Have you ever been eating at a restaurant, only to think you could probably do better than the chefs who prepared your food? It might feel like an unkind thought at the time, but if you’ve ever turned your hand to cooking, then you’ve almost certainly experienced it at some point or another, especially if you’re a regular takeaway customer. Well, why not put your money where your mouth is and start up your own food business? Of course, there are lots of hurdles to clear at first, but once you’re up and running, you’ll be thankful you took the plunge. Here’s how you can start your own food business.

Acquire funding

Every business needs funding, and a food business is no different. The traditional and most popular avenue for pursuing business funding is to get a business loan, but that might be difficult if you haven’t yet set a concrete business plan in stone, so to speak. You could also ask investors for help, or even talk to friends and family to see if they want to join in the venture. Alternatively, personal loans could help you out of a bind; you can simply borrow the money and pay it back when you’re making a profit from your business, and you won’t need to answer the probing questions of a business loan.

Develop a business plan

Who is your core audience? What niche in the market are you providing for, and why do you think you’ll be well-equipped to provide for that niche? These questions, and many more, should form the backbone of a solid and well-crafted business plan. If you do decide to pursue a business loan, then a business plan is going to be the cornerstone of your attack strategy, so make sure it’s waterproof. Describe how you’re going to make a profit, why your product is superior, and what your marketing strategies are going to be in order to entice customers.

Look into the relevant licenses

No matter where you are in the world, you’ll almost certainly need a license of some kind in order to operate a food business. In the UK, this is handled through the official government website, where you’ll need to input your postcode and register prior to opening your business. There will also be hygiene requirements, and there could be other licenses you require, so make sure you do as much research as you possibly can before you open. This way, you’ll avoid falling foul of potential legal difficulties which can sometimes hit first-time business owners.

Choose a good location

The location of your food business is important. This goes double if you’re starting a restaurant or a takeaway venue; customers will need to know where to find you, and if you’re difficult to locate or you’re particularly out of the way, you may find that custom suffers as a result. However, no matter who you are, choosing the right location is important. As a restaurateur, you’ll want clean premises that are easy to find. If you’re a distributor, then a large, roomy warehouse with lots of hygiene protocols in place is of paramount importance.

Pick the right suppliers

A food business – especially one in which you’re preparing and serving food – lives and dies by its suppliers. Choosing the right partners in this area could mean the difference between a successful business and a failure. No matter what supplier you choose to go with, you’ll find reviews online telling you honestly whether they’re worth working with or not, so make sure to read those reviews before you sign any contracts. If possible, you could ask to sample the food yourself (if this is a service they offer) so that you can tell it’s of the highest quality.

Get a marketing strategy in place

Being a talented and skilled chef is only half of the battle when it comes to starting a food business. Your product could be the best in the world, but if nobody knows where to find you, then you’ll be wasting your time. A solid, savvy marketing strategy is required for any successful business, and a restaurant is no different. Marketing your restaurant involves creating a strong brand identity, getting yourself on as many restaurant and takeaway apps as possible, and constantly asking customers for reviews and feedback so you can show everyone that you’re providing a good service.

Be on social media

Social media is a critical part of running a business in the modern era. If you’re not on social media, then customers may not feel like you’re legitimate; having a social media presence shows you’re active and engaged in the community. This will also allow you to advertise aspects of your business, run regular promotions, and even talk to your customers if they have feedback that needs to be addressed. Social media isn’t just for your customers; it’s also to give you a voice so that you can address complaints and talk to the community you’re serving.

Create a website

It’s very important to have your own website. While a social media presence is critical, having a website also demonstrates professionalism and gives customers, both individual and business-focused, a first port of call. Your website should be effective at communicating your brand identity and your mission statement as a food business. It should be easy for customers to navigate, and should contain relevant information like contact details and your business’ story. It’s also important to emphasise responsive design, whereby customers can find you easily on mobile devices as well as desktop.

Of course, there’s much more than this to starting a food business, but these tips should help you to get started! We wish you the best of luck in your new endeavour.