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Published by usrocket30, 2015-09-29 21:23:29

awesomefoodtruckbusiness-Vol-4

awesomefoodtruckbusiness-Vol-4

 Introduction
 Step By Step instructions
 Food Kiosks
 Menu Tips
 Permits
 Funding
 Marketing
 Articles on the Food Truck Industry
 Video Interviews
 Resources
 Conclusion

Introduction

A food truck business is very lucrative as there are a lot of individuals
who frequently eat at mobile restaurants. Beginning a food truck
business can be quite an extremely satisfying as well as profitable job.
Understanding how to come up with a fantastic idea, just how much
start-up money you will need and also where to purchase a food truck,
nevertheless, can appear challenging to beginners trying to split in to
the business. In the following is given several helpful guidelines for
entrepreneurs planning on beginning a food truck business. So guys
let’s go to read with attentively my eBook and gain a vast knowledge
about food trucks business.

Right now, a new era of street food fans is actually lining up at food

van or trucks as well as food carts similar to never before. Such as a lot
of additional famous styles, they're the most recent type of a long-
standing section of United States and also globe tradition. Yet the street-
food business hasn't relished so much advertising or perhaps notoriety
have 4 or even fewer workers.

The actual variety of these firms is actually challenging to count, ever
since the mobile food marketplace is actually composed of food van,
food buggies and also kiosks, that have seemed in shopping malls and
also at train and also bus stops, air-ports, stadiums, meeting facilities,
hotels, as well as other places recently.

Food-industry observers declare that the food-van business is actually
improving generally in reaction to the actual slow-growing economic
climate. Individuals are looking for affordable breakfasts and also
lunches. Additionally, workers nowadays are often pushed for period,
with additional work and also smaller lunch hours. These types of
things produce the particular mobile-food idea more desirable than ever.

From a great entrepreneurial perspective, kiosks, buggies, trailers, and
also food van have a reduce expense as compared to restaurants and
may be transferred if one place doesn't produce sufficient business

enterprise. Instead of having to figure out where you can available a cafe
as well as worry about the actual previous real-estate adage "place,
place, place” the master can certainly travel to a new place, place, place
if company is actually bad.

For buyers, you include the ease of having food preferred proper exterior
a specific place -- or even inside with a kiosk -- and also fulfill a number
of requirements through helping mobile food. Initially, you provide food
that's expense pleasant because you needn't pay out wait staff or even
bussers. Additionally you provide the ease of fast support. Oftentimes
you supply food choices that can conserve individuals on a hectic
routine from the requirement to sit down. Generally clients can eat
street foods whilst on the way to their next location. Lastly, mobile food
is usually enjoyable to consume and also (if it really is good) excellent to
discuss about.

You’re Choices of Goin' Mobile

Actually prior to choose just what foods to market, you will want to think
about how you need to market them. Obviously, your choice on how to
market your foods would depend:

1. Your start-up funds, budget as well as prospects for results

2. Your dedication to the business: part-time, full-time, and so on.

3. Your ideas and also exactly what it will require satisfying them

4. Your expertise at running a business

5. The length of the business enterprise you need to begin

6. Your perfect market

These are some of the factors you'll think about as you continue,
however for right now; let us check out the most popular mobile-food

organizations. Foods Kiosks

Food kiosks are usually basically booths or perhaps food appears which
are short-term or mobile services utilized to get ready and also market
food. Shopping malls as well as stadiums are usually well-known places
for food kiosks that market anything from pretzels and also ice cream
to much more sophisticated fare.

Although kiosks may have tires, they're not really mobile under their
particular energy and also generally need to be constructed. Most kiosks
are usually rectangular and also have room for 2 individuals to work
inside or even remain behind, planning and helping the food. They also
have counter space and also overhead indicators.

The reduced expense, versatility and also simplicity by which a kiosk is
usually opened and also closed are usually among the reasons they are
so well-known. Also, they are a great choice in areas exactly where your
outdoor promoting period would be limited by cold or even unpleasant
weather. Obviously, the size of the particular kiosk limitations the
actual inventory, so it's essential for a kiosk owner to carry whenever

possible and also cost appropriately so that she can make cash on what
is actually on hand every day. Because they are generally operating
indoors, kiosk proprietors usually sign licensing contracts at malls,
stadiums, concert halls, or even additional locations. Numerous main
food businesses for example Ben & Jerry's and also Baskin-Robbins
franchise express kiosks.

Food Buggies and also Concession Trailers

The meals cart and the concession trailer are already around for many
years and also mixed really are a multibillion-dollar industry right now.
The most effective recognized have always been hot-dog and also ice-
cream buggies. They're one of the most cost-effective methods to begin
a cellular food business because the buggies are generally pulled by
your car, van or even van, or even pressed manually. Food is actually
possibly ready ahead of time or even bought prepared to market -- such
as ice-cream pops or even glasses of Italian ices -- and also stored, and
then possibly warmed up or even pulled from the freezer. Buggies are
usually simple enough to keep, and also in several counties and also
communities, needless licensing compared to full-size food vans. It's
also cost effective if you choose to individual many buggies and also hire
buddies, family or even additional workers to assist run them for you.

There are 2 fundamental kinds of food buggies. One has room for the
merchant to sit or even remain inside and also assist food via a
window. Another utilizes all the space in the trolley for food storage
and also cooking equipment that is usually a grill. The particular kind
of trolley you will want ought to be determined mostly by the food
being offered.

Modern-day food cart proprietors have cleaned up the fairly greasy
trustworthiness of street-food suppliers. They've additionally
broadened their own selections. Kebobs and also gyros came on the
trolley scene some time ago, and also vegetarian and also
Mediterranean salads have caught on, as well as fish and also chips.
The particular Euro Rubbish food trolley in Portland, Ore., for
instance, provides things like a prawn baguette with Portuguese curry
prawns. After which there is Portland's Pie Lab, with slices of pie --
additional for ice cream or perhaps whipped lotion on top.

Trailers, such as carts, don't move below their particular energy,
restricting their particular possible places. Food trailers are sometimes
available at fairs, carnivals, sports, or even other places exactly where
they may be unhitched and also sit for some time. Unlike the majority
of buggies, trailers permit cooking and also have room for 2 or 3
individuals interior. Skillet Road Food in Seattle works from a good
Airstream trailer with a complete kitchen within. Basically, a truck can
offer much more choices than a trolley but is still more affordable than
a van.

Food Vans or trucks

The food van can carry a variety of foods, and perhaps, much more
advanced products for keeping, offering, cooking food and also making
foods. Conventional food vans were recognized for supplying lunches,
usually stocking sandwiches, kebobs, tacos, burgers as well as other
regular cost for the lunch crowd. Numerous have broadened to
incorporate more healthy vegetarian and also vegan choices, and also
not-so-healthy barbeque ribs. They do large business in business parks
and also locations which have restricted use of restaurants. The
majority of food vans are usually stocked from concessionaires, but
there's a growing quantity which are connected with fast-food and also
midlevel eating places. Sizzler and also California Pizza Kitchen, for
instance, are usually piecing together their particular food vans, as are
usually additional chains.

Bigger than buggies, vans can carry much more food and also manage
much more company. Nevertheless, meals vans require much more
space to park each whenever doing business and when off-duty.
Basically, there are 2 kinds of food vans. One is the actual mobile
preparing food auto (MFPV) exactly where food is actually ready as
buyers wait, ideally not very lengthy. Another is the commercial
providing auto (ICV) that markets just prepackaged foods. A good MFPV
expenses greater than a great ICV, and also each cost greater than a
meals trolley. For instance, a utilized hotdog cart may price under
$2,500, whilst a retrofitted utilized food truck would usually cost
$30,000 or even more. A recently created food van retrofitted MFPV with
new all gear could set you back upward of $100,000.

Complying with health-department rules may travel up food-van
expenses. Obviously, an inferior truck, a utilized van, or perhaps a truck
with restricted gear expenses less. Consequently, it really is up to you
to find out regardless of whether you will be cooking in the van, planning
meals elsewhere and also helping from the truck, or even promoting
ready and also prepackaged foods.

