Dairy delivery route for cafes and restaurants

Independent cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, delis and small grocers that want reliable local delivery.

You mark up wholesale prices on each order and may add a delivery fee. Regular weekly drop-offs on a tight route keep your costs per stop down.

• Reliable early-morning driving
• Route planning and record keeping
• Building relationships with business owners

• State and local licensing for milk distributors and food storage, which differs by state, so check with your state agriculture or health department
• Cold-chain rules: product must stay at safe temperatures, so check requirements for your refrigerated vehicle
• General liability and product liability insurance, plus commercial auto cover for the van
• Thin margins and late-paying customers, so set clear payment terms
• If you store product in a warehouse, check whether FDA food facility registration applies

Startup costs are typically around $12,000 to $55,000, depending on your refrigerated van, first stock purchases, insurance and any storage. These are estimates, so get quotes for a suitable vehicle before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many cafes, shops and restaurants you serve and what they order. Margins can be thin and some customers pay late, so set clear payment terms.

Check state and local licensing for milk distributors and food storage with your state agriculture or health department. Also check cold-chain requirements for your refrigerated vehicle, and whether FDA food facility registration applies if you store product in a warehouse.