How to Start a Homemade Pie Business

Delicious pies will keep them coming back for more.

There will always be a market for reasonably-priced, delicious, homemade food. If you've got a knack for creating spectacular pies, you might consider starting your own business. Your success will lie in your ability to provide delicious and consistent pies, which will keep your customers coming back for more. In addition, be sure you understand the legalities involved in starting a food business.

Things You'll Need

• Food handler's permit
• Liability insurance
• Licensed kitchen
• Ingredients
• Packing supplies
• Sales tax permit

Instructions

1. Contact you municipality about the health rules and regulations in your area. The food industry is heavily regulated. Foods that are sold must be made in a licensed kitchen that is regularly inspected. Some states won't allow you to license your home kitchen. Those that do will require that your kitchen meet all regulations and be separated from the rest of your house. Another option is to rent space in a licensed kitchen, where you can prepare your pies. Contact local churches or caterers. Check the Commercial Kitchen For Rent website for a list of licensed kitchens by state. Once your business takes off, you can consider opening a location.

2. Obtain a food handler's permit. Generally, you must attend a class on safe food handling practices and pass a test. Classes are offered frequently, so contact your local health department (or visit their website) for a schedule of testing dates. The website may have a study manual that you can download to help you prepare for the test.

3. Contact your county clerk to register your business and obtain a sales tax permit. All goods sold in state will be subject to sales tax. Depending on the state in which you reside, your business will be required to have a permit. Visit the IRS website to obtain a federal tax ID. Purchase liability insurance from Netquote.com.

4. Consider enrolling in baking workshops offered by local colleges and universities. These classes and workshops may be as little as $60 per course and may give you a number of new techniques and ideas for your business.

5. Experiment with your pies. Create custom homemade pies and have friends and family taste test them. Scour your family's recipe books or get recipe ideas online and tweak the ingredients, adding your own signature touch. Your pies don't have to be sweet. Experiment with other styles of pies, such as homemade pot pies, which may be a great way to set your business apart from the competition.

6. Compete with other businesses by offering interesting packaging on your pies, offering a delivery service, getting involved in your community by registering with your Chamber of Commerce (which will also allow you to connect with other local business owners), by setting up a booth at local events, by donating pies to charity events or by offering to work with schools and churches conducting fundraisers.

7. Purchase a website or start a blog about your homemade pies. Include your background, experience, your vision for your business, any certifications or qualifications that you have, upcoming events that you will be attending and your commitment to customer satisfaction.

8. Purchase ingredients from local farmers. Be sure to include this information on your website. Purchase wrappers and pie boxes with your business logo. Purchase pie tins and insulated delivery bags to keep pies warm (if applicable). Purchase pie accessories such as pattern toppers to use to create themed or holiday pies.

References

• How One Couple Generates Income from Pies
• Domestic Kitchen License Information

Resources

• Find a Licensed Kitchen
• Pattern Pie Toppers
• San Francisco Baking Institute Classes