Fabulous Food Vans

Essentially just like a food van, the particular gourmet food van requires
food excellent to a higher-level. They're run by serious younger chefs
who provide food not really usually found in food vans, for example
niche crepes, kimchi porkfries, osso bucco, purple velvet cupcakes, or
even the actual chicken marsala meatballs with cilantro chutney
present in the fantastic Balls on Wheels gourmet food van. Just like
Excellent Balls on Tires, numerous gourmet vans have specialties and
also styles. Additionally, they let their particular customers realize
exactly where they will be parked via their particular web sites and also
social networking websites such as Twitter. Whilst food vans do not need
to have kitchens, gourmet vans are more likely to have food ready on
the spot -- and also high-end food at that. At the beginning of the fresh
gourmet food-van trend, Los Angeles was obviously the area to locate
this kind of high-end eating. Right now, nevertheless, New York has
acquired its reveal of this kind of extravagant food vehicles, like the
Rickshaw Dumpling Bar and also the Dessert Truck started by a
previous Le Cirque pastry chef. So that as the idea of helping good food
rolls along, additional metropolitan areas from Portland, Ore., to St
Louis and also on down to Miami's South Seaside are usually leaping
on the foodie bandwagon using their personal local preferred. Food
Community chef Ingrid Hoffmann's black color and also red Latin
Burger and also Taco Vehicle, for instance, has become very the actual
rage in Miami.

The actual Mobile-Catering Company

Mobile-catering vehicles are usually described in a number of methods
and may overlap with mobile food vehicles. Listed here are 3 variations:
Initially, a catering vehicle is actually chosen for any particular occasion
like a picnic, celebration or even fair. Second of all, the individual
selecting the catering auto can choose from a catering food selection.
Next, a catering auto may be used to transportation the foods, that are
then passed out from inside the vehicle or even setup at the event or
even collecting, usually on trays or perhaps buffet design. This can
mean supplying the meals to be offered outside or perhaps parking and
also helping from the truck as the food vans do. The particular
variations are usually mainly in the manner of doing enterprise.
Nevertheless, the requirement for any dependable truck, licensing,
enables, sanitary problems, a company strategy, and also startup
company cash are very like the needs of a mobile-food company.
One of many benefits of a mobile-catering business is actually that you're

not really risking just as much in inventory because you are usually
cooking food and also getting food as purchased for that party.

Consequently, you're protected for your food expenses. You also have a
particular destination, which means you do not need to be concerned
regardless of whether your preferred locations will be hectic. Usually,
you're less determined by excellent climate simply because numerous
focused capabilities will be indoors. So long as you can get presently there
with the food, you're generally all right. Needless to say, you do need to
make sufficient work to aid your company. The particular distinction
between a mobile-catering business as well as other providing businesses
is actually that you're while using mobility of the pickup truck to exhibit

up instead of using a providing hall or even location.

Can You Control the heat?

Whilst it may seem simple, the actual food-van business requires lots of
work. For Scott Baitinger and also mate Steve Mai who perform the well-
known Streetza pizza vehicle in Milwaukee, Wis., a normal day time
begins 3 or 4 hours prior to taking the vehicle out on the highway. "First
we will stop at Sam's Club or even Cafe Depot and also pick up clean
elements. After that we visit our offsite commissary kitchen exactly
where we do all of the prep work, which include moving the actual cash,
creating sauces, reducing the actual veggies, and also all of the points

you actually cannot do inside a 10-by-10 vehicle, " clarifies Baitinger,
who nevertheless is effective each day job in promoting but deals with
the actual van on evenings and also weekends. Mai operates the actual
weekday changes except sometimes in the winter whenever nobody in
Milwaukee desires to trek outdoors in 3 feet of snow -- not really for
pizza.

Then a Streetza team, that additionally features a little staff on
numerous changes, parks at well-selected places and also prepares as
well as market food. At the conclusion of a day time, that is usually
whenever they run out of food or perhaps the crowds have dissipated,
comes the particular cleanup. "It's nearly the same as a cafe clean-up
with stainless-steel cleaners, scrubbing up, mopping, and also ensuring
everything is in ideal shape to begin again tomorrow, " provides
Baitinger.

The majority of mobile food business people follow an identical set
routine, regardless of whether it includes running the kiosk, trolley or
perhaps truck themselves or even having employees run it. The
particular routine, as is the situation with Streetza, can sometimes
include extremely early morning food buying a couple of days every
week, if not every single day. Then there's stocking the particular kiosk
or even auto and also heading to your destination(s). There's also a need
to take a moment throughout the day for advertising, generally by way
of Twitter or even an additional social networking. The majority of mobile
food suppliers work approximately 10 several hours each day. There's
also times in which a business proprietor needs to sit down in a peaceful
office space, ideally at home with his feet upwards, and also do all of the
bookkeeping: spending taxes and also expenses, reviving permit, and
also dealing with additional enjoyable paperwork duties. The job is
actually exhausting and also the day time is actually lengthy.

Arranging Your Menu

If you consider the food vans, trailers, buggies and also kiosks on the
roads and also at mobile providing menus, viewers just about anything
edible is usually offered up street-side. Obviously the particular large
question is actually: Just how useful is it? This may account for the

possible lack of baked Alaska buggies out there, however be assured,
somebody is most likely promoting it on several street corner.

Identifying what to assist are usually enjoyable. But there are plenty of
things to consider in terms of menu preparing in the mobile food globe.
Here are some:

1. Just what do you know the way to cook?

2. What food items do you delight in cooking?

3. What foods are usually well-known in your area, region, city or
perhaps region?

4. What elements are usually simple to obtain from wholesalers,
marketplaces or perhaps farms in your town?

5. What food items are usually simple to transport to and also from a
good offsite commercial kitchen?

6. What can a person get ready and/or warm up without a lot trouble?

7. Exactly what food(s) are usually preferably designed for your culinary
knowledge or perhaps permit you to attempt innovative brand new
recipes?

8. What foods can clients effortlessly carry around together?

9. What food(s) are usually possibly affordable for you to sell?
10. Exactly what foods aren't being sold at 100 additional food

vans, buggies, kiosks or perhaps mobile caterers in your town?

11. Just what occasions of day time will you be open for
organization? Breakfast time? Lunch? Dinner? Late night? All of the
over?

12. Are you going to focus on a couple of foods with a number of
variants for example pizza, tacos or even ice cream?

13. Might you have a bigger menu? Keep in mind, a bigger menu
usually demands much more space and may precede you from a
kiosk or even cart to a van or even bus.

Refining Recipes-The next step

Unless you are usually purchasing prepared foods or even have a chef
supplying you with foods, you will want to strategy your personal
recipes, focus on them, re-work these, and also have several flavor tests.
Think about your friends and relations as your own guinea pigs. Have
got parties, make an enjoyable period of it, but get them to flavor your
own foods and provide you truthful evaluations. Don't be scared of
several critiques -- easier to obtain it from family and friends than from
food critics and also clients.
Once you've discovered several most favorite, ensure you can easily
grasp the particular quality recipes. Write them down for upcoming
guide. After that, attempt several variants on a style. The majority of
mobile food items business owners invest many months, frequently
whilst waiting for their own van to be retrofitted and also their particular
backers to fork more than a few startup cash, experimenting with
numerous menus products.

Check Your Food

Do not begin with foods you've not really tried and tested. This implies
you need to ideal each and every formula to be certain it has the
following attributes:

1. It is possible to create frequently in big quantities.

2. It flavor persistently excellent.

3. It is possible to assist.

4. It moves nicely.

Purchasing Elements

Finding, while they call it in the meals business, is the procedure for
getting your foods as well as other elements. Just like a restaurant, you
need to figure out your own possible quantity and purchase
appropriately. You usually need to be preparing in advance to look or
even obtain purchases so that you are never out of essentials. If you're
cooking, create a comprehensive shopping list of components. If you're
purchasing food from wholesalers, learn how a lot you'll need, just how
much you can properly maintain fresh, and also just how much you can
sell prior to any kind of food goes bad. You're much better working out
of food on a hectic day time than marketing something which just isn't
fresh. Identifying the proper quantities to buy is generally trial and
error. Where to supply the food, can be an element in preparing your
own buys, routine and also choices. Typical sources consist of wholesale
food suppliers, food suppliers, nearby and also local providers,
greenmarkets and also farmer’s marketplaces, food cooperatives and
also buying clubs such as Costco or even Cafe Depot. Food buying is
really a large opportunity for Adria Shimada, who seeks all natural items
to utilize when creating handmade ice cream for her Seattle food items
truck, the particular Parfait Ice Cream Truck. "I get everything from
another supplier. Milk and also cream come from a local licensed
natural dairy farm about eighty miles away and also I obtain eggs in an
additional close by town from an additional natural farm. All of my
personal generate is actually actual clean produce; I don't utilize tastes
or even removes. For my personal mint ice cream, I personally use
actual spearmint from a farm in Carnation, Rinse. Several provide to
her industrial kitchen, and others are simply at farmers marketplaces
in Seattle exactly where farmers bring the particular wholesale amounts
your woman requirements.

