Local wholesale food and drink supplier

Cafes, restaurants, caterers, food trucks, pubs and function venues that want reliable delivery and a personal service.

You buy at wholesale or bulk prices and sell at a margin, with regular standing orders from repeat customers. Delivery fees or minimum order values can add to the margin.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Building relationships with customers
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Food business registration with your local council, and food safety rules for storing and transporting food (check your state's requirements)
• Storage needs: chilled and frozen goods need proper temperature control, and home storage may not be approved by your council
• Liquor licensing if you supply alcohol, which is set by your state or territory
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus vehicle and goods-in-transit cover
• Tight margins and slow-paying customers, so check payment terms and cash flow carefully

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your vehicle, storage, stock and the product range you choose. This is an estimate only, so get quotes for chilled storage and insurance before committing.

Check food business registration with your local council and your state's food safety rules for storing and transporting food. Also check whether home storage is approved for chilled goods, whether you need liquor licensing for alcohol, and what insurance you need.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your customers, product range and delivery area. These are revenue estimates, not profit. Margins can be tight and customers can pay slowly, so check payment terms and cash flow carefully.