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Food Truck Help

1K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  chefbuba 
#1 ·
Hey everyone,

I am a student working on a small team of 4 people looking to start a food truck to operate near campus.  Our college is in a fairly small town but one with a very active nightlife(due to the huge student population).  There are no other mobile food vendors that I know of in town, so we figure we have a largely untapped market.  Our plan is to go as barebones as possible with start up costs, and serve primarily to the main street which has all of the local bars-where the most people are.  Right now our menu is mostly fried foods that will appeal to drunk college students looking for a bite to eat.  We plan to serve items like chopped cheese, fries(seasoned and plain), grilled cheese, and fried chicken.  All of this should be doable with just a deep fryer and a griddle(I hope!).

I was just wondering if anyone with experience in the area has some useful advice or pointers to help us as none of us have any real experience in the area.  Thank you!
 
#2 ·
Hi dmoran,

RULE #1- DON'T GET ANYBODY SICK!

Search for "HAACP" and follow those guidelines for a start.

A food truck is quite an investment. You guys must have a pile of money... 40-50k?

Following your research of local laws regarding food trucks or temporary food sales operations for proper permits, you may want to consider the corner of a friendly parking lot to start with until/if you build a following for what you are offering. (compensation...)

Consider only offering a very small menu or even a single killer item that you can't get anywhere else.

Chopped cheese what? Sandwich? Plate? No other place to get fries or fried chicken either? 

It's not that you can't do this, but with no experience you certainly have a BIG learning curve!

Insurance, waste management, SAFE food storage, paying taxes, incorporation, etc., etc. etc............

I'd love to help more but I get the feeling I would have to teach you fundamental cooking techniques as well as business principals.
 
#3 ·
Ok, I just sold my truck after running it for seven years. I have a brain full of information.
Your first stop BEFORE you do anything is the health department. Next stop is your local city hall.
There may not be any other food trucks because they are not allowed.
You need to know If they are allowed, where can you operate? May not be allowed. My small town does not allow in city limits but go anywhere you want in the county.

If allowed, someone is going to want their palms greased for a place to park..

You will need a commissary to operate out of, that could be $100 a month or $1000

There is much more, but you need to go see the hd first.

Your menu sucks. You need to rethink that one.
 
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