Food business ideas you can run out and about
99 ideas
These 102 food business ideas take you away from a fixed shop and put you where the customers are: markets, events, street pitches and delivery rounds. They suit people who enjoy meeting the public, can cope with early starts and weather, and would rather test a product before committing to premises.
Party buffet served at the venue
Bring, set up and serve the buffet at halls and homes, so parents can enjoy the party.
- £1k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local seafood delivery round for restaurants
Buy fresh fish and shellfish from ports or markets and deliver by chilled van to local restaurants and caterers.
- £6k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Market stall butcher and deli
Sell meat, cured meats, cheeses and prepared foods from a chilled stall at local markets, without paying for a shop.
- £5k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Market stall tea seller
Sell loose-leaf tea and gift tins from a stall at markets, fairs and local events.
- £1k-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Sweet stall at markets and events
Sell loose sweets and chocolates from a stall at markets, fairs and local events, with no shop lease.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Beer brand using a contract brewery
Create your own beer brand, have it brewed at an existing brewery and sell it locally.
- £5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local sweet wholesale delivery round
Buy sweets and chocolate in bulk and deliver to corner shops, cafes and vending operators in your area.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Paan stall for markets and events
Serve fresh paan from a small stall at markets, festivals and weddings, with far lower costs than a shop.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fishmonger market stall
Sell fresh fish and shellfish from a stall at local markets and farmers' markets.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile fish van round
Take fresh fish to villages and estates on a regular weekly round from a refrigerated van.
- £8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Doughnut stall at markets and events
Make doughnuts at a rented kitchen and sell them warm at local markets, fairs and events.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fruit and fresh juice market stall
Sell fresh fruit, cups of cut fruit and juices from a stall at local markets and events.
- £1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Event sweet and dessert buffets
Style and supply sweet tables and dessert buffets for weddings, birthdays and parties.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Oyster delivery round for restaurants and fishmongers
Buy live oysters from growers and deliver them fresh to local restaurants, pubs, fishmongers and delis.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Milk and dairy delivery round for cafes and shops
Buy milk, cream, butter and eggs from a wholesaler and deliver them to local cafes, shops and caterers on a regular round.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile apple pressing days
Bring a press to orchards, villages and community groups and turn their apples into juice or cider for a fee.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fruit wholesale delivery rounds
Buy fresh fruit from the wholesale market and deliver it by van to local cafes, greengrocers and restaurants.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Office and home water delivery round
Deliver bottled water and refills to offices, shops and homes on a regular route.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Seasonal rock stall or kiosk
Sell rock and sweets from a market stall, kiosk or seafront pitch through the busy months.
- £1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local craft beer distributor with a van
Collect beer from small local brewers and deliver it to pubs, bars and shops in your area.
- £8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Fruit and veg market stall
Sell fresh fruit and veg from a stall at local markets, with lower costs than a shop and room to test demand.
- £1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Condiments wholesaler to cafés and shops
Buy sauces and dressings in bulk from producers and deliver them to local cafés, delis and restaurants.
- £1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Charcuterie online and market stall
Sell cured meats and charcuterie boxes through a market stall and online, using a shared kitchen or approved producer.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Market stall and wholesale baker
Bake in a rented or home kitchen and sell at farmers' markets, fairs and to local cafes and delis.
- £1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Out and about
About these ideas
You might look at a soup stall at markets and events, a mobile coffee cart or bike, or a fresh pasta market stall. Before choosing, think about what you can realistically make or buy in, how you will store and transport it, and where you could trade regularly. Pitch fees, vehicle or equipment costs and the hours you can commit will shape which idea is practical. Start by watching a few local markets to see what is already sold and what gap you could fill.
More ideas
- Event caterer working on site
- Office lunch and meeting caterer
- Cookie stall at markets and events
- Ham and cured meat market stall
- Bottled water for events and building sites
- Local frozen dessert delivery round
- Rice and grain delivery to local restaurants and shops
- Local craft drinks distributor
- Local fizzy drinks delivery round
- Craft soft drinks supplier for local venues
- Bagged ice delivery for bars and events
- Pop-up restaurant nights
- Local meat wholesaler with a chilled van
- Local farm meat supplier to restaurants and shops
- Pie stall at markets and events
- Specialist food supplier to local cafés and delis
- In-home personal chef
- Dessert stall for markets and events
- Specialist food supplier to local cafes
- Street food market stall
- Food cart or kiosk on a regular pitch
- Grocery wholesale delivery round
- Japanese sweets market stall
- Local bottled water delivery round
- Butcher's market stall or van
- Fresh produce delivery to local cafes and restaurants
- Pre-order produce supplier for small food businesses
- Vegan pop-up or supper club
- Juice and smoothie stall
- Hot dog stall at markets and events
- Steamed bun market stall
- Vegetarian pop-up and supper club
- Wedding street food and mobile catering
- Dessert pop-up and supper nights
- Gourmet popcorn at markets and events
- Churro stall for markets and events
- Panipuri market and festival stall
- Mobile coffee cart or van
- Pop-up ham and charcuterie bar
- Pop-up art cafe in shared spaces
- Cheese stall at local markets
- Nut and dried fruit market stall
- Market and event food stall
- Rice cracker and Asian snack market stall
- Takoyaki stall at markets and events
- Gourmet food market stall
- Deli market stall
- Açaí bowl market stall
- Fresh pasta market stall
- Coffee cart or pop-up cafe
- Pop-up chocolate bar at markets and events
- Regular hot dog cart or trailer pitch
- Mobile snack bar trailer
- Soup stall at markets and events
- Food van or trailer
- Takoyaki for parties and private events
- Seasonal ice cream kiosk or hatch
- Mobile smoothie bar for events and markets
- Rice cake market stall
- Local milkround by electric van
- Bagel stall at markets and events
- Pop-up teahouse in halls and venues
- Hong Kong cafe pop-up or market stall
- Mobile coffee cart or bike
- Bubble tea stall for markets and events
- Pop-up family cafe sessions
- Vegetarian deli market stall
- Pretzel stall for markets and events
- Brazilian pastel market stall
- Weekend pop-up comic café
- Pop-up Chinese tea stall and tastings
- Spice stall at markets and fairs
- Pop-up cosplay café at events and venues
- Frozen food home delivery service
- Mobile frozen yoghurt cart or trailer
Questions
What should I check before selling food at markets or events in the UK?
Check whether you need to register your food business with your local council, what food hygiene and allergen information is expected, and what insurance the market or event organiser asks for. Requirements can vary, so confirm details with your council and the organiser.
Do I need a licence to trade from a mobile food stall or cart?
It depends on where and how you trade. Street trading often needs permission or a consent from the local council, and private events or markets may have their own rules. Check with each council area you plan to work in before buying equipment.
How can I keep start-up costs low for an out-and-about food business?
Consider starting with a simple stall, a small product range and hired or second-hand equipment. Trying a few markets before buying a vehicle or custom cart helps you test demand. Also check pitch fees, insurance, storage and transport costs so nothing surprises you.