Catering Business Plan

Starting a catering business is a fun and rewarding journey. You get to share your love for food while building something of your own.

But great food isn’t enough—you need a solid plan to grow your business the right way. Not sure how to start? Don’t worry!

We’ll explain a catering business plan and its importance and walk you through each step.

Whether you want to cater weddings, office lunches, or parties, this catering business plan template will help you stay focused and succeed.

Why do you need a business plan for catering services?

If you love cooking and want to start a catering business, you might ask, “Do I really need a business plan?” The answer is yes. A business plan is very important if you want your catering business to succeed.

Here’s why:

Clarifies your strategy

Writing a plan helps you think about every part of your business, like how you’ll cook, serve, and manage things. It turns your ideas into real steps. You’ll figure out your menu, prices, costs, and who your customers are. This way, you’ll be ready instead of guessing when you start.

Helps you get money or support

If you want a loan, investor, or business partner, you’ll need a business plan. It shows that you’ve thought things through and are serious. A clear plan makes others trust that your business can work.

Keeps you on track

Your business plan isn’t just for the beginning. You can use it as your business grows. It helps you see if you're meeting your goals and staying on budget. It also helps you plan ahead for things like supplies, staff, and events.

Shows problems early

You might find things you need to fix while writing your plan. Maybe you need a better way to deliver food, or extra help on busy weekends. It’s better to see these problems now than during an event.

In short, a business plan helps you stay organized, plan ahead, and show that your business idea can work. It’s the base for your catering success.

How to create an effective catering business plan?

A good catering business plan usually follows a simple structure. We’ll go through each part below. By taking it one section at a time, you’ll be able to build your full plan without feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your catering business plan:

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is the first part of your business plan, but it’s usually easier to write it at the end, after you’ve figured out all the details.

This part gives a quick summary of your whole plan, so people can understand your business idea quickly. Think of it like a “trailer” for your business plan—it should be compelling and concise, usually one to two pages max.

In this part, you’ll introduce your catering business and talk about the most important points.

Here’s what to include in your executive summary:

• Business name and location
• Catering services and cuisine
• Target customers or market needs
• Unique selling points
• Financial summary or funding needs
• Mission and vision statement

If someone only reads this part, they should still understand what your business is, the opportunity you’re targeting, and how you plan to succeed.

Keep your tone positive and your writing simple. You’ll explain everything in more detail later, so this part should just give a clear and quick overview. The goal is to grab the reader’s attention and make a strong first impression.

2. Business Overview

This section gives a full picture of your catering business—who you are, what you do, where you're based, and how everything works. It’s a more detailed look, after the quick preview in the executive summary.

Start by sharing your business name, legal setup (like sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC), and where you're located. Say if you work from home, a kitchen, or an office. If your location helps your business—for example, it's close to clients or event venues—mention that too.

Next, talk about what kind of catering you do—like weddings, office events, or parties. Mention what food and services you offer. You can also share a short story about how you started.

Then talk about how your business runs—how you serve customers and how you get paid.

Don’t forget to introduce the owner and anyone else who helps manage the business. Additionally, if there’s anything special about how your service works—like custom orders, dietary options, or mobile setups—include that too.

By the end of this section, anyone reading should understand what your business does and how it operates.

3. Market Research

Every good business plan carefully studies the market you want to join. For catering, this means understanding the catering industry and your customers.

Start with a broad view of the catering industry. How is the industry doing locally and nationally? You can share a fact, such as “In 2023, it was worth $72 billion and may grow to $124 billion by 2032.” This shows there are good chances for new catering businesses.

Next, mention some important trends, such as:

• More people want healthy food options
• Food trucks are becoming more popular at events
• Companies are ordering more food for work events

Highlighting such trends shows you understand the industry landscape.

Then, talk about your target customers—the people or groups you want to serve. Be clear about who they are. For example, you might focus on weddings for young couples nearby or small businesses needing food for meetings.

Think about their age, where they live, and what kind of food or service they want. Do they want fancy food or simple buffets?

Creating a customer profile helps you understand and serve them better.

After that, explain your special focus in the market. Maybe there are many wedding caterers, but you want to be the best for outdoor weddings. Or you might focus on vegan food or grilling at company parties. Show why you picked this focus.

In summary, the market research section should convince the reader that you know your industry and customers.

4. Competitive Analysis

Before you start your catering business, it’s good to know who else is doing the same kind of work. This section looks at your competition and shows how your business will stand out.

Start by listing other caterers in your area who serve the same kind of events or customers. Write a little about each one—what food they offer, what events they serve, what they charge, and what they’re known for.

Then, think about what’s missing in the current market. Maybe no one offers authentic international dishes, or maybe the customer service at other places isn’t great. These are chances for your business to do better.

Also, think about indirect competition. This includes restaurants or grocery stores selling catering trays, or event planners who already work with some caterers.

Finally, share what makes your business different. It could be your skills, your team, your service, or even your unique menu. Show why customers would choose you over the others.

By the end of this section, the reader should see that you understand your competitors and have a clear plan to make your business stand out.

5. Products and Services

In this section, you’ll explain what your catering business offers—both the food and the services.

Start with your menu. What kind of food do you make? It could be Italian, BBQ, plant-based, or a mix. Talk about the types of dishes or food packages you offer. Can people choose a set menu, or can they create their own?

Mention if you mainly cater for weddings, parties, or office events.

You can also add a sample menu to help people understand your style. For example:

Next, talk about your services. Do you provide full event service (setup, serving staff, tableware, cleanup)? Or do you just deliver the food? Mention any extras you include, like table setups, decorations, linens, or help with renting tents and dishes. If you offer service packages, describe what each one includes.

