Food business ideas with a startup budget over $20,000

191 ideas

A budget above $20,000 opens up food businesses that need a proper shopfront, commercial equipment or a dedicated production space. This page lists 191 ideas, including a neighbourhood butcher shop, a small creamery making aged cheese and a wedding cake and dessert studio.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Diners eating plant-based dishes at a table in a vegan restaurant.

Small vegan cafe-restaurant

Run a compact eat-in venue serving plant-based lunches and dinners to vegans and curious locals.

  • A$50k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Steamed buns in bamboo steamer baskets at a takeaway counter.

Steamed bun takeaway shop

Open a small shopfront selling freshly steamed buns to walk-in and lunchtime customers.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Fresh pasta and sauces displayed on shelves in a local food shop.

Fresh pasta shop

Make and sell fresh pasta, sauces and Italian pantry goods from a small local shopfront.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Large sacks of coffee beans stacked in a wholesale storage warehouse.

Roast and supply wholesale coffee

Roast beans in a small unit and supply cafés and shops with your own local brand.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Colourful fruit and vegetable display outside a traditional greengrocer shop.

Neighbourhood greengrocer shop

Run a small fruit and veg shop selling fresh local produce to people in your suburb or town.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Colourful sweets in glass jars on shelves inside a traditional sweet shop.

Local lolly and chocolate shop

Open a small shop selling lollies, chocolates and gifts by weight or pack to locals and visitors.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Artisan chocolatier hand-piping chocolates in a small kitchen workshop.

Chocolate workshop and wholesale maker

Rent a small commercial kitchen or unit to make limited batches for shops, cafes, events and your own online store.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Bags and bins of rice and grains displayed in a food shop.

Rice and grain shop

Run a small shop selling bulk and packaged rice and grains to local households and restaurants.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Smoothie bar with fresh fruit and a customer holding a takeaway drink.

Smoothie shop in a small shopfront

Blend fruit and vegetable smoothies to order for takeaway and on-site customers from a small shop or kiosk.

  • A$30k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Mobile smoothie cart or trailer

Serve smoothies from a cart or small trailer at markets, sports days, events and festivals.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Shopkeeper slicing cold meats at a deli counter filled with cheeses and prepared foods.

Neighbourhood deli shop

Sell sliced meats, cheeses, antipasto and ready-to-eat food from a small local shopfront.

  • A$40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Deli market stall

Sell cheeses, cured meats, dips and antipasto from a stall at weekend markets.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
A food truck serving customers from its hatch at a busy street event.

Food truck or van at events and sites

Serve hot food from a fitted-out truck or van at markets, festivals, worksites and private functions.

  • A$80k-200k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Workers packing food ingredients and packaging on a production line in a factory.

Local supplier of bulk ingredients and packaging

Rent a small unit, stock popular ingredients and packaging, and supply local food makers in smaller quantities and at short notice.

  • A$25k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Colourful celebration cakes and sponges arranged in a cake shop display cabinet.

Local cake shop with a front counter

Open a small shopfront selling ready-made cakes and slices, plus custom orders for events.

  • A$30k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Shelves of everyday food and drinks in a small local grocery shop.

Neighbourhood grocery shop

Run a small local shop selling everyday food, drinks and household items to people nearby.

  • A$40k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Online grocery with local delivery

Take grocery orders online and deliver a curated range to homes in your local area.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Shopkeeper slicing cured ham on a counter in a delicatessen.

Local ham and smallgoods shop

Run a small shop selling cured and smoked hams, sliced meats and deli extras to locals and food lovers.

  • A$30k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
A courier carrying insulated bags of ready meals to a customer's front door.

Weekly meal prep subscription

Run a full-time meal prep kitchen and deliver weekly meal packs to regular subscribers.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Bowls of dried fruit and mixed nuts displayed on a shop counter.

Dried fruit and nut shop

Run a small shop selling nuts, dried fruit and snack ingredients to local home cooks.

  • A$25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Small Japanese cafe serving matcha desserts and drinks at a table.

Japanese sweets café

Run a small café serving wagashi, mochi, matcha desserts and Japanese teas to locals and visitors.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Trays of freshly baked loaves and pastries cooling in a large commercial bakery.

Wholesale bakery from your own unit

Run a small bakery unit baking bread and pastries overnight for cafes, hotels and shops.

  • A$40k-180k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Fresh apples being pressed to make cider at a rural mill.

Small-batch cider from a shed or farm

Press local apples and make small runs of cider to sell at markets, bottle shops and local pubs.

  • A$6k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Cidery with a cellar door

Run a small cidery on an orchard or in a unit, selling to pubs and shops and pouring tastings for visitors.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

About these ideas

They suit people who can fund a fit-out, have some savings set aside for slow early months, and are happy to commit to regular hours. Before choosing, think about where you would operate, how much of your budget goes on equipment versus rent and stock, and whether you enjoy daily customer contact or prefer production and wholesale. Check council, food safety and lease requirements early, because they shape both your costs and your timeline.

More ideas

Questions

What approvals should I check before opening a food business in Australia?

Check with your local council about food business registration, zoning and fit-out rules for your premises. Also look at your state or territory food safety requirements, such as a food safety supervisor or standards for your type of food. Requirements vary, so confirm locally.

How should I budget for a food business costing over $20,000?

List fit-out, commercial equipment, initial stock, licences, insurance and a lease deposit. Then add working capital to cover several months of rent and wages before sales settle. Get quotes for equipment and compare buying new with second-hand before committing.

Should I lease a shopfront or start with production only?

It depends on your concept. A café or bagel shop relies on foot traffic, while a creamery or distributor may only need a production or storage space. Check lease terms, permitted uses and whether a smaller, cheaper site could test demand first.