AED 145 billion. This figure is the projected growth of the food and beverage industry in the United Arab Emirates or UAE by 2021.

If you want to get your fair share of the pie by going into the food delivery business, then you’d better start preparing. From zeroing in on a particular market to choosing the best food, beverage, and frozen meat suppliers in the UAE, we’ve put together a simple guide to the crucial things to keep in mind when getting your venture started.

Cooking Up a Plan

According to a recent KPMG survey, the UAE food and beverage industry remains robust despite the pandemic gloom. The global audit firm reports that 60 percent of UAE consumers use online food delivery apps. This figure is more than the number of food delivery consumers in the United States, which totals only 18 percent.

Because of recent provisions such as stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, it’s no wonder that a lot of people opt to have their food delivered. For most, it is an easy, convenient, and safe way to enjoy their favorite meals.

If you want to take advantage of the burgeoning interest in meal delivery trends and services, then you should plan your moves well. You should make sure that you set yourself apart from your competitors. From devising a sound plan to acquiring social media agency services, there are surefire ways to bring your gustatory creations closer to your market. 

Here are the top factors that you should consider when starting a food delivery business:

1. Choose a Niche

Who do you want to cook for? You should ask yourself this question before you venture in the food delivery business.

You should choose your target market and focus on how you can best cater to their needs. Find the right formula for addressing the demand of your specific audience and provide solutions. Avoid spreading yourself too thin as it may dilute your core competency and lead your business down the drain.

Market research can significantly help you identify your niche, so try to conduct this before starting your business. It will tell you which locations will be most viable or whether your caviar pies will sit well with your local district’s ladies-who-lunch set.

2. Prepare a Business Plan

When you have gathered the right information about your market, then you should make a business plan. Ensure that you are clear about your mission and vision, as these will direct you towards a reasonable goal.

Having a sound plan will provide a concrete foundation for your venture. It can help you attract possible investors, set the tone and direction for the company, and create a branding strategy.

3. Know the Laws

Opening a business in the UAE will require you to pay extra attention to laws and legalities. There are naming, licensing, and operational considerations that you should take note of.  Also, be aware of the relevant fees that you will incur when registering your business.

For one, you should choose an appropriate company name. It shouldn’t contain any blasphemous, irreverent, or profane words. If you are going to use your name for the business, make sure that there are no abbreviations or initials. Instead, you need to use your full name.

Besides understanding and promising to adhere to the Food Code, you should also be aware of the trade and catering licenses you need to get. 

4. Select Top Food Suppliers

A useful maneuver in elevating your business is to make sure that you use only the choicest ingredients. The fixings for your food should be top-class, regardless of whether you are baking cakes or grilling burgers for delivery.

That is why you must vet your suppliers and go for established and reputable ones. Check the supplier’s ability to provide for your daily catering requirements. Do they have an extensive selection of food and beverages? Do they have a comprehensive and reliable distribution network? 

Well-regarded foodservice suppliers with years of experience have the edge in giving you a wide range of options. This pertains to the food, beverages, ingredients, or non-food items they carry as well as a sustainable and value-for-money partnership.

5. Build Your Brand

Another essential element that you should take care of is your brand. You can seek a professional brand agency’s services if you don’t have a clue in terms of how to go about branding.

Brand strategy is vital in helping you communicate well to your target audience. Expert brand specialists can help you boost your business, from brand ideation, naming, and logo creation down to building your website, developing your app, and managing your social media accounts.

Delivering Good Food

Having a food delivery business is not only a matter of cooking and delivering food. It is a synchronized effort that requires thoughtful planning, adherence to the rules, mindful selection of suppliers, and careful brand building.

If you have these areas considered, you can look forward to a smooth-sailing ride towards achieving your goals.

AUTHOR BIO

Jad Asaad is the Marketing Manager at Bidfood UAE with more than eight years of experience in digital, online, and offline marketing. He started his career in Beirut, working in a creative agency, and then moved to Dubai to further expand his career. He created and implemented award-winning high-impact digital and offline marketing campaigns that consistently generated revenue streams and improved performance in targeted segments.