Have you been thinking about starting your own business? It’s a great way to earn a living. No boss, make your own hours, determine your own pay rate, etc. One great way to start your own business is with a food truck. If you can find just the right areas, there is money to be made and there are people to be served. But before you jump into a project like this, there are some things you should know.
Let’s take a closer look at starting a food truck and some of the details that need to be considered.
Familiarize Yourself With Laws, Statutes, Etc.
Take a good, close look at your area’s food truck laws. Commit them to memory. Cities can regulate sanitation, vending hours and locations, truck size, and more. As cities find themselves with more and more business models of this type, they are likely to change the laws frequently. You may consider involving yourself in the process of determining food truck laws in your city. But, regardless, make sure that you’re flexible enough to change with the laws.
Don’t Be a Bad Neighbor
If you want to avoid conflicts with brick and mortar restaurants, one good way to do that is to be a responsible food service operator. Here’s an example for you: parking your food truck near or directly in front of a restaurant that deals with the same fare as you is not only distasteful, it’s being a bad neighbor.
Be Familiar With Cleanliness inside and Out
Not only do you need to make sure that your truck, servers, appliances, etc. are as clean as clean can be, you may have to help eliminate a stigma held my many patrons. That stigma assumes that food trucks are dirty.
Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Today, if it’s not on social media, it doesn’t exist. Get the word out about your new business on Yelp, Twitter, Facebook, and the rest.
Don’t Pass Up Festivals and Private Events
Festivals and private events are moneymakers! Don’t pass up an opportunity to bring in some serious revenue and help spread the word about your new business.
Creativity Is Key
Customers like to see something new and interesting. If you’re good at making some type of innovative food, you may be more likely to succeed.
Securing a Commissary
Health jurisdictions on a local and state basis require that, to prepare their food, truck operators utilize commercial kitchens. These are referred to as commissaries. Securing one might be challenging, but it’s necessary.
Make a Community Connection
Connecting with your community is essential. Pose questions to some of the local food truck operators as you’re starting out. Though there may be somewhat of a rivalry, the food truck community is known for helping each other out and being pretty close-knit.
Finding a Food Truck
There is no doubt, you can blow your entire budget on a brand-new, shiny, pretty, high-tech food truck. Of course, then you’ll have no money left over with which to stock it. Consider buying a used vehicle or trailer in which to start your business. Check with local dealers or go online and look over the For Sale sites (of which there are many). This can also be a good place to buy appliances for the inside of your truck.
Mickey Genuine Parts has used trailers and party trailers to save the beginning entrepreneur some serious cash. That means you’ll be able to put more of your investment toward other things. That can be extremely helpful when you’re just starting a business. You can peruse our selection of used trailers by clicking here. You can also speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives about parts, used trailers, new merchandise, and more.