You may have considered the food truck business if you are an entrepreneur. First of all, you’ll need to purchase a truck or trailer conducive to the endeavor. Next, to best suit your needs, you’ll need to decide on a layout or your food truck design. The following will be some ideas for design and additional information needed for those considering pursuing a business in the food truck industry.
The first thing you’ll need to consider is the layout of your food truck.
Food Truck Design
Because no venture in the food truck business is identical to another, designs vary as well. Hire a professional or choose the design yourself. One of the first things to think about is the dimensions of your truck. But all of the following can have a lot to do with those dimensions.
Food Truck Interior
On paper, draw a blueprint of sorts including spaces for the following: ventilation, serving space, cash register, storage/cabinet space, holding and warming equipment, cleaning or sink area, work or prep stations, cooking equipment, and refrigeration equipment.
Branding and Personalization
Create customer experience personalization through branding (customization can include enlarged logo, speaker systems, awnings, 3D name signs, menu signs that are hand-written, back lit menu signs, LED lights that change color, a television, bright paint colors, and unique wraps for graphics, and for night time – undercarriage lights).
Detailing Your Food Truck
As you are imagining your food truck business, there are a number of things to consider (as you can see from above). You will need to account for the following the closer your idea gets to reality:
- Marketing platforms
- Discovering the correct POS system
- Areas to service
- How many employees to hire
- Cost of equipment
- Containers for holding water
- Equipment/truck leases
- The proper permits
- Safety and health regulations
- Business plans
Contracting Or DYI?
If you are contracting the creation of your food truck to someone else, it may take some time to complete the work, including design. Three months or more is not uncommon. If you are designing it yourself and renovating an old truck (or upfitting a new one on your own), make sure that you schedule enough time so that you’re not rushed.
Times are changing and, therefore, so are costs. A new food truck, depending on quality and size, can run as much as $180,000. Don’t expect to pay much less than $130,000 for one that is used. Costs can be reduced, however, if you have a professional do your truck layout and let them know that it is essential to save money wherever possible.
Mechanical Considerations
Each day, a commissary kitchen must be available to which your truck can return. Physical standards need to be met by the commissary kitchen as well. Among other things, it must be equipped with:
- Backup refrigeration
- Food preparation sinks
- Garbage disposal
- 3-compartment washing sink
- Restrooms
- Mop sink
- Cooking equipment
- Potable water
According to some local regulations and state codes, included in all food trucks must be the following:
- Prep/countertop space
- Power source
- System for waste disposal
- Systems for fire suppression
- Mechanical ventilation
- For foods that must remain cold, mechanical refrigeration
- To meet health code requirements, the ability to control food temperatures, water, and air temperatures
- Drain boards and sanitation sink
- Sink for handwashing
- Potable water
- Fans, screens, or enclosures
Additionally, depending on municipality, state, federal requirements, etc., each truck may be accountable for the following:
- Toilet facilities
- Storage
- Waste disposal
- Equipment maintenance
- Cleaning facilities
To find out what Mickey Genuine Parts can do for you and your food truck business pursuit, contact us.