Snack Box?

colleensims

Eventually I would like to set up a lunchtime/sandwich delivery service but in the mean time I have been looking at snackboxes.

I have been looking at the big one, Snack In The Box, but I can not afford the outlay for the franchise. So I was thinking about setting up my own. I work,so I thought it would be something I could do while still earning elsewhere.

Basically, it would consist of placing snacks ie, crisips, crackers, chocolate bars, sweets and possibly fruit into a snack box and dropping them off at different companies.

It would operate on an 'honesty box' style basis (I know! -quite risky and inevitably some thefts will occur) and I would return to the company once a week to replenish and collect takings.

Maybe if it went well, I could do customised boxes and possibly when I get to know customers and have confidence for the sandwich making company I could incorporate that too (ok, running away with myself a bit now:rotfl:) Obviusly that would have to operate on basis for freshness though.

Ok, too much rambling. What I want to know is if anyone at all thinks its a viable idea? Im not looking to make millions, just some extra and I want to start small.

Is there anything else I need to be aware off? any pitfulls? or anyone else have any other ideas to help? xx

[Deleted User]

Well go for it if you want to. If you can loose the money that it takes you to trial this, then it's always worth a try!

Just remember that you need the environmental health department to check you over if you are going to make anything or put anything together that's not sealed.

I'd also just factor in some public liability insurance.

I'm not convinced that it's the best idea, yet my ideas are called for everything on these forums. Only you will know what's best for the place you are going to sell at... If you can make it work then well done and I do wish you luck with this project! :-)

podperson

Have you looked into whether companies would be interested in this? What do they get out of it? Most larger companies I worked at had their own vending machines for drinks/crisps/chocolate etc so wouldn't have wanted someone else coming in and taking business from them. Smaller companies - would there be enough people interested to make it worthwhile, baring in mind you'd probably only be making a few pence on each item and need to factor in your transport/time to drop off/collect at the place. A place I used to work had a few members of staff who set up a 'snack shop' with cans/chocolate etc. they made a few quid off it, nothing more then that (the company had maybe 60-70 people in the office) and since they were at work anyway they didn't need to take anything off it for expenses/travel.

I think you might need to offer something a little more specialised/unique in order to interest people more. A couple of places where I used to work did have someone who did customised orders on sandwiches etc and they seemed to do quite well. The order had to be rung in by say 10am and then was delivered at lunchtime.

whenispaydayagain?

I started to do this about 3 months ago - Don't make massive money but I do Okay.

I had the same idea as you - Snack in the Box franchise £20k - having a go myself = £100 - It's a no brainer really lol

I have 18 boxes out at the moment and weekly takings vary between around £5 and £30 and I basicly work on a 50% margin.

You are quite right, thefts do occur and I think I probably loose about £1 worth of product for every £10 I make so it's worth taking this into account too.

For what it costs to set up (I started with 5 and bought the boxes from eBay for £25) its worth a shot.

jaycube

I want to ask here what is the relation between lunch box and tax system.

colleensims

whenispaydayagain? wrote: »

I started to do this about 3 months ago - Don't make massive money but I do Okay.

I had the same idea as you - Snack in the Box franchise £20k - having a go myself = £100 - It's a no brainer really lol

I have 18 boxes out at the moment and weekly takings vary between around £5 and £30 and I basicly work on a 50% margin.

You are quite right, thefts do occur and I think I probably loose about £1 worth of product for every £10 I make so it's worth taking this into account too.

For what it costs to set up (I started with 5 and bought the boxes from eBay for £25) its worth a shot.

Thanks for the reply. Well done on getting it started! do you have those plastic see through containers or proper cardboard boxes? Also, how did you approach different companies? I have made flyers but not sure if i should post them and leave and then maybe wait for a call or email or phone them and explain what I am doing. Thanks

colleensims

jaycube wrote: »

I want to ask here what is the relation between lunch box and tax system.

What do you mean?

Is it a joke?....In which case, I dont know the answer!:o

Or are you asking if you would pay tax if you started a small snack box company? In which case, the answer is yes.:D

jhp

Small Business Board is here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

Good place to discuss start ups and other small business subjects.

jhp

jaycube wrote: »

I want to ask here what is the relation between lunch box and tax system.

If your that interested in discussing Tax Matters the Tax Board is here
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22

loracan1

jaycube wrote: »

I want to ask here what is the relation between lunch box and tax system.

colleensims wrote: »

What do you mean?

Is it a joke?....In which case, I dont know the answer!:o

Or are you asking if you would pay tax if you started a small snack box company? In which case, the answer is yes.:D

What they mean is; (or I should say what they're doing is) building up a post count before they start posting spam.

Either that or I have a bitter twisted cynical view of the world.