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Starting A Street Food Business In 2021

Street food is extremely popular and the trend looks like it’s here to stay! A street food stand has relatively low start-up and running costs and it can be a lucrative and rewarding business venture.

Here are the key steps to take if you’re starting a street food business in 2021:

Write a solid business plan

Your first task should be to write a solid business plan. This will guide your startup and help you make wise business decisions. Start by doing thorough market research on your intended customers and your competitors. This information will enable you to create a strong business strategy that will increase sales and profits. Market research will also help you determine what type of food you want to offer your customers. Look for a gap in the market and make your street food business stand out from your competitors by choosing a specific niche. Avoid trying to break into an already saturated market. For instance, don’t start an Italian street food stall if there are already several establishments offering this cuisine in your local area. Your business plan should also outline how much money you will need to fund your startup and ongoing operational costs. If you are seeking financial support from investors, then a solid business plan will help you secure investment for your startup.

Improve your cooking & business skills

Running a profitable street food business will require a combination of good cooking and business skills. If you’re considering launching your own street food business, then chances are, you’re passionate about food and cooking. If you’re planning on cooking the food yourself, then it’s worth brushing up on your cooking skills by attending cooking classes and practising your recipes at home. Alternatively, you may decide to hire a chef to handle the cooking element of your street food business. The main advantage of hiring a chef is that you will have more time to focus on promoting your brand and increasing profits. It might also be a good idea to complete a catering qualification online before starting your street food business. This will cover important topics such as food hygiene, health and safety, and food sustainability. NCASS Training offers a specialist online course that is designed to teach students how to start a successful street food business.

Apply for licences and permits

You will need to apply for certain licenses and permits before you can start selling street food to customers. According to the GOV.UK website, you will need to apply for food business registration at least 28 days before you start trading. To sell food in a public place, you and your staff will also require a Level 2 food safety qualification. If you use electrical cooking equipment and gas appliances, then these will need to be maintained following the relevant safety regulations. Food must also be stored in a way that complies with health and safety guidelines. For instance, you should vacuum pack meat products to extend their lifespan and avoid cross-contamination with other food items. You must do your research and know what legal requirements must be met before you launch your street food business.

Promote your street food business

Street food businesses are popular, but there is still fierce competition to attract and retain customers. You should start promoting your street food business as early as possible. Create powerful advertising campaigns that will captivate your intended audience and build brand awareness. Social media is one of the most cost-effective ways to market your new business. Set up a business account on platforms like Facebook and Instagram and use these to post photos of your food and team. Encourage customers to tag you in photos of their food and share reviews online. Offering discounts and promotions are an excellent way to attract new customers. For example, offer a 2-for-1 deal or a 25% discount on midweek meals. These deals will entice customers and convince them to sample the quality of your street food.

Final thoughts

Fast food is popular and the demand for high-quality, authentic street food is growing. Now is the ideal time to launch a street food business and start growing a reputable brand. Street food business owners benefit from low start-up and running costs and fantastic profit margins. Getting your business off the ground can seem daunting, but it might be less complex than you think! Use the advice above to guide your business journey and help you achieve long-term success.

Sources:
CBM Group, The Street Food Business Plan

NCASS

GOV.UK, Food Business Registration

First Food Machinery, Industrial Vacuum Packers

Ruby Clarkson

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