22 Best Business Ideas For Waiters & Servers [2024]
Are you a waiter looking to capitalize on your skills and knowledge?
There are plenty of business ideas for waiters that can help you achieve financial independence.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best business ideas for waiters.
Whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or a full-time business, these ideas will help you turn your passion for food and hospitality into a successful venture.
1. Start a catering business
A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.
Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.
However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.
To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.
In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.
How much you can make: $3,750 — $48,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Elegante Catering founder, Nestor Nidome, details his journey from failed DJ business to a $20k/month catering company, emphasizing the importance of online marketing and customer feedback as key contributors to his success.
2. Start a food delivery business
In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.
The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.
You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
3. Start a healthy meal delivery service
Meal prep delivery services offer healthy and nutritional meals to customers via e-commerce sites.
These services provide either DIY meal kits or Ready-to-eat meals, saving time and eliminating food waste.
They are particularly beneficial for busy people and health-conscious millennials who prefer nutritional food at home.
There are two types of meal services: online meal kits and fast food delivery services.
A meal prep delivery business can be profitable, especially when compared to restaurants, as they save costs on a storefront.
To make a good profit, one should invest less in groceries and ensure they have many customers.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $25,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)
Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.
4. Start a packaged foods business
A packaged foods business involves the production and sale of pre-packaged food items that are ready for consumption. This type of business can encompass a range of products, including snacks, convenience meals, canned goods, and frozen items.
Entrepreneurs in this field focus on creating appealing and convenient food options for consumers. They strive to provide tasty and convenient food solutions to meet the growing demand for quick and easy meals in today's busy world.
Given the fast-paced lifestyle of people today, the packaged foods business presents a profitable opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on this trend and cater to the needs of busy consumers seeking quick and satisfying food options.
How much you can make: $80,000 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 82 days (?)
Jaju Pierogi started off as a side hustle at farmers' markets and festivals back in 2016, and as of August 2022, they are in multiple grocery chains and over 650 specialty independent stores with a monthly revenue hovering between $80,000-$100,000.
5. Start a food truck
Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.
To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.
How much you can make: $29,166 — $61,650,000/month
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
6. Start a coffee cafe business
A coffee shop is a popular spot for customers to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, tea, and light snacks in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
These cafes are typically furnished with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a pleasant ambiance that provides a relaxed environment for people to gather, work or unwind.
To succeed in this business, it is essential to offer high-quality coffee, create a pleasant atmosphere, and provide excellent customer service.
With the increasing demand for specialty coffee experiences, starting a coffee cafe can be a lucrative business opportunity that caters to the widespread love for coffee and the need for communal spaces to enjoy it.
How much you can make: $13,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Chicago based Ignite Technology and Innovation-owned Momentum Coffee & Coworking, which focuses on coffee, coworking, community, and event space, rakes in about $17-20k a month in revenue, mostly from online and offline advertising, and just celebrated their first anniversary, with plans to open 2 more locations in Chicago in under-resourced communities.
7. Start a specialty bakery
Specialty bakeries are renowned for their exceptional quality baked goods, crafted with an unparalleled level of skill and precision.
These bakeries offer a diverse range of unique products that go beyond the usual fare found in regular bakeries.
From handcrafted fondant pieces and edible flowers to elaborately tiered cakes and custom-made wedding cakes, specialty bakeries are experts in creating a variety of one-of-a-kind baked goods that are guaranteed to please any palate.
These bakeries are committed to providing their customers with an extensive selection of options that cater to their individual preferences, dietary requirements, and special occasions.
Whether you're searching for a stunning cake for a special event or simply want to indulge in some luxurious treats, specialty bakeries are the perfect choice for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
How much you can make: $80,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
8. Open an ice cream parlour
Ice cream is something that people of all ages equally enjoy globally, making it a profitable business to venture into.
This frozen dessert industry has registered massive growth in recent years, a trend that shows the industry’s potential.
If you are looking to start your ice cream business, follow these steps:
- Decide whether to make your ice cream or to source from established ice cream brands
- Write an effective business plan for the ice cream shop detailing the goals, strategies, and plans
- Fund your business idea
- Choose a spacious shop in an area with plenty of foot traffic
- Offer different ice cream flavors
Opening an ice cream parlor is not easy work. However, if you do it right, it is rewarding and can be a lot of fun.
How much you can make: $16,000/month
The Good Scoop, a California-based artisanal ice cream shop, started with a small Italian countertop ice cream maker and now has a production facility, wholesaling to various venues, offering frequent scooper programs, and using Instagram as their primary advertising platform.
9. Start a fast food drive-thru
A fast-food drive-thru is a type of quick-service restaurant that allows customers to place and receive their food orders without leaving their vehicles.
