This system delivers lunch physically to office workers of Mumbai who can’t go home during the lunch time. And you would be surprised to know that about 8 million lunches are delivered by these “Dabbawalas”(delivery persons) everyday without using any technology.
The same case study became an inspiration for the founder of an Eat club and today it is the leading corporate catering service in the USA.
Employees and workers of San Francisco love how it serves a delectable lunch with just a few taps on a mobile phone.
Those who don’t know Eat Club, It is a renowned online office food delivery service in the USA which provides meals for the office workers at lunch time.
On-demand lunch delivery is a treat for the employees and workers who don’t have time to pack their snacks or lunch from home.
Case Study: Dejbox
The rest is history!
Dexbox expanded its corporate catering to Paris and Lyon. It garnered $2.3 million as another fund from the Partech and Leap ventures to serve other cities of France.
During the Fist 18 months, Dejbox generated $1.4 million revenue, $4.5 million in 2017, and $11.3 million in 2018.
Reference: Tech Crunch
USPs of Dejbox
- The delivery person of the meals drives the truck with 100 to 150 meals to the corporate areas.
- Dejbox always target the most promising companies to take their services
- The start-ups always empower their delivery staff. They get informed about how much revenue they have generated for the company.
Now, this article is not about finding the best corporate lunch catering services but to know how to start this business in your city.
- How to start an office lunch delivery business?
- What steps should I follow to make this business flourishing?
Then this blog for you
- Steps to Starting Your Office Food Delivery Business
- How Does an Online Office Food Delivery Work?
- The Business Model of the Corporate Catering Service
- Big Players in the Lunch Delivery System
- What Is the Scope of This Business?
Let’s cut to the chase and know how to make an Online office food delivery business in 4 simple steps:
Step 1: Do the Market Research
Know where do you want to start your office food delivery service? Identify the competition in that area. What they provide and how much do they charge. Decide on your service area and time. Usually, the lunch timing of the corporate office is between 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
Ask your potential customers. Distribute questionnaires to your future clientele to identify their food preferences. Determine how frequent they would use your service and how much they are willing to pay.
Step 2: Make a Business Plan
- The estimated monthly cost of your Lunch box ingredients
- Packaging
- The cost of transportation and insurance
- Business license
- Catering license
- Registration of your business in the state registrar
- Getting Resources for delivery
- Mobile application for ordering
- Website
Step 3: Look into Wholesalers or Collaborate with Restaurants
Or the other way is to collaborate with the restaurants, eateries, and bakeries and beverage providers who can provide you the food as the order is placed.
Step 4: Marketing
Advertise your Business on the social media platform. If possible go for a paid marketing campaign. Make sure the workers and the employees are aware of your online office lunch catering in our city and has a mobile app for the same.
You can also join your hands with popular restaurants and other eateries that can promote your business to their regular customers.
Always try to strike the market with the deals and coupons so that more and more people become acquainted with your startup.
How Does an Online Office Food Delivery Business Work?
- User will get “menu of the day” (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) notification on the Mobile app and Website.
- The user has to register one time with their basic information and location for the drop-off.
- The app will send an automatic message every day with the day’s menu for the given time.
- The usersjust have to choose whether they want the “meal of the day” or not (additional menus will also be provided)
- Next, customers need to make the payment.
- They can make an advance payment via the app using online payment gateways or can pay physically for the order after it is received.
SEE ALSO: Start An App Like Uber Eats
What Is the Business Model of the Online Corporate Catering Service?
Find the Partner to Associate
- VCs
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Bakeries
- Beverage companies
- Legal partners
- Technology Partner
Which Resources You Will Need?
Here ‘s the list of resources you will need to build your dream business.
- Finance
- Office, Vehicles for delivery
- Human resources (Technical Team, Marketing Team, Logistic Team, Delivery boys)
Who Will Be Your Target Audience?
- Professionals who are super busy
- Workers who sometimes want to try out something new in a meal
- Companies and employers
Where Will Be the Money Invested?
Your total cost to start an office food ordering service should include;
- Cost of Office rent
- Salaries of Employee
- Transportation Cost(Including gas and maintenance)
- Cost of mobile application
- Advertisement Cost
- Legal Expenses
- Procurement Cost
How You Can Earn Profit from the App?
- Your Target audience (Obviously)– If the margin of commission from a restaurant is good, you will get more benefits. You will get a commission on each order completion.
- Strategic Partnership– People looking to open a restaurant and want to register in your platform, you can get a handsome amount of fees from them.
- Advertising on your website and App– Google AdSense is a great way to earn revenue through advertisement. Google will run an advertisement on your website and mobile application.
- Promoting Other Restaurants: Once you become a brand, you can promote your partner eateries who want to advertise and reach out to more customers.
How to Make Your Office Lunch Catering Stand Out?
To make your business a one of a kind among competitors you must include features and services that others don’t.
Here’s the list of must have quality of successful online office food delivery services.
- No compromise on food quality
- Promotions and offers (frequently)
- Gift coupons
- Live Chat to support
- Feedback & reviews
- Customer loyalty program
- Add a meal of the day in the app
- Allow Options to book full week meal in advance
- Help your restaurant partners to increase their sale as well
- On-time Delivery
- Be lenient on delivery charges
Top Office Lunch Delivery Startups in the World
| Startups | Funding Raised | Popular In |
|---|---|---|
 | $20.7 Million | California, and Big Cities of US |
 | $ 2.3 Million | Paris and Lyon |
 | $8.24 Million | Big cities of US |
 | $7.6 Million | Big Cities of US |
 | $20.7 Million | California, and Big Cities of US |
What Is the Future Scope of Expansion?
Which Other Places You Can Target?
- Hospitals
- Hostels
- PGs (Paying Guest)
- Schools (For students)
Time to Start It in Your Own City!
Corporate office lunch catering business and its users are expanding rapidly.
Hence, rather than trying to be the jack of all trades, to have a particular specialty for higher chance of success and longer business run than their counterparts.
As not many countries and cities have this type of business, so you can start it in your city and make it big.
The most important asset for you to get success in this office food delivery business is to have an excellent website and mobile app.
Feel free to contact our experts, if you have any query regarding starting a corporate catering business and provide meals for office workers. We will guide you through the step by step process.
