpful starting points, it’s important to customize them to fit your unique business needs. Remember, your catering business plan template is a living document that can be updated and adjusted as your business grows and evolves. Learn how you can adapt and refine your catering business plan to ensure it aligns with your goals, enabling sustainable growth and success in the competitive catering landscape. Explore strategies to advance and update your catering business plan , positioning your venture for enduring prosperity and distinction in the bustling catering market.

Turning Your Catering Company Dreams into Reality

Starting a catering business is super exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. That’s where the catering business plan template comes in. They’re like your road map to success, whether you’re just starting to sketch out your catering equipment ideas or you’re ready to launch. So, grab the first operations plan template that fits your stage and start cooking up your new catering business and plan!

Why you must have a solid catering business plan

How will your catering business plan evolve as you grow your catering business

How to create a profitable catering business 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 Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Fine Foods Catering will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Affordable and quality catering services for every type of event.
• Highly trained staff prepared to service a wide range of events and clientele.
• Unmatched creative and unique food and bar menu creation to suit every palate.

Promotions Strategy

Fine Foods Catering will utilize traditional marketing concepts with modern promotions in order to reach a greater audience.

Cold Calling and Door-to-Door Business Sales Calls

Chef Dominic Gardea will be visiting businesses to explain his new catering company and describe the catering services and capabilities we will offer. He already has many relationships with existing businesses that currently received catering services during his former position at the hospitality company. Because he was providing catering services to these clients for many years and they kept coming back, they are highly likely to follow Chef Dominic to his new company. He believes that by building on existing relationships and forging new ones, he will be able to obtain multiple catering event contracts for the company’s first year.

Word-of-Mouth

Chef Dominic is very confident with his food and the professional service him and his team will provide. Since Fine Foods Catering will be able to undercut their competitor’s pricing, the word will be spread around the community that Fine Foods Catering can cater their event, meeting, or lunch while saving money without sacrificing quality.

Business Industry Membership & Advertising

Fine Foods Catering will be a member of local business associations such as the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. By being a member, Chef Dominic will attend all networking functions and pay for advertising space in their publications and at their events. One of the first clients he will target is the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and offer to provide discounted catering service at their next annual gala. When Chef Dominic wows the association and its members with great food and service, the investment is sure to pay off when multiple businesses hire Fine Foods Catering for their next event.

Partnering with Popular Local Venues

Fine Foods Catering will partner with the most popular venues in Seattle for those clients who choose a venue for the event based on location and atmosphere the location provides. The venue will then recommend Fine Foods Catering as a preferred and recommended catering company to service their event.

Website & Social Media

Fine Foods Catering will have a professionally designed website, FineFoodsCatering.com, where new and potential clients will be able to view a list of catering services, a gallery of menu pictures, and ability to schedule a catering consultation. The website will also include client testimonials and numerous pictures of food, drink, and event set-ups to enhance the visual appeal.

The pricing of Fine Foods Catering will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing our services.

How To Start a Catering Business in the Philippines: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re a certified foodie who wants to build a business around your culinary passion, a catering business in the Philippines can be a good starting point–minus the huge startup capital.

Curious how to actually start a catering business in the Philippines from scratch? This quick guide is for you!

Go back to the main article: Best Small Business Ideas in the Philippines with High Profit

Ideal for: Restaurant owners, waiters, and anyone with passion and experience in food service.

Capital: Php 20,000 to Php 50,000 and above.

Pros:  With a small capital, you can start a catering business in your own kitchen to save on rental fees.

Cons: Labor-intensive especially during the initial stages when you still can’t afford to hire your own staff.

Table of Contents

1. make sure your culinary skills are up to snuff, 2. register your business, 3. write your catering business plan, 4. start small, 5. know the best practices to keep the cleanliness and safety of the food you serve, 6. hire your catering staff, 7. create your own style , tips and warnings, how to start a catering business in the philippines: 7 steps..

According to Daniel Jacinto, chairman of the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines (FCAP), the type of training you need will highly depend on the type of market you want to serve.

For high-end or niche catering that serves dishes atypical of the Filipino menu, you need to enroll in a specialty cooking class especially if you don’t have prior experience.

If you’re already familiar with the dishes you’re going to serve, and your target market is more on the lower-end, you can get by even without formal training. A good recipe book and online research may be enough to upgrade your recipes.

Register your business and secure permits from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) .

