Using apps like Deliveroo and Uber Eats to get food delivered to your door will be familiar to most of us. But where do you start if you\u2019re thinking about opening a takeaway rather than buying your dinner from one?<\/p>\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for small business ideas, opening a takeaway isn’t a bad shout. Customers love convenience \u2013 as Nielsen said in August 2018<\/a>, \u201cglobal consumers are actively seeking ways to keep pace with an accelerated lifestyle.\u201d Takeaways are just one way they can keep pace \u2013 and get valuable time back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And while takeaways have always been a staple of the UK High Street, the market\u2019s changing. For example, The Guardian<\/a> cites research from the British Takeaway Campaign, which says orders of vegan takeaways grew 388 per cent between 2016 and 2018. That same research suggests the takeaway sector is twice the size it was two years ago.<\/p>\n\n So, it\u2019s clear that new business owners who are prepared to get creative with their takeaway and fill a niche could become very successful. Ready to get going? Follow our eight-step plan for starting a takeaway business.<\/p>\n\n A business plan is one of the most important documents for any new business. It makes you answer questions before you start out, gives you goals to work towards, and helps you sell your business to potential lenders and investors.<\/p>\n\n What are some of the questions you should answer in a takeaway business plan?<\/p>\n\n You need a strong concept when starting out. If you already have one, great \u2013 but if you aren\u2019t sure, here are some takeaway business ideas:<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s important to carry out proper market research and include it in your business plan. Who are your competitors? What takeaways already exist in the area? If there are lots of similar takeaways, you might be entering a saturated market. But if there aren\u2019t any similar takeaways, you should research why. Does it mean there\u2019s no demand?<\/p>\n\n Create a sample menu as part of your business plan, after you\u2019ve settled on your concept. Arguably your menu is your takeaway\u2019s most important document \u2013 it\u2019s your shop window. This gets you thinking about your brand, your dishes, and the price you want to sell them at.<\/p>\n\n There are lots of different ways you can offer customers a takeaway. There are the traditional takeaway stores on the High Street, and sometimes restaurants have a takeaway service too. But increasingly, takeaways operate a delivery service and are offering their food through apps like Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.<\/p>\n\n You should explore all options for your takeaway startup and detail your service in your business plan.<\/p>\n\n Read more about writing a business plan here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n When opening a franchise, you get the benefits of an existing corporate structure, stock management and brand recognition.<\/p>\n\n And according to this Telegraph article, franchisees can run \u2018mini empires\u2019 of takeaway stores around the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n With well-known options available, like McDonalds, Subway and Papa Johns, opening a franchise might be a good option. But there are also downsides \u2013 not least the fact that you have to pay a portion of your profits to the franchisor.<\/p>\n\n Researching whether a franchise is the right option for you is something you should do at the beginning of your takeaway journey.<\/p>\n\n Finding the right premises is really important for takeaways, as walk-in trade will be a big part of your business. After all, your customers are coming to you for convenience.<\/p>\n\n Your takeaway should be somewhere with good footfall so people can stop and get food quickly and easily. When researching locations, find out what businesses have been in the premises before \u2013 if a takeaway or restaurant was there previously, what were the reasons it closed?<\/p>\n\n You could also get in touch with a commercial property agent to help you find the right space, but make sure that you get legal advice before taking on a lease.<\/p>\n\n Deepak Christopher, owner of London takeaway Chilli Tuk Tuk, told Virgin Start Up<\/a>: \u201cWe intentionally looked for a premises that had the relevant licences in place. Applying for the right licence on a property that doesn’t have one can be a long process, so this became a determining factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n Starting a business requires an initial cash injection. Some entrepreneurs use personal savings to fund their startup, or borrow from friends and family. Others go to the bank.<\/p>\n\n1. Build your takeaway business plan<\/h2>\n\n
What kind of takeaway am I opening?<\/h3>\n\n
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What will my menu look like?<\/h3>\n\n
What service am I offering?<\/h3>\n\n
2. Is franchising a good option when opening a takeaway?<\/h2>\n\n
3. Find a location for your takeaway business<\/h2>\n\n
4. Financing your takeaway business<\/h2>\n\n