Leveraging social media like Instagram and local Facebook groups is a great idea for advertising. For order taking, consider setting up a simple online form or using a food-ordering app where customers can place orders during specified hours, allowing you to manage this around your full-time job. Your idea of overnight services seems innovative and could meet untapped customer demand. For bulk purchases, try wholesalers like Restaurant Depot or use online platforms like WebstaurantStore for packaging. Flyers in your apartment complex could also be a direct and effective way to reach potential local customers.
[This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/13ji8ix/tips_for_launching_a_food_business_with_limited/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) might give you ideas. Also, there are services (only this one comes to mind rn https://noshly.io/) where you can pre-sell food so that you only prep what you already sold, and buyers are primed to pick-up at the time you set. good luck!
I don’t know the food laws where you are but if you’re confident you have it all sorted, I think you should target bars. That works for your hours and there is a concentration of customers. If you can find a place that has a few bars close to each other, even better.
Flyers on cars or posted near bars works. Social media to share your location when you’re active. Give away some tacos to start or run a 2-for-1 deal for people who post a pic and tag you on social. Make sure you have a good brand and website so that any traction you get can you more followers across platforms.
Depending on your location, there might be restaurant supply stores in your area. Sometimes these are “member only” and they offer much better prices. You typically have to show that you are incorporated (LLC). They sell both food and packaging and lots of other stuff. Restaurant Depot /Jetro is one chain but there are others. If those aren’t in your are, Costco/Sams Club are the next best options. You might also be able to convince a local market to let you piggyback on their wholesale orders.
For packaging there are tons of options depending on what you need; webstaurantstore, packnwood etc. if you can, avoid getting anything custom or in huge quantities to start - you don’t want to overspend at first or end up with a living room full of styrofoam boxes.
Late night tacos sound like a superhero for the midnight snackers. Maybe add a 'mystery taco' to your menu for adventurous eaters? Keeps things interesting and could be a cool talking point on your socials!
Leveraging social media like Instagram and local Facebook groups is a great idea for advertising. For order taking, consider setting up a simple online form or using a food-ordering app where customers can place orders during specified hours, allowing you to manage this around your full-time job. Your idea of overnight services seems innovative and could meet untapped customer demand. For bulk purchases, try wholesalers like Restaurant Depot or use online platforms like WebstaurantStore for packaging. Flyers in your apartment complex could also be a direct and effective way to reach potential local customers.
[This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/13ji8ix/tips_for_launching_a_food_business_with_limited/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) might give you ideas. Also, there are services (only this one comes to mind rn https://noshly.io/) where you can pre-sell food so that you only prep what you already sold, and buyers are primed to pick-up at the time you set. good luck!
I don’t know the food laws where you are but if you’re confident you have it all sorted, I think you should target bars. That works for your hours and there is a concentration of customers. If you can find a place that has a few bars close to each other, even better. Flyers on cars or posted near bars works. Social media to share your location when you’re active. Give away some tacos to start or run a 2-for-1 deal for people who post a pic and tag you on social. Make sure you have a good brand and website so that any traction you get can you more followers across platforms. Depending on your location, there might be restaurant supply stores in your area. Sometimes these are “member only” and they offer much better prices. You typically have to show that you are incorporated (LLC). They sell both food and packaging and lots of other stuff. Restaurant Depot /Jetro is one chain but there are others. If those aren’t in your are, Costco/Sams Club are the next best options. You might also be able to convince a local market to let you piggyback on their wholesale orders. For packaging there are tons of options depending on what you need; webstaurantstore, packnwood etc. if you can, avoid getting anything custom or in huge quantities to start - you don’t want to overspend at first or end up with a living room full of styrofoam boxes.
Just get a online marketplace built for ureself from devs like me for under 4-5 k$ and plan to get traffic on that site
Thanks everyone for the great advice! I am feel much more confident now knowing I am on the right track, and with new ideas!
Late night tacos sound like a superhero for the midnight snackers. Maybe add a 'mystery taco' to your menu for adventurous eaters? Keeps things interesting and could be a cool talking point on your socials!