Related: How to Register a Business in the Philippines: The Ultimate Guide

You don’t have to crank out 20 pages of boring facts like you would for a business with high capital. A catering business plan is simply a document that will serve as your compass that will help you navigate this industry.

Don’t forget to include the following information in your business plan:

a. Type of catering business (Will your serve packed lunches or specialize in wedding receptions?).

b. Target market (How many people can you serve at a time and where can you find them?).

c. Menu packages for different occasions.

d. Catering equipment you need, depending on the menu and the nature of the celebration.

e. Car/vehicle/transportation to help you deliver your stuff to and from your client’s reception venue.

f. Chairs and tables (Will you rent or buy your own?).

g. Suppliers.

h. Marketing/advertising to help spread the word about your catering business.

A catering business won’t become profitable overnight. The first few months will be a struggle as you slowly build your client base. However, it is from your first few customers where the referrals will come from that’s why you need to leave a good first impression.

Since your catering business isn’t yet established, start by opening a small eatery or carinderia where people can try your food. From there, you can offer your services to close friends or relatives who will be celebrating baptismal, birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations that require good food.

When you have a catering business, the food you serve is your greatest marketing weapon. You want to leave a good first impression to get new and repeat clients.

Make sure the foods you serve are of the highest quality in terms of taste and sanitation. You simply can’t afford to mishandle them.

The type of food preparation will depend on the whether the venue is inside the caterer’s establishment (on-premise) or in the client’s preferred venue (off-premise).

On-premise catering means you can cook the dishes a few hours before the guests arrive. You’re not as time-pressured because the kitchen and the venue are in the same location.

Off-premise catering, on the other hand, requires the food to be pre-cooked because transporting it to the venue will eat up a lot of time.

If you’re just getting your feet wet in the catering business, hiring up to five people should be enough to get you started. The catering staff may include the chef, servers, event planner, supervisor, driver, busboy, and dishwasher.

Again, this is only possible once you can afford to get extra help. Otherwise, you can do everything on your own or with the help of an assistant.

You can start by selling packed lunches in schools/offices or having your own food delivery service. This way, you can establish a good client base.

Remember, the first few people whom you’ll serve are critical because they will help promote your business through word of mouth.

To stand out in the catering business, you should establish your own style and brand of cooking. Even simple Filipino dishes can be transformed into gastronomic delights through creativity.

Whether it’s innovative on-the-spot-cooking or something else, maintain consistency in everything you do so people will remember your business and refer it to their friends.

• Focusing on serving high-quality food all the time.
• Be customer-oriented. Go the extra mile for all your clients. Their satisfaction is what will keep your catering business in the Philippines alive. More referrals through word of mouth only mean one thing: You’re doing it right!
• Prepare to make sacrifices. You can only start to relax once you have a staff to manage the bulk of your business. But until then, you’ll experience sleepless nights and less time with your family as you slowly build the business from the ground up.
• Get used to wearing different hats. As the business owner, you’ll not just find and train the right people, but also function as an accountant, secretary, bill collector, and marketing representative.
• Constantly upgrade your catering equipment, facilities, and strategies. Take customer feedback seriously; it’s a goldmine of opportunities to make your business better.
• Succeeding in the catering business in the Philippines takes more than outstanding cooking skills. You also need, among others, a great people skill which will allow you to book more clients and keep a long-term relationship with them.
• Invest in your people. A catering business in the Philippines that constantly loses its employees is a recipe for disaster. The more you pay and treat them well, the more they’ll love their jobs. At the end of the day, having happy employees means less time spent on hiring and training new people.

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Master Your Meetings: A Strategic Guide to Catering a Business Meeting That Impresses Every Time

Catering your client meetings is a fantastic way to demonstrate the value your business places on these relationships. We are breaking down essential considerations if you're looking to impress and entice your clients with a deliciously catered meal at your next meetup.

Learn helpful tips and tricks for mastering a catered client meeting with this guide. 

How to Impress Your Clients in Meetings With Exceptional Catering

Catering a business meeting is a great way to elevate the overall experience and demonstrate your business's commitment to quality. Follow these tips to impress your upcoming guests:

Understand your client's dietary preferences: Inquire about any special restrictions or allergies with your client prior to the meeting. Many people follow a specific nutrition rule, so always ask about their diet in advance. Use these insights to request a tailored menu from your caterer. 

Prioritize quality and freshness: Always work with a catering company that cares about quality and attention to detail. Ensure they can provide fresh, delicious meals that your client will be eager to consume.

