Quick Summary
“Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments” – Bethenny Frankel.
Well, we all can agree with Bethenny Frankel, that food is a good investment not just for our health but for our bank accounts too. With an annual growth rate of 15.2%, India’s food industry is one of the most profitable industries to invest in. With new food business ideas coming every day, this is a business sector where you can never go wrong. People love eating good food and trying different cuisines. So, if you are thinking of starting your own business, then you can positively choose this field and go ahead with one of your favorite food business ideas.
Today most of the population eats fast food, so you will find fast food business ideas as well in the article that can pay you well. Now, there might be questions arising in your mind, like how to start a food business. What are the best food business ideas? How much investment will it require, and many more? Then look no further, here you will get answers to all of your questions. So, keep reading till the end and see your different food business ideas becoming a reality.
Before you think of fast food business ideas, you need to know how a food business is started. Here is the step-by-step guide to starting a food business in India.
Starting a food business doesn’t only include just cooking food, there are several categories in it too. What you need to do is discover where your interest lies. Find the field that attracts you, and after that evaluate whether you possess some skills related to that or not. Some skills can be learned but you must have at least the basic skill needed to run a business. Because having an interest in a business idea is not a guarantee of its success, you need to have the right skills to build a brand and business.
Having a written business plan is essential for any food business. It’s not only an outline of your business idea but also a directory in which you will continue your business. A detailed business plan includes several things. Such as information on the product or service, market size, USP of the product/service, type of food on the menu, and brand details. Other than that, your business plan also includes a study of your competitors, the trending topic of the industry, and the initial steps to be taken.
Finance is in every fibre of any business, without adequate funding initial setup of your food business cannot happen. The best thing you can do is start small, as it will not only require a small funding amount but the risk of losses decreases too. In case of a shortage of finances, you can take a business loan, turn to your family, or break your deposits. After you have your funds create a budget for your spending and investment, and stick to that budget during the initial stage. Having a clear-cut finance budget stops you from going overboard with unnecessary spending, this way you have money for emergencies.
Now that you have adequate finances to set everything in motion, it’s time to set up your business. Starting from buying/renting the business place, where you will sell/manufacture your food products. After that, you need machinery and equipment, and then comes the labor, furniture, and so many petty expenses. Once all these things have come together you can start working towards your next step.
All food businesses require some kind of raw material to make their finished good, and that raw material is supplied by the manufacturers. You need to find a good supplier for your raw material, who could provide you with good quality food materials at a reasonable price. The best way to do so is to research and get into the supplier market talk to several raw food suppliers and choose the one that meets your business requirements.
Before you start your business operations you need to acquire all the necessary licenses, certificates, and permissions. Getting all the necessary documents ready before the actual start of business operations saves you from getting into legal trouble. And as food is a sensitive business it makes food businesses more prone to legal actions if everything is not done right. So, get all your licenses like FSSAI license, GST registration, Trade license, In-house eating permission, Fire NOC, Permission from Local Municipal Corporation, etc.
This is for food business ideas that are starting on a large scale, if you are a small food business owner and work alone you can skip this step. Large-scale business owners need to find qualified, dedicated, and honest employees for their businesses. You can start searching by looking into your connections and posting job postings for vacancies.
Marketing is an important aspect of any business, without spreading the word about your new food business you can’t attract potential customers. Thanks to social media marketing has become quite easier, today every business has an online presence, where they interact with customers, inform them about their new products and services, take their feedback, and much more. So, establish your social media presence.