Permit and also enables

Before you decide to complete getting your menu together, building is
completely retrofitted cart or perhaps vehicle or perhaps establishing
your kiosk, you should get your licensing in order. Whilst that isn't one
of the most thrilling facets of your entrepreneurial goal, it really is
probably the most essential. It really is, in reality, the overall dedication
to much stricter wellness rules and also sanitary rules that have paved
the way in which for food trucks to build this type of mass following.
The particular knock against food buggies and also vans is definitely
that they were neither thoroughly clean nor sanitary. Currently, as that
common belief modifications, foodies and no foodies as well can
appreciate their particular cost with full confidence that those operating
the company are usually doing their own greatest to satisfy, and also
exceed, sanitary needs.

It would most likely consider a number of volumes to checklist and also
clarify the various enables and also licensing needs simply because
every condition as well as the majority of cities and also counties has
their particular. Nevertheless, there are lots of common issues that need
to be addressed. Usually, the local division of wellness will have the
information you'll need. Consequently, you will get began by looking up
the neighborhood wellness department on the internet or even inside
your nearby Yellow-colored Webpages as well as calling to inquire about
the required needs. The state or even city will have particular needs that
must definitely be fulfilled based on your own mode of operation.

 If you're promoting prepackaged foods, you aren't regarded as a food
handler and may have less strict needs compared to if you're really
planning foods as well as scooping ice cream. As long as food is
actually unwrapped, you're usually regarded as a food handler as
well as must fulfill particular rules. Whilst your vehicle developer
won't understand the technicalities of each and every city's needs, he
or she can generally assist you to fulfill wellness specifications.
Before you hit the street, wellness inspectors will examine your
automobile. What exactly are inspectors really searching for? In
Washington, D. C., for instance, a great examination is actually
performed to confirm the following:

 Evidence of possession, correct id and also permit (of the particular
vehicle)  Evidence of District-issued Food Supervisor Id Card

 Food-purchase report storage and also record preserving

 Your depot, commissary or even support assistance service fulfills
your own vending unit procedure requirements

 Duplicate of permit for the support assistance service and/or a
current examination statement.

 Food vehicles are usually inspected at least one time annually by a
wellness division inspector, occasionally arbitrarily. The particular
inspector inspections to determine exactly how food is actually saved
so that it doesn’t spoil as well as that it are kept at the correct
temperature. All meals tools as well as sinks and also water supplies
are usually examined. Commercial kitchens and also garages in
which food vehicles are usually kept are also looked over regularly
and may be given high fines if they don't fulfill health and fire codes.
Several have been turn off due to too many violations. Similarly,
trucks and also carts have dropped their particular permit more than
repetitive violations.

 Locations

 Your locations will perform a significant element in your own
achievement. Your choices on where you can park for company
reasons will depend on a number of crucial elements. Initial, you
need to consider where you stand permitted to park by law.
Subsequent, you need to think about exactly where in individuals
areas can you discover the buyers who would such as your foods
and/or drinks. Additionally you wish to think about the perfect hours
for every possible area and also, obviously, your competition.
Remember that even if you have discovered an ideal lunch area on
the map and also you are usually allowed to park presently there,
you may also discover 19 additional food buggies and also vehicles
lining the actual roads.

 As much more food vehicles seem on the roads of main cities such
as New York, Los Angeles as well as San Francisco, it gets a lot more
difficult to acquire perfect areas. Add in the truth that there will be
business people who don't would like you parking close to their
particular institutions, and also it's really a main problem coming up
with excellent places to complete business.

 Some locations to think about parking are usually:

 Office theme parks. Discover if food trucks are usually permitted to
park and also during exactly what hours. If you're lucky enough to
find a workplace park without a lot competitors, stake declare or even
obtain an enable (if necessary) from the renting or even renting
organization to park presently there frequently. Breakfast every day
and also lunch time several hours ought to be your primary period
slots.

 Empty plenty. If you're able to discover the master of the home,
generate a good provide to pay to recreation area right now there
regularly. You can suggest a set every day price, a portion of your
sales or even each. Such a contract can advantage each event and
also give you an opportunity to set up yourself. Obviously you need
to look for a great deal exactly where there are sufficient foot visitors
to create it useful.

 Shopping districts or even malls. You may or even may not be
permitted to park on a public street together with shops. Public roads
are usually governed through local visitor’s laws and regulations.
That said, storeowners have lots of state. Understand the local
ordinances. You could, nevertheless, be able to park close to the car
parking plenty or even on a surrounding corner to a mall entry. Malls
will probably require you to have a enable to park on their home --
find out inside the mall. Set up buying places may have small room
for you to park, but new places, lately opened for company, may give

you a chance. You could, nevertheless, have some developing
discomfort along with the storeowners. Popular tourist places. The
particular tourist crowd is usually an excellent demographic.
Nevertheless, the competition may be brutal close to well-known
attractions. Certain, you will discover food carts close to Central Park
in New York City, but numerous established themselves in particular
areas, which makes it extremely difficult to split into their place. In
some instances, you may want to purchase the opportunity of car
parking at a super tourist appeal, as well as it can be costly. The
CupCakeStop proprietors pay thousands of dollars per month to
park at the favorite South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan.

 You can also search for the starting of a new art gallery, gallery,
movie theater, arena, visitor's center or even everywhere which has
simply been added to the actual listing of must-see locations in your
city.

 Sports sites. You may need enables to obtain near to a good arena or
even stadium. Nevertheless, when there is road parking for ticket
holders, you can generally attempt to get on a street or perhaps a
main highway leading to or perhaps from the service.

 Festivals as well as occasions. "We consider the actual truck to
nearby occasions such as Marketplace Square Day time, that brings
80,000 folks, the industry lot for any town of 25,000, " states Michelle
Lozuaway of Fresh Local in Portsmouth, In. H.

 Conferences as well as exhibitions. As is the situation with
celebrations, if they are usually annual occasions, they're prepared
nicely ahead of time. Become familiar with exactly where they're
staged as well as lease your space nicely ahead of time or even look
for a put on a public street that leads to the conference or even
conference middle.

 Parks as well as beaches. You'll need enables to park in a park or
perhaps on seaside home. Consult with the local parks commission
to determine if you're able to obtain this type of enable and also at

exactly what cost. Carts may have top of the hand here simply
because they take up much less space.

 Bus and also teach channels. When there is room, by all means think
about these types of as hectic areas exactly where individuals may
be starving. Once again, you need to know where one can park, so
ask. Additionally, get a concept of which hours will see probably the
most foot visitors.

 College campuses. Beyond campus, public roads may be great for car
parking. Nevertheless, unless of course it's a commuter school, you
may not have lots of visitors. To obtain on campus for some hours
each day, you need to obtain an enable from the school, and also that
may be challenging with respect to the organization and it is
guidelines. If absolutely nothing otherwise, you may be able to safe
an area whenever there are major school festivals, for example
football or even basketball games.

 The business region. Helping lunch time in the middle of a hectic
company region may be fantastic. Nevertheless, in a few cities, such
as New York, it is difficult to simply slip into the actual blend without
angering your competition (and you do not wish to attain that). Once
more, search for building areas. Find out about businesses shifting
down-town or even uptown or to part of town that's right now being
developed or even re-zoned for industrial utilize. Attempt to stake
declare in an up-and-coming region. You may battle at first, as
perform numerous new businesses, but in period you may well be
the actual full of the hill.

 Understanding all about car parking foibles in your city and also
locating the greatest possible areas for your business requires
research. Actually once you've discovered several areas to your
preference, continue searching close to. Parking regulations, as well
as nearby ordinances, alter frequently, so an excellent location 30

days may be omitted the next. Additionally, observe that as the
months later, several locations become less practical, for example
your excellent place through the seashores on the Jersey shore, that
won't be so excellent in the fall or even winter season. So produce
additional programs.

 Initial Costs

 There is no arranged method for identifying just how much it
expenses to start a company. The actual area is actually wide, and
also there are a lot of options. Obviously, a trolley will usually price
less than a vehicle, and a prepackaged item for example ice cream,
chocolate or even containers of soda are usually less expensive
compared to producing your personal foods or even drinks.

 For your reasons, you want to create a summary of all of everything
you need from the truck, trolley, truck, kiosk, bus and also retrofitted
gear to advertising and also marketing expenses and also office at
home gear.

 The number of expenses varies. You may invest $3,000 over a food
cart, $500 on your preliminary food expenses, $400 on enables and
also registrations, $200 on marketing and advertising, $300 on a
legal professional, as well as $300 for the initial 30 days to park and
also thoroughly clean the particular cart. Tack on $300 in additional
miscellaneous expenses, as well as you are off and also operating for
$5,000.

Alternatively, you could invest $60,000 on a retrofitted food vehicle,
$1, 000 on preliminary elements, $2,000 on enables and also permit,
$2, 000 for the initial month of an industrial kitchen rental, $300 for
the initial month of parking and also sustaining the vehicle, $1,700 on
kitchen area materials, $3,000 on advertising and also marketing,
$2,000 about packaging, $1,000 to setup a little home business for
bookkeeping, and also $500 in miscellaneous expenses for any
fantastic overall of just below $75,000.

