Charleston Business Daily

How do my friends and I start a catering business?

Two of my friends and I want to start a small catering business in California. We want to sell to schools as well and we want to know the best way to start and what all the permits and forms we need to complete are. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. I would contact your department of agriculture or health department for a list of permits, licenses, health codes, etc.
2. And you know that are hundreds of caterers out here in Yahoo land, just dying to give you tips on how to become their competition. Why schools? You do mean private schools, right? Which one of you has the head for business and the two others must know how to cook and serve. The form of the business is a LLP - look it up. (all the partners are limited in their liability) or a sole proprietor ownership, in which the business is one named person, who hires help as needed. Permits are to use a cooking & preparing facility (not a house/home) that is inspected by the representatives of the local health department. (You use a store/restaurant during their off hours) You'll need liability insurance, you don't want to be sued for food poisoning and not have that insurance, cause you'll lose your house.