Catering in Washington

Get small business counseling for your catering company in Washington A big advantage of starting your own catering company is that the start-up costs are pretty inexpensive, especially compared to other new food-based businesses. However, you still may need a small loan to help you purchase small wares, print menus and cover advertising costs. Before you go to the bank for a loan, you will need to have a thorough business plan that outlines why you are the perfect person to start a successful catering business.

I recommend:  Speak with the counselors of the Washington Small Business Development Center. Their no-cost counseling can answer any questions you may have about starting a business in Washington, from what kind of licenses and permits you need to how much insurance you should carry. They can walk you thorough the process of writing a business plan, as well as connect you with the local Small Business Administration.

Start your Washington catering company on legal footing Catering companies in Washington need many of the same licenses and permits as restaurants in order to serve food to the public. As the owner of a Washington catering company, you will also be responsible for paying taxes, wages, and carrying enough insurance to protect both your customers and your employees, should you hire any. Plus, serving liquor requires additional licenses and insurance.

I recommend:  The state of Washington's website has a list of all the applicable permits needed to start a catering company. If you plan on serving alcohol, you will need to apply (and pay for) a liquor license as well.

Develop a niche among other Washington caterers To build a client base for your Washington catering company, you'll need to develop a niche your business. What is going to make your catering business outshine all others? Will you have a unique menu or theme, such as Tex-Mex or Latin-inspired food? How will your prices compare to the competition? You need to charge enough to make a profit but not so much that you price yourself out of the local market.

I recommend:  To find out more about the local competition, their menus and price ranges, check out your local chamber of commerce's website. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Olympia-Thurston Chamber of Commerce are two examples of chambers that include lists of member caterers. Once you have your competitors' contact information, you can visit their websites and look over their menus and prices. If you aren't able to locate a particular caterer's website, call the company directly to request information be mailed to you. If you get the chance to see the work of other catering businesses in Washington, take it. It will allow you to sample your competitors' food and hear what other people think about their services as well.