Starting a street food business is a great way to showcase your love of food and your cooking skills. There is even a list of the best street food options available. The street food business is bigger than ever and with the onset of the global pandemic, the option to place your street food van for takeaway has improved as many premises are only opened for take-away. Starting a food truck business can be relatively low costs compared to a brick and mortar business. You can set your own hours and go where there are people to buy your food. Below are some brilliant tips to help you on your journey of opening a food truck business.
By Team Savant
Image: REVOLT
Create a Business Plan
While your start-up costs may be low, it is still important to establish a business plan so you can plan for the year ahead. This will also allow you to think about the niche you are going in. What food you plan to make, where you will be located at different times in the season and what is unique about your business that will attract customers.
Rules and Regulations
Do your research and ensure you have the correct permits to serve food on the street and from your van. You will need to ensure your preparation area is up to standard, you will need to source your ingredients and you will need to contact the Environmental Health Office to fill out the relevant forms. You will need to ensure food safety is of a high priority and undertaking courses related to food safety and hygiene will stand you in good stead.
Costs
Of course, you will have to work out your food costs and how much profit you want to make. Having a small amount of capital at the start will also help you with marketing material, overhead costs, and capital costs. You need to decide whether you are buying a van outright or hiring one to start. You will also need to consider insurance, you can take out van insurance here as a starting point. Consider all your costs and how you might cut down on business costs so you are making the most profit you can from your business.
Be Realistic
It is important to be realistic when establishing a food truck business. There will be a lot of work involved such as early morning starts, weekend work, or even late nights depending on where you are hoping to sell your food. You will need a small amount of cash to keep you going at the start in case things are slow to take off. It can be difficult to get a location at the start but once you get established the hard work will have paid off.
Branding and Marketing
A good brand and innovative marketing will help you stand out from the crowd. Take time to think up a name for your business and consider how you will market your brand. This means working on the logo, colours, and marketing material as well as considering reaching audiences through social media.