If you’re someone who likes to cook (or bake), enjoys working with people and would like to find a way to merge those two things together on a daily basis, have you ever thought about going into catering? It’s a lucrative business, it’s in high (as well as constant) demand and it’s also something that you can do for years to come.

If this is sounding more and more like something that you would be interested in getting into, one thing that you should think about is if you want to actually work for a catering company or if you would prefer to start up your own catering business. If you’re curious to know the benefits (and disadvantages) that come with both, we have provided you with a list of them below:

The Benefits of Working for a Catering Company

Although there are a lot of people who dream of running their own business (and we’ll get more into that in just a moment), when it comes to working for a catering company instead of owning one, there are still several advantages. For one thing, when a company is already established, you don’t have any out-of-pocket start-up or maintenance costs. Also, you are not responsible for the success of the business and so if for some reason, a client is unhappy with the service, you are not the individual who is held directly liable. Plus, you don’t have to deal with the day-to-day responsibilities of paying bills, dealing with vendors and making sure that taxes and expenses are taken care of. And while some of your duties may include mild administrative work, over all, you can go to work and simply enjoy catering without having to focus on a lot of the hassles that come with owning a business.

The Benefits of Starting Your Own Catering Business

That doesn’t mean that starting your own business doesn’t come with some of its own perks. Successful catering businesses like New Colony Caterers can attest to the fact by having your own company, you can have the satisfaction of doing something that you love your own way. This means that you can set your own hours while also having the freedom to create your own signature niche. That’s because by being an employer rather than any employee for a catering company, you are the one who makes “the blueprint” for how your company should be represented from the branding, to the menu to even the marketing. Having this kind of freedom also means that you are the one who determines your salary (you can even start your business as a part-time enterprise and still have a full-time job in the process). Plus, it’s a great resume-builder in the sense that it can work in your favor with prospective investors. And most importantly, the earning possibilities are literally endless.

Yes, there are pros and cons to both working for a starting your own catering business. Our recommendation? Spend a year or so working for a reputable company that is already established just so that you can learn what it takes to run a successful catering company. Then start your own. That way, you can have the best of both experiences. Good luck!