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Food
A one-person cart or kiosk selling cups of steamed sweet corn with different flavours, and corn on the cob, in parks, busy streets and leisure areas.
Where it fits:SyriaYemenMoroccoTürkiyeIndonesiaNigeria
Food
A one-person cart or kiosk selling cups of steamed sweet corn with different flavours, and corn on the cob, in parks, busy streets and leisure areas.
Where it fits:SyriaYemenMoroccoTürkiyeIndonesiaNigeria
A corn cart is one of the simplest small businesses. It needs little capital and no special skills or qualifications, and the work can be learned quickly, which makes it a good fit for young graduates and job seekers.
Sweet corn kernels are steamed or boiled and served in cups with butter, salt, spices and other flavours, alongside boiled or grilled corn on the cob, from a cart or kiosk in a busy spot.
Profits are modest in the first months while the seller builds a customer base, then improve as the location becomes known and sales grow.
At full capacity (year five) the original study expects 3,000 cups a month, about 100 a day, using around 300 kg of corn kernels a month. Sales start at 85% of capacity in year two and reach 100% in year five.
The proposed model plans for 50–120 cups and cobs a day depending on the location and season, with lower sales on rainy and cold days (estimate).
The most important requirement is a street-vending or site-occupancy permit from the municipality; it is best obtained before buying the cart. Inside a private park, mall or amusement park you need a lease or the management's approval. Check local rules on selling food, trade registration and whether a health certificate is needed for the seller.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile cart or small kiosk with stainless steel top and canopy | 1 | The key item; can be built locally; ≈ $600–1,200 (estimate) |
| Electric steamer, or large boiling pot with gas burner | 1–2 | The study uses an electric steamer; ≈ $100–250 (estimate) |
| Gas cylinder and regulator | 1 | When using a burner instead of electricity; ≈ $40–80 (estimate) |
| Small fridge or cool box | 1 | For corn, butter and sauces; ≈ $100–250 (estimate) |
| Hand tools (ladles, spoons, flavour tubs, cup holder, bin) | Set | ≈ $50–100 (estimate) |
| Small water tank and hand-wash basin | 1 | For hygiene; ≈ $30–70 (estimate) |
| Simple sign and battery lighting | 1 | To attract evening customers; ≈ $50–120 (estimate) |
Mobile cart or small kiosk with stainless steel top and canopy
Quantity: 1
The key item; can be built locally; ≈ $600–1,200 (estimate)
Electric steamer, or large boiling pot with gas burner
Quantity: 1–2
The study uses an electric steamer; ≈ $100–250 (estimate)
Gas cylinder and regulator
Quantity: 1
When using a burner instead of electricity; ≈ $40–80 (estimate)
Small fridge or cool box
Quantity: 1
For corn, butter and sauces; ≈ $100–250 (estimate)
Hand tools (ladles, spoons, flavour tubs, cup holder, bin)
Quantity: Set
≈ $50–100 (estimate)
Small water tank and hand-wash basin
Quantity: 1
For hygiene; ≈ $30–70 (estimate)
Simple sign and battery lighting
Quantity: 1
To attract evening customers; ≈ $50–120 (estimate)
Source: Wholesalers and food shops
Cost: $1.50–3 per kg (estimate)
About 100 g per cup in the study (300 kg for 3,000 cups)
Source: Wholesale vegetable markets
Cost: $0.20–0.40 per cob (estimate)
In summer and autumn
Source: Packaging suppliers
Cost: $0.04–0.08 per cup (estimate)
Paper cups preferred
Source: Food shops
Cost: $0.05–0.15 per cup (estimate)
More flavours please more customers
Source: Gas distributors
Cost: $20–50 a month (estimate)
For cooking
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Pick a busy location with the right customers and get the municipal permit or the venue's approval.
Buy the cart or kiosk and fit it with the steamer, cool box, tools and a name sign.
Buy corn, cups and flavourings from wholesalers in amounts that last about a week.
Steam or boil the corn each day and prepare butter and flavourings in clean containers.
Serve corn in cups with the customer's chosen flavour, or sell boiled or grilled cobs.
Keep the cart clean inside and out, dispose of waste and wash the tools at the end of the day.
Record daily sales and expenses and adjust quantities to peak days and the weather.
Later add light items such as drinks or popcorn, or a second cart in another spot.
Applicable countries
Boiled and grilled corn is a popular snack in parks and on promenades.
Corn is a common street food in streets and markets.
Grilled and boiled corn is widely sold on streets and seafronts.