Business Ideas |
Initial Investment (est.) |
Earnings (est.) |
License Required |
Organic Food Business
|
10 lacs |
100000 |
|
Tiffin Service
|
2 lacs |
80000 |
|
Start a Coffee House |
5 lacs |
600000 |
|
Chocolate Making |
5 lacs |
100000 |
|
Food Truck |
8 lacs |
200000 |
|
Ice-Cream Parlour |
5 lacs |
200000 |
|
Cooking Classes |
1 lac |
25000 |
|
Home Bakers |
5 lacs |
60000 |
|
Tea Bag Makin |
2.5 lacs |
60000 |
|
Pet Food Manufacturing |
2 lacs |
50000 |
|
Cooking YouTube Channel |
5k |
25000 |
|
Milk & Dairy Products |
5 lacs |
100000 |
|
Mithai/Sweet Shop |
3 lacs |
100000 |
|
Jain Food Service |
5 lacs |
300000 |
|
Farsan/Papad Making Business |
10k |
40000 |
|
Ketchup Manufacturing |
4 lacs |
50000 |
|
Diet Food Business |
3 lacs |
100000 |
|
Spice Manufacturing Business |
10 lacs |
200000 |
|
Chopped Vegetable/Fruit Business |
3 lacs |
40000 |
|
Jam and Jelly Making |
15 lacs |
300000 |
|
Meat Processing Business |
20 lacs |
100000 |
|
Restrictive Diet or Special Diet Food Business |
3 lacs |
50000 |
|
Potato/Banana Chips Manufacturing Business |
8 lacs |
100000 |
|
Flour Milling Business |
10 lacs |
100000 |
|
Food Blogging |
1k |
10000 |
|
Burger Joints |
10 lacs |
300000 |
|
Dry Fruit Processing |
3-5 lacs |
50000 |
|
Coconut/Olive Oil Manufacturing |
5 lacs |
100000 |
|
Ginger and Garlic Paste Manufacturing |
4 lacs. |
55000 |
|
Momos/Maggi Stall |
15000 |
40000 |
|
Fruit/Vegetable Juice Shop |
50k |
50000 |
|
Biscuit and Cookie Making Unit |
5 lacs |
100000 |
|
Iodized Salt Production |
1.5 lacs |
15000 |
|
Microbrewery Business |
50 lacs |
300000 |
|
Fish Farms |
50k |
25000 |
|
Food Catering |
10 lacs |
500000 |
|
Herb Farms |
20k |
100000 |
|
Import Exotic Fruits & Vegetables |
5 lacs |
100000 |
|
Coffee Roasting Business |
3 lacs |
80000 |
|
Pickle Making |
80k |
40000 |
|
Ghee or Clarified Butter Making |
2.5 lacs |
50000 |
|
Below are the best 40+ food business ideas that you can start in India:
The organic food business refers to food items produced without synthetic chemicals. Organic farming is a small food business idea that is gaining popularity quickly. With people becoming more conscious about their lifestyle and eating habits, the organic food business is something that you can look forward to earning profits from.
A tiffin service business from home is one of the best small food business ideas. In metropolitan cities, people commute long distances for work and lead hectic lives. Hence, the demand for fresh home-cooked food is increasing, any home-maker can start this business and money.
Cafes or coffee houses are ideal places to relax with friends and colleagues. They are gaining popularity amongst youngsters and adults. Cafes allow visitors to sit and enjoy coffee and snacks without any time restrictions. That is why metro/railway stations, airports, markets, and shopping complexes have coffee houses where people love to have a cup of coffee after their hectic day.
Surveys reveal that Indians are amongst the world’s largest consumers of chocolate. Therefore, the scope for chocolate manufacturing is growing rapidly. Chocolate making is one of the popular food business ideas. The business will give you guaranteed sweet returns with extra profits.
Food trucks are becoming increasingly popular among the many small food business ideas in India. Due to the rise in corporate culture, people are always looking for new food varieties. Food trucks also have lower operating costs than cafes and restaurants. And their mobility expands their reach to more and more customers.
Also, Read: Breaking the 9-5 Mold: Innovative Self-Employment Ideas in India
People of all ages love ice cream; it doesn’t require a special occasion to be enjoyed. A recent FICCI survey indicates that frozen desserts have a high market share and profitability. And with every new flavour coming the demand for ice-creams is only going to increase.
The cooking classes are great food business ideas for anyone investing in small amounts. Cooking is an essential life skill for all ages. Entrepreneurs can easily start such a business in their locality. This is not only one of the profitable food business ideas but can also expose you to better platforms.
Another one of the great small food business ideas for food includes baking from home. A home baker specializes in baking cakes and other sweet food items. These also include savory food items like bread and pizza. Depending on the orders received, homebakers can earn up to Rs. 5,000–Rs. 10,000 daily.
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India is one of the largest tea-consuming nations in the world. It is estimated that each Indian consumes about 750 grams of tea annually. Tea bag making is among the most lucrative food business ideas. One only needs tea and paper bags as the starting materials.
Pet food manufacturing is one of the food business ideas that can be started by keeping the animal in focus. It is a low to medium-range competition business venture, and if the product you offer meets the needs of pet owners, then you will make your name easily. With good research and good-quality raw materials, you can do it.
