All businesses / Catering for events

Fingerprint: capital · hours · speed to income · margin · ceiling. The dashed line is mid-scale.

Start a catering for events: the real numbers

Food for weddings and companies. Below is what it actually costs, how long before money arrives, and the part most guides leave out.

Startup capital

€6,000–€30,000

Hours / week

20–50

First income

~10 wks

Net margin

40%

Saturation

medium

Realistic ceiling

€900–€5,000+

This ceiling is not a wall

The figure above is what this earns in the shape described — you, running it. Past that it keeps going, but by hiring people or adding units, not by you working more hours. That is a different job from the one you would be starting, and worth knowing before you start it.

What nobody usually tells you

You cook only when someone has already paid, which makes it far safer than a restaurant. But it is entirely weekends and evenings, and one bad event in a wedding Facebook group can cost you a season.

The route, in five steps

  1. Corporate lunches pay faster and repeat; weddings pay more and don't
  2. Rent equipment until a line item proves itself
  3. Quote per head with a firm minimum
  4. Take 50% on booking — it is standard and it funds the food
  5. Build a casual staff bench before you need it

What you'll need to buy

These are the categories every catering for events pays for in the first month. We break down what each one actually costs at this size on the tools page.

kitchen accesshygiene registrationequipment and chafersvaninsurance

Does it hold up for you?

These numbers are the average case. Whether this business clears your target depends on your capital, your hours and how long you can wait — put them in and see.

Run my numbers → See the tool stack