lunch delivery

How to Start a Lunch Delivery Business in Kenya (Home-Cooked Meals)

ByTujulishane

Introduction

Starting a lunch delivery business in Kenya is one of the smartest hustles for people who enjoy cooking. With many workers, students, and small offices looking for affordable and tasty meals, the demand for home-cooked food is strong and growing. Instead of opening a full restaurant, you can begin small — cooking from your kitchen and delivering packed meals directly to customers.

Startup Costs 💰

This is a flexible business, and your startup costs depend on scale.

  • Capital Needed: KES 5,000 – 15,000
  • Key Expenses:
    • Cooking utensils, sufurias, jikos or gas cylinders (KES 2,000 – 5,000)
    • Initial stock of food supplies (rice, beans, chapati, vegetables, etc.) — KES 2,000 – 4,000
    • Packaging containers and serving spoons (KES 1,000 – 2,500)
    • Delivery options (boda boda charges or motorbike hire) — KES 500 – 2,000 daily depending on distance
    • Marketing and branding (flyers, WhatsApp group, posters) — KES 500 – 1,000

💡 Tip: Begin with just 1–2 meal options daily. Once you build consistent customers, expand your menu.

Why This Business Works ✅

  1. Busy Lifestyles: Many workers don’t have time to cook or go to restaurants.
  2. Affordable Alternative: Cheaper than eating in hotels every day.
  3. Home-Cooked Taste: Customers prefer meals that taste “like home.”
  4. Flexible Setup: You can operate from your own kitchen, reducing rent costs.
  5. Repeat Orders: Lunch is daily — you get consistent customers if food is good.

Step-by-Step Setup 🛠️

1. Research Your Market

Identify who you want to serve:

  • Office workers in CBD or industrial areas.
  • Students in hostels.
  • Shops and boda riders in busy estates.
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2. Set Your Menu

Start with Kenyan staples:

  • Rice + beans/pilau + chapati
  • Ugali + sukuma + beef/fish
  • Githeri + avocado
  • Pilau and chapati on Fridays

3. Source Ingredients

Buy food in bulk from wholesale markets. Focus on fresh vegetables and affordable staples like beans and rice.

4. Cook & Package

  • Cook in the morning, package in clean disposable containers.
  • Offer both small portions (KES 100–120) and large portions (KES 150–200).

5. Deliver to Customers

  • Use boda bodas for quick delivery.
  • Create WhatsApp or Telegram groups for daily menu updates.
  • Offer delivery within a limited radius to save costs.

6. Market Your Service

  • Post daily menus on WhatsApp statuses.
  • Give discounts for bulk office orders.
  • Ask satisfied customers for referrals.

Profit Breakdown 📊

Here’s how the numbers can work:

  • 1kg beans + rice + vegetables (cost ~KES 400) can serve ~10 people.
  • Selling at KES 150 each = KES 1,500 sales.
  • Profit after costs = ~KES 800–900.

If you sell 20 meals daily → KES 3,000 sales, ~KES 1,500 profit.
At 50 meals daily → KES 7,500 sales, ~KES 3,500–4,000 profit.

👉 Monthly profits can easily reach KES 50,000 – 100,000 depending on consistency and location.

Challenges & How to Overcome Them ⚠️

  1. Delivery Logistics: Delays can upset customers.
    • Solution: Partner with a reliable boda rider.
  2. Competition: Many people offer food delivery.
    • Solution: Stand out with tasty meals, consistency, and clean packaging.
  3. Hygiene Standards: Poor hygiene kills trust fast.
    • Solution: Maintain high kitchen cleanliness and proper packaging.
  4. Customer Loyalty: People switch easily.
    • Solution: Offer loyalty discounts (e.g., free soda after 5 orders).

Tips to Grow 🚀

  • Add drinks (juice, soda, or tea) to increase order value.
  • Offer office meal plans (weekly/monthly packages).
  • Expand your menu with chapati, pilau, or samosas on special days.
  • Use M-Pesa till numbers to look more professional.
  • Reinvest in larger cooking equipment as demand grows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓

Q: How much capital do I need to start a lunch delivery business in Kenya?
A: You can start with as little as KES 5,000 if you already have basic cooking utensils. A budget of KES 15,000 is comfortable for packaging and delivery.

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Q: How do I find customers?
A: Target offices, schools, shops, and estates. Create WhatsApp groups to share daily menus. Referrals also work well.

Q: How profitable is home-cooked lunch delivery?
A: Sellers make KES 1,500–4,000 profit daily depending on orders. Monthly profits can reach KES 100,000.

Q: Do I need a license?
A: A county food handler’s certificate and small business permit are recommended, especially if you’re scaling.

Conclusion

The lunch delivery business in Kenya is a simple but powerful way to earn steady income from cooking. With only KES 5,000 – 15,000, you can start from your kitchen, package affordable meals, and deliver them daily to offices and estates. By focusing on quality, hygiene, and customer service, you can grow into a profitable catering business.

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