Local food wholesaler with a small unit and van

Cafés, restaurants, takeaways, caterers, corner shops and community venues that buy regularly on trade accounts.

Margin on the goods you resell. Revenue grows with the number of regular accounts, bigger average orders and efficient delivery routes.

• Sales and account management
• Stock control and ordering
• Driving and route planning
• Basic bookkeeping and credit control

• Food business registration with your local council and inspections of the premises
• Cold chain and food safety rules for chilled and frozen goods, so check requirements with your council and state food authority
• Zoning and lease terms for your unit, and any council approvals needed
• Public liability, product liability, stock and vehicle insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Cash flow pressure from paying suppliers before customers pay you
• GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the unit you rent, shelving, any chilled or frozen storage, your delivery vehicle and how much stock you buy. These are estimates, not quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your product range, the number of trade customers and order sizes. That is revenue before costs. The estimate assumes about 35 hours a week or more.

Check food business registration and premises inspections with your council, plus cold chain and food safety rules for chilled and frozen goods. Also check zoning and lease terms, insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and GST registration.