Like any other business, starting a food delivery business requires a lot of planning and research beforehand. If the proper research is done, a food delivery business will always be a success, because food will always be in demand. In the UK the hot food courier business is huge and growing every year. Unfortunately most of the deliveries are not from healthy restaurants, but fast food outlets
Let’s have a look at different factors to keep in mind before starting a food delivery business.
Choose your food item
There are a lot of food delivery models to consider. It is unlikely that you can provide a service to all of them as such pick a niche that you feel you can operate in. Do you want to cater food for weddings and other functions? Do you want to deliver food items to local shops? When you have decided on your approach it is time to research.
Do proper research of the market
The food delivery industry is very competitive. You must do the complete research before you begin. Have a good idea about the present demand in your chosen delivery model. Choose your coverage area and timings. Visit local food restaurants , shops or function organizers and check demand for your proposed services .This is an important stage so do take your time and get to know owners as they can give insight to potential pitfalls and also advise on the best approach to being successful..
Have a business plan
Have a sound business plan and plan at least 6 months in advance and allow for things not running smoothly especially at the start. So it is best to have a case reserve to get you thru the first few months as you build up your trade.
License and other required permissions
Check the local rules, licenses and the other permissions required. Get information about the rules of the council. If necessary register your service with the local authorities in advance.
Purchase required equipment and logistics
Naturally a lot of logistic planning will be involved in this type of courier business. The first requirement for a delivery business is transport. Will you purchase the vehicles or ask employee’s to provide their own transport? If delivering hot or perishable items you will need Invest in technology to keep the food in optimum condition whilst in transit. If the food has to be kept in any cold system, arrange for a cold storage or refrigerators.
Promotion and advertisement of your business
Start off by promoting your business to your friends and family. Concentrate on both offline and online promotion. Promote on different social media sites and possible build a web site or a Yahoo business page. Try to share your post with all local groups, family groups and friend circle. For offline promotion, get banners and posters and try to advertise your food joint at market places (with prior permission from the authorities, of course.)
Technology
Your food joint will need an app or a website to communicate with customers and also to provide menu cards and other information about the joint. Keep the app or website simple and easy to navigate. Don’t keep it flashy or sophisticated. Take the help of a website programmer or designer.
Try a hand at partnership
Find people who are looking for collaboration or collaborate with any existing food joint which is already present. This might increase the chances of success of the restaurant. However this is an option.