Offer a variety of options: Everyone has unique tastes, so sharing a diverse selection of foods can be advantageous. Include a mix of options to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Remember that presentation matters: Well-presented dishes can add visual appeal and make your client meeting feel more professional and refined.

Key Elements to Discuss With Your Caterer

Deciding what food to bring to a client meeting can be overwhelming on your own. Working with a caterer is a great way to ensure your client loves the dishes you've chosen and your meal meeting goes off without a hitch. 

Explore the following questions with your caterer to guide the planning process:

What Time of Day Is the Meeting?

Discuss your schedule and when you'll be meeting with the client to determine appropriate dishes for meal times. Choose menu options that best suit that part of the day, and provide appropriate drink choices according to the timing. 

What Is the Meeting's Purpose?

Tell the caterer why you're having the meeting. They should understand how formal and serious the conversation will be, planning your menu options and the catering style accordingly. 

An experienced caterer will know the best way to present food to align with the event's purpose.

What Is the Budget for the Dining Experience?

Be upfront and honest about your budget with the caterer. They can help you understand what dining options are possible with your spending parameters and ensure you get the finest options. 

Who Is Coming to the Meeting?

When planning your client meeting with a caterer, share the estimated guest count for the meal to guarantee plenty of food for everyone. Again, remember to note special dietary restrictions and considerations for each attendee.

Where Is a Suitable Location for the Meal?

Finally, work with your caterer to determine a feasible location for your client meeting. You'll need to select an attractive, accessible space that accommodates your selected catering options. 

With all of these insights in mind, your caterer can begin preparing a fantastic meal.

One Size Doesn't Fit All: Know Your Catering Options

Explore the various business meeting catering ideas and options below:

Drop-off catering: A catering company can deliver prepared food  to your location in time for the meeting. This is a cost-effective, convenient option for smaller, more casual gatherings. 

Platters: If you're looking for a simple but visually appealing spread for your meeting, consider having your caterer provide platters. These can include various snacks, such as cheese, fruit, sandwiches or desserts. They're easy to serve, and your guests can pick which options they want. 

Buffet: Your caterer can also set up a buffet of different dishes. This is a fantastic option for larger meetings, as you can offer a wider variety of meals and sides to suit numerous preferences. A buffet also enables your guests to serve themselves, network and mingle.

Individual orders: Another option for catering your business meeting is providing a tailored dining experience with individual orders. Your guests can pick items from a predetermined menu and enjoy their customized dishes during the meetup. 

Work with your caterer to determine the best options for your meeting's unique requirements and circumstances.

Recommendations for Hosting Meetings at Various Times of Day

Explore these helpful tips for planning a catered business meeting at different points throughout the work day:

Morning Meetings

To master your morning meeting, ask your caterer to come early so the food is ready when clients start arriving. Always include high-quality coffee and tea options, especially if your meeting is at the start of the day. For meetings that start later in the morning closer to noon, consider a brunch menu instead of solely breakfast foods. 

Lunch Meetings

Lunch meetings tend to run longer than meetings at other times of the day. These meals are great opportunities to invest in a more extensive menu with many options and a beautiful presentation. 

Consider hot entrees for an extended midday meal. Sandwiches, salads and wraps are great choices for a shorter lunch meeting. 

Mid-Afternoon Meetings

If you are hosting a client meeting in the middle of the afternoon, you'll likely want to stick with light refreshments, like fruit, cheese and mini sandwiches. These items will keep your attendees satisfied without overdoing it so close to dinner. 

Mid-afternoon meetings are a great time to have quick, self-service snacks and plenty of beverage options. 

Dinner Meetings

Dinner tends to be a more formal setting for a business meeting. This is a great time to serve individual orders to your clients and customize the catering experience. 

Consider optimal food and beverage pairings  and any particular drinks that would complement the client's meal to enhance their dining experience. Some examples include:

Seafood (e.g., fish, lobster or scallops) with a white wine, like Chardonnay or champagne.

Roast chicken or turkey with a white wine, such as Riesling.

Red meat (e.g., lamb or beef) with a red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec.

Additionally, choosing a formal and upscale space can elevate this meal and leave your client feeling impressed and satisfied. 

Plan Your Next Catered Business Meeting With Food For Thought

At Food For Thought, we take traditional catering services to a new level. We believe in elevating any event or meeting by providing businesses like yours with our hardworking staff and tailored meal options. 

