If you enjoy cooking, working with people and have an eye for detail, then opening your own Utah catering company may be the perfect career choice for you. Owners of food catering companies in Utah should be organized and reliable, while at the same creative and flexible. They should also embrace hard work, self-discipline and be self-motivated.
Before you begin booking catering jobs, you first must develop a concept, write a menu and purchase start-up supplies. An advantage over starting your own catering company vs. a restaurant is that many new caterers are able to work right out of their home kitchen, making the initial investment quite modest.
Other areas to consider when starting your own catering services in Utah include:
- Financing your catering company in Utah.
- Equipping your catering business with the right supplies.
- Establishing yourself among the other Utah caterers in your area.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Secure funding for your Utah catering services
There are many organizations in Utah that work with small business entrepreneurs to help them get their businesses up and running. Even if you start your catering company for next to nothing working out of your home kitchen you may find it hard to expand without working capital. The quickest to buy big ticket items for catering, like commercial coolers or ovens is with a bank loan.
I recommend: The
Utah Small Business Development Center offers no-cost consulting to small businesses by other business professionals. They can help you draft a business plan and get you ready to present your ideas to lenders. The
Small Business Administration of Utah can walk you through all the steps of opening a business in Utah.
Stock up on equipment for your food catering company in Utah
Food catering companies in Utah that are just starting out can get by with paper goods and a few nice serving platters. But as your company grows you can add chaffing dishes, glassware, China, flatware and linen. Many full-scale catering operations have completely outfitted commercial kitchens and provide their own tables, chairs, and tents.
I recommend: Check out the
National Restaurant Association buyer's guide for recommended restaurant and catering equipment vendors. Purchase all your catering needs directly from
Galasource, whose online catalogue offers convenient one-stop shopping.
Stand out from all the other food caterers in Utah
The menu for your catering services in Utah is the centerpiece of your business. It should stand out from the other catering businesses in Utah. At the same time, you want to stay in the same price range of your local competitors. To help you write an original catering menu that is competitively priced, you need to know what your competition is offering.
I recommend: Begin reconnaissance of other Utah caterers through your local chamber of commerce. The
Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce has links to the websites of several area caterers.
Utah Caterers is website directory of caterers from all over Utah. Once you have your competitors' contact information, study their menus, prices and services. You may also see pictures of their food and catered events. If you can't find a website, call the caterer directly and request information. If possible, attend a function that is catered by a competitor. This allows you to see their work up close and personal.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Catering in Utah requires many of the same licenses, permits and inspections as restaurants and other retail food businesses. Before you start selling any food for profit, be sure you are legal with the right licenses and insurance. This will help protect you from potential problems such as lawsuits or fines.
The official source of Food Catering Companies in Utah is
the Food Catering Companies in Utah page at Business.com
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