Milk and dairy delivery round for cafes

Cafes, restaurants, bakeries, delis, corner shops and caterers that need fresh dairy several times a week.

You earn the margin between your wholesale buying price and your delivered price, often with standing weekly orders. Margins per item are thin, so a tight, busy route matters.

• Reliable early-morning driving
• Route planning and order tracking
• Building relationships with business customers
• Basic bookkeeping and invoicing

• Dairy is regulated by state food authorities, so check with your state's dairy or food regulator whether you need a licence or registration to transport and distribute it
• Food business registration with your local council, and any food safety supervisor or training requirements
• Keeping products at safe temperatures: a faulty fridge unit or a missed delivery can mean waste and lost customers
• Slow-paying customers and thin margins, so check your cash flow before taking on large accounts
• Public liability, vehicle and goods in transit insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the van, refrigeration and how much stock you buy. It is worth checking your cash flow before taking on large accounts.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many cafes and shops you supply. Margins can be thin and slow-paying customers affect cash flow, so check your numbers first.

Check with your state's dairy or food regulator whether you need a licence or registration to transport and distribute dairy. Also check council food business registration, food safety supervisor requirements, and vehicle and goods in transit insurance.