If you're looking for a partner to provide specialized menu items catered specifically for your business  and its unique needs, we have you covered. We are your go-to caterer in Chicago, and we've delivered outstanding dining experiences for more than 40 years. 

Ready to get started? Contact Food For Thought  to begin planning your next catered experience today.

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Starship lands in the ocean with its engines firing for the first time, bringing Elon Musk one step closer to Mars

• SpaceX's Starship rocket completed its first full flight and ocean splashdown.
• Surviving the ultrahot, high-stress plummet through Earth's atmosphere is a huge milestone.
• Starship is closer to realizing Elon Musk's dream of slashing spaceflight costs and settling Mars.

SpaceX's ambitious mega-rocket, Starship , just proved that it can not only fly into space but also survive the extreme plummet back to Earth mostly intact.

On Thursday, both stages of the rocket — the Super Heavy booster and the Starship rocket — reached a major reusability milestone when they both landed in the water after launch.

Super Heavy landed in the Gulf of Mexico minutes after liftoff. But Starship's splashdown was even more impressive. The rocket ship flew into space, briefly cruised above Earth, and screamed back through the atmosphere at about 17,000 mph, enduring plasma lashing it at temperatures of up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

As it approached the Indian Ocean, Starship fired its engines in an effort to flip itself upright and slow itself down, practicing a controlled landing. It's not clear how soft the landing was, as the spaceship was clearly shredding pieces on the livestream and visibility became poor as it approached the water.

Whatever happened, the ship completed its mission by sinking into the ocean.

Believe it or not, cannonballing into the sea is a big deal for Starship. Last time it attempted the feat, in March, it disintegrated midfall .

Now Starship and its Super Heavy booster are one big step closer to fulfilling their revolutionary promise of being the first fully reusable rocket system capable of reaching orbit. If Starship can translate this ocean landing into a land landing, it could slash the cost of spaceflight significantly .

Then, of course, there are Elon Musk's Mars ambitions . Starship is the vehicle that's supposed to build his city on the red planet, with a population of 1 million people.

"No rocket before this has had the potential to extend life to another planet," Musk, who founded SpaceX in 2002 for this very purpose, said in April, standing before Starship at the company's Texas facilities.

Starship's 4th flight to space

The giant launch system, standing taller than the Statue of Liberty , fired its Raptor engines and roared past its launchpad in Texas on Thursday morning.

Related stories

The launch wasn't perfect — one engine failed to light. But the rocket still worked.

Just as it did on its flight in March , the rocket's Super Heavy booster separated from the Starship rocket ship high above Earth, allowing the winged spacecraft to continue into space.

The booster fell back to Earth, practiced firing its engines to lower itself as if it were landing on solid ground, and splash-landed in the Gulf of Mexico.

That checked off SpaceX's first vehicle-return goal for the flight. Next was Starship itself.

On its plummet back to Earth in March, Starship fell out of communications. SpaceX eventually declared it lost, likely broken apart or blown up by the stress of reentering the atmosphere.

But on Thursday the rocket ship survived the fall, splashing into the ocean and completing its first full flight.

It wasn't unscathed, though. One of its flaps began to rip off and shred midfall, and the camera offering the live view cracked.

Next step: catch the rocket with 'chopsticks'

No orbital launch system on Earth is fully reusable. SpaceX pioneered reusing the lower stage of a rocket — its booster — with the Falcon 9, the workhorse that takes NASA missions and Starlink satellites to orbit.

Starship-Super Heavy is poised to be the first system to also reuse the upper stage: the spaceship that enters orbit after the booster falls away.

A Starship prototype already proved that it could lower itself to a soft landing from a flight 6 miles above Texas, albeit after several explosive failed attempts . But returning from orbital heights to land in one piece is another feat.

On its next flight, SpaceX might attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster with giant "chopsticks" on its Texas launch tower.

"I think the odds of actually catching the booster with the tower, probably like 80% or 90% this year," Musk said in April. "Which is insane. Like actually, when we first talked about it, it sounded so batshit crazy."

As for Starship, the upper stage, it might not descend from space to an actual landing pad until next year, he said.

"We just need to be confident that we can get through the high heating portion of the reentry reliably, and then we will bring the ship back and we'll land on the tower as well," Musk said.

