If you have chosen to open a catering business and will be serving food at public venues dispersed throughout the city that you live in, maintaining a positive image and preventing situations in which you could be sued or fired is crucial if you intend to keep operating your business for many years to come. The guidelines below will assist with getting ready to open your business.

Commercial Insurance

Full coverage automotive insurance is needed if you will be driving to each event that food is being served at. If you have decided to hire a catering crew to assist you, insure each person who will be responsible for transporting equipment and food to public venues as well. If you or an employee causes an accident, vehicle repairs or medical bills will be covered.

Meet with an insurance agent to discuss other types of commercial insurance that may be of interest to you. Professional liability insurance will protect you and your business if damage to property or an injury to a person occurs during a social event and workers compensation insurance will provide employees with part or all of their earnings if they are injured while on the job. These types of insurance can be lifesavers during unforseen incidents. 

Contracts

When meeting with a client, provide clear, concise details concerning how much you charge and offer a menu with all of the food and beverage options that are offered for social affairs. After the individual chooses to hire you and selects foods and beverages, have them sign a contract.

A contract that specifies the date and time that you and your catering crew will be providing services and the amount that the individual has agreed to pay will prevent the client from bowing out at the last second or refusing to pay for services rendered. Keep a copy of each contract so that you can refer to them if problems arise with collecting payments.

Training And Scheduling

Hire individuals who have a background in preparing and cooking food. During interviews, tell applicants what will be expected of them and the hours that you will need them to be available. Once you have hired a crew, provide training prior to social functions. Show your workers how you would like them to prepare specific dishes and the proper way to serve food items.

Schedule some of your workers to attend each social gathering that your business has been hired for. If you have a few additional staff members who won't be needed for an event, ask them to remain on call in case one of the scheduled staff members calls in sick or has an important obligation to handle that will prevent them from working on a day that a social event is scheduled. For more information, contact companies like Family Insurance Centers.