how to start small chops business in nigeria

A Simple Guide to Starting a Small Chops Business in Nigeria

by Barakat Hammed

Should I tell you the secrets behind small chops business in Nigeria?

Small chops has become the most-sought after snack in almost every event. You can hardly find an event in Nigeria where small chops are not added to the budget. The event can be a small one or a large one where small chops will be served as an appetizer.

Another secret is that you are good to go as long as you can get the general public to know about your business. A business is not without its ups and downs. The small chops business is not a business you would want to venture into without knowing about it.

Don’t worry! This article will definitely give you everything you need to know to have a good start and a success story at the end of the day. Stay tuned!

What is Small Chops?

Small chops is a combination of snacks served in events in Nigeria. Finger food, as it is sometimes called, is normally served at events as an appetizer to keep guests busy and avoid boredom. In some events, small chops are served instead of normal food as it is less expensive. It has become a notable delicacy as it is an appetizer that never goes wrong.

You can hardly find an event where the guests are not served small chops. The more the content of the small chops, the more palatable it is. Although this will depend on the customer’s budget, small chops can include; grilled chicken, snail, plantain, puff puff and samosa.

List of some common small chops items in Nigeria include;

  • Samosa
  • Puff Puff
  • Spring rolls
  • Dodo gizzard (Gizdodo)
  • Smoked goat meat (asun)
  • Sausage rolls
  • Pies
  • Peppered snails
  • Cakes
  • Chin chin
  • Grilled chicken
  • Yam balls and so on.

Events where small chops are served include;

  • Weddings
  • Conferences
  • House warming
  • Birthdays
  • Concerts
  • Seminars
  • Burials, to mention a few.

Is Small Chops Business in Nigeria Lucrative?

You shouldn’t dive into small chops business without having an answer to this question. Yes, it is lucrative.

I have seen people become successful through this business. It will remain profitable as long as events still take place in Nigeria. The higher the number of people served, the higher the profits gained.

Although, it is not immediately after you hit the market that you start making a lot of profit. It requires some time of commitment before you start making your profits. You will need to offer discounts and provide good customer service to keep your customers coming back to you.

How to Kick-Start Small Chops Business in Nigeria

Small chops business is a business you can operate right from the comfort of your home – your kitchen or anywhere in your house as long as it is neat. It is not a business that requires looking for a location. All you need is awareness for your business, both offline and online. This is a business that anyone, whether male or female, can run.

After learning what small chops business is, you need to follow the basic steps to start your own business;

  1. Learn how to make small chops

This is the next step after knowing the profitability of small chops business. Small chops can be learned online via YouTube, online baking classes or offline by learning from someone already in the business.

This is considered the most effective way to learn because the taste of the food cannot be gotten online and shouldn’t be gotten wrong. 

Read Also: Top 10 Healthy Nigerian Snacks

  1. Buy the equipment needed

While starting this business, some equipment is necessary, while some can be rented when you get money to buy yours. You can’t always depend on renting because it reduces your profit over time. The equipment used in making small chops is mainly kitchen appliances in bigger sizes to make production easier and faster.

So, if you already have this equipment in your kitchen, you might want to consider getting bigger sizes for bulk production. 

Some of these equipment are;

  • Frying pans (different sizes)
  • Mixer 
  • Grater
  • Spatula
  • Bowls
  • Rolling board
  • Turner
  • Trays 
  • Knives
  • Measuring cups (different sizes)
  • Sieve, among others.

You should also customize fliers and business cards as they are important equipment in advertising your small chops business.

You can sponsor your business on Insight.ng to have a wider reach of your target audience

  1. Package your small chops

This is part of the merit of learning from someone in the small chops business. You will learn how to package your small chops into different sizes and varieties of food. You will also get to know the right quantity of ingredients to use for a certain number of people and how to calculate the costs and expenses. 

small chops business

Packaging small chops

The package of the small chops will depend on your client’s budget. This will allow you to know the size to pack and the price to give.

Before deciding on the price of small chops to give your clients, you should consider the following;

  • The cost of preparation
  • The varieties of the small chops
  • The size of the small chops (mini/mid/maxi packs)
  • The delivery fee

Part of packaging is knowing how well to serve your customers. This should be part of the services you offer in your business to allow you to interact with potential clients who might be willing to do business with you.

  1. Advertise your small chops business

Getting people to know what you do is very important. Advertise your business both online and offline.

  • Online advertisement

Social media is a platform where everyone can know what you do and connect with you. All you need to do is to post gorgeous pictures of your small chops on social media pages that aid marketing, like Instagram and Facebook and encourage your customers to leave reviews and feedback. You can also connect with food bloggers online to help advertise your small chops business.

Read Also: An Insightful Guide on How to Advertise a Product (Digital and Physical)

  • Offline advertisement

As for offline advertisement, let your customer service be at its peak. This will make customers always return to you or refer others to you during any event. Do well to always attach your sticker on the small chops pack and drop your business cards in offices, schools, restaurants, etc.

One effective way to market your business offline is by connecting with event planners to contact you whenever they plan events. Also, inform your friends and family members of this small chops business of yours so that they can patronize you.

Read Also: 9 Top Small Business Mistakes You Need to Avoid or Fix NOW

Conclusion

Even though this small chops business seems competitive, you can always pave the way for yourself by offering the best customer service, giving the guests a palatable taste to remember and giving a discount to first-timers.

When you take note of all these points, you will always find your customers coming back for more.

Do you know how powerful whatsapp can be in growing your business? Join our whatsapp community to learn how.

About Author

Avatar of Barakat Hammed
Barakat Hammed
Barakat is a professional content writer with competence in academic writing, ebooks, and blog posts. To help you convey your ideas to your audience, she provides articles written in the most appropriate style and tone.

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