Watch: Shipwreck detective rates 11 wreck scenes in movies and television

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Explore how Microsoft's partnership with Khan Academy is enhancing the future of education with AI innovation and tools for teachers >

• AI in education
• Published Jan 23, 2024

Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot

• Content Type
• Microsoft Copilot

With new advancements in AI happening faster than ever before, you might be wondering how you can use these tools in your classroom to save you time and energy. Educators worldwide are making strides to understand and integrate AI into their work and often find it to be a valuable tool. You can use AI to save time creating rubrics, personalized content for students, and educational materials such as quizzes and lesson plans.   

Generative AI is a newer piece of technology and a unique category of AI that focuses on creating new content. With generative AI you can generate new content like text, images, code, or audio. It achieves this by learning patterns from existing data and understanding the context and intent of language. This provides you with new opportunities for content creation, personalization, and innovation. Because this technology is creating new content, checking for accuracy in generative AI is essential—especially in the field of education.  

Microsoft Copilot is a tool that uses generative AI to serve as a helpful assistant to you in the classroom. Copilot can help you save time, differentiate instruction, and enhance student learning. With Copilot, you can easily create lesson plans, quizzes, rubrics, and other class resources for any level of learner.  

5 ways to use Copilot in education 

Here are just a few examples of the many ways you can use Microsoft Copilot to save time and energy: 

• Personalized learning: Copilot can support personalized learning by helping you create content, tailored feedback, and guidance for students based on their individual needs and learning styles. 
• Brainstorming: You can use Copilot to brainstorm new ideas for activities, lesson plans, supporting materials, and assignments.  
• Lesson planning: Copilot can help you plan lessons by suggesting or drafting activities, resources, and assessments that align with learning objectives. You can also use Copilot to start a rubric for the lessons. 
• Provide feedback: Copilot can help you draft initial feedback and ideas for students on their work, which you can edit and personalize for your students.  
• Get quick answers: Copilot can help you get quick answers to your questions without having to read through multiple search results. Also, Copilot provides links to content sources so you can assess the source or dive deeper into the original content. 

Microsoft Copilot showing suggested prompts for educators. Copilot uses generative AI to serve as a helpful assistant to you in the classroom. 

Getting started with Microsoft Copilot

To get started with Microsoft Copilot, you can follow these steps:  

• Open copilot.microsoft.com or select the Copilot icon on the sidebar in your Microsoft Edge browser. 
• Type your prompt into the chat window. 
• Review the sources linked at the bottom by “Learn more.” You can fact-check the information provided or dive deeper into a topic by accessing the original articles, studies, or reports. 
• Review the response to make sure the output is what you want and accurate. You are the expert, and you decide what goes into the classroom. 
• To get the most out of Copilot, you can keep the conversation going by following up on your prompts. This helps you collaborate with Copilot to gain more useful, tailored responses.   

You can also give feedback to Copilot based on the quality of its responses to help the AI learn and match your preferences.  

How to write a prompt for AI 

To effectively guide generative AI, you want to give it clear and concise instructions, known as prompts. A well-crafted prompt enhances the generative AI’s output in the quality, relevance, and diversity. A good prompt should be clear, specific, and aligned with the goal of the generation task. A bad prompt can lead to ambiguous, irrelevant, or biased output. To get the best response from Copilot, consider the following tips:  

• Define clear objectives.  Determine the main goal of the prompt and the role AI should take. Whether creating a syllabus, drafting a quiz, or revising lesson content, have a clear vision of the end goal. 
• Be specific.  Chat experiences operate best when given detailed instructions. Specify grade level, subject, topic, or any other relevant parameters. For instance, “secondary math quiz on algebraic expressions” is clearer than “math quiz.” 
• Structure the prompt.  Break complex tasks into smaller parts. Instead of asking the AI to draft an entire lesson, request an outline, then delve into specific sections. 
• Iterate and refine.  The first response from AI might not always align perfectly with expectations. Don’t hesitate to rephrase the prompt, ask follow-up questions, or provide more context based on the initial output. 
• Combine expertise.  Use AI as a tool to enhance and streamline work but remember to overlay its suggestions with your educational expertise. AI can suggest content, but the educator decides the best way to edit and present it to their audience.   

A infographic about how to write AI prompts to get better answers from Copilot. A good prompt should be clear, specific, and aligned with the goal of the task. 

Want a fun way to practice creating effective prompts? Minecraft Education just announced Prompt Lab for Minecraft Educators , a free playbook on how to use Microsoft Copilot to write compelling prompts, develop interactive learning content and assessments, and generate creative ideas for Minecraft lesson plans.   

