Operating your own food catering services in South Dakota is the ideal business for someone who enjoys working creatively with food and entertaining others. The ideal caterer is someone who pays attention to both large and small details, is reliable and organized, yet creative and flexible.

South Dakota lacks the large urban population of many other states. However, that does not mean that you can't still make a living catering. Focusing on private functions, such as weddings, anniversary and birthday parties and showers, especially in the summer months, can garner enough business to sustain a new catering company.

To help you get started with your own catering business, there are few thing to do before you begin taking orders:

1. Develop a business plan to help you establish a budget and procure financing, if needed.
2. Start your catering company on legal ground.
3. Develop a niche among South Dakota caterers. What will set you apart from all the other caterers in South Dakota?

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

Get financing for your business catering in South Dakota

An advantage of starting your own catering company is that it is much less expensive than opening a restaurant, especially if you work out of your home kitchen. However, if you ever want to expand, you most likely will need some type of financing. In order to get the bigger catering jobs you need commercial equipment, supplies and transportation. You also need a well trained staff. All of which takes money. The quickest route to expanding your catering business and buying the equipment you need is through a small business loan.

I recommend: The counselors at the South Dakota Small Business Development Center can help you draft a business plan and help connect you with a lender. The South Dakota Small Business Administration is another good resource for budding entrepreneurs. It offers free advice and counseling from other small business professionals.

Make sure your catering services in South Dakota are legal

Catering companies in South Dakota require permits and licensing in order to serve food to the public. Depending on how many employees you plan to hire, you will need some sort of business insurance as well. Insurance can help protect your personal assets from a potential lawsuit by either a customer or an employee. A food license ensures your clients that your kitchen is safe for serving food.

I recommend: Check out the South Dakota Department of Public Health website for the process you should follow to obtain a food license. The Food and Drug Administration has good resources to help food service professionals develop sound food handling and food safety practices.

Stand out from other South Dakota food caterers

Starting a new SD catering company means that you will be competing against better known, more established caterers. For this reason it is crucial that you know exactly what your competition offers and at what price. You need to offer something different that will set you apart from everyone else, but you also need to stay within the local price range.

I recommend: Find a complete list of catering companies in South Dakota at the Pierre Chamber of Commerce, the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. Each of these sites can bring you to local caterers websites. From there you can do reconnaissance on the competitions menus and price range. If possible, try to sample their foods yourself, to see what exactly you are competing against.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't overlook local restaurants as competition for food catering in South Dakota. Call all or visit websites of every restaurant in your local area to find out if they offer catering, what they offer on their catering menus and what other services they may offer.