When compared with a restaurant, actually $75,000 isn't harmful to
starting a company. I can agree, it varies. You need to do the actual
mathematics prior to investing anything so that you don't run out
before you begin.
The actual numbers will also differ based on your requirements. Do
you really need a good oven? Any rotisserie? Coffee containers? A grill?
Hot-dog roller? The expense can variety significantly. After that,
obviously, you'll want to acquire and also purchase all of the enables
for the city or perhaps town a person operate in and also board of
better authorization. Presently there merely isn't any valuable
quantity, but you can be confident the automobile is your greatest
expense.

Step 1 Permits

One of the most unforeseen issues when an individual considers setting up a new food truck business is
the bureaucracy that governs where it can sell, what it can sell, and how it can sell. And most
unfortunately, the legislation surrounding these issues is constantly changing - and as a mobile food
business, you're responsible for adapting and modifying your business operation whenever these
changes take place.

And, not only are these rules constantly changing, but they're also varying from county to county.
However, there are commonalities between what's absolutely necessary wherever you're operating.
These include the following:

Permits and Licenses

In most counties across the nation, your mobile food business will be required to have a health permit in
order to operate. If you have rented your truck, then it should come with one; otherwise, you will have to
get your old or new truck inspected by the health department in your area. Your health department will

also check out your commissary to ensure that your vehicle is clean, has working equipment and is
actually being parked at the commissary during nonoperating hours (this is a requirement!). Don't forget
to keep your act clean on the street as well; health inspectors are known for catching up with you while
you're serving window is open to make sure that you're following food safety protocol.

In addition to the health permit, depending on your county, you may be required to have a certified food
handler on staff. In general, a food handler is an individual on your team that has taken approved food
safety courses, passed the corresponding test, and has received this certification in the mail. Your food
trailer may also be required to obtain a seller's permit (for sales tax) and a business tax license.

Regulations

Ah, those good old parking regulations. These are the hardest of the rules governing your business's
operation. Where and when you're allowed to park places is crucial to your business's strategy as a
whole. There may also be time limits on how long you're allowed to park in a specific area or there may
be requirements on what your mobile food truck needs to surround it while it's operating (running water,
bathrooms, etc.).

Our best piece of advice concerning these varying parking regulations is to seek out organizations that
are available in your area to help you sort out which ones apply to your food truck business.

Remember, in the food trailer industry there are many challenges and limitations, especially since it is
relatively new and expanding very quickly in an unprepared environment. Owners and operators of trucks
usually have 60 to 70 hour work weeks, especially at the start of the business, which include tasks such
as getting supplies, prepping food, driving to locations, negotiating deliveries, doing management activities
(payroll, scheduling, etc.), and everything else that crops up unexpectedly. Before you launch into
business, ask yourself if you're truly ready to devote your life to this business. If you are, we can't wait to
find your food vehicle and get in line!

Concession Trailers Warehouse Fort Lauderdale, Florida based company that builds professional food
concession trailers and food trucks nationwide and international.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ramel_M_Acedo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7501514

Step 2: Find your Food truck

Concession Trailers and
Mobile
Food Trucks - Getting Started
With a Mobile Food Truck
Business

Mobile catering refers to selling food out of some type of mobile vehicle, either a truck or van in most

occasions. It is similar to regular catering since the food is brought directly to the customers, but is

served directly out the vehicle rather than inside a building. Mobile catering is popular in many urban

locations where it is convenient to grab food on the run, and it is a great business opportunity for those
looking to get into the food business.

A mobile food truck is a great investment for anyone interested in getting into the food business, since it
doesn't require one to buy or lease an entire restaurant. Instead, individuals can sell their homemade
goods right out of a moving vehicle, and can travel to popular locations where they know they can make
a profit.

An ice cream van is similar to a mobile food truck, since they were invented in order to distribute ice
cream to people walking on the street. A mobile food truck or van is designed similar to an ice cream
van, since it has a large window that makes it easy to converse with customers. The inside of the van is
completely different though, since ice cream vans are full of freezers in order to keep the ice cream cold.

A mobile food truck is almost like a small and portable kitchen, since it contains many of the same
components as a regular kitchen. It can contain places to heat up food, a fridge and freezer for storage,
a sink for washing up, and even a drink fountain for dispensing colas. They also contain locations for
storage and even shelves for displaying products, and a counter top for a cash register and storage for
dishes and cups. They come in a number of different variations, and the purchaser can decide which
components they need based on the menu they plan on selling.

Mobile kitchens can either be purchased as a mobile food truck or van, or as a trailer that can hook
directly onto the back of a vehicle. Either way, it makes it possible to move the food business to different
locations, in order to find popular locations where people are likely to be hungry. Although a mobile food
truck owner may have to travel to several locations when they first start off, they usually find the most
popular locations and travel to them at the same time every day.

A mobile food truck or kitchen is a great purchase for anyone getting into the food business, especially
since not many have time to sit in a restaurant for a meal anymore. It is a convenient way to sell food and
appeal to a wide variety of customers, and it doesn't require a huge initial investment like a restaurant
would. They usually only require one or two people to operate, and can pay for themselves in no time. A
mobile food truck and kitchen is a great investment for anyone interested in the food business, and can
even transform into a family partnership if it gains enough popularity.

Click here to find the Concession Trailer or Mobile Food Truck you are looking for.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Vroom

Step 3: Discover a Niche

Just forget about tacos as well as cold sandwiches. Today’s food vans
assist fabulous cuisine, special treats through additional countries,
wellness foods, and also specialized sweets such as special cupcakes
and unique candies.

The important thing to achievement in this new and also enhanced
business sector is actually discovering your personal niche and also
becoming the most notable professional. Do several investigation to
discover what’s currently protected in your area, after which come up
with your personal development.

For instance, several food van suppliers discover achievement in mixing
outfits and also quirky language to improve their particular image.

Step 4: Obtain Funding

After you understand what you need to spend, produce a finance
strategy. You may find a good owner-financing choice for your van, or
perhaps you may need to visit other areas for capital to financial your
online business. You can remove financing from a bank or perhaps
credit union, use peer-to-peer financing systems just like Lending Club
or even Succeed, or perhaps borrow from family and friends. Figure out
how high of a deposit you can pay for, and also just how much curiosity
you’ll owe during the period of your own loan.

Step 5: Make a Strategy

As with every other company, you’ll need to dedicate period and also
investigation to your business strategy. After you have your loan
squared away, investigation the expense of enables, cleansing
equipment, elements, as well as other expenses, and also figure out how
a lot you’ll need to sell each month to generate revenue. If this really is

your first-time composing business strategy, take a look at the
particular U.S.A. Small Business Administration’s fundamental ideas.

Step 6: Get Covered

Your company will probably be on wheels, so you’re going to take on
several major insurance charges. Talk with a realtor, and also explain
precisely what objective the actual van will serve. For example, if you’ll
have a completely practical pizza oven inside, that’s going to be a main
element in your own protection.

You should just purchase regular auto insurance, but your agent will
need to consider your personal conditions into consideration when
designing your policy to take into account additional dangers and also
liabilities.

Step 7: Discover Parking

Food vans are usually big, and if you plan to use a full-sized truck, you’ll
uncover several parking problems. For example, will your neighborhood
organization allow you to park it before your home? When you have off-
street parking, will it be secure immediately? Additionally, several
wellness sections need that supplier’s park just in authorized amenities
with refrigeration and also electricity. You may be able to rent a personal
car parking space so you’ll make sure to use a spot to go that’s secure
and also lawful.

Step 8: Marketing your food truck

A Food Truck Business -
Successful Food Truck
Marketing!

How to Do Successful Food Truck Marketing - 5 Ways of Attracting Attention!

1. Food truck events! A food truck event presents a great opportunity to attract the interests of both new
and existing buyers. These events are typically organized by someone trying to make a buck on
collecting rents to be part of the event, but that's life in America. It can be worth it, but you should check
to see who else will be there, and who is the clientele attending. You definitely don't want competition on
your cuisine. And you don't want to be serving your vegan cuisine to a bunch of rodeo types. So, as with
anything, think through the synergy of attending, and figure if the price to do it is worth the potential
return.

Other types of events may be functions of organizations that simply want to attract people to their events
or organizations. These affairs offer a tremendous upside, since you will be linked in the customer’s
perception with the organization sponsoring the event. That can provide good PR.

A key factor to the success of an event depends on the organizers investment into proper marketing of
the event, to include catchy fliers and posters. Some attention should be paid to your food truck and the
role it plays in the bigger event. Don't be shy to request what coverage you and your truck will have in
this marketing.