Create images from text with Copilot 

You can use Image Creator from Designer in Copilot to create personalized, engaging visuals for all sorts of lessons or topics. You can type in a description of an image, provide additional context like location or activity, and choose an art style. Image Creator generates an image straight from your imagination. Prompts can begin with “draw an image” or “create an image.” You can use this tool to create images for a class newsletter, lesson, or Teams post.   

• Get started in Copilot prompting “create an image…”  
• Then build out your prompt with adjective + noun + verb + style.  
• Click on your favorite image to open the result in a new tab and save the image. 

 An example would be “Create an image of an adorable black puppy wearing a hat in photorealistic style.” 

An example of Copilot creating an image of a black dog wearing a hat in a photorealistic style, based on text descriptions. 

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Baltimore Sun Hall of Fame 2024: James Britton, president of Class Act Catering

I n 1991, as James Britton drew up plans for a new professional staffing agency, he knew he would need something to make his fledgling business stand out.

“I had to have a hook,” Britton recalled, “and my hook was service.”

He focused on hiring and training top-notch waiters and bartenders, outfitting them with tuxedos from Yves Saint Laurent to add even more polish. The staffing agency was the genesis of what would become Class Act Catering, which has landed contracts with major venues in the city, including the National Aquarium and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, across more than three decades in businesses.

Britton, who goes by Jim, didn’t initially picture a career working in the hospitality industry. He grew up in Edmondson Village, graduated from Edmondson High School and, after a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, went to work as a correctional officer.

But spending so much time around the corrections system began to make him feel like a prisoner himself, and so he found a second job, moonlighting as a caterer. He was fascinated by the business right away.

“I just fell in love with going to different venues, watching them transform a room with the event planners and florists and the musicians all being strategically placed in the empty space,” Britton said. “It created a marvelous sight.”

One thing he didn’t see, however, were people of color in leadership roles within the industry.

“I was a manager, bartender, server,” he said. “I worked from the bottom, learning the whole [business]. But what was missing, for me, was I didn’t see anybody of my color who had any ownership.”

Britton decided to build his way to the top, learning the ropes from mentors as he made plans to start his own company. With bank loans difficult to obtain, particularly as a person of color, “I started small and said patience is going to be my virtue,” he said.

The Dopkin family, owners of the Classic Catering People, taught him the basics of the business. Marty Resnick, founder of Martin’s Caterers, clued him in to joint ventures, which became a launching pad for Class Act Catering.

Britton’s catering business partnered with Fortune 500 companies, like Aramark and Compass, that had set aside a portion of revenue to do business with minority-owned companies. Through these ventures, he brought Class Act to stadiums, convention centers and even rest stops in Maryland.

“There’s nothing wrong with duplicating success,” he said. “It’s all part of taking something that someone’s done great, and either trying to do it greater, or trying to match the quality.”

Class Act Catering and Martin’s West still partner on a program that hires 50 to 60 youths each summer to prepare boxed lunches. For many young people, it’s their first job experience.

“It’s a great way for a kid to learn how to start working, being on time, being productive,” Britton said. “We have a saying: If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, you might not have a job.”

Britton has made mentoring Baltimore’s youths a priority from the start of his career in hospitality. In the early 1990s, when Class Act opened a small cafe in East Baltimore, he invited kids in to grab a bite to eat, do their homework and work odd jobs such as sweeping steps and polishing dishes. Now, from his headquarters in Randallstown, he works with the day care next door for career days and cooking demonstrations. Several former employees of Class Act Catering have gone on to open their own staffing agencies and restaurants.

“When they saw that there was another person that looked like them, dressed up in a suit and running the business, it gave them inspiration,” Britton said.

He also lives by a philosophy of giving back and preserving connections. When former Mayor Kurt Schmoke booked Class Act Catering for his 3,000-person inaugural party at the Baltimore Convention Center, Britton went back to his former mentors for help with the staffing and equipment.

“I believe in building mountains, but not burning bridges,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a special challenge for the catering industry, with business drying up as gatherings were canceled. Class Act stayed afloat by partnering with chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen to prepare meals for the community.

Four years later, weddings and events are back in full force, Class Act Catering has a staff of 15 full-time workers and more than 100 part-time employees, and Britton is still just as focused on superior service as when he got his start.

“What’s in our character, our DNA: that’s what I want people to remember about Class Act,” he said.

