Start A Mobile Food Truck Business – Earlier the food trucks which used to come were in grey color which looked old and ugly, and they sold foods that were greasy. But the olden times have changed and the foods which are presented these days are made by the latest chefs. Plus, restaurants that are successful have come into play by offering foods that are healthy and have good taste.
Now, what was once thought as ugly food trucks have now turned into colorful and most looked for food and eateries in the big cities. If you want to start your own small business and also don’t want to join the 10-5 office, then it’s recommended that you switch to the food truck.
It can be a lot of fun to run a food truck. Plus, it can also be interesting as there you get the attention of the media, and you also get social media fans who will gather when you reach, etc. But this is not a simple task; you will have to devote a lot of time and hard work in it. Many of the owners of food trucks who have been successful have reported weekly work of around more than 50 hours.
If you have the objective to start a food truck and you like the modus operandi of it, then you can think of the following 10 step plan for getting a successful food cart. Plus, donating used toys can also get you some deductions in tax.
How to Start a Successful Food Truck Business
Step 1: To Get Licensed
The first and foremost thing that you are supposed to do after getting a food truck is to obtain a license. Every state has their own rules regarding the parking, including truck permits and certificates from the department of health. So for that, you will have to contact the local government.
Also, there will be many different kinds of barriers that you will face. For instance, in New York, the city puts restrictions on the number of permits of the truck that they issue. And if there are maximum numbers then you will have to wait and there are also permits that have a validity of 15 years. Plus, there are many such communities that don’t allow the food carts to be parked in a public place so you will have to search a private place along with the crowd which again a tedious task. After you get the licenses and also the permits everything will be easy for you.
Step 2: To Get a Cart or Truck
You should get an old food truck for about $2,000 and this more affordable rather than buying a new food truck that will cost you around $100,000. This should be the case if you are on a tight budget.
Now, you must be wondering why food trucks are so expensive. This is because the department of health has similar rules which are applicable to both the food trucks as well as restaurants. There is special gear that your vehicle might need. If you are not ready to spend a high price for a new food truck then you should switch to the used food truck which will cost you between $20,000 -$40,000. You can also go online and check in the sites like UsedVending.com, then there is also another site i.e. CommercialTruckTrader.com Here you can find good deals.
After you have taken a food truck or cart, then the next thing that you will have to do is make it look presentable from the interiors and exteriors. You got to paint it and decorate it so that it looks attractive. Also, you should plan on what you will sell whether pizzas or hot dogs. Whether it’s a food that you will prepare inside the truck, then you will need a big truck. If it’s like food that you prepare from your home and bring it, then you will only need small trucks which are equipped with a microwave to just heat it. So, this will be your biggest expense, so it has to be right. It’s an obvious thing you will not spend $40,000 when you can simply adjust with a cart of $2,000.
Also Read : How to Apply Federal Grants to start a truck company
Step 3: To Find a Right Niche
You will also have to search in Google for a proper niche in business. You should not be selling sandwiches and tacos that are outdated. These days colorful food trucks come serving delicacies from several countries, gourmet cuisine, foods which are healthy and sweets also which includes various kinds of chocolate recipes, etc.
The only way in which you can become victorious is by searching for your own business niche and becoming par excellence in it. You will have to do study and find out what all is being offered by other food trucks in your locality and then you have to come with something unique.
Step 4: To Get Financing
Make a finance plan is equally important. You can also search for someone who can easily finance your business or a person who will finance your truck or you may go to places for capital to finance your small business. You can also take an advance/credit from the bank, it can also be a credit union or with some lending people who lend them money or short term loans like OnDeck Capital or Kabbage, like a lending club or Prosper. You will also have to study how much down payment you can give and how you will repay back along with the interest amount that will be accrued.
Step 5: To Make a Plan
Planning is also important after you have done the above steps. It’s not like that you buy a truck and plan and start instantly. Without proper planning, things may go wrong. So plan your business. In planning you can think that after loan what all are the places where you will have to spend like on the costs of the permit, costs of the cleaning gears, ingredients and stuff, etc. you will have to find out how much you have to spend on all of these and still earn a profit while writing a business plan. You can also refer to basic tips for the U.S. Small Business Administration if this is your first time in making a plan.
Step 6: To Get Insured
Taking insurance coverage is something that is very important. It is because accidents happen and cannot be told when mishaps can happen. So, you can discuss with an insurance agent various things like what will be the purpose of the food truck and what all you will have inside the food truck i.e. types of equipment like an oven or heater for the pizza and hotdogs or whatever the case may be it will be very important in the coverage of your insurance.
Apart from paying for the standard car insurance of the car, through an agent like Allstate or Liberty Mutual agent should also take note of the other situations and cover your policy with other liabilities and risks like fire, etc.
Step 7: To Find Parking
Next and the most important task is to find a parking space. As the food trucks are huge there will be definitely some parking issues. For example, the neighbors will not allow parking opposite to the homes of others. Then is your food truck safe during the night hours. Plus, there is a department of health also who want that you park only in permitted areas where there is a provision for electricity and refrigeration. You can do one thing i.e. take on rent a parking space which is private so it will ensure that the place is legally secure.
Step 8: To Get Connected
Simply running a food truck is not enough. You also have to get connected with the public and many other events. There are many such food truck owners who go to special events. Also, on corporate functions, as they are invited. There are many event planners who invite the food truck owners to be in their place and they also pay them.
Getting connected with the business people and municipal is one of the best ways to start your business. Create contacts and also get into short term contracts. Getting connected is very important so make it a habit. Use networking skills with the local organizations and owners of big businesses will help you in the long run.
Step 9: To Utilize Social Media
Utilizing social media is very important. There are many people who check their social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, etc. So, you can also join social media and create a thrill by putting up images of your dishes, etc. You can have followers on Instagram and keep them intimated about current dishes and also intimate them about your location. This way you can appeal to green-horn customers. Plus, you can also have your fans vote for your dishes, etc. and also interact with them.
Step 10: To Expand
The next thing that you can do is after you have accomplished the above-mentioned steps is to expand and broaden the horizons of your business. You can start marketing, selling t-shirts, and other stuffs which are promotional and you can do that online or other ways also. Your brand name should be big. The more famous it gets the more customers you will have. And once your name becomes known with the help of the customers wearing your name sweatshirt and cap, you can also go and request the coffee shops and others where they can sell your food in their shops.
Bottom Line
There has been a great change that has been witnessed in the food truck business. It has become more colorful and vibrant with varieties of dishes and sweets from around the globe that are being offered for the customers. And this all sounds like a dream come true. You can check out with your local officials as to what all food trucks options that you have.
Do you think big and want to create something new by starting your business of food truck? What are the trials that you think you will be facing?
