Awesome – you’ve been working on your food truck business plan and you think you’re about ready to get started! But there’s one thing you may not have thought of which should definitely be at the forefront of your mind right now … regulations associated with food trucks. New regulations are being proposed all the time and, in fact, one of the newest regulations being proposed are brand new licensing rules. These are definitely things you need to keep in mind before you get too far along the path to running your food truck.
Licensing Needs to Be Covered in Your Food Truck Business Plan
Your business plan needs to take into account all of the new regulations that are being proposed and the ones that have already been approved. This means you need to make certain you’ve not only read all of them but completely understood them as well. It will do you no good to come up with an excellent plan for products and where to sell if you don’t meet regulations and you aren’t able to get the license you need to get out there on the street in the first place.
In Andover, food trucks are required to get a permit from the Board of Health. If a proposed plan goes through they will also be required to get a permit from the Board of Selectmen. This new permit will require them to submit a plan which follows a new host of regulations including operating out of an approved and licensed facility. It will also regulate where food trucks are able to park so as to not impede the traffic of everyday persons who wish to travel across sidewalks and public ways. They will also be required to pay annual fees and fines from violations.
Why Are New Regulations Being Introduced for Food Trucks?
These new regulations are being proposed because of the drastic influx of new food trucks. In general the new laws and regulations will ensure that food truck owners are following the old laws and regulations. What will change are the fees associated with operating under these new regulations. This means that you need to take into account increases in rates and increases in cost or number of permits required before you get out there at all. Your food truck business plan will need to account for all of these charges, especially if you hope to get financing from anywhere other than yourself.
Before you buy a food truck you need to ensure that you have done your due diligence. Look at the area you’re planning to work in and monitor the changes that have been going into effect recently. This will help you to get an idea of what might be proposed or accepted in the future. You may also want to look at current proposals so you can be sure you’re prepared if any of those happen to go through the approval process. This will ensure that you are ready no matter what might come your way.
The Requirements for Food Trucks Vary From State to State
When you think about your initial startup costs you likely think of the cost of the truck and the equipment you’ll need. You probably also think about the groceries that you’re going to need. Make sure you don’t forget about the permits required. The number of permits and the cost of those permits will vary drastically from one state to the next and may even vary from one city to the next. Before you try setting up shop anyway make sure you have the right permits and licenses to avoid getting expensive violation tickets.
“Make sure your food truck business plan reflects all of your startup costs even if you’re planning on paying for them yourself and don’t have to persuade financiers to loan you money.”
A food truck business doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to be overly expensive. If you know what your community requires from you when you create your food truck business plan, rather than when you’re trying to get out on the street, you’ll be far better off and you’ll be able to save yourself some money in the way of fines. Make sure your food truck business plan reflects all of your startup costs even if you’re planning on paying for them yourself and don’t have to persuade financiers to loan you money. If you are approaching others for finance, they may think you forgot part of your costs and may decide you’re not conscientious enough for them to invest with. You’ll end up getting more help with your plans to buy a food truck if show you’ve done the work and the research thoroughly.