The concept involves a dedicated lane for cars to drive up to a menu board, interact with an intercom system to place their orders, and then pick up their food at a window.
This business model has gained popularity because it caters to the fast-paced lifestyles of today, offering convenience and efficiency for customers on the go.
As a result, there is a high demand for the services provided by drive-thru restaurants, leading to repeat business and a lucrative industry.
How much you can make: $61,650,000/month
Shake Shack went from a single hot dog stand to a global fast food chain with over 270 locations thanks to its fresh, high-quality, and delicious food at an incredible price.
10. Start a beverages business
A beverage business involves producing and selling various kinds of drinks to consumers.
These drinks may include soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and more.
The business can operate either as a manufacturer, creating its own unique drinks, or as a distributor, selling popular brands to retailers.
Success in the beverage business often depends on understanding consumer preferences, creating high-quality products, and establishing effective distribution channels.
Whether it’s a small coffee shop or a large global soda brand, a beverage business plays a vital role in providing refreshing and enjoyable drinks to people in various settings.
How much you can make: $500 — $200,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.
11. Start a healthy snack food business
Businesses with healthy snacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is because people are becoming more conscious of what they eat and the ingredients used in their food products.
Compared to a few decades ago, more people value health over anything else. A tasty snack food business can be a great way to turn your passion for snacking into profit.
The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152B by 2030, and there’s no sign of this slowing down. Healthy snacks can include anything from protein bars to gluten/dairy-free alternatives to chips, cookies, crackers, and more.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.
12. Start a food subscription box
Welcome to the exciting world of food subscription boxes! This innovative business idea allows customers to receive a curated selection of delicious and often hard-to-find items delivered straight to their doorstep regularly.
Here’s how it works: customers sign up for a subscription plan, choosing from weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries. They can then select their preferred food categories, such as vegan, gluten-free, or international cuisine, and the company will curate a selection of products based on their preferences.
The beauty of food subscription boxes is that they cater to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences, making them a perfect gift for any foodie or someone looking to try new and unique items. They also offer a convenient and hassle-free way for customers to discover and enjoy new flavors and products without spending hours scouring the grocery store or specialty shops.
Starting a food subscription box business requires research and planning, but it can be lucrative and fulfilling. You’ll need to source high-quality products, create a visually appealing and user-friendly website, and establish a solid marketing plan to attract and retain customers.
So, a food subscription box business could be the perfect fit if you’re a foodie passionate about curating and sharing amazing products. With a bit of creativity and hard work, you’ll be able to create a loyal customer base and bring joy and flavor to the lives of food enthusiasts everywhere.
How much you can make: $10,000/month
Italian food subscription box service, EatTiamo, delivers monthly boxes of carefully selected Italian delicacies to 300 American families across the US, with the aim of reaching a break-even point of 1,000 boxes per month by 2020.
13. Start a meal planning business
Couples, individuals, and families often find themselves in the “what’s for dinner dilemma.” Thus, finding help on what to cook for dinner or what groceries to bring home for their next meal can be a relief.
If you are a meal planning specialist or a registered dietitian, starting an online meal planning portal can be helpful to thousands of people who find themselves struggling with what to cook. To start, learn the tips you need to expertly plan meals. Then, configure your online meal planning portal and focus on getting the audience to your website.
Drive traffic to the portal through a blog or guest posting about the portal on other platforms.
How much you can make: $62,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 227 days (?)
Nourishing Brands is a direct-to-consumer media company that generates more than $600k per month and sold over 300,000 cookbooks in 2020 through their popular health websites like KetoSummit.com by transitioning from digital events to cookbooks, evergreen courses, and paid media.
14. Start a soft drink business
A soft drink business is a type of venture that involves the production and sale of non-alcoholic beverages that are often carbonated and provide a refreshing and enjoyable experience for consumers.
These drinks come in various flavors, sizes, and packaging, catering to a wide range of preferences.
The popularity and widespread consumption of soft drinks create a stable market with the potential for growth, making it a profitable business opportunity.
Entrepreneurs who start a soft drink business can take advantage of this evergreen market by offering unique flavors, building a brand, and catering to the refreshment needs of diverse customers.
How much you can make: $25,000 — $200,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 250 days (?)
Perfy, a low-sugar soda company, gained traction in the market with online marketplaces like Snack Magic and Amazon and is about to break $75k in revenue without any ad spend within their first 5 months of operation.
15. Start a bartending service
Bartending service involves providing drinks and mixers to customers at events, bars, restaurants, and other venues. To start a bartending service, you must obtain a liquor license and hire trained bartenders.
It is essential to have a strong understanding of different types of alcohol, mixers, and popular drink recipes. Successfully operating a bartending service requires excellent customer service skills and the ability to handle high-stress environments.
