Planning a Business: Food Industry

Needs Assessment

• What have you thought about so far?
• Do you have a business plan? If so, next question. If not, general starting a business resources.

Question Index

Marketing

Questions related to marketing in general and applicable across contexts.

• How do I find out who my potential customers are?
• How might I reach my potential customers?
• What kinds of marketing activities are possible?

Here are some industry-specific additional pointers:

Competition

Questions related to understanding competitors in a market

• How do I find out who my (potential) competitors are?

Here are some industry-specific additional pointers:

Revenue/Sales

• How can I estimate how much I could earn from my business?
• How might my potential customers pay for my goods and services?
• What kinds of sales channels are possible?
• What kinds of revenue streams are possible?

Expenses/Operations

Here are some general questions/resources

• What might it cost to run my business?
• How do I find out who my potential partners are?
• How can I find or choose a location for my business?
• How do I get medical benefits for myself and my employees?
• Where can I get funding?

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

• This website has some good resources for estimating startup costs for a food truck (which can range from ~$30,000 to $114,100, depending on the nature of the food truck, and local regulations: https://foodtruckempire.com/how-to/costs/ (talk to Resource:(Librarian) Yassin for more details)

Legal

Here are some general questions to consider

• How do I get official?
• What do I need to do to comply with tax laws?

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

• If you want to start a food truck, this website has a good collection of links to appropriate forms and processes, including food manager license, plan reviews, food service facility permits, and fire inspection: https://dmvfta.org/princegeorge

• Prince George's County Food Truck Hub - 5 step process to "apply for a Mobile Food Service Facility Permit or a Special Food Service Facility Mobile Unit License"

Business Plan

Here are some general questions to consider

• How do I write a business plan?

If a business plan draft is ready and it may be time to look to local resources for registering and Launching a Business.

And here are some industry-specific pointers: