The F&B business has always been popular, and it still is today.
Why? Because this type of culinary business is accessible to anyone, even with minimal capital.
You can find F&B businesses in many forms: local food stalls, coffee kiosks, casual eateries, coffee shops, restaurants, school or office canteens, and even catering services.
This type of business rarely fades away because food and drinks are essential needs.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What is the Food & Beverage Business?
- Business Ideas and Strategies in F&B
- F&B Business Opportunities
Let’s get right into it;
What is the Food & Beverage Business?
F&B, short for food and beverage, refers to services that involve preparing and serving food and drinks to customers.
F&B services fall into two main categories: on-premise and off-premise.
Here’s the breakdown:
On-Premise Food & Beverage Business
In this model, food and drinks are served at a physical location.
So customers need to visit the location to receive the service.
On-premise F&B setups are usually well-equipped and designed to attract walk-in customers.
Examples include coffee shops and restaurants.
Off-Premise Food & Beverage Business
This model involves preparing and delivering food and drinks to a location chosen by the customer.
It typically caters to large-scale events and is often managed remotely from the F&B provider’s site.
Example: catering businesses.
F&B Business Ideas and Strategies
Running an F&B business takes both creativity and strategy.
According to Upserve.com, 90% of customers now do online research before visiting a café or restaurant.
In today’s digital era, your business needs a strong online presence to attract new customers, build a community, and increase sales.
Here are some ideas and strategies you can apply:
Design an Eye-Catching Storefront
First impressions matter. A well-designed storefront can decide whether someone stops by or walks past your business.
Showcase your best products in your display window to attract attention.
Make sure your shop’s exterior and interior design are cohesive—it helps highlight your brand’s uniqueness.
Need inspiration? Check out our article 11 Instagrammable Café Interior Ideas.
Post High-Quality Product Photos
Every business today needs an online version of itself.
For restaurant or café owners, strong branding with great visuals is key to drawing in customers.
Upload mouthwatering and aesthetically pleasing photos of your menu items.
No budget for a professional photographer yet? Read our guide 9 Smartphone Food Photography Tips That Look Professional.
Leverage Social Media
Social media is a powerful marketing tool.
Follow potential customers or accounts that could become valuable partners for your café or restaurant.
The more potential connections you follow, the more visibility your business account gains.
Don’t miss our article Why Social Media and Online Presence Matter for Your Business Branding.
Build Strong Customer Relationships
In the F&B world, customer relationships are everything.
Loyal customers come from meaningful connections and great experiences.
Here’s what you can do:
- Meet expectations by offering quality dishes
- Communicate consistently through customer service or admin teams
- Ask for customer feedback
- Stay active on social media
- Handle customer concerns promptly
- Build a community, and more
You can also read our article Strategies for Building Great Customer Experiences.
Maximize User-Generated Content (UGC)
Reposting customer content tagged to your account is a free and effective way to promote your business.
Encourage your customers to tag your F&B business on social media.
UGC helps increase trust and visibility—without spending anything.
Explore more tips in our article 15 Ways to Promote Your F&B Business for Free.
Partner with KOLs or Influencers
Collaborating with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) or influencers is currently a popular strategy.
It helps your business tap into their audience, gain exposure, and bring in more customers.
Check out our list of 10 Food Influencers to Promote Your Café or Restaurant.
Offer a Unique Menu
Innovation is key in the culinary world, especially when it comes to your menu.
With so many similar food businesses out there, you need something that stands out.
Consider creative touches, even touchless menu solutions during the pandemic.
Looking for ideas? Start with our article on Delicious Indonesian Vegetarian Dishes.
Create Compelling Promotions
Promos are a classic and effective way to market your products.
They can come in the form of posters, banners, or engaging videos.
Before launching one, plan your promotional channels—whether in high-traffic areas or online.
Promising Opportunities in the F&B Business
If you're considering starting a business in F&B, that’s a smart move.
F&B remains one of the most resilient industries because it meets a basic human need.
It’s also an ideal choice if you're looking for a business with consistent demand.
In Indonesia especially, with its large population, the market potential is huge.
Here are some of the opportunities you can tap into:
Quick to Adapt to New Trends
F&B businesses thrive because they can evolve with changing consumer trends.
Every year, new food concepts emerge from local and international influences.
If you can put your own twist on trending foods, you’ve got a winning menu.
Boosted by Technology
With smartphones in nearly everyone’s hands, the F&B space is now tightly connected to tech.
Online apps are making it easier for people to order, pay, and get their food delivered.
F&B businesses are also reaching more customers by going digital.
These platforms help sellers and buyers stay connected, even across distances.
A Constant Demand as a Basic Need
Why F&B? Because people will always need to eat and drink.
That’s why F&B businesses have long-term relevance and stable customer demand.
Opaper Is Here to Support Your F&B Business
If you run an F&B business, Opaper can help you grow.
Our app offers tools to track finances, manage inventory, and handle orders more easily—so you know exactly what to prioritize.
We also offer a dine-in ordering feature. Yes, customers can simply scan a QR code at their table to place an order—no waiting in line required.
And that’s just the beginning. You can download Opaper on Play Store or App Store.
Or request a demo from our support team.