Food

Kotas, vetkoek and street food stand

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

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

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

In South Africa: Strong in townships and towns.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 15 hours a week · age 18+
  • Cooking & baking (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R40 to R60 per kota

Published kota prices: R40 (IKOTA premium) to R50 (The Kota Cafe loaded); a beef kota at R59.99 (Entsho). Volumes are not published.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R1 500 to R10 000
Every month
Bread, oil, potatoes, meats, gas, packaging.
Payment fees
Cash, QR codes, card machine.
Margin
Depends on oil and meat prices; portion control matters.

How it is paid: Margin per item, many items a day. Our viability score for it: 55 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Cost your kota or combo per item, including gas and packaging
    • Sell one batch on a busy afternoon
    • Success signal: you sell out three days in a row

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Cost three menu items per unit
    • Choose your spot and hours; check permit rules
    • Get a gas burner, fryer, fire blanket and containers
    • Start your Certificate of Acceptability application

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Trade every day at the same times
    • Keep a daily sales and stock record
    • Take WhatsApp pre-orders for lunch

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Drop slow items, add a combo deal
    • Supply a nearby workplace with lunch orders

Sales start the day you open; the permit and certificate come first. First income usually takes 3 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Kota and street food: from your first test day to a steady trading spot

25 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Learners, workers, taxi drivers and passengers.

Filling, affordable food fast.

Is there demand?

Kota shops publish prices that show the price point: IKOTA's premium kota R40 and The Kota Cafe's loaded kota R50. We found no reliable data on daily volumes for a new stand.

Stand at your gateNear schools and taxi ranksContainer shopWeekend events

Getting customers

A busy spot, the same hours every day, and a combo regulars love.

Word of mouth and referralsResponding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Hot oil burns and fire: keep a fire blanket close
  • Food safety in the heat
  • Rising oil and bread prices squeeze margins

Competition: High in busy areas; taste and a signature combo win.

Room to grow: Grows with a second stand or delivery on WhatsApp.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Selling food from home or a stall needs a Certificate of Acceptability from your municipality's environmental health office (food hygiene regulations R638).
  • Keep food covered, hands washed, raw and cooked food apart, and cold food cold.
  • If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions).
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
  • Trading on a street or at a rank also needs an informal trading permit.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start kotas, vetkoek and street food stand in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R1 500 to R10 000. Recurring costs: Bread, oil, potatoes, meats, gas, packaging.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 45 days. Sales start the day you open; the permit and certificate come first.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Selling food from home or a stall needs a Certificate of Acceptability from your municipality's environmental health office (food hygiene regulations R638). Keep food covered, hands washed, raw and cooked food apart, and cold food cold. If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs). Trading on a street or at a rank also needs an informal trading permit.

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy