Catering business advice!

[lilv]

Hi, futher to my question on 14 march (sorry dont know how to do the whole link thing on here!) I now have my meeting tomorrow with the British Legion Club, just to finalise a few things. I have spoken to the guy on the phone and he mentioned getting a percentage of the profit and just wondered if anyone can tell me how much they would be likely to demand? Dont want to turn up there looking clueless so just a rough idea would be great! have already discussed type of food/events etc and all good on that side of things. The caterer they have at the moment is leaving because they started accepting people bringing in their own caterers for functions. I can understand why he would be p`d off with that but I have been unemployed for a while now and cant really turn away work. Any work I can get is good!

I have also been offered the use of their kitchen to do my own outside catering work and would like an idea of what to expect in terms of rent. Obviously I`ll be discussing all of these things with him tomorrow and not making any decisions there and then, but the more prepared I am the better. We have a mutual acquaintance so he will know I`m inexperienced, dont want him taking advantage!

Thank you to everyone who has helped already and to anyone else that might have some helpful hints and tips. :)

[mrrobbo15]

you really must insist on sole catering rights....

or you will have all the 'duff ' do's and the profitable things e.g. weddings will have outside catering.

and dont pay rent plus a percentage of profits.....tell them you want 6 months free rent anyway.

they need you as much as you need them.....tell them your terms or you wll regret it....

good luck...

[lilv]

Thanks Mrrobbo great advice there, especialy the 6 months free bit! Will probably post again after the meeting, I`ll have a better idea of what the place is like and what this guy is like too, I might decide it`s not right. I`m just so keen to get working again but agree with you entirely and dont want to have any regrets. Thanks again.

[mrrobbo15]

no prob....

i know what these committees are like. they mean well but in the main, arent bisiness men.

good luck and keep us informed

[mrrobbo15]

my mum n dad have sum advice too lol

make sure you have access to a cash n carry card.

make sure your kitchen can be locked up

and again, they both said you need sole catering rights. their concern would be if outside caterers came in and done a bad job, you would get yourself a bad name.

has ive said b4...they where in the game 40 years.

[lilv]

Lol! Meeting has been postponed - again - until tomorrow. thanks for all the tips I feel way more prepared. I have a cash n carry card from my previous business and still have lots of supplier contacts too so at least I`m not a total begginer! My cousin reckons they could ask for 20% of the profits does that sound right? Sounds a lot to me. VERY good avice about getting a bad name for someone elses shoddy work, will play that one up tomorrow :)

[LucyThomas5]

Mrrobbo15, please learn to write correctly. Your English is appalling.

[mrrobbo15]

sorry....im not the best in the world but i try