2. Investing in your own Branding. Like your own sauce as just one example. Here you will have the
challenge of putting in sufficient time and focus to branding something that if you have no experience in
it- will be difficult. I suggest you go with a company that offers marketing and branding services.
Branding has tremendous upside, for it sets you apart from your competition in unique and memorable
ways, not to mention, it’s classy to have your own branded products.

3. Your name tells it all... Or at least it should try to. A name is most important to convey in a short and
direct a fashion as possible what you are, what you do, and in the case of food, what you serve. How
about Sizzle Stix (a Gourmet Street's brand) that sells delicious kabob foods speared on a stick. Get it?
How about Sweeties, they serve everything for the sweet tooth. What do you think the Dog Truck sells?
(I'm not suggesting this, you may get a little boy wanting to buy a dog from you). But you get my point, I
hope. There's the "Take the Dump Truck." Can you guess what it sells? Dumplings... I don't think so!

4. Make sure your truck is attractive. It's truly counterproductive to spend all the money on a new, fully-
equipped food truck, only to leave it dull and standard. A beautiful vinyl wrap, spectacularly designed is
well worth the money, and will attract the eye of all who you drive by. Get creative and create an outer
appearance that matches the attractive food you're offering inside.

5. Train your staff to have excellent customer service. It should be your #1 priority, as the first five
seconds of interaction between a new customer and your staff will either make a customer, or the
opposite, at best leave a a passer-by unimpressed, and at worst, cause someone to bad mouth your
truck to others. Train your staff to smile, be kind and selfless.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonah_JE_Ender

Step 9: Use networking

Probably the most prosperous truck food business owners are the types
who're using social networking possibilities for connecting using their
customers and also produce buzz. You can maintain fans
knowledgeable of your area via your own Twitter feed, or perhaps utilize
smaller market systems to attract new customers. Additional tools
provide you with a chance to interact with your enthusiasts and also
supporters through allowing them to election on new menu products,
select the color of your truck or van before you decide to repaint, or even
choose your next weekly particular.

Step 10: Increase

As soon as you’ve built up your own following as well as your manufacturer
has taken off, begin considering retailing. You can market t-shirts as well
as
Advertising products on the internet and also in person. The larger
your own
Brand and also the much more distinctive your concept is actually, the
greater willing your visitors will be with regards to marketing for you by
putting on an
Awesome sweatshirt or even cap. Additionally, after you have some
reputation, you’ll be able to strategy nearby grocery store and also coffee
stores about promoting your meal in their stores.

What people are saying

Articles about the Food truck Industry.

Getting Set Up in the Mobile
Food Industry

No doubt you've heard the buzz on the street. The mobile food industry has taken off and it isn't likely to
slow down any time soon. But it's not your run-of-the-mill sandwich shop or greasy spoon that's
garnering attention. (Their sales are actually dropping.) It's concepts that include innovative menus
featuring fresh ingredients like hand-patted Vermont beef burgers and free-range Vermont organic
chicken that are on the rise.

For your best bet, look for those that have established themselves as a proven leader in this fast-
growing lunch truck business segment of the market, such as some of the top mobile food companies
who continue to grow by at least 10 percent each year. Even in a faltering economy, the exciting fast
casual dining concepts that these premier mobile food businesses have pioneered are thriving.

So, does the mobile food industry excite you? It's going to take some work on your part. Only the most
determined and driven entrepreneurs will succeed. If a company is willing to hand you a cart or trailer
without asking any questions, beware. Look for companies that are very selective about who they bring
into their mobile food vendor family. They will want to know that you're serious about being part of this
revolutionary food concept. And then they''ll stand beside you every step of the way.

The top mobile food companies will have done all the demographics and tested the market. To help you
get a faster starter, they will also have researched numerous expansion models and have developed a
proven system that allows their franchisees to succeed from day one. This will help you minimize your
investment, risk and operational costs so you can achieve your dreams.

The best mobile food franchises will not offer a get rich quick scheme. What they do offer is a way for
you to get in on the ground floor of the growing mobile concession industry. They set you up for success
and then you supply the enthusiasm to operate your new mobile treats trailer.

Yes, the concession trailer business is booming. But only for those on the leading edge of consumer
habits. For example, some of the top mobile food trailers have developed their success on fresh grass-
fed burgers, natural hormone-free chicken, and always fresh vegetables. Coupled with a commitment to
green operations it clear they're leading the way with their quick-service restaurant on wheels! Quick-
service restaurants that succeed are those who are constantly evolving and looking for new ways to
keep customers coming back for more. And those are few and far between.

If you want to roll into your future success, the top mobile food franchises can show you how.

We have a complete, simple-to-operate business that can take you as far
as you dream: http://www.zoohooseatery.com/franchise/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Rossillo
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5273419

How to Use Crowd-Funding
for Your Food Trailer

Starting a food trailer business is hard, and obtaining the funding that's necessary to open your
entrepreneurial venture is even harder. You may be considering a loan or an investment, but the risk is
weighing heavily on your mind.

You know it's in the cards, the entrepreneurial cards, that is, that risk is a big part of taking the first
financial step towards opening up shop, but you're just not ready. Or even worse, you may not have
access to the large bank loans that it will take to open your trailer's service window. So, what can you
do?

Although avoiding a loan altogether may not be an option, there are certainly other ways of raising funds
on your own for your food trailer business that involve less risk. One of the best ways to raise quick
amounts of capital for your mobile food stand is to use online crowd-funding sites.

If you've never heard of the term before, crowd funding is a quick, effective
way to raise cash for the creative project that you are yearning to create -
in this case, it's your food truck.

You can use crowd-funding to raise cash for just about any and all of the
expenses that are tied to starting your business in the mobile food industry,
from the costs of fleet expansion, to advertising and design expenditures,
to new equipment investments.

And the great news is that the popularity of crowd funding is rising, given that the economy has grown
from $1.5 billion in 2011 to $3 billion this year (www.mobile-cuisine.com).

Here's how to go about crowd funding for your food trailer business:

• Realistically plan out your costs. Don't worry about asking for "too" much. (The site that you use
may have a limit on how much you can ask for, so that's the only number you should be worried
about.) Instead, plan out your costs and ensure that the amount of funding that you're asking for
covers what you're asking to use it for. Your "backers" (the individuals that pledge money to your
project) expect you to complete your project if you raise the amount of capital that you're asking

for. It's also smart to list out what you're specifically using the funds for, on the site. That way your
backers can see why you're asking for money and it will give them more reasons to donate to your
project.

• Build your catering truck social network, both online and offline. Crowd funding tends to sound too
good to be true - and that's because it's not as easy as simply posting your project online and
waiting for random strangers

to donate money to your campaign. To get your food truck's campaign rolling, you'll most likely
use the social networks surrounding your business or your business plan in order to create buzz
around your online project. Direct fans, potential customers, family, friends and business partners
to the site, and ask these individuals to help direct their personal social networks to the site as
well.
• Pick the crowd-funding site that's right for you. There are hundreds of crowd-funding sites to
choose from online. Here are a few of the most popular: Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and
Crowdfunding. These sites help entrepreneurs raise hundreds and thousands (and sometimes
hundreds of thousands) of dollars for their creative ventures.
• Make a creative and quality video describing (and showing, if possible) your food truck and the
types of activities that you want to use the raised capital for.
If you're not quite convinced that crowd funding is an option for you, take a moment to review other
mobile food industry projects that are listed on crowd funding sites by visiting the sites and doing a quick
search. You'll be amazed at the types of creative projects that are on the site and the amount of cash
that each project is bringing in. Remember, each crowd-funding site has its own rules and regulations,
so make sure you understand the terms and conditions before you decide on the site that's right for you.

Good luck!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ramel_M_Acedo Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/7388711

Qualities That a Food Truck
Vendor Must Have

In the past, people thought of food trucks as a source of junk food. However as time went by, the
usefulness and the functionality of food trucks have been unveiled. People who are swamped at work
and have no time to take their lunch in the comforts of their homes of sit down restaurants count on food
truck owners to bring them hearty meals.

Because of the popularity of vending trucks, some people who would want to earn are venturing to this
type of business. If you wish to be an effective food truck merchant, you must have the following
attitudes:

Patient. Finding a vehicle that you can turn into a vending truck entails a lot of time. There are a lot of
companies who sell vehicles that are ideal for being converted into food trucks. If you lack the patience
in scouring the market for the best deal that you can get, then you may be tricked by merchants who
take advantage of the high demand on vehicles. If you want to save money and get the most effective
vehicle you must have the ability to search for the best deal.

