For many people, starting a food truck business is living the dream. It might be one step closer to owning your very own restaurant or the foot-loose, free-ranging food business you’ve always wanted. Perhaps you dream of bringing delicious food to people who need lunch on-site, or you’re already dreaming of branching out into a network of trucks. Before you take the first step, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of starting your own food truck business to determine if it’s worth it.
Pros of a Food Truck Business
Be Your Own Boss
Food truck vendors are owners, chefs, and staff all in one. This professional venture allows you to be your very own boss, in charge of all the decisions. You decide where to park, what to cook, and what your hours will be. While it involves relying on yourself, you also don’t have to take orders from anyone, which can feel pretty liberating.
Design Your Own Menu
In addition to being in charge of the business, you have complete freedom over the menu. Here you can get creative, share family recipes, or innovate based on the tastes of your region. You also can change the menu whenever you want.
Have Less Risk Than a Restaurant
Investing in a restaurant can come with a lot of risk. You sign a lease, you invest in renovations, you hire staff, all with the potential risk of it failing. A food truck is a low-cost investment and you are less tied to any one decision.
Enjoy a Flexible Location
Another benefit of starting a food truck business is that you’re not tied to any one location or strategy. You could be selling pizza slices to the office lunch crowd one day and ice cream to beach-goers the next. This type of pursuit allows you to change it up, seeking whatever is the most profitable and enjoyable combination of location and menu.
Cons of a Food Truck Business
Cook in Tight Spaces
Food trucks are confined compared to restaurant cooking. You may be in a space as small as 10×12 feet, and share that room with your storage and cooking surfaces. If you get claustrophobic, starting a food truck business may not be the best choice for you. The limited space can also make it difficult to stay stocked on ingredients.
Abide Zoning Laws
It may be tempting to park your food truck wherever you like, but cities have zoning laws you must follow. This often involves getting permits to park in a specific spot months in advance. You may also have to pay for parking just as you would if you parked a normal car downtown.
Keep up With Truck Maintenance and Repairs
Your truck may be your booth and transport, but it also needs maintenance, like any vehicle. While you won’t have to pay traditional rent for a brick-and-mortar, be prepared to pay for routine maintenance and the occasional repair. Depending on how far you travel, you may go through gas rather quickly, too.
Have Unstable Customer Loyalty
Lastly, it can be tricky to maintain customer loyalty when your truck moves around. This is where programs like punch cards or citywide passports with other businesses can come into play to encourage more foot traffic. Of course, it’s different if you are a favorite food stand and have a regular corner or weekly schedule.
Make Your Food Truck Dream a Reality With Legion Food Trucks
If your dream is to operate a food truck and the cons are no trouble for you, we are here to make it a reality. At Legion Food Trucks, we can help you along every step, from choosing your vehicle to creating a unique brand. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your dream and become a successful food truck entrepreneur.
