How to Own a Catering Business in My Home
If you have a talent for cooking and a kitchen in your home you can use to prepare food for weddings, graduations, and other large events, operating a home catering business may be the right way for you to start small and build a career doing something you enjoy. Running a catering business from your home requires less start-up cost because you don't need to rent business space, allowing you to grow your business at a pace your budget will allow.
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Instructions
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Register your business with the IRS for a tax ID number and an EIN. You will only need the EIN if you employ someone in your company. Regardless of whether you need the EIN, you will need to register for your tax ID number, which will let you purchase food items for your business tax free.
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Acquire a food preparation and food catering license. Doing any type of food business without this license could result in fines and your catering business being shut down. Contact the Department of Health in your state for food catering license requirements. They vary from state to state. Most states require a catering business to employ at least one certified food manager.
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Apply for a DBA (doing business as) if the name of your catering company doesn't contain part of your real name. The DBA will allow you to do business under what is called a fictitious name. It will also allow you to open a bank account in the name of your business. Apply for the DBA with your county clerk. The fee, as of 2010, ranges between $25 and $35.
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Target your advertising. An ad in the food section or the wedding announcement of local newspapers can be effective. Placing business cards in bridal shops can also be good for advertising a catering service. These are low-cost ways you can bring in direct business that may even help build your business by word of mouth.
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