Hard-working. A food vendor needs to be industrious. Being industrious means being able to get as
many orders as you can from the offices that are situated at places where your food truck will pass on. If
the vendor is industrious then he will be able to distribute his goods to many offices.

Friendly. It is important that you are able to build rapport with your customers. This is because if they
see you as a familiar face and not just a businessman who thinks of nothing but profits. Friendliness
translates to you selling more of your goods and products.

Creative. Customers do not like routine food. This is the reason why they would skip going to the office
cafeteria to eat their meals. You must be creative in your menus. Make sure that you have a variety of
food that you can offer to your customers. It will not only make your customers happy but you will also
be able to stay ahead of your competition.

Manage time effectively. You must remember that the main reason why you are starting a food truck
business is for the flexibility and freedom instead of just being stationed in one location. If you are able

to manage your time well then you can serve many customers. The more places you are able to pass by
in one day, the more customers you, more profits you gain.

The food truck business is not a difficult business to learn. If you possess all these traits then you will
surely make it big. It is important that you continue improving your craft. To learn more advanced
techniques

visit http://www.hotdogcartsecrets.com/. Here you'll find loads of free information for hot dog business
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Franklin_B._Smith
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4932437

Gourmet Food Truck Fad
Takes
Over Southern California
Restaurant Scene

In Southern California, the old-fashioned sandwich trucks are being upgraded to mobile restaurants with
menus as varied as the culture. In the face of chain restaurants and high operating costs, many small
locally owned food businesses have disappeared and the catering truck industry is stepping into the
gap.

The speed of the growth of this new development in the restaurant industry has, at times, created
conflicts within some communities. The Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association was
formed to attempt to create a set of "best practices" for operating within the changing industry. While the
rules and regulations are still developing, the popularity of the movement with the general public is
unquestioned.

One of the many ways the industry is changing is in the use of Web sites and Twitter to let customers
know the schedules and locations of their favorite gourmet traveling restaurant. The various truck
owners post schedules and menus so their "followers" can easily make plans to meet for their favorite
meal. The possibilities are seemingly endless. From a simple grilled cheese to Japanese noodles,
there's something for almost every taste.

The Grilled Cheese Truck - Whether you are looking for that simple grilled cheese or something more
exotic, this menu has an answer to the search. The cheese offerings start with the routine American and
extend to a creamy Brie (on Cranberry Walnut bread) or Gruyere with lots of savory additions and
interesting sides.

Barbie's Q - If your preference is St. Louis style ribs or pulled pork sandwiches, Barbie's can supply it
along with the traditional sides. They even have a Veggie Burger for those who love barbecue but don't
eat meat. Like many other gourmet food trucks, they also cater.

Skewers on Wheels - A non-traditional meal choice for many Americans, food on skewers lends itself
to a wide variety of textures and flavors. From Shiitake mushrooms or tofu to Hawaiian spam pineapple
the skewers can be paired with a salad and create a full meal for any taste preference.

TastyMeat - Meat lovers can choose from beef, lamb, or chicken in a savory sauce; add lettuce, tomato,
and onions, then wrap it in a fresh flatbread for a delicious quick meal.

Kogi - Combine Korean barbecue with Mexican style and you get Spicy Pork Tacos or Short Rib
Burritos and they haven't forgotten the vegetarians either, Tofu comes in either a taco or a burrito.

Asian Soul Kitchen - For a more traditional Asian meal, try Japanese soul food. Sample Yakisoba, a
combination of noodles, veggies, and a flavorful sauce or for a more filling meal order Nijukaga a hearty
stew of beef, potatoes, and noodles in a Bonita broth.

Even the old-fashioned ice cream trucks are leaping onto the gourmet, twittering bandwagon.

Coolhaus - Make an ice cream sandwich to order with your favorite cookie and ice cream. Choose from
six cookie flavors and fill them with your choice of more than twenty ice creams. From the traditional
vanilla bean to white chocolate macadamia, they make an ice cream sandwich new.

Get Shaved - Shaved ice may sound like another version of a "snow-cone", but the resemblance ends
with the basic ingredient. These low-calorie (60-70 calories per 8 ounce serving) come in a myriad of
flavors from Banana to Watermelon.

There are trucks that serve at most any hour of the day, from breakfast to dinner time. Whether you are
looking for a Southwest Omelet or a slice of Pizza, there's a truck out there looking for your business.
Twitter is the easiest way to keep track, but many are also on Facebook or have their own Web sites.

The next time you're hungry in Southern California check out a few of these Long Beach restaurants.
You'll find plenty of places to eat ( http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/lb/food/ ) and expert reviews to
help you decide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darla_Blackmon
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3865344

Food Trucks: From Fad to
Fixture

America's latest food craze really isn't so new. Just go back to your childhood summers when the only
thing that could break up baseball games or pool parties other than a mom's voice was the sweet siren
call of the ice cream truck rolling into your neighborhood.

Take that image - except replace kids with business professionals and switch out the ice cream man for
a gourmet chef - and you have food trucks, coming to a city near you...if they haven't arrived already.

Growing up in Morocco, Yassir Raouli likely never heard an ice cream truck's melody. But after trying
multiple ventures in New York City - waiting tables, managing night clubs and opening an online clothing
shop - Raouli came up with an idea, Bistro Truck that could carry him to retirement.

"I did research, and I wanted to start a restaurant. I always wanted to have my own place," he says.
"What made sense was the food truck."

If you still haven't caught on, the food truck is exactly what it says it is. An entire restaurant, from the
kitchen to the cash register, is self-contained in a truck or van. Food truck owners, who often double as
the chefs, drive their restaurants to the people rather than letting the people come to them. From there
you start to notice differences.

There are food trucks that cater only to the lunch crowd, and others to only the dinner rush; some do
both. A number of food trucks are nomadic, posting a week's-worth of locations on sites such as Twitter
and Facebook and making them reliant on their customers' Internet savvy to guide them to their current
locations. Others, like Raouli's operation, are parked daily at the same spot in the same neighborhood.

It's the emphasis placed on the quality of food that defines the current wave of food trucks. Aside from
the venerable ice cream man, people have been eating street food in the United States for decades - at
hot dog carts in Chicago or brat stands in Boston. But over the last few years customers across the
country have had the pleasure of myriad gastronomic options. Los Angeles has a kosher taco truck
(Takosher). Kronic Krave Grill serves South American arepas four days a week in downtown Austin,
Texas. And, not surprisingly, in Portland, Ore., owners pushed the politically correct limit with Kim Jong
Grillin', a Korean BBQ food truck named after the controversial North Korean dictator.

"I think we kind of revolutionized it," Raouli says of Bistro Truck's menu, whose daily specials feature
items like chilled watermelon soup, kofta kebabs and strawberry panna cotta. "We were one of the first
to offer gourmet food."

Whether Raouli spearheaded the gourmet food truck revolution may be arguable, but the success of his
Bistro Truck is definitely not. In late August 2010, on the one-year anniversary of its opening, Bistro
Truck was named one of five finalists for New York City's annual Vendy Awards, a food truck
competition whose quirky name belies the competitive seriousness of the event.

Bistro Truck's nomination should give the business some much-needed notoriety that can offset the
obstacles facing food trucks. For example, at traditional restaurants any mishap can be mitigated by a
dessert or cocktail on the house. Food truck owners, however, are often limited to a first impression.
Patrons get in line, order their food, make the payment, grab their food and go. There's so little time for
interaction with the customers that the vendor must nail the experience to ensure repeat business and
positive word of mouth.

On the other hand, there is the advantage of intimacy. "We cook everything in front of people, so we
have a oneonone interaction with a customer - better than what we would have at a restaurant," Raouli
says.

That's the exact reason Fares "Freddy" Zeidaies - three-time Vendy finalist and the winner of this year's
Vendy Cup - got into the business. He has the experience of previously owning a brick-and-mortar
restaurant, one that generated solid business but left him unfulfilled.

"I decided I didn't want to do it anymore," Zeidaies says. "It was not fun. It was not me. What I want is to
be around the people, not just around the kitchen."

So nearly nine years ago Zeidaies reinvented himself as "The King of Falafel & Shawarma." He started
paying rent to a parking meter rather than a landlord. Zeidaies faithfully stations his King of Falafel food
truck at the same intersection in the Astoria community of Queens, serving Middle Eastern cuisine.
Zeidaies is far more satisfied with his street operation. "I love it when they give me that thumbs up," he
says, but he also cautions traditional restaurateurs from naively getting into the food truck business.

In addition, the initial challenge of finding a parking spot notwithstanding, food truck vendors must deal
with the natural elements. "You have to get out in the hot weather, the cold weather," Zeidaies

continues, which may explain why food trucks are booming in climate friendly places like Southern
California.

