5 Steps to Starting Your Meal Kit Service
Interested in starting a meal kit service? It is a great way to help others and can introduce many customers to unique meals and ingredients. Besides, a meal kit service can be very eco-friendly as it encourages less food waste.
But while there are several benefits to starting one, it can be tricky at first. First, you need to ensure you have all the proper permits and reliable suppliers. Below you’ll find some useful steps to follow if you wish to start your own meal kit service.
Are Meal Kit Services Profitable?
This industry can be very profitable if you plan accordingly. As you build a steady base, you’ll find that you could make anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on your services.
5 Steps to Starting a Meal Kit Business
1. Make a Plan
The first thing to do is create a strong business plan. This involves heavy research based on your finances, what you want your specialty to be, and how you’ll stand out from competitors.
First, figure out the type of food you want to serve. For instance, will you focus on vegan meals or a specific cuisine? If you decide to focus on certain dishes, make sure you can find a supplier for the ingredients.
Besides this, check out your competitors. You’ll want to see what they offer and examine their logistics. It’s also important to read reviews as you’ll get an idea of what customers like and where the business might be lacking.
Other things to brainstorm include your financial needs (like if you need to take out a loan) and what region you’d like to focus your business in.
2. Get the Necessary Licenses and Insurance
Once you decide on a solid plan, you’ll need to obtain a business license, employer identification number (EIN), and food service license. These can often be applied for online, but in some cases, you’ll need to visit your local health department or city government.
Another critical investment is insurance. Legally, general liability insurance is often required before you’re even allowed to operate. While it can be a slight investment at first, it protects you from everything ranging from property damage to a client potentially getting sick after eating one of your meals.
You can sign up for food services general liability insurance if you need insurance quickly quickly. This will take only a few minutes, and you’ll receive an official certificate once you’re approved. See if an online quote is available for those not sure whether they’d like to purchase a certain insurance.
A meal kit service can be very eco-friendly as it encourages less food waste.
3. Find a Supplier
Searching for the perfect meal kit supplier can be difficult, but it’s a key aspect that will help determine your success.
The right supplier will depend on your finances and what you plan to offer. For instance, you could sign a contract with a major food supplier, but they might not always have the best quality ingredients. On the other hand, you could work with local farmers and food artisans who offer acceptable goods but could be limited in their supply.
You’ll want to carefully consider this and research suppliers beforehand to ensure that your meal kit business can be properly provided for.
4. Make a Site or App
Once everything’s in order, you’ll want to focus on making a nice site or app for customers to visit. They can learn more about your service and sign up for it here.
Make sure that the site and app reflect your brand’s identity. You’ll also want to check that it’s secure and easy to load. Otherwise, it could deter people.
Many times, it’s worth hiring a professional to do this work for you. They can also add unique features so you can track views and where you might need to fix things. If you like their services, you could hire them to maintain the website – one less thing you’ll need to worry about.
5. Advertise Yourself
The last major thing you’ll need to do is start marketing yourself. Let potential clients know why you’re the best over your competitors. There are many similar services, so you’ll want to be creative in your approach.
Using social media to get the word out might also be good. This free service helps you reach potential clients and show why your business is worth trying out. It also lets you chat with followers, making things seem more personable. While each option has its benefits, Instagram tends to be ideal for meal kit businesses because you can show off stunning photos of your meals.
Starting a meal kit service can be challenging if you’re unsure where to begin. By following the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to starting a successful business.