Entrepreneurs interested in investing in the food industry can consider starting a YouTube channel. The platform allows people to showcase their talents. Those interested can even hire a cook and upload videos. These kinds of food business ideas are a great means of passive income and require minimal investment.
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Another great small food business idea is investing in dairy products. Every locality and residential complex needs a milk and dairy product shop. One can start a milk and dairy product franchise for companies like Verka, Amul, and Mother Dairy.
Running a sweet shop is one of the best food business ideas. It is well-known that Indians have a sweet tooth and enjoy eating various sweets. Once you start a sweet shop and offer a range of sweet products you can create your individual brand identity.
Jain food refers to food prepared without adding onion or garlic. Some Jains avoid eating onion and garlic during festivals and fasts. Others prefer eating Jain food as a regular practice. A tiffin service providing home-cooked Jain food is among some of the most profitable small food business ideas.
Apart from sweets, Indians love fried and baked snacks. Farsans are ready-to-eat savory snacks. A papad is a thin wafer that can be either fried or baked. A person can set up a small to medium-level kitchen to make Farsan and Papad. And once you get your first few orders, getting repeated and new orders becomes easier.
Another one of the great food business ideas is to manufacture sauce or ketchup. Tomato sauce is the most common type of condiment that accompanies several snacks and dishes. This makes it an easily sellable product in the market, and the best part is that you can start selling it in small pouches and bottles.
The diet food business ideas are profitable and unique. Due to hectic metropolitan lifestyles, full-time workers find it hard to prepare healthy food daily. Instead, they prefer to buy ready-to-eat diet food.
India is famously known as the “home of spices”. The preparation of most Indian dishes is incomplete without spices. To start a spice manufacturing business, one must buy ungrounded spices and packing materials. The initial investment needed for the spice manufacturing business is not much.
If most snack food business ideas seem unappealing, you can invest in something healthy instead. In general, people find it easier to consume chopped and diced vegetables. The initial capital for a chopped vegetable/fruit business depends on the level of operations. One can start this business independently or hire staff.
Jams and jellies are either eaten as food accompaniments or with bread as breakfast. They are commonly found in homes, and kids enjoy eating them. India has a growing market for jam and jelly making.
Also, read the following: 20 Unique Business Ideas to Stand Out in 2024
The meat processing business is where animals are slaughtered, cleaned, and stored for selling. Starting this business is quite profitable as there is a large demand for meat in India. But meat food items have a considerably shorter shelf life than fruits and vegetables. Such products should be washed properly and stored at low temperatures to prevent decay.
Due to the prevalence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, many follow special and restrictive diets. Such individuals look for gluten-free and vegan food options. Those who wish to start this business can provide fresh, home-cooked special diet food and earn quite good profits.
Another great snack food business idea is to invest in potato and banana chip manufacturing. Entrepreneurs can either set up small-scale or large-scale manufacturing units. The raw material for this business is easily available. Business owners can retail products through local shops and large departmental stores. The initial investment varies for small-scale and large-scale operations.
The flour milling business is a high-competition business with the scope to profit at all levels. Indians consume a variety of flours—such as wheat flour and ragi flour—in everyday cooking. One can start flour milling at a small level and then increase the production level.
Food blogs are great for those interested in food business ideas. A food blog is also a great way to earn passive income. Moreover, it doesn’t need much initial investment. Food blogs can feature restaurant reviews, recipes, and other food business-related content. There are numerous free online platforms where one can easily host a food blog.
Read About: How to Make Money Blogging
One of the best fast food ideas for business is running a burger joint. Making burgers requires no expert cooking knowledge, so this is a great food business idea. Those interested can also consider setting up a franchise of an established burger joint. The initial investment can vary depending on whether one chooses to franchise or be self-produced.
As per estimates, India is the third largest producer of dry fruits worldwide. Dry fruit processing is one of the bankable food business ideas. You can provide a variety of dry fruits or any particular one, either way, you can make quite a large number of profits.
Coconut and olive oil manufacturing are not new to the market. However, one can be successful if one delivers high-quality products. Business owners can expect a profit margin of about 35%-40%. And with the rising health consciousness among people, this business is going to grow more.
Ginger and garlic paste is the most common cooking ingredient in Indian households. The ginger garlic paste business has significant market potential and profit margin scope.
