Step 1 of starting a mobile food business: Plan
Next: The Parts of a Food Truck Business Plan
Running a food truck business is a great way to make money and to begin to create a long-term career, but in order to be successful in anything in life, you need to have a plan – a business plan.
Too often, new entrepreneurs in a rush to get started, think that a business plan is something that only larger companies need, and only because they have more resources to handle – but this extends to all sizes of businesses. When you have a clear plan in mind, not only will you know how to direct your business when it begins, but you’ll also be ready for the future.
There are many good books and online resources for starting a business plan including:
Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies (Successful Business Plan Secrets and Strategies)
There is so much to consider when starting a mobile food business. Take your time to properly research and write a viable business plan. This is easier when you break your research down into smaller steps.
There are many step when starting a mobile food vending business or food truck. Many of these steps will be part of the research you conduct for your business plan and require doing some necessary prep work in advance.
These are some of the steps you will take. Note, there is no specific order because many of these activities will overlap or have multiple steps that stop and start:
1. Determine the kind of food you want to sell
2. Evaluate cart locations.
3. Select the right concession trailer or cart for you.
4. Obtain your business license and location permit.
5. Obtain your health department permit.
6. Set up key suppliers.
7. Get your financing.