Food trucks have never been more prevalent than they are now, and there’s a good reason why. Owning a food truck allows you to serve a wide range of customers and markets, keep menus short and focused, and run a dynamic, thriving company on wheels.
Still, like any business, launching a food truck requires plenty of planning to be successful. In this article, we’ll share six things you should consider before building your food truck.
1. Financing
The cost of building a food truck is usually lower than starting a brick-and-mortar restaurant, but it’s still a big investment. Besides the cost of the truck, you have to account for marketing, staff, equipment, fuel, inspection, as well as licensing and permit fees. Luckily, there are plenty of financing options available to help you fund your business without the large upfront costs.
2. Location
The three rules of real estate also apply to mobile food service: location, location, location! It’s always best to set up your truck in a place with lots of foot traffic. Make sure to also set a schedule that ensures you’re open during peak times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as big festivals or events.
3. License and Permits
Licenses and permits typically differ depending on the location. A shortlist of possible locations to park your food truck will help you study and list the required permits. Evaluating the licenses and permits needed per area will help you align your business plan. By doing so, you’re also be able to compare costs and settle on what fits your budget best.
4. Staff Size
Another consideration to make before building your food truck is the number of staff you’ll need to hire. If you’re enlisting more than two or three people to run your business, you’ll need to consider a larger truck to provide a comfortable working environment. More space will also make your team more efficient and reduce the risk of spills or accidents.
5. POS and Payments
One crucial decision for any food truck owner is whether or not to include a POS system. These systems allow for the use of card payments, but because they require internet access, many trucks go without them and stick to cash-only. We recommend investing in a POS simply because more and more people are going cashless, and not being able to accept cards will drastically limit your customer base.
6. Equipment and Supplies
Depending on the food offerred, most food trucks require a range of equipment, including grills, deep fryers, refrigerators, sinks, and more. You’ll need to consider not only what equipment you need, but also how you’re going to arrange and store everything in your truck. Be sure to store equipment in a way that makes it accessible while also not getting in the way of operations.
We’re Here to Help You
The food truck business can be exciting and lucrative, but careful planning is essential. Make the necessary preparations beforehand and you’ll be ready to run an efficient operation and build a reputation of excellent food and service in your community. When you do it right, there’s no limit to what you can achieve with your food truck!
If you’re ready to start your food truck business — or just learn more about the process — Legion Food Trucks is here to help. We’re dedicated to creating quality custom food trucks that are built to last. Get in touch with us today, and let’s help you build your dream food truck.
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