Shops selling momos and Maggie noodles attract hordes of college and school students as clientele. A Maggie stall is among the easiest small business food ideas. One should consider starting a Maggie and Momos kiosk near schools and colleges.
Due to increased health-related issues, people are cautious about what they consume daily. A fresh fruit and vegetable juice business is easy on the pocket and yields profits. Such shops do not require too much space and have lower operational costs.
Indians love their evening tea or coffee with biscuits and cookies. Like savory snacks, biscuits, and cookies also have a high market demand. One can retail their own products or franchise brands like Britannia and supply to supermarkets. If you choose this food business idea then you can positively walk on the path of success and enjoy great profits. By leveraging innovative strategies and a keen understanding of market demands, you can transform this food business idea into a thriving venture with substantial financial rewards.
Iodized salt production might not seem like an ideal food business idea. However, it has a good profit margin. Iodized salt, an FMCG good, has a considerably high market demand. The business does not need the installation of very complicated machinery and equipment.
India has experienced a recent surge in demand for craft beer. Due to this, many restaurants have started microbreweries and are manufacturing their beer. Microbreweries attract more customers to the restaurant, resulting in better sales and profits.
People who enjoy meat and non-vegetarian food prefer fresh fish to avoid contamination-related health complications. It is not one of the new food business ideas, but it offers a decent profit margin. A person can provide products to restaurants and hotels or customers directly.
Food catering is one of the good food business ideas for people who want to earn big profits from the food industry. As the food caterer you will be providing food services to the people during their special events like marriages, business meetings, social gatherings, etc. Food caterers give various types of food choices to their customers fulfilling their needs and satisfying their taste buds.
People are becoming more health conscious and choosing healthy food options in their routine diet. Due to this, the demand for herbs and medicinal plants has seen a sudden surge. Business owners looking to venture into this type of food business idea can start herb and medicinal plant farms.
Selling imported fruits and vegetables is one of the exceptional food business ideas. Individuals can start a shop stocking exotic fruits and vegetables. They may even sell fruits and vegetables through a website or mobile application. The demand for this particular business is increasing, and a considerable profit margin exists.
After tea, coffee is the most consumed beverage in India. The business of coffee roasting has a considerably large market share. A person can either sell coffee online or supply it to coffee houses. Either way, it is one of the best food business ideas to start and earn profits.
Any mealtime in an Indian household is incomplete without adding some pickles. Due to hectic lifestyles, people prefer buying ready-made pickles from the market. Pickle manufacturing is one of the best homemade food business ideas. Those wishing to start this venture can do so with little capital and raw materials.
Ghee is a powerhouse of health. It contains nutrients necessary for bone and brain health and growth. Many households have an extreme fondness for ghee or clarified butter consumption. While churning ghee at home is possible, it is time-consuming. Due to this, people prefer buying ready-made ghee from the market.
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Everyone needs to eat food and everyone likes to eat healthy and tasty food, but there are only a few who can provide such food. If you are interested in the manufacturing part of the food business then you should positively start a business.
There are several food business ideas that you can choose from some of the best ones are even listed in the article. And if you thinking about how to start a food business in India then go through the information again.
With our Business guide, discover unique business ideas, build a successful business from scratch, and learn effective business growth strategies.
Honey production and coffee shops are among the most profitable food business ideas. These businesses have an average profit margin of 30% and 25%, respectively. Other lucrative small businesses include coconut and olive oil manufacturing, pickle making, and tiffin services.
Some of the best food businesses to start include a food truck, gourmet popcorn shop, coffee shop, baked goods, and jam and jelly. Easy options include a fruit and vegetable juice shop or a Maggi and Momos stall. Food blogging is a food business that can be set up practically free of cost.
Some of the easiest food items to sell in India include pickles, spices, homemade butter or ghee, chocolates and cakes, instant mixes, and protein bars. Maggie shops do well near schools and colleges. One can make and sell burgers without having any cooking expertise.
Sell the items with the most profit margins. Coffee is one of them. Starting a cafe requires an initial investment of about Rs. 10–15 lakh. The coffee industry is lucrative, as over 2.3 million cups of coffee are consumed each minute. It offers the highest profit margin, between 25%–30%.
Burgers, Sandwiches, Milkshakes, Coffee, Chicken, and Ice cream are some of the most profitable food items.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
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