Beginner’s Guide on Starting a Takeaway Business in the United Kingdom

Starting a Takeaway Business in the United KingdomThe pandemic slowed down many businesses, but some saw it as an opportunity. The new normal is upon us, where even if most people have been vaccinated, we have been living our daily lives, still being wary of the virus. Thus, the way that business is done has changed, and one of the great ideas in today’s time would be starting a takeaway business.

A takeaway business can come in many forms, from a restaurant to a street food vendor. Since the idea is to specifically avoid people from getting sick, you will have to work on hygiene along with your ingredients. In this article, we look at the trends and the official process of starting a takeaway business in the United Kingdom.

 

What is a Takeaway Business?

A takeaway business is like any other food business, but what sets it apart is how people take the food away rather than eating it on the premises. Furthermore, takeaway businesses may deliver the food to their customer’s doorsteps. Many existing food places have now implemented takeaway services in their offering.

What makes a takeaway business special for budding entrepreneurs is how they can start it with very low initial investments. You can now start a takeaway business from home. Also, since now customers don’t necessarily want to go to fancy restaurants, there is a common ground for competition. All you need to do is offer great food and let the times take care of the rest.

 

Takeaway Business Trends in the United Kingdom

Before starting a takeaway business, it is essential for you to weigh out your options and see what your competitors are doing at the moment. Here are the takeaway business trends in the United Kingdom:

Digital Marketing

The pandemic was somehow a blessing for companies that could offer services from closed doors and master online marketing. So, this is the first trend and necessity; how you market your services will decide how much you will be able to sell in the coming days. You will have to understand the concepts of SEO, Social Media Marketing, and even Email Marketing if possible. Furthermore, learn about local SEO. This will allow your business information to pop out at the top of Google Search Results when customers look for food places in your area.

Delivery Services

There is a reason companies like Uber were the most successful in the last decade. Customers are always looking for convenience, an easier way to buy products. Also, delivery apps provide you with a platform for selling your food items to more people than you normally could.

If you are an established business or have enough money, you can start your own delivery service as well. This will help you keep your budget in check, as delivery apps charge a percentage of your profits. However, if you are just starting, it is better to partner with them, as you will get more time to prepare your food.

Food Blogs and Apps

Food is one of the most popular niches for content-based websites. Go to YouTube and search for any food-related videos; the chances are that the views will be in thousands or even millions. The same goes for websites that share about food places and restaurants.

There are many food blogs and bloggers in the United Kingdom. You can build connections with them and invite them to taste your food. Also, list your company on various business listing websites, and request your customers to provide reviews and feedback on those websites for more visibility.

Meal Planning and Lunch Services

Here is a pro tip from our experts at 3E Accounting: don’t focus on getting new customers, but focus on keeping your customers with you. Of course, offering sumptuous meals is essential for that, but another way for that would be to offer meal planning services.

You can create a lunch menu, one that people can subscribe to, and get lunch delivered to their footsteps every day. Now, for this, you may have to offer special discounts, but this also means you will attract more customers. However, to offer meal planning services, you will need a good home delivery service provider.

Microwavable Packaging

Offering microwavable food is also a part of the new normal. You see, one of the issues with home delivery is that some food goes cold till the time it reaches your customer’s footsteps. Furthermore, many people are spending more time in the grocery store than in food places, in a quest to prepare their own healthy food.

Now, offering microwavable packaging can just be the best solution for both the above problems. After all, you will be selling food that people can warm at any time, and you will also be able to sell the food for groceries.

 

The Process of Starting a Takeaway Business in the United Kingdom

For starting a takeaway business, you should first conduct market research and plan your business accordingly. Find the right location and settle on a menu. You should also have an alternative menu if the first one doesn’t have as many results as you expect. Having a marketing plan also helps.

After you have done your homework, the next step is actually registering your business. It consists of choosing a company type, and a company name, and fulfilling the statutory requirements. Registration can especially be confusing, especially for first-timers if they don’t have prior experience. So, you should rather work with a corporate service provider. Anyway, here is a complete guide to United Kingdom company registration.

After registering your business, you also need to apply for corporate taxes.

 

Licences Needed for a Takeaway Business in the United Kingdom

Any business related to food is highly monitored in the United Kingdom. The country is known to have stringent health and hygiene requirements for the well-being of consumers.

You will need licences and then follow health and safety guidelines to ensure you are preparing and offering the highest quality of food available. You can contact a lawyer or a corporate service provider in the United Kingdom to ensure you have every licence that you need.

England and Wales

  • Food Business Registration for any type of ‘food operations’ in a food business.
  • Premises licence for carrying out ‘licensable activities at a particular venue.
  • A Temporary Event Notice for conducting ‘licensable activity on unlicensed premises.
  • Notification of Food Marketing for particular nutritional uses.
  • Food Premises Approval if you want to sell or handle meat, fish, egg or dairy products.
  • Street Trading licence for trading in the street.
  • Pavement licence to advertise on the pavement.
  • Child Work Permit if you want to employ teens or children to help you out with the business.
  • Personal licence to sell alcohol.
  • Pedlar’s Certificate to trade while on foot.

Scotland

  • Food Business Registration for carrying out ‘food operations.’
  • An Occasional licence if you want to sell alcohol from unlicensed premises.
  • Extended Hours Application to get late hours catering licence for selling food or drinks between 11 pm and 5 am.
  • Permission to Place Tables and Chairs in the Road.
  • Permission to Use Street or Pavement Space for display advertisements and banners.
  • Premises licence for carrying out ‘licensable activities at a particular premise.
  • Street Trader’s licence.
  • Pedlar’s certificate.
  • Personal licence to sell alcohol from licenced premises.
  • Food premises approval to handle meat, fish, egg or dairy products.

Northern Ireland

    • Food business registration for carrying out a food business.
    • Fish dealer’s licence.
    • A Street Trading Licence for trading in the street in Northern Ireland.
    • Licence to sell alcohol.
    • Food premises approval for sites that handle meat, fish, egg or dairy products.
    • Pedlar’s certificate.

Other Requirements

In addition to the licences, you will need food hygiene training. It has three levels, and you have to take one based on how closely you will directly contact the food. Also, you need to conduct regular health and safety risk assessments, and sometimes, the FSA can demand to look into your premises.

Other than that, you will need valid employer liability insurance, documented food safety management system, and a health and safety policy document if you have more than five employees. Your facility also needs to have separate hand and pot washing facilities. Contact a United Kingdom company incorporation service provider to get an insight into every legal requirement of running a particular type of food business.

Starting a Takeaway Business in the United Kingdom

 

Conclusion

The pandemic definitely has had negative effects on the economy and daily lives, but it will never end humans’ longing for good food. Thus, people will always find new ways to get and deliver food, even if the outdoors aren’t as active as ever before. Starting a takeaway business can be very profitable if you have the right menu and a good marketing plan.

Therefore, 3E Accounting United Kingdom is a leading corporate service provider assisting entrepreneurs in setting up and operating their companies. You can contact us if you want any assistance in registering your company, taxes, and licences. We are a group of seasoned professionals who can help you with any of your professional requirements.