The First 5 Steps to Launching a Food Tour (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

So, you’ve got the idea. You love your city. You’re passionate about food. And now you’re wondering—could I actually start a food tour business?

The short answer? Yes, you absolutely can.

But if you're like most people at the starting line, you're probably thinking:

Where do I even begin? Do I talk to restaurants first? Do I need a website? A license? Should I plan my route first?

Take a breath—I’ve got you.

After coaching dozens of future food tour operators, here’s what I tell everyone: start small, and start with the right first steps.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Guest

Before you even plan your route or come up with a name, you need to know who your food tour is for.

Are you targeting tourists? Locals? History lovers? Retirees? Foodie couples?
The more specific you are, the more magnetic your tour will be.

🎯 Pro Tip: If your answer is “everyone,” your marketing will reach no one. Define your dream guest—then build for them.

Step 2: Evaluate Your City’s Food Tour Potential

Ask yourself:

• Do you have a walkable downtown or restaurant district?

• Are there locally owned spots with great food and character?

• Does your city have history or cultural stories to tell?

If you’re nodding “yes” to most of these, your city is already a great candidate.
Still unsure? Download this free guide to see if your city is a perfect fit for a food tour.

Step 3: Choose Your Brand Name + Identity

This is where it gets real!

You don’t need a logo or business cards yet, but you do need a name that reflects your city and the experience you're offering.

A good name should be:

• Memorable and easy to pronounce

• Tied to your location or theme

• Available as a domain and on social media

💡 Examples:
Taste of Fairhope (my second tour) tells you exactly what you’ll experience.
Bienville Bites ties in both history (Bienville = city founder) and food.

Step 4: Test a Sample Route

Grab a friend (or five) and hit the streets. Start experimenting with:

• Potential stops

• Walking time between locations

• Stories you could tell along the way

• Food that’s easy to serve & eat

You don’t need a full route yet—this is just about seeing what’s possible.

📍Keep it simple. Your goal is a smooth-flowing, fun experience—not perfection.

Step 5: Create a Simple Online Presence

Before reaching out to restaurants or launching ticket sales, set up a basic online presence. You’ll need:

• A website (you can start with a one-pager)

• An email list or lead magnet to collect interest

• Social media handles (even if you’re not posting yet)

Why now? Because when people hear about your idea, you want to give them somewhere to go.

🧭 Not tech-savvy? Don’t worry—tools like Kajabi or Squarespace make this step beginner-friendly.

Ready to Go From Idea to First Tour?

If this blog post lit a fire under you, then you’re going to love what I’ve built inside Food Tour Founders, my step-by-step course for launching and growing a food tour business. It’s the exact roadmap I wish I had when I started out—and it’s already helping others do the same.
Then, stay tuned—because your dream of becoming a food tour operator just got a whole lot closer.