Event food service with per-person pricing of $25-$100 per person.
Starting a catering business in Illinois requires food safety permits, a licensed commercial kitchen, and proper insurance. Your local health department oversees food safety inspections. Startup costs range from $9,800 for a home-based or commissary kitchen model to $73,500+ for a full commercial setup. Standard Illinois business taxes apply. Catering offers lower startup costs than a restaurant with more creative freedom. Per-person pricing in Illinois ranges from $25-$100 per person depending on the event type and menu. Wedding and corporate catering command the highest rates.
Illinois requires food for public sale to be prepared in a licensed commercial kitchen. Operating out of a home kitchen for catering is generally not permitted (cottage food laws have limited exceptions). Violations can result in fines and forced closure.
Food costs should stay at 28-35% of revenue. Going over eats your profit. Price your menu based on cost-per-plate plus labor, overhead, and profit margin—not just what competitors charge.
| Item | Low | High | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Service License & Permits Health dept. permit + business license | $98 | $980 | |
| LLC Filing Illinois LLC registration | $150 | $150 | |
| Food Handler Certification ServSafe or state-approved course | $10 | $200 | |
| Commercial Kitchen (Rent) Monthly commissary rental or own space | $0 | $2,940 | |
| Kitchen Equipment Ovens, warmers, chafing dishes, prep tools | $1,960 | $19,600 | |
| Serving Equipment Platters, utensils, linens, displays | $490 | $4,900 | |
| Transport Equipment Hot/cold holding units, cambros, racks | $490 | $4,900 | |
| Vehicle Cargo van or existing vehicle | $0 | $24,500 | |
| General Liability Insurance Annual, covers events | $294 | $1,470 | |
| Liquor License (If Applicable) Only if serving alcohol | $0 | $4,900 | |
| Marketing & Website Portfolio website, social media | $294 | $1,960 | |
| Initial Food Inventory First events food costs | $490 | $2,940 | |
| Startup range | $9,800 | $73,500 |
The line items above are the main cost drivers, not an exhaustive sum. Several are alternatives rather than additions — a mobile setup or a storefront, a rented kitchen or a build-out — so they are not added together. The startup range is the figure used across this page.
Local health department inspection. Must use licensed commercial kitchen.
ServSafe or state-approved course. Required for all food handlers.
City/county business license to operate
Recommended for liability protection
Covers property damage and injuries at events
Required for bar service. Federal + state + local licenses needed.
Some states allow limited food production from home. Check state cottage food laws.
| # | City | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Chicago Chicago has an active events market. With 2.7M residents it is the largest of the four markets listed for Illinois. | Chicago has an active events market. With 2.7M residents it is the largest of the four markets listed for Illinois. |
| 02 | Aurora Aurora has an active events market. With 180K residents it is the second largest of the four listed markets, well under a tenth the size of Chicago. | Aurora has an active events market. With 180K residents it is the second largest of the four listed markets, well under a tenth the size of Chicago. |
| 03 | Naperville Naperville has an active events market. With 150K residents it is the third largest of the four listed markets, well under a tenth the size of Chicago. | Naperville has an active events market. With 150K residents it is the third largest of the four listed markets, well under a tenth the size of Chicago. |
| 04 | Rockford Rockford has an active events market. With 145K residents it is the fourth largest of the four listed markets, well under a tenth the size of Chicago. | Rockford has an active events market. With 145K residents it is the fourth largest of the four listed markets, well under a tenth the size of Chicago. |
Renting shared commercial kitchen space ($15-$30/hour) eliminates the biggest startup cost. You only pay when cooking. As volume grows, your own kitchen becomes more cost-effective.
Wedding catering in Illinois averages $25-$100 per person. One weekend wedding can generate $5,000-$25,000+. Build relationships with wedding planners and venues for consistent bookings.
Company lunches, meetings, and events provide regular weekday income. Once you become a preferred caterer for an office, it becomes recurring. Target offices with 50+ employees.
Invest in professional food photography for your website and social media. Clients choose caterers based on how the food looks. Every event is a photo opportunity.
Obtain ServSafe Food Manager certification or Illinois's approved equivalent. All catering staff who handle food need food handler cards. This is non-negotiable for health department approval.
Define your catering concept: weddings, corporate, social events, or casual. Create a menu that's scalable, transportable, and holds well. Start with a focused menu you can execute flawlessly.
You must prepare food in a licensed commercial kitchen in Illinois. Options: rent time in a commissary kitchen ($15-$30/hour), partner with a restaurant, or build out your own space. Home kitchens are generally not allowed for full-scale catering.
File LLC ($150) with Illinois Secretary of State. Get EIN from IRS. Open business bank account. Get food service license from local health department.
Secure general liability insurance covering events. If serving alcohol, get liquor liability insurance. If hiring, get workers comp. Venues often require proof of insurance before allowing caterers.
Start lean: quality chafing dishes, hot/cold holding equipment, transport containers. Buy commercial-grade that withstands heavy use. Rent specialty equipment for early events to minimize upfront costs.
Cater friends' and family events at cost. Take professional food photos. Build a website showcasing your work. Create tasting menus for potential clients.
Partner with event venues and wedding planners. Attend bridal shows. Register on The Knot, WeddingWire, and local event directories. Word-of-mouth is everything—every event is an audition.