INTRODUCTION — The Catering Industry: Nigeria’s Silent Goldmine

If you have ever attended a Nigerian wedding, birthday, housewarming, burial, or corporate event, you already know one truth:

Catering is not just food. Catering is the heartbeat of every celebration.

And because Nigerians love to celebrate, the catering business will NEVER go out of demand.

But here’s what most people don’t know:

A catering business doesn’t require a huge restaurant setup, a big shop, or millions in capital.
What you truly need is the RIGHT equipment, the RIGHT menu strategy, and the RIGHT business structure.

This is where AFESS Industrial Equipment Ltd comes in.

With the largest collection of premium catering equipment  from gas ranges, ovens, bain-maries, warmers, fryers, grills, shawarma machines, to industrial coolers, prep tables, sinks, dishwashers  Afess gives you everything you need to start fast, start professionally, and scale without stress.

---

 What Type of Catering Business Is Most Profitable in Nigeria?

There are 7 types of catering businesses but only 3 are the most profitable for beginners:

---

1. Outdoor Catering (Most Profitable)

Catering for weddings, birthdays, burials, housewarmings, corporate events.

Why it’s highly profitable:
 Payments are bulk
You work per event, not daily
 High margins (40%–65%)
 You can rent out your equipment for extra income
 You build strong repeat clients

---

2. Indoor Catering / Food Tray Catering

This includes:

– Office lunch catering
– Home delivery meals
– Small party trays
– Surprise food boxes
– Corporate meeting meals

Why it’s profitable:
 Low overhead
 You can operate from home
 High repeat customers
 Perfect for small teams
 Easy to scale with delivery riders

---

3. Specialty Catering (Fast rising trend)

Examples:

– Small chops catering
– Grill catering
– Shawarma / BBQ catering
– Dessert catering
– Cocktail catering

Why Nigerians LOVE specialty caterers:
 They focus on one thing → Quality is higher
Demand is extremely high
 Perfect for weekends
You earn from sales + event service packages
Scales quickly with equipment

What Equipment Do You Need for a Catering Business in Nigeria?

This is where people make BIG mistakes.
They buy the wrong equipment, cheap second-hand items, and end up with:

✘ Burnt food
✘ Slow service
✘ Spoilage
✘ Bad reviews
✘ Unnecessary repairs
✘ Loss of customers

To avoid that, here’s the AFESS-approved equipment list for a profitable catering setup:

---

1. Gas Range / Industrial Cooking Gas Stove

Perfect for: soups, stews, party jollof, fried rice, beans, sauces
Benefits:
✔ Fast cooking
✔ Durable stainless-steel body
✔ Even heat distribution
✔ Saves gas
✔ Affordable to maintain

---

2. Commercial Ovens (Electric or Gas)

Perfect for:
✓ baking
✓ roasting
✓ grilling
✓ pastries
✓ proteins

Why Afess ovens stand out:
✔ Overheat protection
✔ Durable
✔ Easy temperature control
✔ Can work for long hours

---

3. Bain-Marie / Food Warmer

Keeps food hot, fresh, and hygienic throughout an event.

Benefits:
✔ Zero spoilage
✔ Clean presentation
✔ Perfect for buffet settings

---

4. Industrial Deep Fryers

Perfect for:
✓ small chops
✓ fried chicken
✓ fish
✓ yam
✓ puff-puff
✓ plantain

Why caterers need them:
✔ Faster output
✔ Consistent taste
✔ Better oil management

---

5. Grills (Charcoal, Gas, or Electric)

Needed for:
✓ chicken
✓ turkey
✓ suya
✓ barbecue
✓ grills for outdoor catering

---

6. Commercial Work Tables

Allows:
✔ Faster food prep
✔ Better hygiene
✔ Proper cutting & seasoning

---

7. Industrial Cooling & Refrigeration

Perfect for:
✓ drinks
✓ salads
✓ perishables
✓ proteins

---

8. Food Warmers, Chafing Dishes & Serving Tools

These guarantee:

✔ Elegant presentation
✔ Proper hygiene
✔ Longer heat retention

---

9. Shawarma Machine (Optional but profitable)

For caterers who also sell:

– shawarma
– meat wraps
– grilling sides

---

SHOULD YOU BUY NEW OR FAIRLY USED EQUIPMENT?

Always buy NEW. Here’s why:

New equipment =
✔ Warranty
✔ Zero hidden faults
✔ Longer lifespan
✔ Lower maintenance
✔ More professional presentation

Used equipment =
✘ Hidden defects
✘ Worn-out burners
✘ Weak heating element
✘ Rust
✘ No warranty
✘ Higher cost in long run

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Catering Business in Nigeria?

Here is the REALISTIC breakdown (Afess version):

STARTER PACKAGE (₦300,000 – ₦600,000)

Best for indoor/start-from-home catering

Includes:
– 1 Burner gas range
– Work table
– Small freezer
– Pots, trays, tools

STANDARD PACKAGE (₦700,000 – ₦1.5M)

Best for medium events

Includes:
– Gas range
– Bain-marie
– Industrial fryer
– Chafing dishes
– Work table
– Cooling system

---

PREMIUM PACKAGE (₦2M – ₦5M)

Best for big outdoor events & caterers
Includes:
– Big gas range
– Premium oven
– Grill
– Big fryer
– Bain-marie
– Display fridge
– Work tables
– Dishwashing setup

---

 How to Choose Catering Equipment (Professional Checklist)

Here is the Afess-approved checklist:

✔ Stainless-steel body
✔ Warranty
✔ Strong heating elements
✔ Spare parts availability
✔ Stable temperature control
✔ Easy cleaning
✔ Energy efficiency
✔ Good brand reputation

This is why caterers trust AFESS everything is built for commercial use.

---

 How to Create a Menu for Your Catering Business

A powerful catering menu must be:

✔ Profitable
✔ Easy to prepare
✔ Customer-demand driven
✔ Presentation-friendly

Here’s the formula Afess recommends:

---

CATEGORY 1 — Main Dishes

Jollof, Fried Rice, Native Rice, Pasta, Beans, Yam Pottage

---

CATEGORY 2 — Proteins

Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Goat Meat, Fish

---

CATEGORY 3 — Sides

Coleslaw, Moi-moi, Dodo, Potatoes

---

CATEGORY 4 — Add-ons

Small chops, Shawarma, Grills

---

CATEGORY 5 — Packages

Classic package
Premium package
Executive package
Corporate catering package

---

 WHY AFESS EQUIPMENT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS MORE PROFITABLE

Afess equipment gives you:

✔ Faster cooking time
✔ Better taste
✔ Professional presentation
✔ Longer heat retention
✔ Reduced stress
✔ Higher client satisfaction
✔ Repeat customers

Call Afess: 09169838312, 09169838309, 08137500323
Visit our showroom:
– No 81 Olojo Drive, Alaba International Market
– Awka Branch
– Lekki Branch (Mr. Groceries 2 Go)

Website: https://afess.ng
Instagram: @afessindustrial
▶️ YouTube Demo: https://youtube.com/shorts/uWbkv1yAWEo?si=ujWRmfpumwuKd8pc