Starting a beef jerky business can be a fun and lucrative endeavor. Beef jerky's great taste and beneficial protein content make it very appealing to consumers. This tasty and convenient snack has ballooned into a $3.3 billion industry. Establishing a beef jerky business is not as difficult as one may think. By applying the proper steps and going through the inevitable trial-and-error period, anyone can start a successful beef jerky company.
Instructions
1. Check the regulations for selling food in your city. Most cities require a specific license to sell food. Apart from your food license, you will also need to obtain a business license.Take a trip to your local business bureau and inquire as to which specific licenses are required to sell a food product in your city. Fill out the appropriate paperwork and pay the required fees.
2. Purchase a food dehydrator. When choosing a food dehydrator, try to find one that is big enough to accommodate large quantities of beef. You can save money on your dehydrator by purchasing it used on websites such as Craigslist.com or in person at a thrift store. If you would like to purchase a new dehydrator, opt for a quality unit such as the Excalibur dehydrator.
3. Purchase beef. When purchasing beef, try to find a bulk supplier that offers quality meat. Such meat suppliers can be found by contacting local beef farms and beef distributors in your city. If a meat distributor is not available near you, purchase your meat in bulk at discount stores such as Costco or Sam's Club. When choosing a beef cut, opt for a tender cut, such as sirloin or top round.
4. Experiment to find the best recipe and techniques to make the jerky. Beef jerky recipes can be found on websites such as Beefjerkyrecipes.com. As you become more comfortable in making jerky, start to experiment with your own flavors and recipes. Have friends and family taste-test and give you feedback on the taste and quality of the different jerkies you make.
5. Seal the finished product in airtight, resealable plastic bags. To properly seal the bags, a plastic-bag sealer is necessary. Ensuring that the bags are sealed tightly will help preserve the beef jerky and decrease the chances of spoilage. On each bag of jerky, attach a label with your company's name and the flavor of the jerky.
6. When it comes to selling your beef jerky, the best way to get your business off the ground is by going from supermarket to supermarket "merchandising," which means setting up accounts at different stores. If a supermarket likes your product, they will give you a small shelf space, see how well your product sells, and continue buying your product based on its degree of success. Also consider selling the beef jerky at farmers' markets and to your friends and family.
Tags: your city, your product, beef jerky, beef jerky, beef jerky business, food dehydrator