Making the Decision

• Money
  
• Freedom
  
• Creativity
  
• Personality

Forming a Catering Company Plan

Business Plan

• Contents of the Plan
  
• Elements of the Plan
  
• Equipment
  
• Examples of Real Business Plans
  
• Pricing - Materials, Overhead, Labor
  
• Sources of Catering Equipment and Supplies
  
• Start-Up Costs

Starting from Scratch vs Buying

• Pros and Cons
• Financing
• Risk
• Research

Administration

The Legal Requirements

• Business License
• Certificate of Occupancy
• Corporation
• Fictitious Business Name
• Form of Business
• Individual States' Catering Licensing
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Partnership
• Regulations on Food Preparation
• S Corporation
• Sole Proprietorship
• Tax License

Insurance

• Automobile
• Business Interruption
• Home Office
• Key Man
• Liability Insurance
• Office and Director
• Property

Becoming an Employer

• Federal Minimum Wage
• Health Department Testing
• Human Resources Laws
• Tax Withholding

The Basics of Finance and Taxes

• Banking
• Payroll Management
• Records & Bookkeeping
• Sales and Use Tax
• Sales Tax Permit and License Laws

Government Assistance Programs

• U.S. Small Business Association Checklist
• Government Loans and Assistance Programs
• State Programs and Resources for Small Business
• National and International Professional Catering Organizations

Catering Service Management

• Catering Service Menus
• Consistently Preparing Good Food
• Cost Control Procedures for Catering
• Food Handling and Storage
• Maintaining Cash Flow
• Purchasing
• Receiving
• Recording Actual Cost
• Samples of Catering Menus
• Sources of Catering Equipment and Supplies

Business Management

• Customer Service
• Maintaining a Thriving Operation
• Marketing, Advertising and Image
• New Clients and Customers
• Sample Catering Contracts
• Specialized Training in Catering Services
• The Food Catering Contract