How do I sell a meal prep business?

A buyer will want to see how the business runs. Show it with clear order records, a list of the recipes and suppliers, and the names of the people who do the cooking and delivery. That means clear records, assets that can be handed over and a plan for the period when you step back. Begin well before you speak to anyone, since gathering these pieces can take time.

Document subscribers and orders

Pull together order history by customer, with start dates, pauses and cancellations. Note which customers come from referrals and which from advertising. Keep personal information protected, and share it only after the buyer has signed a confidentiality agreement. Ask your lawyer how to describe the customer list safely in early conversations.

Recipes, brand and accounts

Write the recipes down with quantities, methods and supplier names. Collect the label files, brand name, domain, website, ordering system and social media logins in one place, and confirm who owns each. If a designer or developer made something, check that you hold the rights. A buyer will ask, and a quick answer helps.

Kitchen transfer and handover

Read your kitchen lease or commissary agreement and ask whether the landlord or operator must agree to a new occupant. Tell your key suppliers early if they need to know. If you are the cook, write a handover plan covering the first weeks, the training you will give and how long you can stay. Restaurant owners who cook face much the same question.