top of page
Search
aretefoodtrailers

WHAT TO KNOW WHEN STARTING A FOOD TRAILER: Part 4/6 - How To Plan

Updated: Nov 22

Starting a food trailer, concession cart, or mobile food truck business requires a considerable amount of planning. Planning is essential to ensure that you have a clear roadmap to success and can avoid potential obstacles that could impact your operation.

Here are some key planning considerations to keep in mind when starting a mobile food business.


MARKET RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

Market Research and Analysis

Before starting your mobile food business, it's important to conduct thorough market research and analysis. This includes understanding your target market, identifying your competitors, and analyzing industry trends. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of your market, you can make informed decisions about your menu, location, and pricing strategies. Conducting market research will also help you identify gaps in the market that you can fill with your unique offerings.


BUSINESS PLAN

Business Plan

A well-written business plan is essential when starting a food trailer, concession cart, or mobile food truck business. Your business plan should include details about your target market, menu offerings, pricing strategy, marketing plan, operational structure, and financial projections. A comprehensive business plan can help you secure funding, identify potential challenges, and establish a roadmap for success before a single dollar is spent.


PERMITS & LICENSES

To operate a mobile food business, you need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses from your local and federal governing bodies. This includes a business license from the city you are located, and tax ID number for your business from the IRS, more than likely a Seller's Permit from your state, possibly a food handlers certification/license if your prepping food, potentially a license for your food trailer or truck, also known as a "Mobile Food Facility" or "Mobile food unit" or "Mobile Food Truck." Failing to obtain the necessary permits and licenses can result in costly fines and legal complications. In cases for trailers or carts that are simply retail or non-perishable items like prepackaged goods or bottles, the "Mobile Food Facility" license is typically not required, and simply a business license and sellers permit would be required to operate out of your mobile business.


EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Equipment & Supplies

A mobile food business requires specialized equipment and supplies, such as a food trailer, cooking appliances, and utensils. When planning your mobile food business, it's important to budget for these expenses and ensure that you have access to high-quality equipment and supplies. You also need to ensure that your equipment and supplies are safe and compliant with industry regulations; for instance, most strict health departments in the United States require the appliances used inside of your food trailers to be NSF or ETL approved. Arete Food Trailers now offers ETL NSF options on some of our equipment in the case that your county health department requires this of your food truck.




LOCATION & PARKING

Selecting the right location and parking is crucial for the success of your mobile food business. You need to identify high-traffic areas that attract your target market and ensure that parking regulations permit mobile food businesses. Most cities in the U.S. have zoning departments that you can call to ask if a certain cross street is ok to park a mobile business. You also need to consider the availability of utilities such as electricity, restrooms, and water to operate your mobile food business. Many health code guidelines may also require you to have a restroom or porta-potty within a certain distance from your food trailer, and may have requirements on the need for a commissary to keep your trailer or truck parked at overnight.


MENU DEVELOPMENT

Menu Development

Your menu is the core of your mobile food business. It's essential to carefully consider your menu offerings and ensure that they appeal to your target market. Your menu should be both diverse and innovative, offering unique items that set you apart from your competitors.


MARKETING & BRANDING

Effective marketing and branding are essential for the success of any mobile food business. Your branding should be consistent, attractive, and memorable. Consider creating a logo and social media presence to build brand awareness and promote your offerings. You should also create a marketing plan that incorporates both traditional and digital marketing strategies.


FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Financial Management

Proper financial management is essential for the long-term success of your mobile food business. You need to set realistic financial goals, establish a budget, and manage your expenses effectively. It's also important to keep accurate financial records and invest in accounting software to streamline financial management. A popular downfall among many restaurant owners is that they are blinded by optimism, hence the reason why so many brick and mortar locations close down each year due to hefty overhead leases, etc. Its important to never just jump in at a whim with your life savings, the planning is perhaps the most difficult of the entire business process, and it should involve finding real numbers of population size, foot traffic, local GDP, and more to help identify if this venture will be profitable. The amazing thing about Food Trailers or Mobile Businesses, is the fact that they are appreciating assets, so an Arete food trailer that was purchase for $10,000 about 5 years ago, is now worth close to $20,000. Its very clear that mobile is the way to go in terms of financial strategy; whether it be your first time business mitigating the risk of investment, or it be your expansion and mobile promotion of an existing chain, this is the reason food trailers and mobile businesses have been exploding in popularity for the past 5-10 years.


In Conclusion

Starting a food trailer, concession cart, or mobile food truck business requires proper planning to ensure success. From conducting market research and analysis to obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, selecting the right equipment and supplies, developing a diverse and innovative menu, and creating effective branding and marketing strategies, there are many important planning considerations to keep in mind. By carefully planning your mobile food business, you can minimize risks, maximize profits, and build a successful operation that stands the test of time.


187 views1 comment

Recent Posts

See All

1 Comment


jose Hernandez
jose Hernandez
Sep 13, 2023

Muy interesante toda la información gracias

Like
bottom of page