A Swedish company launched the first meal kit delivery service in 2007. And now, the industry is expected to grow to $5 billion in less than 15 years.

Meal kits have revolutionized how people cook food. You no longer have to go to the store or plan your meals, you can now experiment with dishes with precise measurements, ready-made.

Are you hoping to start a meal delivery business but aren’t sure where to start? Read on to find out how.

1. Research Your Target Market

Before you Google, “how to start a food delivery service meal delivery business plan”, you must know who you’re catering for. For example, if your target market is students from a nearby university then focus on more light and heavy snacks.

Aiming for busy professionals? Figure out how many office blocks and malls are nearby and estimate how many employees work in each business.

Once you have a rough estimate of how many people to sell to, figure out what you need for each meal and how much profit you’ll make.

2. Prepare Your Materials

When you’re setting up a homemade food delivery business, you don’t need a large amount of capital to begin. Most of the appliances are already in your home.

But you will need:

  • Plastic or cardboard meal containers and utensils for delivery
  • Big pots and pans so you can cook large batches
  • Food containers where you can store your food after cooking

3. Get a Food Hygiene Certificate

Your meal kit business must have a license and a food inspector will visit your premises, evaluate your kitchen and give you a food hygiene certificate. This will need to be renewed annually.

 

You also must consider:

  • Business permits
  • Tax permits

Once you have a license and permit, customers will find you more credible. Also, you can avoid legal troubles that could collapse your business.

4. Create a Menu

Food delivery business ideas all come down to the menu. You must research but there are several niches you must cater to.

Calorie Counters

These clients are strict about how many calories they’ll consume. Research which foods contain fewer calories and offer a mix and match style menu.

Veggies/Vegans

Some people will only consume plant-based foods while others will eat eggs and animal products. You must cater to both but remember that some vegans won’t eat from a kitchen where animal foods have been produced.

5. Market

You’ll need a marketing strategy so you can reach your target market when you’re starting. You must focus on:

  • Word-of-mouth
  • Digital marketing through social media
  • Leaving flyers and posters in nearby offices, universities, etc.

Also, you’ll need account software so you can monitor your profit and outgoings. Visit this website to help you get started.

Are You Ready to Start Your Meal Delivery Business?

There are many factors to consider when starting a meal delivery business. You must know your target market and their needs before advertising your company. It’s essential to include various types of diets so you cover all ground. Good luck!

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