James “Jim” Britton

Hometown: Edmondson Village

Current residence: Finksburg

Education: Edmondson High School, MBE program certificate from Coppin State University

Career highlights: Founder and president of Class Act Catering, one of Baltimore’s largest minority-owned employers; operated restaurants including Britton’s and Class Act Café; exclusive caterer for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum; U.S. Marine Corps veteran

Civic and charitable activities: Works with Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation to bring local youth to sports tournaments; former board member for the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association

Family: Married to Marcine Britton; two children, two grandchildren

©2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Catering Startup Costs

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Starting a catering business offers an exciting opportunity to turn your culinary passion into a thriving enterprise. Understanding the initial investment required is crucial for success. Startup costs for a catering business are a critical component of a catering business plan template because they provide a clear understanding of the financial requirements and help in various aspects of planning and decision-making. Dive in to discover the financial blueprint that will set the stage for your catering success.

Download our Ultimate Catering Business Plan Template here >

Explore the key expenses involved in launching your successful catering business.

Capital Investments

1. buildings and location.

Securing a suitable location is one of the first major expenses. The cost varies widely depending on location, size, and condition of the premises. Purchasing a property might cost between $100,000 and $500,000, while leasing can range from $3,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on the region and specifics of the property.

2. Location Buildout

Once a location is secured, transforming it into a fully operational kitchen suitable for catering can be costly. The buildout costs can range from $20,000 to $100,000. This includes construction and renovations necessary to meet health and safety standards, which are stringent for food service businesses.

3. Kitchen Equipment

A well-equipped kitchen is the backbone of any catering business. Commercial-grade stoves, ovens, refrigerators, and specialty cooking equipment are essential. This could cost between $50,000 and $150,000, depending on the quality and scale of the equipment.

4. Furniture and Fixtures

If your catering business includes a space for clients to dine or sample menus, you’ll need furniture. Costs for tables, chairs, and decorative elements can range from $5,000 to $20,000.

5. Computers and Point of Sale (POS) Systems

Technology plays a crucial role in modern businesses. For a catering business, necessary technological investments include computers, POS systems, and software for managing bookings, inventory, and finances. This could cost between $5,000 and $15,000.

6. Delivery Vehicles

Transporting food and equipment to event locations is critical. Investing in reliable transportation means purchasing or leasing vehicles, which could cost between $20,000 and $100,000, depending on the number and type of vehicles needed.

Start Your Catering Business Today!

Non-capital investments, 1. initial rent/lease.

The initial deposit and first few months of rent or lease payments are crucial non-capital costs. This ensures your business location is secured while you set up operations.

2. Staff Salaries

Labor costs are significant in the catering industry. Initial salaries for chefs, servers, and administrative staff for the first three months can range from $30,000 to $90,000, depending on the number of employees and their wage rates, which can greatly impact profit margins of catering business .

3. Marketing and Advertising

To attract your first customers, a well-planned marketing strategy is essential. Initial marketing and advertising expenses, including digital marketing, print ads, and promotional events, could range from $10,000 to $30,000.

4. Supplies

Initial stock of food, beverages, and catering utensils are essential to commence operations. This includes perishables and non-perishables, costing between $5,000 and $20,000.

5. Insurance

Insurance is critical to protect against liability and other risks associated with food service. Costs for comprehensive insurance coverage can range from $3,000 to $10,000 annually.

6. Working Capital

Working capital is necessary to cover day-to-day expenses until the business starts generating consistent revenue. A new catering business should have between $20,000 and $50,000 in working capital to manage initial expenses and cover the monthly expenses for a catering business .

Total Summary of Fees

Calculating the total costs, including both capital and non-capital investments, the startup costs for a catering business can range significantly based on choices and location:

Total Capital Investments: $191,000 – $900,000

Total Non-Capital Investments: $71,000 – $215,000

Starting a catering business involves significant upfront costs, but with careful planning and budgeting, it can be a profitable venture. By understanding the various expenses and their potential ranges, you can create a realistic financial plan and secure the necessary funding to launch and sustain your business. Whether you’re investing in top-of-the-line kitchen equipment, securing a commercial kitchen space, or budgeting for marketing and operational expenses, thorough preparation will set the foundation for your catering business’s success.

Catering Business Plan 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 business plan.

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Trump Has Been Convicted. Here’s What Happens Next.

Donald J. Trump has promised to appeal, but he may face limits on his ability to travel and to vote as he campaigns for the White House.

