Food Catering Services in Missouri offer the right person the chance to work in a creative environment as their own boss. The ideal caterer not only enjoys cooking but also working with the public. You should be highly detail oriented, flexible, reliable and organized. Above all, you should not be afraid of hard work.

Missouri, with its urban hubs of St. Louis, Kansas City and Branson, offers plenty of catering opportunities. Summer tourist traffic also brings in more potential catering business. To help you get started as a Missouri caterer, start with the following:

1. Secure financing for your catering company.
2. Purchase the right type of equipment for your catering services.
3. Find a niche among other Missouri food caterers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Connect with a lender to finance your catering businesses in Missouri

Even though many small caterers can start their business for the cost of a few serving pieces and some paper goods, expanding a catering business takes money. In order for your catering company to grow and take on larger paying catered events, you may need a larger oven, more storage and cooler space or better transportation. You will also need a well trained staff of employees. A business loan is the quickest way to purchase these necessities.

I recommend: To help you get that first loan, the counselors at the Missouri Small Business Development Center can help you draft a business plan and help connect you with a lender. The Missouri Small Business Administration is another great resource to help you with the initial start-up or expansion of your catering business, offering advice and counseling from other small business professionals.

Stock up on the right supplies for your Missouri catering company

New food Catering Services in Missouri require little equipment to start up. When you are looking at commercial equipment for your catering service, secondhand is a good choice to help stretch your budget. Smallwares, such as plates, flatware and salt and pepper shakers can be bought for pennies on the dollar in good used condition. Bigger pieces of equipment, such as commercial ovens, freezers or coolers are also good deals if bought gently used.

I recommend: Find new and used equipment through Foodservice Equipment Brokers out of Branson, Missouri. Purchase food and dry goods through Pippin Wholesale Company, which services southwest Missouri.

Find the right market for your Missouri food catering services

It is important to understand your local completion when starting any business. You will be competing with established caterers that have name recognition. And don't forget to factor in potential competition from the occasional Missouri restaurant catering company. When you sit down to write your menu, first decide what will set you apart from your competitors.

I recommend: Know your competition. Surveil the competition. Find them through chamber of commerce websites such as the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce and the Branson Chamber of Commerce, all of which provide links to area caterers. From there you can visit the caterers' websites to check out their prices, menu and even pictures of their food. If you can't find a website, call the caterer and ask for information on their services. Also try to attend as many catered events as possible to see the competitions' work firsthand.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Missouri food caterers work with a fairly small circle of event planners. Use your people skills to network with photographers, DJs and other event workers. You may be surprised by the business that word-of-mouth can drum up.