Many people choose to form their own company before starting operations. There are a lot of options available that all offer different levels of protection. Contact your local city and state government for more information pertaining to your area. You can also find information here at the SBA website. Here are some examples:

 

• Sole Proprietorship
  A sole proprietorship is the most basic business. You alone own the company and are responsible for its assets and liabilities.
• Limited Liability Corporation
  An LLC is designed to provide the limited liability of a corporation and tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership.
• Cooperative
  People form cooperatives to meet a collective need or to provide a service that benefits all member-owners
• Corporation
  A corporation is more complex and generally suggested for larger established companies with multiple employees.
• Partnership
  There are several different types of partnerships, which depend on different arrangements and partner responsibilities for the business.
• S Corporation
  An S corporation is similar to a C corporation but you are taxed only on a personal level.

 

Meet your insurance needs. Commercial Business Insurance may not be necessarily required by law, but you would be wise to purchase enough business insurance to protect your assets against unexpected events. In order to determine your exact needs, contact a local insurance agent.

 

• General Liability Insurance
  This insurance broadly covers and provides protection against the legal hassles associated with accidents, injuries and claims negligence.
• Product Liability Insurance
  This insurance protects you against financial loss as a result of product defect that can cause injury.
• Professional Liability
  If you provide a service to a customer, this insurance can protect against many provisions of those services to your customers.
• Commercial Property
  This coves everything related to the loss and damage of company property due to a wide variety of events.
• Home-Based Business
  -Homeowners insurance policies do not generally cover home-based business losses. You may need to purchase additional policies.
• No Insurance
  While this certainly is an option, we can all agree its a VERY BAD OPTION. You shouldn't take the risk with your business.

You will also need to protect your employees

• Workers Comp Insurance
  Businesses with employees are required to carry Workers Compensation Insurance coverage.
• Unemployment Insurance
  If you have employees you are required to pay unemployment insurance taxes as determined by your state.
• Disability Insurance
  In the US. it is mandatory to purchase disability insurance only if your business is in one of six locations. Contact your local govt.

How will you take orders? Choose one or choose all!

 

• Telephone
  Will you have dispatchers or utilize a call center? Do you plan on handling it all on your own? Every option has its own set of benefits.
• Online Ordering
  A standard in todays society. Creating your own or use a software platform is a hard choice. Building your own can be advantageous but could be more expensive than using another system.
• Text Messaging
  The wave of the future! Using a 3rd party service to assist you could make you realize your dreams.

What software platform you choose can also go a long way to helping you make your ordering choices come to life! Being a member of the RMDA will allow you access to our vendor page. Those vendors are tested and approved!

This is the most important, or at least tied for the most important, aspect of your company. Partner restaurants are the lifeblood to the RDS. To sign up restaurants you will need a couple things:

• Restaurant Contract
  The majority operate with a contract, the constraints of that contract are often up to each service.
• Manage Expectations
  Make sure you approach the restaurant you are prepared with your pitch and information about your company.
• Competition
  How you deal with other services in your area will set the tone. Your contract could state whether your partner restaurants work with others.

You can't open until you have a staff. There are a number of online applications that will help you schedule or you can go "Old School" and use an excel spreadsheet. Remember to contact your local agencies to determine the rules when dealing with employees or self-employed delivery professionals.

• Office/Admin Staff
  Who will dispatch or take phone orders? Typically an RDS has their Office staff handle these items, at least in the beginning.
• Drivers
  Every RDS needs to have drivers. You will have to determine if you want self-employed drivers or if you want to hire them as employees.
• Sales and Marketing
  Will you be hiring outside sales help or taking that on yourself? No one will ever be able to sell your business like you will.

Typical marketing will include your contact info and brand information. Many companies do a combination of all of the below. Each will have its own return of investment (ROI) and will be different in each market. You may have to experiment a bit to find what works best for your business!

• Print
  An oldy but goody and definitely a staple in every marketing plan. There are many different ways to accomplish this feat!
• Word of Mouth
  Best and cheapest form of marketing! Word of mouth comes with positive experiences and high recommendations.
• Inside Restaurant Marketing
  A good RDS will utilize its restaurant partners as a physical platform to show new customers you are around.
• Online Marketing
  Accomplished through SEO and SEM. There are a ton of resources out there to help you master these and win the online war.
• Car Toppers
  Imagine a dark night where your logo and information illuminate the night sky, saving customers from hunger.
• None
  Another option you probably should just avoid. Unless you are allergic to money...then this is the option for you!

Common types of Print that help you market your RDS.

• Flyers
  Can be left with each order as well as at the restaurant. Includes your brand information and contact info.
• Direct Mail
  Every Day Direct Mail is a great utility. Its like direct mail but you get to choose the postal routes you want to target.
• Brochures/Menu Books
  Menu books are like phone books that include the restaurant partners that you have in your stable. Send these to prospective clients!

Got inside restaurant marketing on the brain? Try these examples:

• Window Clings
  Now everyone that passes by your partner restaurants know who you are. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
• Post Cards/Business Cards
  A leave behind at the restaurant for their dine in and takeout customers is prime time real estate. Now they can get delivery too!
• Website Links
  Visiting a partner website can lead to more orders. Make sure you link to ordering that restaurant and not just back to your home page.