Deli

Startup Costs: $10,000 - $50,000
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? No

Starting and operating a deli has many advantages over a traditional restaurant including lower startup costs, shorter operating hours and lower operating overheads. The best delis not only sell varied meats, cheeses and other gourmet foods, but also provide customers with a lunch delivery service, a few seats and tables for the sit-down lunch crowd and take-out catering options including cold meat and cheese trays. Noteworthy is the fact that many deli proprietors choose a theme for their business such as a New York-style deli, a British deli or a German deli. Ideal operating locations for delis are generally found in office districts, industrial malls and mall food courts. The key to success in this type of competitive food business is to provide customers with excellent quality products, exceptional service and a varied menu that'll appeal to a large segment of the population.

Deli Ideas

Sandwich Delivery Route

Cater to busy office workers with a sandwich delivery route.

Popcorn Cart

This concessions idea will keep hungry customers coming back for more.

Wedding Cake Sales

Cash in on weddings with your culinary craft.

More from Business Ideas

Side Hustle

This Insurance Agent Started a Side Hustle Inspired By Nostalgia for His Home State — Now It Earns Nearly $40,000 a Month

After moving to New York City, Danny Trejo started a business to stay in touch with his roots — literally.

Side Hustle

He Started a Salty Backyard Side Hustle That Out-Earned His Full-Time Job and Now Makes Over $1 Million a Year: 'Take the Leap'

In 2011, Kyle Needham turned his passion for oysters into a business that saw consistent monthly revenue "right away."

Side Hustle

He Started a Luxury Side Hustle at Age 13 — Now the Business Earns More Than $10 Million a Year: 'People Want to Help You When You're Young'

Michael Morgan, now the owner of Iconic Watch Company, always had a passion for "old things" — and he turned it into a lucrative venture.