Overview of Your 5-Year Scaling Journey

Scaling a cooking business from your home kitchen to a full restaurant is an ambitious but achievable goal if approached methodically. This guide assumes a general U.S. context (adjust for your location), focusing on building skills, customer base, and revenue while minimizing risks. The timeline is divided into phases, with milestones to hit each year. Expect to reinvest profits, seek financing as needed, and adapt based on performance. Key themes across all stages: comply with local laws, prioritize food safety, track finances, and market aggressively via social media, local events, and word-of-mouth.

Year 1: Establish Your Home-Based Cooking Business

Focus on validating your concept, building a loyal customer base, and generating initial revenue from home. Aim for $20,000–$50,000 in annual sales to fund future growth.

1.  Define Your Niche and Concept: Research local demand—e.g., healthy meals, ethnic cuisine, or baked goods. Pick a specialty…