There are several ways to start a restaurant delivery service. The first is to start a restaurant and add a delivery service. Another way is to own a delivery service and attach to some restaurants in your locality. Other methods include franchising, becoming a partner or buying into an existing delivery service.
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If you want to start a restaurant you need a certified chef or cook. Other requirements include accounting knowledge, good interpersonal skill. The business is capital intensive, challenging and highly competitive. However an operator that focuses on only the delivery end requires only operational vehicles and network with restaurants.

Starting a restaurant from scratch is very capital intensive. You will need to lease a good location with lots of vehicular or human traffic. The location should have a fitted kitchen, dinner for customers, storage and good parking. A location with all these attribute especially in urban area is expensive.
The cost of starting a restaurant from scratch is very expensive. Majority of the cost goes into equipment. General equipment are cooking, ovens, refrigerator and food holding/warming equipment. Others are commercial sink, beverage equipment, shelves, storage, dish washing, food display and merchandizing.
Kitchen equipment include gas cooker, pots, pans, cutlery plates, bows, and oven. Make sure the kitchen is well equipped and very clean. The establishment must pass a basic cleanliness, health, safety test. Staff are chef, cooks, servers, manager, cleaners and cashier.
To attract customers place a large signboard in-front if the establishment. Use print media such as flyers, billboard, and complimentary cards. Use social media like Facebook, Instagram, and twitter. Make sure the meals are high quality properly priced.
There are different types are brick and mortar restaurant and online delivery service. An online service could be an actual restaurant or a home cooked foods delivery. Other types are fast food, pizza, quick meals or breakfast.
Home cooked service is fast becoming a profitable business venture. This is because of the advent of the internet, blogs, websites and social media channels. An online home restaurant could attract customers through social media advertisement. They need to specify locality and area of operation.
To start you need to determine if you want to start from scratch, joining a franchise or become a partner. Other considerations are mode of transportation like motorcycle delivery, car, bus, bicycle delivery. The most practical restaurant delivery vehicle is motorcycle. The service could be independent or part of a restaurant.
Franchising is a fast way to start a restaurant or delivery service. Although expensive the franchise owner would provide training, branding and support. You gain technical knowledge and an established brand as a partner.
The cost considerations are cost of fuel, utility bills, servicing the vehicle and time. If you have staff then factor their wages, tax, advertisement.
Funding depends on the business plan and services. A restaurant will require huge funding to start operations. However focusing only on delivery will require less funding.
You need money to purchase the vehicle, rent an office, hire staff, advertise, utility bills and legal fees Raise funds through personal savings or borrow from friends and family. Other funding sources are bank loans, crowd funding, venture capitalist, angel investors.
There are state and federal laws guiding the food industry. Laws focus on health/safety, zoning, incorporation and permits. You need tax identification number, driving license, vehicle particulars and insurance.
Home cooked meals have enjoyed huge demand and popularity in recent times. The industry is thriving with many players providing food delivery service. Entrepreneurs in this niche industry are making good earnings and smiling to the bank. Here are a few ideas on how to start the business.
The first step is to carry out a comprehensive research on the industry. Make sure the research focuses on target market, type of meals and locality. If you are located in a commercial area with office buildings then you might have a good customer base.
Prepare quality food and offer competitive prices. You need proper time management and proper logistics. You need a mode of transportation like foot, bicycle, motorcycle or vehicle.
Startup capital is relatively low because major equipment are already in your home. Cost considerations are advertisement, packaging, utilities and ingredients. Factor cost per meal, labor and transportation.
You will prepare the food at home using your cooker, oven and other utilities. Additional equipment are takeaway packs like cardboard meal containers, food containers. You need plastic utensils like spoons, forks, knives. Others are tissue paper, serviette, napkins, receipt booklets.
Permits include tax, doing business, sanitary and food handling permit.
Use print such as flyers, posters, business cards. Facebook and Instagram is a good way to reach potential customers. Approach offices in your area with sample meals as a promotional gimmick.
Build a website and include high definition images of meals add contact information, locality, phone number and services.