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In response to "UniChef" ....Actually, it depends on what state you live in as to whether or not it is legal to prepare food in your home to sell on a concession trailer or truck. I live in Florida and it IS legal here, BUT you must have the proper permits to do so...and also MUST have the County Health Dept. come out and inspect the kitchen just as they do any other restaurant!
I know this because I own a concession trailer!
There are several thing you will want to consider Youngbuck...make sure you have contacted your specific county's business license dept (usually at the same location as the tag agency and/or marriage licenses)...they can fill you in on what is required for where you live...sometimes it is even different if you are in city limits or out of them, so be sure to contact them FIRST!
These are the guidelines for Florida…this may be different for Texas…
Tax Information
· Mobile vendors in Florida must register with the state's department of revenue in order to collect and report sales tax revenues. In addition, cities require that street vendors obtain a local business tax number.
· You must carry General Liability Insurance.
· You must carry Workman's Compensation Insurance IF you have over 4 employees.
· You must carry business vehicle Insurance on the trailer/truck itself, a personal vehicle policy will not suffice.
Inspections
· Hot dog carts and any mobile vendor preparing and selling food products must follow inspection laws similar to restaurants and other dining establishments. Street vendors selling food must register with the Florida's division of hotels and restaurants.
· You MUST pass Catering/Preparing Inspection preformed by the State Department of Health, in order to obtain your food handlers permit.
Other Regulations
· Hot dog vendors and other concession carts in Florida must constantly move, pausing only on a customer's request. Some municipalities do not allow food vendors to cook food on the cart or truck. However, additional permits may allow for operating at fairs and festivals is allowed for the length of the fair/festival.
I hope this gives you a little more insight…if you would like to talk more about the business, I'd be more than happy to share what I have learned with you. Just give me a shout!
It's a fun and wonderful business to be in…everybody ALWAYS eats…even in this economy. They always buy food at fairs and festivals…especially the ones that are free for them to enter. They justify it because it didn't cost them to get in, so they can splurge on a little snack. We've all done it before… ~smiles~