The elements are only part of the difficulties. Gay Hughes, owner of the Original Mobile Tea Truck,
which made its way around the suburbs of Boston for years, actually sold her truck in May 2010 and
now operates a successful expanded Mobile Tea Shoppe, a stand she sets up at farmers' markets and
craft shows.

About operating the truck, Hughes says, "Each town had its own complicated set of legalities. I often set
up at the National Park sites because it was easier dealing with the Federal government than the local
agencies - that should say it all." Hughes also notes the arduous physical demands of the job. "All the
up and down, bending and lifting...Frankly, it was quite tough on my body."

There are also those tight quarters to contend with. "You've got about eight feet [of space], and each
person has to man a station," Zeidaies says, explaining that his truck has one person overseeing the
grill, one cooking the rice, another preparing the sauces and a fourth person covering the everything
else (the cash register, packing the food, etc.). Limited space also affects the initial prep work.

"With a truck, you have to find parking, and then you have to prep all your food once you get there,"
Bistro Truck's
Raouli says. "It takes about an hour to an hour and a half after you find your spot."

The picture Zeidaies and Raouli paint might scare off interested restaurateurs. Or, just maybe, they want
to limit their competition, because they both agree that food trucks, unlike other fleeting fads, will remain
a strong, albeit unconventional, presence in the restaurant industry.

"The food truck business, if you do it well, you're going to be very successful," Raouli says. "We live in a
city where you have tough critics, and people's expectations are high. The best are going to be here for
a long time and the weakest are going to be gone before they know it."

This article originally appeared in the Nov/Dec 2010 issue of My Foodservice News magazine
(www.mymfn.com [http://www.mymfn.com]).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Shaw Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5342438

Marketing: 5 Lessons I
Learned From Food Trucks

Food Trucks have been popping up all across the country. Everything deliciously sinful is on a truck.
From cake shakes and fried Oreos to ginger Brussels sprouts & Short Rib Sandwiches¬...

When food truck lineups started, even better, one opened up right in front of my Alma Mater, Johnson &
Wales University. The BTTR (Biscayne Triangle Truck Round-up) Miami Food Truck Events, usually
about 35 trucks, get together once a week.

My friends and I have been going practically every week, and the crowds keep getting bigger. At first, it
was mostly college students, and then people from all around the city started showing up.

And that made me wonder. "How did all these people hear about this?"

I decided to investigate! I started watching the trucks, more important asking questions. I came up with
some surprising answers. Here's what they do great, and what they could do:

1. They create a stand out brand personality.

The truck owners put a lot of thought into coming up with a creative name, and overall theme. The
decals and truck design can make or break them. Some keep it simple and focus on making good food;
others go crazy with characters and graffiti-like design. Just like in any business, standing out from your
competitors is key.

2. Most of them get the word out with Social Media.

Food Truck owners use Facebook and Twitter, since they move around a lot, so people can track them
down. (A lot of my friends hear about Food Trucks on Twitter or Facebook, and read reviews on which
ones are best.)

3. About 75% of Food Trucks I saw have QR codes.

While people stand in line they usually have their smart phones in their hand. Food Truck owners ask
them to scan the QR code to follow them on Facebook and Twitter, so they get the latest updates.

4. Missed Opportunity?

I noticed that some trucks have 4" X 6" Flyers with QR Codes linked to Facebook, Twitter, their website
and phone number. Why aren't the owners asking people to sign up for an email list? Missed
opportunity? Why not collect their information and send them updates once a week about upcoming
events.

5. Reviews! Reviews! Reviews!

Like most people, I have favorite Food Trucks. I'm obsessed with this mouthwatering,
scrumdiddlyumptious (no real word can describe how good it is) Short Rib Sandwich. I talk about it on
Facebook and my friends have all tried it! A lot of people post reviews on Yelp or their own websites, so
it's a good idea to encourage customers to review your business. Some trucks have a decal asking
customers to review them on Yelp.

Any standout Marketing Ideas you've seen? Please share your thoughts and comment below.

Lois K. Geller is Owner and President of Lois Geller Marketing Group. Learn more about marketing by
visiting her blog at http://www.joyofdirectmarketing.com. You can also download Lois' personal success
plan today. She shares her secrets to overcoming challenges, along with an easy daily action plan to
help your business grow despite any setback. at http://www.loisgellermarketinggroup.com/lois-geller-
success-plan.html

Follow her on Twitter: @LoisGeller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lois_K_Geller
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6639469

Is Joining a Food Truck
Franchise Right for You?

Most new food truck owners walk into this industry with an entrepreneurial spirit, awakened because of,
and in spite of, the poor economy, and more particularly, the loss of a job. Given this recession, and
despite of it, we have seen a national rise in the food truck industry. This industry has given birth to
creative, diverse and flavorful foods that are sweeping the country, one mile at a time.

When we think of the word 'entrepreneur,' we often forget that this word does not simply signify
individuals that have created business ideas from scratch. Instead, entrepreneurs are business owners
that have taken on forms of risk that most people are unwilling or unable to successfully manage.

This definition opens up a whole other route for aspiring food truck business owners to take on. Rather
than making it necessary to suddenly become a brand-marketing expert, master chef, or creative
designer, you may decide to become a food truck franchisee - which comes with most of the benefits of
working in the food truck industry with less of the responsibility. It's perfect for individuals who have little
or no business background.

But how can you decide whether to be an entrepreneurial franchisee or start your own business from
scratch? To put it simply, it comes down to the level of involvement you want in making decisions for
your operation.

Let's look at a list of pros and cons of joining a franchise:

Pros:

• There are fewer up-front decisions. Within a franchise, you are given instant brand recognition.
The menu,
Design, and name are given to you.

• You'll have the professional support you need. The corporate office will supply you with support
and staff that can address questions and concerns. This can be especially helpful for new
entrepreneurs in the mobile food
Industry, as they may be unfamiliar with how to deal with issues that arise.

• You have a name. And with that name comes business. Your name is already known throughout
the city, state, and, sometimes even, country.

Cons:

• Food truck franchisees require capital - and lots of it. These ventures can run up to half a million
dollars just to join them. And many times, this price tag opposes the reason that entrepreneurs are
seeking to enter into this industry in the first place. After all, opening up a food truck is supposed
to be much cheaper than running a

Brick-and-mortar restaurant, right?

• The concept of the truck - name, menu, and design - is given to you. Just as this serves as a pro
for joining a

Franchise, it can also be seen as a con. It allows for little creativity, which is what most entrepreneurs
thrive on.

• You're paying fees and royalties (nonstop). Not only do you have to pay for the rights to the
franchise, but you are also expected to pay royalties in most cases.

So, what will you decide? Maintain an open mind and make strategic decisions that are in line with your
personality and desires. Opening any food truck business - whether it's a franchise or a truck from
scratch - is a long-term decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.

Concession Trailers Warehouse Fort Lauderdale, Florida based company that builds professional food
concession trailers and food trucks nationwide and international.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ramel_M_Acedo Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/7366673

Is Social Media So Important
To Food Truck Success?

Let's first get straight exactly what are the social Medias we're discussing. There are three I'll be
covering in this article, as follows: Twitter

The Twitter revolution has forever changed the landscape of mobile businesses and how they interact
with customers. The constant flow, back and forth, of small "tweets" between customer's and their
favorite trucks, creates a perfectly friendly dialogue through which both sides greatly benefit. A good
food truck operator doesn't deliver a lecture on his products, he makes conversation, which then leads
to the customer's gradual understanding of what is being offered and why it's worthwhile.

It's important for food truck owners to understand that Twitter provides not only an opportunity to share
their location and menu, but also to share interesting stories, jokes and start engaging conversations
revolving around food. Customer's crave a good ongoing dialogue and will re-tweet for days as more
people voice their opinion and offer related antidotes.

Here's a suggestion: Go on Twitter, upload the name of a particular truck you'd like to follow, and join in
the conversations. Once you feel you've gotten a good grasp on how to successfully "tweet," keep the
following tips in mind.

1. Have a strategy and stick to it. Stay consistent in the style and type of content of your "tweets."
2. Follow your fellow food truck operators. There are a lot of good ideas out there.
3. Stay in touch with your customers! This cannot stressed enough. Stay consistently in front of your

customers by tweeting every day. You don't have to be a genius to do tweeting, just earnest. Most
times the best dialogues are created by responding to a tweet, not by posting your own.
4. To start an account on twitter, and not keep it fresh with your tweets, is like cooking a tasty dish, and
not eating it.
Stay with it!

Facebook

Facebook is also another powerful social media tool that can promote your food truck. Unlike Twitter,
having a Facebook page allows you to go beyond mere words and instead post funny videos and short
clips about your food truck. Personally, I think posting videos where you show viewers how you prepare

some of their favorite foods is a great idea. (I doubt I'm the only one who isn't even slightly interested in
"watch us wash our food truck! So fun!" videos...)

