What You Need to Start a Catering Business From Home

If you live – and love – to cook and you find that your friends and family jump to accept invitations to eat at your place, then you may well have the talent and flair to make a living out of your culinary prowess.

Of course you can’t just set up a big stewpot by the roadside and dole out portions to passers-by, though, you have to do it properly. Doing it properly means that you need the proper licensing for your state, as well as all the right storage, space to prepare the food, packaging materials (and machinery if necessary) and a rapid, efficient way to deliver your goods to customers and shops.

By far the most important of these requirements is the licensing and this varies (slightly) by state. There’s no way you can legitimately run your business without it, so talk to your nearest Small Business Development Center to start the process off.

Your business license. You’ll almost certainly need one – it’s a state requirement. You might also need a license from your town and county as well, so contact your local government offices to find out how much the fees are.

Your registration. You will probably also need to register your business name and type – whether it’s a sole proprietorship or a corporation – with the secretary of state office.

Your sales privilege license. If you’re selling goods at retail you’ll need this – you have to collect the sales tax as part of your prices and submit this money to your state. There are also sometimes city or county sales privileges, or you may be in a state that just asks for a percentage of your takings.

Food handler’s license. Sometimes known as a food and safety certificate, this documentation is essential as you need to demonstrate that you can handle and store food safely. Everyone who works with you will also need one and you should also think about how to make sure food hygiene rules are followed – maybe head to My Safety Sign for some placards to remind employees to wash their hands, separate raw and cooked and so on.

Your catering license. If you prepare and deliver the food, rather than making it in people’s homes, you will probably need this license as well.

A kitchen inspection. Your kitchen must pass a health and safety inspection – if your kitchen is uncertified you may be liable to state or county fines. If your kitchen doesn’t pass, you may be able to rent out a restaurant’s kitchen outside its usual hours until you can get yours up to scratch.

Look at your zoning laws. You need to look at your city’s zoning laws to make sure you can actually run a business from home. You may need permits if clients come to your home to pick up food.

Check with your homeowner’s association. This last point is probably the first thing you should do! Make sure that your homeowner’s association regulations actually permit you to run a business out of your home. If they don’t, then you’ll have to alter your plans somewhat!