Employment for bartenders is expected to grow by 9% from 2019 to 2029. To stand out in the competitive bartending industry, continuously educate yourself on new drink trends and techniques.
A bartending service can be a lucrative and rewarding business idea for those passionate about mixology and customer service. You can operate a successful bartending service by providing high-quality service and continuously learning and adapting.
16. Start a catering service
Catering has a ton of money-making potential. If you're interested in starting your own business, you may want to consider opening a catering company. There are a lot of reasons why you might want to go with this. You can choose who you work with and where your services will be offered. You don't have to worry about finding customers, as they will come to you.
You'll require some initial capital to purchase some equipment—namely, pots and pans for cooking, as well as plates, cups, and utensils for serving food. You may also want to invest in a small refrigerator or cooler for storing perishables.
For your catering business, you’ll also need to hire staff who will perform multiple operations for you such as cooking, serving, cleaning, etc.
In the beginning, you’ll need some contacts like your friends or family at whose family or corporate events you can serve. If you manage to offer quality services your clients will refer you to their acquaintances and your business can grow on word-of-mouth advertising. Also, you can consider investing in social media marketing to reach your local audience at a low cost & in a short time.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
Learn how Spork Bytes, a catering delivery service, addressed the problem of monotonous office lunches by partnering with local restaurants, resulting in annual revenues of $2 million in 2018 and an anticipated growth rate of 50% in 2019.
17. Start a self-service hotels business
A self-service hotel allows guests to independently check-in, check-out, and access their rooms without staff assistance.
This type of lodging is becoming increasingly popular among travelers due to its cost-effectiveness and convenience.
From a business perspective, self-service hotels are profitable as they reduce staffing costs and allow for a more streamlined operation, resulting in higher profits.
However, it is essential to ensure that the facility is equipped with automated systems and robust security measures to provide guests with a safe and comfortable experience.
18. Start a pizza boxes business
The pizza industry is thriving, and as a result, the demand for pizza boxes is constantly increasing.
This presents a lucrative business opportunity for those who are interested in venturing into the pizza box manufacturing and sales business.
Pizza boxes are typically made from corrugated cardboard and come in different sizes to accommodate various pizza sizes.
As a business owner, you can supply high-quality, affordable boxes to restaurants and pizzerias, attracting a large customer base and generating a steady stream of income.
This business is not only profitable but also sustainable since pizza is a popular food item worldwide, and the demand for pizza boxes is expected to continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
19. Start a dessert bar business
A dessert bar business is a delightful venture where you create and sell a variety of sweet treats in a dedicated space.
Imagine a cozy and inviting place filled with tempting desserts like cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more.
Customers can enjoy these delectable treats in a charming setting, making it a sweet escape from their daily routines.
With the ever-growing demand for indulgent desserts and the potential for creative offerings, a dessert bar presents a lucrative business opportunity, satisfying people’s sweet cravings and providing a joyful experience for all.
20. Start a restaurant menu business
A restaurant menus business involves designing, creating, and printing menus for restaurants, cafes, and other dining establishments.
You will work closely with restaurant owners to craft visually appealing and informative menus that showcase the establishment’s offerings.
By providing a professional and enticing menu, the restaurant menus business helps restaurants attract customers and enhance their overall dining experience.
The opportunity is lucrative due to the continuous demand for menu updates, redesigns, and high-quality prints. This is because restaurants strive to stay competitive and maintain an attractive presentation for their customers.
21. Start an organic food tasting business
An organic food-tasting business is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs who are passionate about promoting healthy eating habits. In this venture, you can invite people to try out a variety of organic and locally sourced foods in a guided tasting setting.
As the owner of such a business, you would be responsible for organizing tasting events where customers can explore the unique flavors and benefits of organic products, ranging from fresh produce to artisanal snacks.
This business is highly profitable due to the increasing demand for healthier and sustainable food options. By catering to the growing interest in organic lifestyles and mindful eating habits, you can tap into the expanding market of health-conscious consumers seeking high-quality, organic food alternatives.
Providing a delightful and educational experience can help you stand out and build a loyal customer base. This is an excellent opportunity to promote healthy eating habits and contribute to the growing awareness of the benefits of organic and locally sourced foods.
22. Start a dinner party business
A dinner party business involves organizing and hosting private gatherings for clients, providing a complete dining experience in the comfort of their homes or at a chosen venue.
This business handles everything from menu planning and food preparation to table settings and event coordination.
By offering a hassle-free and personalized dining experience, individuals can celebrate special occasions or entertain guests without the stress of planning and execution.
This is a lucrative business opportunity because it taps the growing demand for convenient and memorable social events, saving clients time while providing a unique and enjoyable experience.
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