If you have a website together with your Facebook account, link the two! On your website have an
option to "click here" and be sent to the other's page. This can help to increase web traffic for your food
truck business. Also, don't forget to use keywords that tie into your truck, cuisine and location. Find the
most effective keywords and use em'! (A word of caution: don't over do it or you'll get blacklisted
pronto.)

Google+

Google+ offers food truck owners multiple tools to promote and professionalize their business. You can
use the Google+ Events tool which allows you to broadcast an event you're hosting, complete with a
start time, location and an exclusive invite list. You can even use your Gmail contacts to add to the ones
you have in the Google Circle tool.
After you create the event it will show up on your Google Calendar.

This particular social media gives you the option of chatting with up to 10 people through the Google+
Hangout online video chat option. You can collaborate with fellow food truck acquaintances and
employees and leave "virtual sticky notes" on a "virtual whiteboard" to discuss a food truck design or
new business plan. The options are seemingly endless... There are a bunch of free apps that you can
download to your Google+ account to optimize how your business is interacting with customers. You
can sign up for a Google+ account by clicking this link https://plus.google.com.

I haven't included my favorite social media outlet because it deserves an article all to its own. The social
media tool I'm referring to is topping surveys as the "most beneficial, powerful social media tool for small
businesses." In a recent poll taken by the Wall Street Journal, this social media outlet was rated the
"tool with the most potential to help," over other social media's such as Facebook, Pinterest and
YouTube. I'll discuss this "amazing tool", LinkedIn, in my next post! Having introduced the three social
media, I want to share with you a little secret, SOCIAL MEDIA IS FOR THE BIRDS. That's correct.
Because if you are like the 98% of other small business owners out there, busy in your businesses, you
just don't have the time to adequately stay on top of all these social media services, and as a result you
will pay little attention to them. I can only suggest one thing. Hire someone who is knowledgeable about
food trucks and your business, to do the tweets and blogs for you. . Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonah_JE_Ender

Wedding Menu Trend - Food
Trucks

By now, most people are probably familiar with the comfort food trend that has been so popular for
wedding receptions in recent years. This desire for familiar and unpretentious fare has been taken to the
next level with one of the newest wedding trends. The hippest wedding receptions these days feature
food trucks as part of the menu.

You may wonder how a food truck can be incorporated into an elegant wedding. The answer is that it is
actually pretty easy, as long as the reception will take place outdoors. In many instances, the food truck
is in addition to a more standard presentation of food. It could be a special feature for the cocktail hour,
part of the main dinner time, or a late night surprise. It is not too hard to find a food truck to come to your
wedding, since most of them operate during the day, and most wedding receptions take place later in
the evening. It is generally just a matter of coordinating your favorite street vendor with your wedding
reception venue coordinator.

Food truck fare is uncomplicated by definition. Couples usually just choose whatever they love the best.
It might be a hot dog truck, one serving burritos, a pizza van, or even an ice cream truck (so fun for a
summer wedding!). If you don't have room for an entire truck at your reception, you can hire a vendor
with a push cart. That is also a great option for bringing this concept indoors. You could have a cotton
candy cart, a fresh popcorn man, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Think about what you like to eat on the street. Maybe it's dumplings or cheeseburgers or even little
crepes. If it can be served from a cart or truck, it can be a great option for a fun reception surprise. This
is an especially neat way to introduce your family and friends to your local favorites. Relive your college
days by inviting the same truck that you used to frequent on the way to class or on game day. Or
introduce your family to a new flavor that is popular where you live now, such as Cuban food if you
recently relocated to Miami. When served along with more typical menu selections, the food truck or cart
can allow you to spice things up a bit, while still offering things you know everyone will like.

You'll want to be sure to get lots
of pictures of guests enjoying the
food truck at your reception. Such
a memorable part of your
wedding will make for terrific and
unique photos. Just think of the
fun pictures you'll get of the
mother of the bride in her elegant
dress and pearl necklace nibbling on a fresh funnel
cake from a cart or a slice of pizza! If you plan to serve something really messy like chili dogs, the
bride may want

to have something she can throw on to protect her gown from spills. One bride I knew looked fabulous
in her custom made gown and special pearl necklace - until she got a big splash of mustard from her
hot dog down the front of her wedding dress. The bride should definitely get to enjoy the tasty truck
food; just take care not to let it ruin your gown.

So now you know: if you want to wow your guests, hire a food truck to cater part of your wedding
reception. It is a fun trend that can be adapted to suit almost any wedding, and your guests will certainly
find the food cart to be a memorable and delicious part of your wedding!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Antonelli
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6355263

How to Sell Out Your Entire
Food Truck in 45 Minutes

Everybody loves food trucks. Whenever a new one pops up on the corner there is always a buzz and
excitement in the air. But the reality is getting foot traffic to your truck isn't as easy as it sounds right off
the bat. Of course the number one rule is always location, location, location - but there are a few key
tactics you can use to give yourself a boost - no matter where your truck is located.

Food Trucks are a great asset to any restaurant brand. Not only can they be tremendously profitable,
but they also do a great job of getting out on the streets and making your brand known. They give
exposure to your restaurant and your brand in new places - creating more customers and boosting your
sales.

But how do you get more people to come to your food truck? Obviously location is critical. Finding the
right corner or cross street will make a huge difference in the success of your food truck. There is
another strategy that can play a huge part in the success of any food truck.

Location based services offer a great tool for marketing and promoting food trucks. Think about - what
better way to generate buzz and get people to your truck than to offer them an incentive for stopping by
and checking in. Ice cream truck? Give them a free extra scoop. Get people excited and involved. Here
are couple strategies for generating enough buzz to sell out your food truck in under an hour!

• Have a free giveaway at at your truck. Try giving away free sides, a free T-Shirt or something
seasonal and fun.

• Tell people to check-in at a specific time. Generate a big crowd and a bunch of buzz, have
people check in at the same time.

• Use Foursquare "Swarm" Badge as an incentive to get everyone to check in at once.
• Host your location based event on during a special day- during a holiday or weekend when

more people are out and about.
• Have your check-in special be a "group discount" - like Groupon - where you check-in with a

group of 4 and get a free giveaway - this encourages more people to come visit your food truck
and people will bring their friends.

• Most importantly - have fun - location based software is a great way to generate buzz and
promote your mobile food stand, but it's also a fun and interesting way to generate new sales.
Enjoy it and learn how else you can use location based service to help build your sales.

Food trucks are a great opportunity for any restaurant - and location based marketing provides a new
and exciting way to generate traffic and buzz for your food truck.

Matt Bodnar is a restaurant entrepreneur with a passion for social media. Visit
[http://www.locationbasedmarketing.biz] to learn more about location based marketing and download a
free how-to guide giving you tips and strategies for using location based marketing.

(C) Copyright - Matt Bodnar. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Bodnar

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6185398

Food Trucks Vs Restaurants
on the Environment

Which of the two are more environmentally friendly, or is there simply no definitive answer? Right now,
there are many individuals that may quickly assume that food trucks are the worse of the two evils,
given the national focus on how environmentally sustainable practices tie to modes of transportation.

However, sustainability is something that comes into play whenever a light is turned on, plastic is thrown
into the garbage, dishes are washed, etc. Environmentally friendly (or harmful) practices do not start
and stop with the key in the ignition, but they instead take place during and after all operating hours of a
business - in a food trailer or in a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Let's look at the factors that come into play during these businesses' operations.

The location. As you know, catering trucks are mobile. They move from place to place, and thus leave
a smaller footprint on where they've been. There's little infrastructure, aside from the commercial
kitchen, that needs to be maintained. And then there are restaurants. Restaurants have multiple large
areas that must be illuminated, temperature-regulated and cleaned regularly. These physical entities
exist all the time, not just during operating hours.

Energy Use. As mentioned above, a traditional restaurant's physical location creates the need for
electricity and natural gas to maintain comfortable temperatures, and to provide light for dining
customers. In the kitchens, cooking is generally done with natural gas, and griddles and stoves are kept
hot during the operating hours. According to the 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption
Survey, most restaurants use 38.4kWh of electricity per square foot per year, which is approximately
77,000 kWh per year for a 2,000 ft2 restaurant.

Food trucks also require a heat source for cooking, so they typically use propane. During a year, an
average food trailer will use about 900 gallons of propane a year, in addition to fuel requirements for
driving around. Although this fuel is usually gasoline or diesel, catering trucks may also use vegetable
oil or biodiesel. Furthermore, an onboard generator meets electricity needs. While generators are
typically more polluting than grid-supplied electricity, food trailers demand less electricity and rely more
on natural light.


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