Step 2 -Market Research
Where are the potential Markets for my “Idea” / business?
Now that you have your “idea” this is where you will do research in your area for the types of events that may be great potential locations to sell your “idea.” Check the support page in the Appendix for a listing for festival and Farmer’s Markets. After this step you should end up with a list of places to bring your business to market.
1) Events, Festivals and Farmers’ Markets
One very exciting way of executing this business model is cooking at local events and festivals. There are hundreds of summer and year long events that go on in all parts of your state and there are only a small handful of portable ovens in the country. Everyone loves pizza, the primary product of wood-fired ovens, making concessions a big attraction. You can make a circuit of regional fairs and concerts and festivals, tailoring your product to where you’re going.
Farmers markets are showing up all across the country. They offer a set schedule and provide a steady stream of income. They also tend to happen multiple times a week and if there are a few different Farmers Markets in your area chances are the don’t happen on the same days. They also offer a great opportunity to promote your catering business to the open public. See the chapter dedicated to Farmer’s Markets later in this manual.
2) Operate as a Mobile Private Caterer
By being mobile you have freedom to offer your services to truly any kind of social event that people celebrate. You will find that this sort of business can leave you very free to operate independently and that there is an enormous potential to grow and to make contacts to expand even further. Instead of selling to the person food, you’re selling an atmosphere, one that can compliment any type of event, like weddings, birthday parties, corporate retreats and the like. The catering industry loves new ideas =the right place at the right time. It can be that simple!
3) Permanent Site Specific Concessions
Operating as a permanent, semi or seasonal site-specific concession entails being in a contract with an establishment for a predetermined period of time. This offers a larger amount of stability than the fully mobile method, but doesn’t tie you down like a restaurant would. This option involves operating your business at a set time, and for a set period. You can keep your equipment at the location when you’re not using it, or take it on the road in between contracts. Be flexible in your negotiations, try different locations as some may provide greater exposure to the public.
Contact these local venues and organizations in your area for potential Site Specific Concessions
• Music amphitheaters
• Theme parks
• Stadiums, coliseums, convention centers
• The local parks department -Inquire about summer time concession opportunities.
• The local chamber of commerce -Inquire about any business that may be in need of and allow food vending.
These are established companies that work on producing events for a variety of causes. Inquire about what other events they do and how you can get involved.
Click here for Step 2 “Is there traffic?”
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