3 Food & Beverage Businesses You Can Start on a Small Budget in 2025

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Food preferences may vary from person to person, but one thing’s for sure: everyone has to eat. And that, my friends, is where opportunity knocks. 

If you have a passion for food and a dream of running your own business, 2025 looks like a delicious year to start. Don’t worry—it won’t cost you a pretty penny. 

The rise of home-based businesses, pop-ups, and digital marketing has made starting a food or beverage venture easier and more affordable than ever. 

Don’t confuse low startup costs with low revenue. PR Newswire says that the food and beverage industry is a high revenue-generating industry. Its revenue is expected to cross $7,259.3 billion by 2030. 

So, if you’re ready to turn your culinary passion into a profitable business without breaking the bank, keep reading. Here are some food and beverage business ideas that you can start this year. 

#1 Set up a Gourmet Popcorn Business

Fifteen billion quarts! That’s how much popcorn Americans munch on every year. And you know what that means? Opportunity. 

A popcorn venture would be perfect if you want to start small but dream big. No fancy storefront is needed. You can kick this off right from your kitchen.  

All you need is a reliable popcorn maker, some creative recipes, and cute packaging. Start with about $300 to $500, and you’re golden.

Forget the basic butter and salt. Gourmet-flavored ready-to-eat popcorn is where it’s at. Make unique flavors like truffle parmesan, matcha caramel, or spicy sriracha lime. Sell them online or as custom gift boxes at local markets.  

Want repeat customers? Offer seasonal and themed flavors like pumpkin spice in fall and peppermint bark in winter.  

Tasting Table notes that many local popcorn brands are killing with one-of-a-kind, fancy flavors like mango, dill pickle, cheese, and bacon. Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn, Popcorn Heaven, and Popinsanity are some examples. 

#2 Start a Mobile Coffee Cart

Coffee is the favorite drug of capitalism, says The Atlantic. It’s hard to argue since Americans consume a total of 491 million cups of coffee daily. 

If everyone’s hooked, why not cash in? A coffee shop sounds great, but who has that kind of dough? A mobile coffee cart is a much more realistic option. 

You’ll need three key things: a reliable espresso machine, a sturdy cart, and eye-catching branding. Startup costs are significantly lower than a cafe. You could be in business for around $5,000, or even less if you source pre-owned equipment.

But don’t skimp on the espresso machine. The Good Housekeeping ranks the Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine as the best espresso machine. It costs $999.95 when purchased from the official site. But you can get it at a fraction of the cost if you go for a second-hand machine. 

Just make sure you find Breville coffee machine parts beforehand for maintenance. That way, you’ll be able to serve up quality coffee while keeping your cart in top shape.

The good news? Premium machines like Breville’s don’t have a ton of moving parts. According to Caffewerks, the parts most likely to need replacing are baskets, gaskets, and shower screens—relatively minor concerns. 

Once you’re set, find a busy spot and watch coffee lovers roll in. 

#3 Launch a Meal Prep Service

Busy professionals, gym lovers, and tired parents don’t always have time to cook. But they still want healthy, delicious meals that don’t come from a drive-thru.

One of Real Simple’s writers reveals that she has relied on meal delivery services for the last six years. She depends on them so that she can have nutritional, well-balanced dinners daily. 

If you can cook balanced, tasty meals and package them well, you have a winning business idea. You cook up delicious, healthy meals in bulk, package them nicely, and people can grab them and go. Super convenient, right?

One of the wisest things you can do is niche down. Instead of generic meal prep, offer something targeted—high-protein meals for gym-goers, plant-based options for vegans, or family-friendly packs for busy parents. Bonus points if you highlight local, organic ingredients or cater to dietary needs, such as gluten-free or keto.

Startup costs? They are pretty low. With a bit of meal prep equipment, ingredients, and packaging, you can launch for under $2,000. Deliver locally, partner with fitness studios, and let word-of-mouth do the rest.

So, you see, you don’t need a mountain of cash to start a food and beverage business. It’s all about finding your niche, getting creative, and putting in the hustle. 

Think about what you love, what you’re good at, and what your community needs. Whatever you choose, just focus on quality and building genuine connections with your customers.

And don’t forget the power of social media. It’s your free marketing tool. Share mouthwatering photos, engage with your followers, and run contests. Building a strong online presence is key to success in the food and beverage world.

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