How to start a catering business in Louth

A good fit if you can cook for a crowd and stay calm under pressure

Every birthday, office lunch, graduation and wedding needs food, and many hosts would rather hire someone than cook. Small caterers often start with drop-off trays for offices and parties, then add buffets, staff and bigger events. You'll need a licensed kitchen: catering usually can't be cooked at home.

From €1,295 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Once you're running: about €340 a month, plus about 40% of what you earn. Kitchen membership or hours, insurance and fuel every month, plus food, disposables, event staff and card fees for each event.

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

13 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1. 1

   Choose what you'll cater

   2–3 days Free

   Pick where you'll start: office lunches, parties or weddings. A short menu you can cook well for fifty people beats a long one.

   • Your first kind of event
   • A tested menu for fifty
   • What local caterers charge
2. 2

   Choose your name

   1 day Free

   Pick a name that sounds like good food and good service. Make sure no one in Louth has it.

   • 3–5 name ideas
   • Check no one else uses it
   • Check the domain

   Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
3. 3

   Register your business in Louth

   1 day to 2 weeks €0–€50

   Most owners start as a sole trader with Revenue, and register a business name if they trade under another name; a company with the CRO keeps business debts separate.

   • Register as a sole trader: free
   • Register your business name: €20
   • Form a company: €50
4. 4

   Get your Tax Reference Number (TRN)

   1–5 days Free

   Your business's tax number from Revenue, for taxes and banking.

   • Register with Revenue
   • Open a business bank account
5. 5

   Find a commercial kitchen

   1–3 weeks €260–970

   Catering usually has to be cooked in a licensed kitchen. Shared kitchens rent by the hour or by membership, often with a deposit and storage.

   • Shared kitchens near you
   • Hourly rate or membership
   • Cold and dry storage
6. 6

   Get your permits and certificate

   2–6 weeks €340–970

   Your health department issues a caterer permit for the kitchen you cook in. Many also require a certified food protection manager.

   • Caterer permit
   • Food manager certificate
   • Temporary event permits, if needed
7. 7

   Sort out VAT

   1–3 days Free

   You must register for VAT once your sales pass €42,500 a year. The rate is 23%.

   • Know when to register for VAT
   • Keep records of income and costs
   • Set money aside for income tax
8. 8

   Get insured

   1–2 days Quotes are free

   Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.

   • General and product liability
   • Liquor liability, if alcohol is served
   • Commercial auto
   • Workers' compensation, once you hire
9. 9

   Buy your equipment

   1 week €430–2.1k

   Start with chafing dishes, insulated carriers, pans and utensils. Rent tables, linens and extra gear for big events until you need your own.

   • Chafing dishes and fuel
   • Insulated carriers
   • Pans and serving utensils
10. 10

    Price per guest

    1 day Free

    Work out food cost per guest, then add staff, rentals, travel and profit. Food usually runs about a third of the price. See the prices below.

    • Food cost per guest
    • Staff and rental charges
    • A deposit to hold the date
11. 11

    Put your business online

    1 day Included

    Hosts compare caterers online. Show your menus, prices per guest, photos and an inquiry form.

    • Website with your menus
    • Inquiry form
    • Google Business Profile

    Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
12. 12

    Get your first 10 events

    2–8 weeks Free

    Start with people you know, then offices, venues and planners. Bring tastings, and ask every host for a review.

    • Tastings for offices and venues
    • Meet event planners
    • Ask every host for a review

    Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how
13. 13

    Bill and keep track

    Ongoing Included

    Take a deposit for every booking, send clear invoices, and keep each client's menu and guest count.

    • Deposits and invoices
    • Menus and guest counts
    • Repeat office clients

    Keep your customers and invoices in one place with PressUpSee how

What Louth asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

A month from now, you could be open

Common questions