We have all gone to wedding receptions, business seminars or birthday parties, and sampled catered cuisine. Whilst many people simply scoff and critique the food, some of the entrepreneurs amongst us stop to wonder what business opportunities the catering industry has to offer.
Catering at such events is normally handled by an external catering company. These companies will more often than not prepare the food at their own premises and then they deliver the food to the event when scheduled/requested. Such firms are referred to as ‘outside caterers’ and often they will supply not only food but beverages, plates, cutlery serving staff and waiting staff.
Generally speaking catering companies fall into one of two brackets. There are the big contractors that deal solely with large-scale events and then there’s an array of independent caterers that serve the catering demands of their respective local markets.
An independent caterer will typically target either private functions or corporate events. Private functions include wedding, birthday and anniversary parties. If you decide to focus on the corporate sector, you can expect to be serving food up at corporate dinners, exhibition events, company parties and business lunches.
New catering startup businesses are recommended to initially focus on small-scale private events, for friends or family. Once they’ve gained the necessary experience and confidence in the industry they can then start catering to larger functions and/or business events.
Generally speaking catering companies fall into one of two brackets. There are the big contractors that deal solely with large-scale events and then there’s an array of independent caterers that serve the catering demands of their respective local markets.
An independent caterer will typically target either private functions or corporate events. Private functions include wedding, birthday and anniversary parties. If you decide to focus on the corporate sector, you can expect to be serving food up at corporate dinners, exhibition events, company parties and business lunches.
Most independent caterers will choose to some caterers concentrate in one sector or the other, but there are some that cater to both markets.
New catering startup businesses are recommended to initially focus on small-scale private events, for friends or family. Once they’ve gained the necessary experience and confidence in the industry they can then start catering to larger functions and/or business events.