What do you guys think of this:

I live with a friend who just graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. He is a great Chef and worked in many kitchens. We were thinking of providing home cooked meals for college kids at Skidmore for a good price - more than fast food, less than restaurant. Students would order food before 4pm and pick their delivery time - (out of 3 different times) and we'd deliver it. $10-13 per meal. Skidmore is VERY upscale. This would be for dinner only. We'd cook all the food in our kitchen - and drive it over - we're 3 minutes literally, from campus.

Do you think this would work? Home cooked meals, especially in the winter and finals would hit big i woudl think.

Darren Herman

Keep in mind that most states and municipalities have laws in their health code that would require you to renovate your kitchen in order to be within the law. Zoning laws also have to be taken into account. It might be easier if you rented a space in a strip mall where you'd have an easier time conforming with the law. Other than that, make sure you write up a business plan and see if you can really make money after getting licenses and paying the bills before you go into it. :)

Yeah- i understand all the laws - but i'm trying to get to see if you guys think its a good idea?

I never had $10.00 for dinner when I was in college. But I think the ideas got some promise. Sorta like 'Meals on Wheels' but for college kids, not bad.

- D

we're going to high-end of the market -

If it's appealing to you, and you don't mind putting effort into it to make it succeed, it's a good idea. I can't tell you for certain if it's appealing since I don't live there and have no idea what that area's like.

I had a reply for this... but now it is gone :confused:

I am a college student, and one good use I can think of this, if its "semi-upscale" cooking...

candle-light dinner with a girl, hmm need some nice looking/tasting food quick...aha, we could call skidmeals(not a very appealing name I realize)!

Sell beer-- I'm not kidding.

I think it could work, but as someone else mentioned, you will be shut down if you don't have a kitchen designated for this.

Darren,

If done right and the food's good. You'll be raking in the $$$ in no time. :)

Remember, the most important factor has to be the quality of the food!

Sounds like a good idea. Even though we're a public school - things are kind of upscale here, and theres a business that will deliver food from some of the nicer resteraunts in town (ie.. they don't offer delivery, or even carry out - but they have special arrangements with this company.) From a business plan point of view, it's pretty nice. Besides from groceries and stuff the startup required is practially nil. I think the most difficult part would be getting your name out (advertising) and figuring out how much food to buy (inventory) - coming up with different stuff to make shouldn't be that big of a deal either

It may be a good idea. But first get a solid grip on how much it will cost to get the kitchen certified for catering. I have several friends who do catering and it is a pain to meet all the health ordinance requirements. Also could require a major financial investment. Usually cheaper to start off renting kitchen space from another restaurant or caterer.
Best place to start is your local Small Business Administration and SCORE -- service corp of retired executives. They will help you get a better idea of how much work is involved.
Also don't limit yourself to students. If the food is good and relatively inexpensive, a lot of couples who both work, which is most these days, will be calling.

Thanks for answering!

What a novel idea!

Students could place orders by phone and have the food delivered right to their dorm. Better act quick before those pizza places steal it.

hey gord - this would be premium home cooked food - lasagna, turkey dinners, chicken pot pies, etc. not fast food...

::drools::

<--college student...no food in house(except ramen), VERY hungry!

How much can one get for 10 dollars? Would it be a full meal, like a main portion and then 2 or 3 sides? Or would it be just a main portion? I think if the 10 dollars can feed 2 people or more then you'd probably be in a good position with college students. :)

Don't most colleges give students food points or food credit (something like that) that they can use at the college cafeteria after you enroll and pay your tuition?

it would be $10-13 per person - dinner with 2-3 sides - like a cooked meal from your mom :) This is a VERY upscale school.

I don't know, sounds like a good idea. I am a college student and the most I've paid for dinner with my money was around 9 dollars. If the school is upscale like you say it is and the food appeals to the students then you may have a shot. I think the hardest part will be getting your name and food out. Best of luck to you! :)

I think it's a good idea but I'd wonder if it could really be an every-day business. From having been in the pizza business on a large (35000 students) campus, I'd guess you'd be able to be pretty busy on Sundays and maybe other weekend days but kind of slow during the week.

And being a New Yorker, by the way, I'd say people who are cautioning you about the price don't know Skidmore! But it'd probably be a good idea to get together some case and do a marketing survey of both students and locals to confirm that there'd be a demand.