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By Jesse McKinley and Maggie Astor

• May 30, 2024

The conviction of former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday is just the latest step in his legal odyssey in New York’s court system. The judge, Juan M. Merchan, set Mr. Trump’s sentencing for July 11, at which point he could be sentenced to as much as four years behind bars, or to probation.

It won’t stop him from running for president, though: There is no legal prohibition on felons doing that . No constitutional provision would stop him even from serving as president from a prison cell, though in practice that would trigger a crisis that courts would almost certainly have to resolve.

His ability to vote — for himself, presumably — depends on whether he is sentenced to prison. Florida, where he is registered, requires felons convicted there to complete their full sentence, including parole or probation, before regaining voting rights. But when Floridians are convicted in another state, Florida defers to the laws of that state, and New York disenfranchises felons only while they are in prison.

The Trump Manhattan Criminal Verdict, Count By Count

Former President Donald J. Trump faced 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, related to the reimbursement of hush money paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels in order to cover up a sex scandal around the 2016 presidential election.

“Because Florida recognizes voting rights restoration in the state of conviction, and because New York’s law states that those with a felony conviction do not lose their right to vote unless they are incarcerated during the election, then Trump will not lose his right to vote in this case unless he is in prison on Election Day,” said Blair Bowie, a lawyer at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit watchdog group.

Mr. Trump will almost certainly appeal his conviction, after months of criticizing the case and attacking the Manhattan district attorney, who brought it, and Justice Merchan, who presided over his trial.

Long before that appeal is heard, however, Mr. Trump will be enmeshed in the gears of the criminal justice system.

A pre-sentencing report makes recommendations based on the defendant’s criminal record — Mr. Trump had none before this case — as well as his personal history and the crime itself. The former president was found guilty of falsifying business records in relation to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who says she had a brief sexual tryst with Mr. Trump in 2006, in order to buy her silence.

At the pre-sentence interview, a psychologist or social worker working for the probation department may also talk to Mr. Trump, during which time the defendant can “try to make a good impression and explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment,” according to the New York State Unified Court System.

The pre-sentencing report can also include submissions from the defense, and may describe whether “the defendant is in a counseling program or has a steady job.”

In Mr. Trump’s case, of course, he is applying — as it were — for a steady job as president of the United States, a campaign that may be complicated by his new status as a felon. Mr. Trump will likely be required to regularly report to a probation officer, and rules on travel could be imposed.

Mr. Trump was convicted of 34 Class E felonies, New York’s lowest level , each of which carry a potential penalty of up to four years in prison. Probation or home confinement are other possibilities that Justice Merchan can consider.

That said, Justice Merchan has indicated in the past that he takes white-collar crime seriously . If he did impose prison time, he would likely impose the punishment concurrently, meaning that Mr. Trump would serve time on each of the counts he was convicted of simultaneously.

If Mr. Trump were instead sentenced to probation, he could still be jailed if he were later found to have committed additional crimes. Mr. Trump, 77, currently faces three other criminal cases: two federal, dealing with his handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election , and a state case in Georgia that concerns election interference.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers can file a notice of appeal after sentencing, scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. And the judge could stay any punishment during an appeal, something that could delay punishment beyond Election Day.

The proceedings will continue even if he wins: Because it’s a state case, not federal, Mr. Trump would have no power as president to pardon himself .

Jesse McKinley is a Times reporter covering upstate New York, courts and politics. More about Jesse McKinley

Maggie Astor covers politics for The New York Times, focusing on breaking news, policies, campaigns and how underrepresented or marginalized groups are affected by political systems. More about Maggie Astor

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

Guilty Verdict : Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts  of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his bid for the White House in 2016, making him the first American president to be declared a felon .

What Happens Next: Trump’s sentencing hearing on July 11 will trigger a long and winding appeals process , though he has few ways to overturn the decision .

Reactions: Trump’s conviction reverberated quickly across the country  and around the world . Here’s what voters , New Yorkers , Republicans , Trump supporters  and President Biden  had to say.

The Presidential Race : The political fallout of Trump’s conviction is far from certain , but the verdict will test America’s traditions, legal institutions and ability to hold an election under historic partisan tension .

Making the Case: Over six weeks and the testimony of 20 witnesses, the Manhattan district attorney’s office wove a sprawling story  of election interference and falsified business records.

Legal Luck Runs Out: The four criminal cases that threatened Trump’s freedom had been stumbling along, pleasing his advisers. Then his good fortune expired .