Event and festival soda supply

Festival and market organizers, sports clubs, community groups, wedding and event caterers, and food truck operators.

You sell drinks by the case or by the event order at a wholesale price, sometimes with a delivery fee or cooler rental. Income is seasonal, with the busiest period in the warmer months.

• Organizing orders and deliveries around event dates
• Selling and following up with organizers
• Handling heavy loads

• Seasonality, so plan for quiet winter months or add indoor events and office orders
• Check provincial deposit and recycling rules for the containers you sell
• Check whether event organizers or venues require proof of insurance
• Storing stock at home may need approval from your municipality, so check zoning and your home insurance
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Unsold stock and borrowed coolers are a risk, so agree quantities and returns in advance

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how much stock you buy, whether you need coolers and how you transport orders. Agree quantities and returns in advance to limit unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many events, markets and caterers you supply. The work is seasonal, so plan for quiet winter months or add indoor events and office orders.

Check provincial deposit and recycling rules for the containers you sell, and whether organizers or venues require proof of insurance. If you store stock at home, check municipal zoning, your home insurance and GST/HST registration.