How to Start a Takeaway Business

Britain is addicted to getting food on the go. A survey by the Food Standards Agency, conducted prior to the pandemic, suggested that around 42% of households with children eat fast food once a month. While we might associate the takeaway industry with the big names we see on television, like Dominoes, McDonalds and KFC, the fact is that around 95% outlets in the UK are owned independently. It’s a bustling, thriving market whose barriers to entry are enticingly low.

If you’re considering starting a takeaway of your own, then, you stand every chance of success – provided that you consider a few factors. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Define your Offer

When your customers go to place an order, they’ll do so with a number of expectations. A pizza restaurant will need to be able to provide all of the topping combinations that pizza-connoisseurs have come to expect. To satisfy, you’ll need to fulfil those expectations – which generally means a longer menu. However, there’s no point in having a longer menu if you can’t provide all of the dishes listed to a high standard. In cases where the menu extends to more than a hundred items, as in a Chinese takeaway, you’ll often find that most of them are variations on a few core themes.

Position yourself within the sector

Setting the right price can make the difference between success and failure. Go too high, and you’ll scare away customers that might otherwise have been interested. Go too low, and you won’t be able to maintain a cash flow, and provide the quality of service you’re looking for. Do your research on the local customer-base, and their purchasing power, and situate yourself accordingly.

Don’t forget food and delivery

Among the most significant costs for a takeaway business are those of ingredients and delivery. Make sure that both of these are factored in when you set out your business plan. You might find that you have to expand or contract your delivery area as you go on – but doing this may earn you a reputation as unreliable.

Get Takeaway Insurance

There are forms of insurance which cover the risks unique to takeaway businesses. Learn about how insurance for takeaways can help to keep you protected.

Work on Local Referencing

Getting your business listed with Google My Business is free, and will help your new customers to find you. It’ll also demonstrate that you’re a local force worth taking seriously.

Get the Message Out There

Maintaining a presence on social media can be invaluable. But so too can getting a physical message out in the local area through fliers. The latter option ensures that you’re visible to all of your potential customers – and real printed materials tend to get the message across more strongly than digital ones.