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Everything we know about starting a catering business

No fluff, no gatekeeping — the pricing math, the policies, and the honest tool comparisons. Written for people who do the work.

Money & pricing

How Much Do Home Caterers & Plate-Sale Cooks Make? (Real Math, 2026)

What home caterers and plate-sale cooks actually earn — with a calculator using your plate price, batch size, and real food costs.

How to Price Plates, Trays & Catering: The 3x Rule (With Calculator)

Price your plates and trays from real food cost — the 3x rule, batch math, and a calculator that finds your price and margin.

Tools & comparisons

HoneyBook Alternatives for Caterers & Home Food Businesses (2026)

HoneyBook works for event pros — but caterers and plate-sale cooks often need different tools. Honest alternatives compared, including StartMyOwn.

The Best Software for Home Caterers & Plate Sales (2026 Buyer’s Guide)

What a home food business actually needs from software — order-ahead, cutoffs, prepayment, marketing — and which tools deliver it.

State-by-state rules

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