By: Orlando Food Truck Catering
Introduction •
A food truck is like a restaurant on wheels. It has several distinct advantages over a traditional eat-in restaurant. A food truck can go to where the customers are. It has pretty low overhead, compared to a restaurant, and requires far less staff. However, a food truck is still a business that requires a lot of work and attention — especially in the first couple of years. Food truck owners put in long days and have similar problems as restaurant owners, such as slow seasons, bad weather, and a sluggish economy.
Tips to Start a Food Truck Business • • • • • •
Talk to food truck owners Consider your goals and lifestyle Come up with a preliminary concept Make a Business plan Apply for Licenses Marketing your Food Truck
Talk to Food Truck Owners •
Before you take concrete steps to start your food truck, consider talking to other food truck owners. They can answer questions you have and may help offer you practical advice for setting up your business.
Consider Your Goals and Lifestyle •
Think about how owning a food truck can fit into your life. Factors such as your career and financial goals, time, location, and possible can help guide your decision and shape your truck as you get set up.
Come up With a Preliminary Concept •
Design a basic concept to guide you as you get the food truck set up. Thinking about the food you want to serve and your image can help you more easily formulate you business plan.
• Draft and finalize both a short- and long term business plan that can guide your business. Not only is this is important to help develop your business and accommodate for contingencies like a lawsuit, but it can also help you secure financing to buy permits, insurance, and supplies.
Apply for Licenses •
Mobile restaurants need different types of permits and licenses for their trucks and cooking facilities than regular restaurants. Ask local authorities about what you need. You can also consult with other food truck owners to ensure you obtain the correct licenses and certificates.
Marketing your Food Truck •
The good thing about a Food Trucks Orlando is that it's a rolling advertisement on wheels. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do some advertising and marketing of your business. Social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are perfect for building a good customer base. You can tweeter in the morning where your food truck is heading, to let followers know ahead of time and post photos of lunch specials to attract customers. Read on for a step-by-step guide for advertising for a new restaurant (on wheels).