HOW TO START OUTSIDE CATERING BUSINESS IN KENYA

The high number of events taking place has necessitated the need for catering services. Starting a catering business is a profitable venture in Kenya.

Among the most common events that require catering services include corporate events, weddings, funerals, birthdays, baby showers, graduation parties, church events, political meetings e.t.c.

There is a lot of stress and strain that comes with preparing food for guests. For instance, determining how much food will be needed and looking for cookery ware is stressing.

It is also expensive to buy cookery ware for a one day event. You can address the problem by preparing food for guests.

This is how to start an outside catering business in Kenya.

*Identify a Catchy Business Name*

You need to find a good business name for your catering business. It will help you develop a brand for your business.

A business name will help you in marketing your catering business name. A good business name should be easy to remember, unique and have a positive impression.

You may need to register your business name on eCitizen portal to make sure it cannot be used by any other business. It will cost you around Ksh.1,000 to register a business name.

*Write a Catering Business Plan*

Before starting a business, it is best that you write a business plan. A business plan will help you navigate through the competitive industry and also mitigate any risks and challenges you may face along the way.

Your catering business plan should highlight the following:

*A specialty

*Startup costs

*Sources of startup costs

*Business location

e.t.c

*Identify a Specialty*

One of the first things you need to do is to identify a specialty for your business. For instance, you need to decide what your business catering niche is. You need to decide on the following:

*The food you will be serving your clients

*The type of functions you will be serving

*The capacity of guests your catering business can serve

*Identify a Good Business Location*

Business location is a significant factor in the success of any business. You need to identify a location with events that require catering services. For instance, you can set up your business in a location near gardens that host events.

However, you can also start a catering business from your home. You will however need to advertise your business so that customers can know about its existence.

As such, you may need to have a business website or social media presence. For instance, you can create business page on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to post pictures of food that your catering business prepares.

A well marketed catering business may not need a very strategic location. This is a business which is not carried out in one place therefore, as long as you can get a room that can accommodate your kitchen equipment and a few members of staff, it can be located either in a residential area near where you live or even in your own house.

*Buy Catering Equipment*

Once you have everything in place, the next thing that you need to do is to buy catering equipment. Some of the catering equipment that you need to buy include:

*Pots, sufuria and pans
*Grill
*Food preparation tools
*Microwave
*The display
*Serving spoons
*Plates
*Freezer
*Dispensers
*Utensils
*Table cloths
*Cutting knives
*Fire extinguisher
*Dishes
*Serving equipment

*What Licenses are needed to start a Catering Business in Kenya?*

You need to acquire business licenses. Otherwise, you will be in constant conflicts with the local authorities. It is mandatory to get a business permit to operate any business in Kenya. You need the following business permits and licenses.

*Single business permit.* You can get the single business permit from the County Council offices. Its cost varies from one county to the other. On average, it costs Ksh.7,000 annually.

*Fire and safety certificate.* Since your business will be dealing with fire, then you need to have the license. To get it, you need to have fire extinguishers and safety equipment.

*Food and Health permit.* Any business dealing with food and health needs to obtain the license. A health specialist with be sent to inspect your business premises before you can be issued with the permit.

*Stocks*

In this business, you will have an advantage if you buy the food stuff in bulk. For vegetables visit Marikiti if your business will be located in Nairobi.

If you are outside Nairobi, you can identify a major wholesale market near you. For cereals such as rice, you can get from Nyamakima area in Nairobi or other large scale wholesale shops or even engage someone who can buy directly from Mwea.

Unga, salt, sugar, oils, vinegars and the rest can be bought from wholesale shops or supermarkets.

*How much does it Cost to Start a Catering Business?*

Catering business startup costs in Kenya depend with the size of your business. Most of catering business start up costs will go into buying cookery equipment. To start a small catering business, you need at least Ksh.150,000.

The following is catering business capital breakdown.

*Catering equipment – Ksh.100,000

*Business licenses – Ksh.15,000

*Branding and marketing – Ksh.20,000

*Food stuffs and ingredients – Ksh.30,000

*Is Catering Business Profitable in Kenya?*

Catering business is a profitable business in Kenya. Its profitability depends with the number of events you will be hosting.

You can start a small catering service and expand it to a big business.

From a single event, you can make a profit of between Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.100,000 depending on the size of the event.

Strive to get many events where you can offer catering services to maximize your profits.

*Finally*

With many events like weddings, parties and graduation ceremonies, people are opting to hire outside caterers making the catering business a profitable venture.

You need to have excellent cutlery skills. You also need to be good at estimating enough food for guests.

Finally, ensure to provide tasty and quality food and create good relationship with your customers by offering excellent customer service.

Written By
Justine Nyachieo
Business Man & Mentor

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