Checklist for Starting a Food Business

Food is the driving fuel of humans globally, and the food business can never go out of business. Our country's rich heritage and culture are closely tied up with different cuisines that provide a treat for taste buds. It is a hyper-competitive market, and it can be overwhelming for any business owner starting a food business in India. Now that you have decided to start a food business, you must be aware of the rewards and challenges. Due to the pandemic, there has been a shift from in-dining facilities to takeaways and food delivery. This is the best time to start as there is a pent-up demand for visiting restaurants, bars, and other food establishments due to the global pandemic that has been raging for the past eighteen months globally. The restaurant industry profits are forecasted to rise by 15% in 2021. This news sounds music to the ears; however, one of the biggest hurdles to starting a new business is identifying the starting point.

Here we present a checklist that would help you find the right tools to grow and take the right steps to get started.

Construct a Business Plan

Like any business, you have to create a proper business plan identifying the target customer, target cuisine, market segment, and clientele.

Awareness and getting necessary Licenses and Permits

It will be your business responsibility to provide safe food and deploying hygienic preparation practices. FSSAI has formulated down guidelines and compliances for safe food practices.

You will also require the following additional licenses namely

• License from FSSAI

• Health Trade License

• Shop and Establishment Registration

• Liquor or Bar License

• No Objection Certificate from Fire Department

• GST Registration

Buying of Equipment

Once all these licenses and permits are in place, you can start buying the equipment per your business plan. The equipment needs to be identified clearly during the making of a business plan. The nature of equipment may vary as the cuisine you plan to offer.

Hiring and Assembly of Your Team

Make a list of all the positions you'll need to fill to operate your restaurant daily. Your staff requirements will vary based on the unique needs of your new restaurant. You may also need to hire employees like marketing experts, PR specialists, and accountants.

Setup of POS (point of sale) System

In today's fast-moving world, you will require a good Point of Sale (POS) like IVEPOS that seamlessly integrates with online ordering, assisting you in offering delivery and curbside pickup. A good restaurant POS like IVEPOS should print tickets, manage both in-person and online orders, keep customer tabs open, split checks, customize table layouts and let you take payments anywhere. IVEPOS comes with insightful analytics and reporting, so you can quickly identify trends and make quick changes to your staffing or inventory when required. These tools can help run your business more efficiently and grow faster. Like everything on our checklist, the various modules of IVEPOS systems vary based on what type of food business you're looking