Are you ready to transform this idea into a business, but you don’t know where to start? You’ll find in this blog post 5 top tips on starting a food takeaway business, from registering your new venture to taking payments and creating packaging. This blog is for you who want to know how to start a food business! ✌️
On this blog:
- Register as self-employed
- Register as a food business
- Food health & safety requirements
- Start taking payments
- Food packaging
Register as self-employed
You should register as self-employed when starting your food business, even if this is your second job or a part-time activity. For this, inform HMRC that you are self-employed. You can also check if you should set up a limited company instead.
Register as a food business
In order to start a takeaway food business you have to follow important rules and regulations. Before move to your new Occupyd kitchen, you must read the regulations that commercial kitchen users and food businesses are required to follow. Make sure to register your business with the Food Standards Agency within 28 days or, if you are already trading, you should register your food business as soon as possible.
We also recommend you to make sure what licences apply to your business, these are based on the size of your business, how you serve your food to the public and other business information. You can find these on the government’s licence finder.
This blog is for you who want to know how to start a food business!
Food health & safety requirements
Information on personal hygiene, pest control, cross-contamination, cleaning, chilling and cooking are essential to the health and safety management of your food business. You can follow the guidance from The Health and Safety Executive before completing the required risk assessment. Note that an additional risk assessment is necessary to address the risks of COVID-19.
In addition, we recommend you to pursue a food hygiene qualification to take your knowledge on food preparation, handling, storage and serving to the highest standards. If you’re not sure which course is most suitable for your needs, your local authority should be able to advise.
Start taking payments
When you start taking payments, you’ll need to start tracking your spending, revenue and profit. This can be overwhelming and take a lot of your time if done with spreadsheets. That is why we recommend you to use an accounting software.
Food packaging
The food you produce with so much love has a long way to your clients if you deliver food orders. To make sure that the transported food is safe and its quality is maintained, you need to use appropriate packaging designed for the intended use, such as the transport of hot food, liquids or food that needs refrigerating.
If you’re ready to fire up your business and rent a commercial kitchen space, Occupyd is here to help you! Click here to find a flexible kitchen space available for rent today.
