Local condiment delivery supplier

Small cafés, diners, delis, food trucks, caterers and convenience or corner stores that are too small to get attention from big distributors.

You earn the margin between your wholesale buying price and the price you charge, plus a delivery fee or minimum order on smaller drops.

• Organizing orders, stock and routes
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Reliable customer service

• Storing food for sale may require a food business permit or inspection, and possibly FDA food facility registration, check with your health department and the FDA
• Keep stock in clean, dry storage, not an ordinary home garage, unless local rules allow it
• General liability and commercial auto insurance for a van carrying goods
• Thin margins and slow-paying customers, set clear payment terms
• Sales tax and resale certificate rules, which differ by state

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage and your delivery vehicle. Margins can be thin, so it helps to set clear payment terms with customers from the start.

Storing food for sale may require a food business permit or inspection, and possibly FDA food facility registration, so check with your health department and the FDA. Also check sales tax and resale certificate rules in your state, and whether you can store stock at home.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many cafés, delis and food trucks you serve and how often you deliver. Watch for slow-paying customers and consider general liability and commercial auto insurance.