Your Ultimate Opening a Deli Checklist [Free Download Inside]

Delis still hold a special place in an age ruled by food delivery apps and 30-minute meal kits. They offer quick, customizable food made fresh and trusted by locals for generations.

Here’s the best part: You don’t need a massive kitchen or a Michelin-starred chef to open one. You just need great food, a solid plan, and a step-by-step deli launch checklist. 

So, how hard is it to open a deli? Let’s walk through what it really takes to open a deli that gets customers excited to come back again and again.

What Makes a Deli… a Deli?

A deli isn’t just a smaller restaurant. It’s part eatery, part grocer, and often a tiny community hub all rolled into one. Think of it as the halfway point between a casual café and a neighborhood grocery. 

What sets delis apart? It's their speed and flexibility. Customers order at the counter, grab what they need, and go. That quick-serve format eliminates full table service or long prep times. But it also demands tight inventory management.

There’s also the retail side to consider. Many delis sell packaged snacks, fresh produce, or ready-made items. So, your business operations move the line between food service and retail. That’s why you need systems, like a manage all-in-one POS, that can juggle both in one place.

10 Step Guide to Opening a Deli

Here's how to go about opening a deli:

1. Define Your Deli Concept

Are you offering locally sourced sandwiches or customizable global flavors? Customizable meals with global flavors? Maybe you want to highlight regional ingredients or create a neighborhood lunch spot with quick grab-and-go options.

Also, know who you're serving. Are your customers busy office workers who need fast service? Or families looking for wholesome dinner options on their way home?

2. Craft a Comprehensive Business Plan

A well-thought-out business plan is your deli’s blueprint.

Start with local market research. How many sandwich shops or food spots already exist in your area? What are they missing? Maybe their service is slow. Maybe their options are repetitive. Your job? Spot the gap and fill it.

Next, break down your startup costs: 

• Rent
• Permits
• POS hardware
• Slicers
• Refrigeration
• Initial inventory
• Branding expenses
• Even the small stuff—like trash bins, gloves, and takeout packaging—adds up fast.

Plan staffing around peak vs. off-peak hours. and slow hours. For example, a small deli might operate smoothly with 2–3 employees during lunch rush: one at the counter, one in the kitchen, and one handling prep or cleanup. In slower hours, a single multitasker may suffice.

For revenue planning, set monthly targets based on expected customers and pricing. Serving 50 customers daily at $12 per order means around $18,000/month before expenses.

3. Secure Financing

How much money does it cost to open a deli? Well, delis are relatively low-cost to start compared to full-service restaurants. But they still need upfront capital for:

• Licenses
• Insurance
• Counters
• Seating
• Signage
• Marketing
• Equipment

Opening a deli requires upfront capital. So, explore your funding options:

• SBA microloans (great for small food businesses)
• Local grants (some areas offer programs for food startups)
• Personal savings or family loans

4. Choose the Right Location

Opening near offices or business hubs? For quick, convenient lunches, commuters and nearby workers can become your core customers. So, prioritize visibility and daytime foot traffic. In residential areas? Focus on family-friendly, grab-and-go options like ready meals and snacks.

Don't overlook parking and delivery logistics—both are deal-breakers for many customers.

5. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits

To legally open a deli, you typically need several licenses and permits:

• Business License: Authorizes operation within a specific jurisdiction.
• Food Service License: Issued by the local health department, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
• Food Handler’s Permit: Required for employees handling food, confirming they've completed food safety training.
• Certificate of Occupancy: Confirms the building meets safety codes and is suitable for business operations.
• Seller’s Permit: Allows collection of sales tax on taxable items sold.
• Sign Permit: Needed for displaying signage, ensuring compliance with local ordinances.
• Liquor License: If you plan to sell alcohol, this permit is mandatory.

Local SCORE mentors are a hidden gem. They’ll guide you through the permit process and help with the steps you might miss.

6. Design Your Menu

You don’t need a massive 50-item menu to run a great deli. Focus on a handful of standout items. Maybe it's your artisan sandwiches, fresh and colorful salads, a collection of amazing local cheeses, or some awesome daily specials.

Quality is key here. If you like to switch things up with rotating specials or let customers build their own meals, make sure your menu management system can keep up.

Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients gives you an edge over the big chain places.

Build-your-own sandwich bars are popular but complex during rush hours. So, it might be worth looking into a Kitchen Display System (KDS) to help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

7. Equip Your Deli

Start with the basics: cold prep stations, slicers, refrigeration units, and display cases. These will keep your food fresh and easy to access.

A cloud-based POS system that integrates smoothly with your deli will track sales and inventory from anywhere. You can also use order and pay online systems to help streamline orders. 

While tempting, avoid splurging on brand-new equipment at the start. But here's our piece of advice: consider buying used equipment at first; you can upgrade once you’re profitable.

Also, design your layout carefully. The space should be functional and efficient. Your team shouldn’t be crossing paths or slowing down each other’s workflow. 

8. Hire and Train Staff

You’ll need friendly front-of-house staff, skilled sandwich makers, a cashier to handle the register, and a kitchen manager to keep things running smoothly. If you invest in a self-ordering kiosk, you may cut labor costs as you’d need to hire fewer staff. Start by hiring people who are upbeat, reliable, and love food as much as you do!

Training is key when it comes to food safety and handling. Ensure everyone knows how to slice items safely, follow food safety protocols, and handle customer interactions professionally. 

Upselling is another important aspect. Encourage your staff to suggest pairings or add-ons to increase sales without being pushy.

9. Develop a Marketing Strategy

Start by building a brand with a story behind it. Why did you open this deli? What makes your deli different from the others in town?

Set up a Google Business Profile and maintain an active Instagram account. Share pictures of your food, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your kitchen, or your team at work, or even offer a few recipes, so your followers feel a deeper connection to your deli. 

When you launch, make it an event! Consider offering community-based promotions, like discounts for nearby schools, local offices, or loyalty programs. Leverage word of mouth and share customer reviews on social media. A few viral TikToks or Instagram Reels showcasing daily specials would be the best.

10. Prepare for Opening Day

Opening day is a big deal! Start with a soft launch. Invite family, friends, or nearby businesses to come in and try the menu. This allows you to test staff flow, prep timing, kitchen output, and service before you go fully public. Also, pay attention to the feedback you get. Customers may point out things you missed. 

Your grand opening should be an event to remember. Free samples, local media, and maybe even a loyalty card giveaway can help spread the word and bring in a crowd. 

Download our free deli-opening checklist to stay on track : Opening a Deli Checklist.pdf

Make OneHubPOS Ease Up Opening a Deli for You

Opening a deli involves creating a community space where people can enjoy quality, comfort food in a welcoming environment. But delis aren’t like every other food business. They’ve got their own vibe. That’s why you need a POS built just for delis.

OneHubPOS offers lightning-fast billing, easy menu tweaks, real-time inventory tracking, staff management, and smooth payment processing. All from a single, intuitive dashboard.

See how OneHubPOS simplifies your day-to-day operations. Go ahead, book a demo and explore!