INTRO: CATERING IS WHERE REAL MONEY LIVES IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

There are food businesses you start because you want “side income”

…and there are food businesses you start because you want real money, consistent bookings, corporate clients, scale, and repeat business.

Catering is one of the few food businesses in Nigeria that checks ALL the boxes.

Every season  weddings, burials, birthday parties, office events, private dinners, house warmings, school functions  someone needs food for 50, 100, 300, even 1,000+ guests.

In fact:

The catering industry in Nigeria is now worth over ₦350 billion annually.

And demand grows every single year because Nigerians celebrate EVERYTHING.

But you know what separates the profitable caterers from the struggling ones?

Not hairstyle.
Not uniform.
Not packaging.
Not Instagram aesthetics.

It is their equipment.

Their ability to cook fast, cook well, cook plenty, transport safely, and serve hygienically.

And this is where AFESS Industrial Equipment Ltd becomes your secret advantage because we supply the exact equipment professional caterers use to stand out, save cost, and deliver quality consistently.

What Type of Catering Business Is Most Profitable in Nigeria?

Nigeria has 7 major catering business models.
Each one has its own profit potential.

Below is the real breakdown:

1. Full-Service Event Catering (Most Profitable)

This is catering for:

• Weddings

• Engagements

• Burrial ceremonies

• Corporate events

• Traditional events

• Political meetings

Why it is the most profitable:

 High per-person pricing (₦2,500–₦15,000 per plate)
 Large crowds (100 – 1,000 plates)
 Multiple income streams (food, drinks, service charge, rentals)
Repeat clients

Average earning for one event:
₦450,000 – ₦6,500,000 per event

With 4 events in a month →
You can make ₦1.8M – ₦26M monthly.

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2. Small Event Catering (Birthdays, House Parties, 30–100 Guests)

Perfect for beginners.
You can start with a smaller setup and scale up.

Profitability:

Profit per event: ₦80,000 – ₦450,000

Great for building referrals.

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3. Corporate Catering (Office Lunch, Conferences, Staff Meals)

This is steady income.
Once a company likes you, they’ll book you weekly or monthly.

Profit:
₦300,000 – ₦2M monthly (depending on clients).

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4. Outdoor Live Catering (On-Site Frying, Grilling, Shawarma, Asun, Barbecue)

This category is exploding on Instagram and TikTok.

You cook LIVE at:
 House parties
Beach events
Bachelor/Bachelorette parties
Street carnivals

Profit per event: ₦150,000 – ₦650,000

Equipment needed:

• Grill

• Smoker

• Hot plate

• Gas fryer

• Shawarma machine

Luckily, AFESS has all of these.

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5. School & Hostel Catering (Low Budget, High Volume)

Daily orders from students:

• Rice

• Beans

• Pasta

• Small chops

• Breakfast foods

Profit: 200 – 500 plates daily
Monthly profit: ₦300,000 – ₦1.2M

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6. Buffet Catering Business

Especially popular for:

• Hotels

• Churches

• Private events

You need:

• Chafing dishes

• Food warmers

• Commercial rice cookers

• Serving counters

Profit: ₦150,000 – ₦900,000 per event

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7. Snack & Small Chops Catering

Spring rolls, samosas, puff puff, chicken kebabs.

This is extremely profitable because ingredients are cheap.

Profit:
₦40,000 – ₦200,000 per day
OR
₦300,000 – ₦1.5M per month depending on capacity.

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  How Much Does It Cost to Start a Catering Business in Nigeria (2025 Update)?

Here’s the TRUTH:
You can start small and grow big.

3 Startup Levels:

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LEVEL 1 — SMALL START (₦100,000 – ₦450,000)

For small events & small chops.

Equipment needed:

• 1 small gas burner

• 1 deep fryer

• Pots + pans

• Chopping tools

• Tabletop blender

AFESS affordable picks:

• Small deep fryer

• Stainless steel work table

• Commercial blender

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LEVEL 2 — STANDARD START (₦450,000 – ₦1.8M)

For weddings below 150 guests.

Equipment needed:

• Gas range

• Gas burners

• Commercial griddle

• Oven

• Bain marie

• Food warmer

• Pressure pot

• Work tables

 

LEVEL 3 — FULL PROFESSIONAL SETUP (₦2M – ₦9M+)

For big events (200–1,000 guests).

You need:

• Large gas range

• Deep fryer 2-tank

• Double electric griddle

• Salamander

• Commercial oven

• Food warmer cart

• Chafing dishes

• Stainless prep tables

• Industrial blender

• BBQ grill

• Shawarma machine

AFESS also provides Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL):
Just pay 30% and spread the balance across 3–12 months.

Another great News! AFESS is currently on black friday sales

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Catering Equipment List (2025 Full, Updated)

Here is the fully updated Nigeria catering equipment list:

Cooking

Gas Range
2 Gas Gaddle
 Gas/ Electric Cookers
 Electric Griddle
 Gas Stove
Shawarma Machine
 BBQ Grill
 Electric Contact Grill
 Pressure Cooker

Frying

 Electric Deep Fryer
Gas Deep Fryer
 Floor Type Fryer

 Heating

 Salamander
Plate Warmer
Food Warmer Cart
 Bain Marie

 Prep Equipment

Stainless Steel Prep Table
Worktable with Sink
 Food Processor
 Industrial Blender

 Refrigeration

Display fridge
Under-counter chiller
 Freezer

Serving Equipment

Chafing Dishes
Serving Counter
 Food Trays

 Safety

Fire extinguisher
Gloves
Non-slip mats

Everything listed above is available at AFESS.

How to Choose the Right Catering Equipment (Professional Guide)

Choosing equipment wrongly can finish your money and your business.

Here’s the real guide:

✔ 1. Buy equipment that reduces cooking time

Fast cooking = more events = more money.

✔ 2. Choose equipment that can handle bulk cooking

Caterers cook for MANY people.

✔ 3. Prioritize stainless steel

Easy to clean, doesn’t rust, lasts for years.

✔ 4. Avoid second-hand (they die fast)

New equipment saves money long-term.

✔ 5. Choose equipment with warranty + service

AFESS provides both.

How to Create a Winning Catering Menu

This is one area many caterers struggle with.

Step 1: Choose your category

• Nigerian meals

• Continental

• Grills

• Small chops

• Buffet

• Drinks + smoothies

Step 2: Choose meals that are profitable

Examples:

• Jollof rice (low cost, high demand)

• Fried rice

• Pasta

• Peppered meat

• Asun

• BBQ chicken

Step 3: Standardize ingredients

Don’t cook differently every time.
Use measured recipes.

 Step 4: Add signature dishes

Something only YOU are known for.

Step 5: Add multiple price tiers

Basic → Standard → Premium
So you attract all budgets.

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AFESS Equipment That Make Catering Easier

Here’s what you should get from AFESS:

✔ Gas Range
✔ 2 Gas Gaddle
✔ Pressure Cooker
✔ Griddle
✔ Deep Fryer
✔ Grill
✔ Salamander
✔ Food Warmer Cart
✔ Plate Warmer
✔ Shawarma Machine
✔ Work Tables
✔ Display Fridge

Visit AFESS Today

0916 983 8309
0813 750 0323
0916 983 8312

AFESS Head Office:
No 81 Olojo Drive, Opp Eccer Right Lab, Alaba International Market.

Awka Office:
Shop 17, Plot A 280, Iyiagu Bypass.

Lekki Office:
Mr Groceries 2 Go Ltd, beside Lagos Business School.

www.afess.ng

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