How to Start a Catering Business in 2026 (From Home or Commercial)
7 min read·Updated June 2026
What it takes to start
Catering is one of the more regulated service businesses: most places require a licensed commercial kitchen and food-safety certification, though some allow limited home-based catering under cottage food laws. Start by learning exactly what your local rules permit, because that decides whether you can launch from your kitchen or need to rent commercial space.
Step 1: Sort out kitchen and licensing
Get your food-handler or food-safety certification and confirm what kind of kitchen you are legally allowed to cook in. Many caterers start by renting time in a commercial or commissary kitchen rather than building their own, which keeps startup cost low.
Step 2: Build a focused menu
Do not try to cook everything. A tight menu you can execute flawlessly at volume beats a sprawling one. Price each menu per head by service style, and cost every dish so you know your margin before you quote.
Step 3: Price per head, including labor and rentals
Set per-person prices that cover food, labor, rentals, and profit, not just ingredients. Use the free calculator to build a per-head price that holds up once you add staff and equipment.
Step 4: Book your first events
- Cater a few friends-and-family events at cost to build photos and reviews.
- Partner with venues, planners, and photographers who refer caterers.
- Offer tastings so clients book with confidence.
- Target a niche (corporate lunches, weddings, private dinners) and own it.
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