Why a Portable Wood-Fired Oven Catering Business is Such a Great Idea

Grace Palmer
Have you been looking for a unique business that can offer you the ability to strike out on your own? A catering operation based around a portable wood-fired oven might seem a little unusual, but it's an opportunity you shouldn't miss. Here's why!

This Business Uses Unique Equipment

Wood-fired ovens have a unique and fascinating appeal, but they're only just coming back into the public eye. There's a fantastic kind of romance to food that's been cooked in a real, wood-fired oven, and an incredible taste, too. Using the oven is a crowd pleaser - be prepared to share cooking experiences, because customers will love seeing the oven in use. The sweet aroma of wood smoke fills the air, making everyone feel comfortable and hungry!

This Business Is New

The number of people in this business is extremely small. While there are plenty of portable catering operations, and a number of restaurants using wood fired ovens, few are using them together. Wood-fired ovens are really new, and a lot of people won't have seen one before. The good news is that the catering industry loves new ideas. Check out the options for this business and be in the right place at the right time. It can be that simple!

This Business Is Versatile

Businesses that can't change have a tendency to stagnate, and stagnation is the worst thing that could happen in a tough economy. Fortunately, this kind of business offers many different opportunities, so if one area dries up, you can pursue another. It's been said that this kind of versatility gives you a big advantage - one that's even better than owning an ordinary restaurant.

You'll Have A Lot Of Fun

One simple fact is that you'll get good at what you enjoy. With the best product and the best equipment, complemented by enjoyment of your work, you'll be guaranteed to succeed. Just remember that each customer should feel special, and you'll almost never have a bad day.

Unlimited Potential

Using a unique piece of equipment like a portable wood-fired oven in a business market that's ready for it, you could find your business expanding quicker than you might expect. A wood-fired oven has the potential to make you a lot of money! Your products will have a high markup and a low cost, and they have an incredible appeal. That's real potential. Ingredients are affordable, food is simple to prepare, and operating costs are low. Markup is around 500%, and can be as high as 1000% without driving customers away. That's a recipe for profit.

A Wide Range Of Options

While you could stick to the standard cheese pizza, you don't have to. You can expand to traditional Italian regional types, gourmet pizzas, breads and other baked goods. This is a kind of flexibility that allows you to market your services anywhere - from a baseball game to a wedding. After all, everyone loves pizza, and there's a pizza for everyone.

Efficiency Is Key

Being efficient is important to any business, and this one makes it easy. A mobile caterer or a concessionaire has no building to maintain or insure, no rent to pay, and no staff to hire. That means a low overhead and fewer operating expenses, leaving you with a lot more profit. You'll need only a minimum of equipment, and not even much counter space. Too much can actually cut efficiency down.

Options For Your Business

You may be wondering what your options are. You'll find that there are a lot to choose from. You can operate on a completely mobile basis, a completely fixed basis, or any blend of the two. Here are a few ideas for your portable wood-fired oven.

Mobile Concessionaire

Cook at local festivals or events all summer long, or even all year. There are hundreds of events in every state, but only a handful of these ovens in the country. Everyone loves pizza, the primary product of wood-fired ovens, making concessions a big attraction. Just remember that you may have to pay a fee as a vendor, secure licensing, or pay a percentage of your take at this kind of event. Learn all the details in advance so you're never surprised.

Site Specific Concessions

You could be a seasonal, permanent, or semi-permanent concession with a contract at a particular location. This offers a larger amount of stability than the fully mobile method, but doesn't tie you down like a restaurant would. This option involves operating your business at a set time, and for a set period. You can keep your equipment at the location when you're not using it, or take it on the road in between contracts. Once again, you may have to pay fees and/or a percentage.

Private Catering On The Go

Offer food service to private clients for events and special occasions. Your mobility means you can take your business anywhere, to any kind of event. Fees and percentages aren't usually a problem, but pay close attention to contracts.

It's Obvious

A portable wood-fired oven is the key to a profitable, versatile business that's perfect for anyone who's been looking for the right options. You'll have a unique opportunity and not much competition. Check out the possibilities this business offers today!

Published by Grace Palmer

Grace D. Palmer is a professional writer and illustrator, living in Milwaukee, WI. To find out more about her, or hire her for freelance writing work, please visit her writing page at http://gracedpalmer.ne...  View profile

1 Comments

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  • Amy Clark, Maine Wood Heat Company1/22/2010

    Hi Grace,

    Great article on portable ovens! We are the exclusive importer of Le Panyol Ovens in the U.S. and Canada, and have recently designed a unique series of copper clad portable ovens with custom trailers. We agree that portable ovens offer wonderful business opportunities, especially for caterers. Here's a link to a page with some information and photos about our ovens: http://tiny.cc/l6tCj

    Anyway, we just wanted to let you know we really liked your article.

    Warm Regards,

    Amy Clark

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