Deli platters and lunch orders
Prepare deli-style sandwich trays, meat and cheese platters and salads to order for offices and gatherings.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A pre-order deli business without a shop. You make sandwich trays, charcuterie-style platters and salads in a licensed kitchen, then deliver or arrange pickup.
Your first three steps
- Check with your public health unit and municipality whether your home kitchen can be used, or find a licensed commercial or shared kitchen to rent
- Create a short menu of 5 to 8 items with costed prices, and photograph sample platters
- Contact local offices, realtors and community groups with a sample offer and a simple order form
Who pays
Offices ordering team lunches, families hosting gatherings, and small event organizers.
How it makes money
A set price per platter or tray, with per-person pricing for larger orders and a delivery fee where it makes sense.
Skills that help
- Food preparation and presentation
- Costing and pricing
- Organizing orders and deliveries
- Marketing through social media and local networking
Watch out for
- Selling food from a home kitchen is restricted or not allowed in many places, so check your provincial and local rules before you start
- Food handler certification and a permit from your public health unit
- Commercial general liability insurance and clear allergen labelling
- Keeping cold food safe during delivery
- A home-based business licence may be needed from your municipality
- In Quebec, check French-language labelling requirements
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: deli platters and lunch orders
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 deli platter business in Canada?
Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your kitchen arrangements, equipment and packaging. These figures are estimates only. Get quotes for your own setup, including delivery supplies that keep cold food safe.
How much can a deli platter and lunch order business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many office, family and event orders you win and your pricing. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week. These are estimates, not guarantees.
Can I run a deli platter business from my home kitchen in Canada?
Selling food from a home kitchen is restricted or not allowed in many places, so check your provincial and local rules first. Also check food handler certification, a public health unit permit, insurance, allergen labelling, any municipal home-based licence, and Quebec French-language labelling.
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