Case Study: Startup-Deli+Fit

Project Type: Startup Food Concept Development

Services Provided: Menu Design • Recipe Development • Dietary-Specific Menu Engineering • Staff Training • Supplier Sourcing • Food Costing • Opening Support

Deli+Fit

Overview

Deli+Fit is a startup concept built around gourmet sandwiches, focaccia, wraps, salads and coffee, also tailored for people with special dietary needs — including diabetic-friendly, allergen-conscious, and low-cholesterol options. Host Culinary Consulting was brought in from the very beginning to design the food concept, engineer the menu, set up operations, and prepare the team for launch.

“Our goal with Deli+Fit was to create a gourmet experience that combines great taste with nutritional responsibility.” George Polatidis, Executive Chef & Consultant

Menu Creation & Dietary Engineering

We developed a complete menu from scratch, structured to meet the requirements of the concept’s target audience.

Key Deliverables:

• Gourmet sandwiches, focaccia, wraps, and salad recipes

• Diabetic-friendly, allergen-aware, and low-cholesterol menu engineering

• Balanced nutritional profile without compromising flavor

• Portioning standards & serving guidelines

• Full recipe manual for internal use

Operational Setup & Supplier Sourcing

For Deli+Fit, Host Culinary Consulting guided the startup through the entire operational foundation.

Our Contributions:

• Identified and sourced reliable suppliers for fresh produce, and specialty products

• Provided purchasing specifications and product standards

• Structured inventory systems to support consistency

• Organized workflow layouts for sandwich assembly and salad preparation

• SOPs for hygiene, production timing, and customer service flow

“The right suppliers were critical for consistency, especially because the concept serves customers with sensitive dietary needs.”

Staff Training

We trained the team in the kitchen and on the service line.

Training Included:

• Proper execution of all recipes

• Allergen awareness & safe food handling

• Portion control and accuracy

• Speed of assembly & workflow optimization

• Customer interaction with focus on dietary concerns

  
  

Food Costing & Pricing Strategy

A complete food cost structure was calculated for every item, ensuring the business could launch sustainably.

Highlights:

• Cost percentages for all menu items

• Cost-to-price strategy development

• Profit margin analysis

• Waste control guidelines

Opening Support

Host Culinary Consulting supported the final stages of the launch, ensuring the concept opened with confidence.

What We Provided:

• Pre-opening tastings & recipe finalization

• Staff readiness assessment

• On-site support during the opening phase

• Final operational adjustments

  
  

Outcome

Deli+Fit launched with a fully formed gourmet menu, trained staff, reliable suppliers, and an operational system built for a startup concept expected to scale. The menu’s unique blend of gourmet quality and dietary-conscious design positioned the business immediately as a trustworthy choice for customers seeking healthier options with great taste.

“Deli+Fit started as a concept. Together, we turned it into a fully functional business ready for growth.”

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