A tiffin business deals with providing catering services. A tiffin business is a highly profitable entity which has good potential for growth and expansion. You will need more than a passion for cooking in order to successfully run the business. You need good management and planning skills and flexibility so as to effectively handle any last-minute changes required by clients. The success of your tiffin business will mainly rely on having a good reputation. Gain a reputation of being able to work well under pressure and meeting clients' needs and you will be on your way to success.

  • A tiffin business deals with providing catering services.
  • You need good management and planning skills and flexibility so as to effectively handle any last-minute changes required by clients.

Research and choose an area of specialisation. Some of the areas you can specialise in include catering for wedding events, birthday parties, intimate dinner parties, company dinners and graduation parties. You can choose to either run a full-time or part-time home-based tiffing business.

Register your tiffin business. Register your home-based business at your local county office and get an Occupational Business License. Get a Doing Business As (DBA) permit form from the office of the county clerk in your area and register a business name for your tiffin business. Also register for a sellers permit as this is a requirement for all catering businesses.

Get a catering license. This can be obtained from your local health department. The health department will issue you with a license after inspecting your premises and ensuring that it meets with your state's food and sanitation requirements.

  • Register your tiffin business.
  • The health department will issue you with a license after inspecting your premises and ensuring that it meets with your state's food and sanitation requirements.

Get insured. Get insurance coverage for your employees, equipment and facilities against any unforeseen circumstances. Talk to your local insurance agent to know which is the best cover to get.

Get the required equipment. You can choose to either buy, rent the equipment you need or use disposables. Renting will help to keep your start-up costs low, which will help you to focus on establishing yourself in the market and creating a good company image.

Develop a menu. Come up with a basic menu depending on the type of events you want to cater and time of events and the number of people who will be attending the events. Provide a variety of alternatives so that clients can be able to specifically pick what they want. Provide an assortment of different food colours, textures and cooking methods.

  • Get insurance coverage for your employees, equipment and facilities against any unforeseen circumstances.
  • Come up with a basic menu depending on the type of events you want to cater and time of events and the number of people who will be attending the events.

Come up with a catering contract. This should include an informational pamphlet which details the kinds of foods you provide, prices and even pictures of food presentations for different occasions. Your clients will sign the contract when requesting for catering services.

Price your services. Keep in mind what the market prices are as you set your own prices. Also take into consideration your expenses and the profit margin you intend to achieve.