1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Kotas, vetkoek and street food stand: your step-by-step start

Sell kotas, vetkoek, chips, russians or other quick food from a stand, a container or your gate at lunchtime and after school.

  • 20 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Quick, clean cooks with a busy spot nearby who can keep the same hours every day.

Think twice if

  • You cannot put about R1 500 into getting started.
  • You cannot free up about 15 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 14 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: hot oil burns and fire: keep a fire blanket close.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How kotas, vetkoek and street food stand worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Choose your spot and hours; check permit rules3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Get a gas burner, fryer, fire blanket and containers3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Week one, step 4: Start your Certificate of Acceptability application3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Trade every day at the same times3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Keep a daily sales and stock record3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Take WhatsApp pre-orders for lunch3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Drop slow items, add a combo deal3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Supply a nearby workplace with lunch orders3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R1 500 to R10 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Gas burner and fryer
  • Fire blanket
  • Food containers
  • Cooler box
  • Price board

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.