Also, be clear about your limits. How many guests can you serve? What areas do you cover? How far in advance should clients book with you? Sharing these details helps set the right expectations.

This section gives people a full view of what they’ll get when they hire you. It’s a great chance to show your love for food and good service, so let your passion show while keeping things clear and to the point.

6. Sales and Marketing Strategy

Now that you know what you’re offering and who your customers are, it’s time to explain how you’ll find and keep those customers. This part shows how you’ll get people interested, book events, and grow your business.

Marketing Strategies

Here are some easy ways to promote your catering business:

• Make a website and use social media. You can also run ads online to reach people near you.
• Add your business to Google My Business, Yelp, and local lists so people can find you.
• Use flyers, local magazines, or mail ads to nearby businesses if that fits your customers.
• Team up with wedding places, offices, and event planners to find customers.
• Join food festivals or offer free tastings to get attention.
• Give discounts or special deals when you start to attract customers.

Sales Strategies

To turn inquiries into bookings, you can:

• Offer consultations to understand what clients need.
• Arrange tastings so they can try your food before deciding.
• Send clear, detailed proposals with menus, pricing, and services.
• Follow up promptly to answer questions and keep in touch.

This way, your sales and marketing plan will show that you know how to find customers and get them to choose your catering business.

7. Operations Plan

The operations plan shows how your catering business will work every day. It proves you’ve planned well and are ready to give good service.

Cover the following key aspects of operations:

Kitchen and equipment

Start by explaining where you’ll prepare the food. Will you cook at home, or do you have a rented kitchen? List key equipment you have or need, like ovens, fridges, warmers, or delivery vans.

Food preparation process

Share how you’ll handle an event, from planning the menu and buying ingredients to cooking, delivering, serving, and cleaning up. This shows you know the full process.

Staffing

Mention who will work with you, like chefs, servers, or helpers, and if they’re full-time, part-time, or hired just for events.

Suppliers and vendors

Explain where you’ll get your food and supplies. Also mention if you’ll rent things like chairs or tables, and who you’ll rent them from.

Booking and scheduling

Explain how you’ll handle bookings. Can you do more than one event per day or weekend? If you grow, how will you make sure you have enough staff and equipment for more events?

Quality and safety

Share how you’ll make sure food stays fresh and safe. This might include food safety training, keeping up with health rules, and having the right permits.

Tools and software

List any tools or software you’ll use to stay organized, like catering apps, spreadsheets, or systems for tracking orders, payments, and schedules.

By covering these points, this section helps people see that you’re ready to run your catering business smoothly and professionally.

8. Management Team

People are the heart of any business, especially in catering, where great service is very important. The management team section introduces the people running your catering business and the experience they bring.

Start by telling about yourself. If you’re the founder, give a quick introduction, sharing your background in cooking and restaurants.

If you have other team members, introduce them here. For each person, include:

• Their job titles
• What they do in the business
• Their experience and skills

If applicable, create a clear organizational chart to show the hierarchical structure of your catering business and how roles are interconnected. For example:

Don’t forget to mention any advisors or mentors. Their support can make your business stronger.

Overall, this section shows that your catering business is in good hands with a skilled and organized team.

9. Financial Plan

The financial plan is a key part of your catering business plan. It shows how your business will earn money and that it can succeed.

This section helps you—and anyone reading your plan—understand the costs, income, and financial health of your business.

Here’s how to put together your financial plan:

Startup costs

Start by listing how much money you need to launch your business. This might include:

• Kitchen equipment
• Delivery vehicles
• Ingredients
• Licenses and insurance
• Marketing materials

Revenue projections

Estimate how much money you expect to make. Think about:

• How many events you’ll cater
• What you’ll charge per event
• Any extra income, like renting out equipment or selling baked goods

Cost of goods sold (COGS) & gross margin

In catering, the biggest costs are food, packaging, and things needed for each event. These costs grow with each event.

Try to estimate your food costs as a percentage of your pricing—most caterers aim for around 20–35%. This helps you understand your profit margins.

Operating expenses

These are the regular monthly costs you’ll pay, even if you don’t cater an event. Include things like:

• Kitchen rent
• Utilities
• Staff wages
• Fuel for delivery
• Software, phone, and internet bill

Financial projections

Forecast your finances for the next 3 to 5 years. Include:

• Profit & loss statement
• Cash flow statement
• Balance sheet

Also, include your break-even point—how much you need to earn to cover all your costs.

Tools and support

Mention any tools or help you’ll use to manage your money, like accounting software or a bookkeeper.

A strong financial plan tells the story of your business in numbers. It shows that you’ve carefully thought about costs, pricing, and growth, and that you’re ready to run a successful catering company.

10. Appendix

The Appendix is the last part of your catering business plan. It’s where you put extra documents and information that support your plan but might be too detailed for the main sections.

Not everyone will read this part closely, but investors or partners who want to dig deeper will find it helpful.

Common things to include in the appendix are:

• A detailed menu
• Recipes or food photos
• Resumes of important team members
• Licenses, permits, and certificates
• A list of your equipment
• Market research data

Think of the appendix as your backup folder. It supports everything you’ve said in the main plan without making it too crowded with details.

Download a free catering business plan template

Writing a business plan for your catering business can feel challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’ve created a free catering business plan template in PDF to make things easier.

This template is made just for catering entrepreneurs, with a simple outline and useful tips. Just add your own details to customize it for your business.

Summary

Now that you’ve gone through the guide and downloaded the free template, putting together your catering business plan should be more manageable.

But if you still need support, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Our team of professional business plan writers and consultants can help with everything from financial forecasting to market insights and fine-tuning your plan for potential investors.

Get in touch with us—we’re here to help you launch and grow a successful catering business with confidence!