Local food supply round for cafés and restaurants
Buy produce and everyday ingredients in bulk and run regular deliveries to local venues.
- A$15k-70k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A regular delivery service supplying kitchens with fresh produce, dairy, dry goods or other staple ingredients bought from markets and wholesalers. You build a set round of customers and deliver on fixed days using a van or refrigerated vehicle.
Your first three steps
- Choose a delivery area and the types of venues you will supply, then talk to a few chefs about what they struggle to get
- Set up accounts with a produce market or wholesalers and compare prices
- Arrange a suitable vehicle, insurance and a simple ordering and invoicing system, then offer trial deliveries
Who pays
Cafés, restaurants, pubs, catering businesses, aged care kitchens and school canteens.
How it makes money
A margin on each item sold, with steady repeat orders. Volume matters, so adding more customers on the same delivery route improves earnings.
Skills that help
- Early starts and reliable timekeeping
- Driving and route planning
- Customer service
- Managing stock and invoices
Watch out for
- Food business registration with your local council, and check what your state requires for transporting and storing food
- Cold chain rules for chilled or frozen goods, a refrigerated vehicle may be needed
- Vehicle, goods in transit and public liability insurance
- Thin margins and customers who pay late, so check payment terms
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire a driver or helper
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: local food supply round for cafés and restaurants
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a food supply delivery round?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your vehicle, whether you need refrigeration, your first stock purchases and insurance. Late-paying customers can also strain cash flow.
How much can a food supply delivery business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your customer round, product mix and delivery days. Margins can be thin. Estimates assume about 30 hours a week.
What rules should I check before supplying food to kitchens?
Check food business registration with your council and what your state requires for transporting and storing food. Check cold chain rules, since a refrigerated vehicle may be needed, and look into vehicle, goods in transit and public liability insurance.
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