Event and catering equipment rental with a small unit
Stock ovens, warmers, tents, tables and china in a rented unit and supply caterers and event planners.
- $80k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
10,248 US businesses with employees in this field, +6.8% in a year
NAICS 532490 “Other commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A full-time rental operation from a small warehouse or industrial unit with a wider range of equipment: commercial warmers, portable ovens, coffee urns, tables, chairs, china, glassware and linens. You deliver with a van or truck and handle returns and cleaning.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local caterers and event planners about what gear they struggle to rent and what they would pay
- Price out a unit in an industrial area, a delivery van and a first inventory of the most-requested items
- Set up an LLC, get an EIN, and build a simple online catalog with booking requests
Who pays
Caterers, wedding and event planners, corporate event managers, venues without in-house gear and private hosts.
How it makes money
Rental fees per item or package, delivery and setup charges, and repeat contracts with caterers and planners who need gear on a regular basis.
Skills that help
- Inventory and scheduling management
- Driving and loading a van or truck
- Sales and relationship building with caterers and planners
- Bookkeeping and pricing
Watch out for
- Check zoning and your lease for permitted use, storage and customer pickups
- General liability, commercial auto and property insurance; workers' compensation once you hire
- Check state and local sales tax rules for rentals and whether you need a seller's permit
- Commercial cooking gear may carry gas or electrical safety needs for customers; make sure your agreement sets out who is responsible
- Cash flow is tight in the first year because inventory, a van and the unit deposit are large upfront costs and demand is seasonal
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: event and catering equipment rental with a small unit
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 catering equipment rental business with a warehouse?
Startup costs are typically around $80,000 to $250,000, depending on the range of equipment, the van or truck and the unit deposit. Inventory, a vehicle and deposits are all large upfront costs.
How much can an event equipment rental business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your equipment range, pricing and how many caterers and planners you serve. Demand is seasonal, so cash flow can be tight in the first year.
What rules should I check before starting an equipment rental business from a unit?
Check zoning and your lease for permitted use, storage and customer pickups. Also check state and local sales tax rules for rentals, whether you need a seller's permit, and insurance such as general liability, commercial auto and property cover.
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