Home Business Ideas
Start a Children's Party
Catering Business
Children's
parties occur all year long
and with parents being
busier than ever before they
are turning to professionals
to plan the parties that
their children want, but
that they don't have time to
do themselves. Most
children's party catering
businesses are also party
planning businesses, meaning
that the caterers also take
care of decorations, games
and occasionally in hiring
entertainment such as clowns
or magicians.
The Concept
The work of a children's
party catering business will
obviously involve cooking.
Some experience in the
hospitality or food service
industry is helpful. It is
helpful to have attending
culinary school, but not
required. The advantage to
catering children's parties
is that children don't have
as sophisticated tastes as
adults, so while to food
must still taste good,
knowledge in exotic gourmet
cooking is not necessary.
You should create menus
based on different age
groups of children, as well
as a la carte items that can
be added on. It is also
important to keep yourself
current on the latest trends
with different age groups of
children. The favorite
character today may be old
news tomorrow.
Startup Costs
The biggest expense
incurred with a children's
party catering business is
the food. The good news is
that most food can be
purchased at the time of the
party, after securing a
deposit. You will need to be
licensed to serve food and
therefore whatever facility
you are using must be
inspected by the health
department to ensure safe
food handling practices. You
will also need basic office
equipment and supplies such
as a computer, phone,
answering machine and so on.
You should also network with
a party supply rental
company. This will prevent
you from having to invest in
tables, chairs, party tents
and linens and having to
clean them and store them.
This will keep the costs
down. You should be able to
start your children's party
catering business for less
than 5,000 dollars.
How to Market It
Marketing a children's
party catering business is
essential to success. A
website would be a great way
to market yourself. You
could also print flyers or
brochures and distribute
them to local day care
centers, children's stores
and schools. Along with the
flyers describing your
business you could also
include a menu and possibly
some coupons to entice
parents to book parties with
you. There are also trade
shows that you can attend to
further your business as
well. Try offering to do the
first few parties for little
to no cost above what your
food costs in exchange for
feedback from your clients.
This will give you valuable
experience and also provide
you with testimonial
references that will help
you earn other clients.
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