Corn carts are common, but street vending needs a municipal permit that is hard to get in some cities.
Sweet corn in cups is already sold in markets and malls; adapt flavours to local taste.
Roasted and boiled corn is a popular street food; adapt the format and prices.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
A corn cart is one of the simplest small businesses. It needs little capital and no special skills or qualifications, and the work can be learned quickly, which makes it a good fit for young graduates and job seekers.
Sweet corn kernels are steamed or boiled and served in cups with butter, salt, spices and other flavours, alongside boiled or grilled corn on the cob, from a cart or kiosk in a busy spot.
Profits are modest in the first months while the seller builds a customer base, then improve as the location becomes known and sales grow.
At full capacity (year five) the original study expects 3,000 cups a month, about 100 a day, using around 300 kg of corn kernels a month. Sales start at 85% of capacity in year two and reach 100% in year five.
The proposed model plans for 50–120 cups and cobs a day depending on the location and season, with lower sales on rainy and cold days (estimate).
The most important requirement is a street-vending or site-occupancy permit from the municipality; it is best obtained before buying the cart. Inside a private park, mall or amusement park you need a lease or the management's approval. Check local rules on selling food, trade registration and whether a health certificate is needed for the seller.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile cart or small kiosk with stainless steel top and canopy | 1 | The key item; can be built locally; ≈ $600–1,200 (estimate) |
| Electric steamer, or large boiling pot with gas burner | 1–2 | The study uses an electric steamer; ≈ $100–250 (estimate) |
| Gas cylinder and regulator | 1 | When using a burner instead of electricity; ≈ $40–80 (estimate) |
| Small fridge or cool box | 1 | For corn, butter and sauces; ≈ $100–250 (estimate) |
| Hand tools (ladles, spoons, flavour tubs, cup holder, bin) | Set | ≈ $50–100 (estimate) |
| Small water tank and hand-wash basin | 1 | For hygiene; ≈ $30–70 (estimate) |
| Simple sign and battery lighting | 1 | To attract evening customers; ≈ $50–120 (estimate) |
Mobile cart or small kiosk with stainless steel top and canopy
Quantity: 1
The key item; can be built locally; ≈ $600–1,200 (estimate)
Electric steamer, or large boiling pot with gas burner
Quantity: 1–2
The study uses an electric steamer; ≈ $100–250 (estimate)
Gas cylinder and regulator
Quantity: 1
When using a burner instead of electricity; ≈ $40–80 (estimate)
Small fridge or cool box
Quantity: 1
For corn, butter and sauces; ≈ $100–250 (estimate)
Hand tools (ladles, spoons, flavour tubs, cup holder, bin)
Quantity: Set
≈ $50–100 (estimate)
Small water tank and hand-wash basin
Quantity: 1
For hygiene; ≈ $30–70 (estimate)
Simple sign and battery lighting
Quantity: 1
To attract evening customers; ≈ $50–120 (estimate)
Source: Wholesalers and food shops
Cost: $1.50–3 per kg (estimate)
About 100 g per cup in the study (300 kg for 3,000 cups)
Source: Wholesale vegetable markets
Cost: $0.20–0.40 per cob (estimate)
In summer and autumn
Source: Packaging suppliers
Cost: $0.04–0.08 per cup (estimate)
Paper cups preferred
Source: Food shops
Cost: $0.05–0.15 per cup (estimate)
More flavours please more customers
Source: Gas distributors
Cost: $20–50 a month (estimate)
For cooking
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Pick a busy location with the right customers and get the municipal permit or the venue's approval.
Buy the cart or kiosk and fit it with the steamer, cool box, tools and a name sign.
Buy corn, cups and flavourings from wholesalers in amounts that last about a week.
Steam or boil the corn each day and prepare butter and flavourings in clean containers.
Serve corn in cups with the customer's chosen flavour, or sell boiled or grilled cobs.
Keep the cart clean inside and out, dispose of waste and wash the tools at the end of the day.
Record daily sales and expenses and adjust quantities to peak days and the weather.
Later add light items such as drinks or popcorn, or a second cart in another spot.
Applicable countries
Boiled and grilled corn is a popular snack in parks and on promenades.
Corn is a common street food in streets and markets.
Grilled and boiled corn is widely sold on streets and seafronts.
Corn carts are common, but street vending needs a municipal permit that is hard to get in some cities.
Sweet corn in cups is already sold in markets and malls; adapt flavours to local taste.
Roasted and boiled corn is a popular street food; adapt the format and prices.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Syria
Yemen
Morocco
Türkiye
Indonesia
Nigeria