What all to know about food trucks is simple: these are mobile restaurants, usually a mobile concession trailer or bus, which sell and deliver food on the public sidewalk or within a parking lot or a parking structure. You can find mobile food vendors in every major urban area or shopping area, but they are most popular in smaller towns and in college towns, where there is often a demand for quick and easy food for college students and young professionals.
There are many food truck businesses around the country, but most are franchise operations. This allows them to get a good start-up-and-scale up quickly. The first thing you need to know about food trucks is what types of foods they serve.
Mexican Restaurant Portland trucks are mobile restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Some have small indoor restaurants, complete with counters and refrigerator space; some only have a grill or counter space; and others serve full-scale meals on the street or in parking structures. They are most popular with college students who are hungry between classes or while waiting for their friends. Mobile coffee shops are more common in inner-city areas than in suburbs. Some of the best food trucks cater to the high-end market of gourmet and specialty foods.
Food trucks are commonly owned by individuals who do not have restaurant experience, but who are interested in starting a food business. If you have experience operating machinery or have worked in a restaurant, you can probably get the financing you need for a mobile food truck fairly easily. There are several sources you can turn to, including family and friends, local lenders, and even your high school or college career counsellor.
Food trucks are a growing segment of the restaurant industry, and they are ideal for catering events and large parties. You may own a popular restaurant that you want to start offering mobile catering services, or you may be just getting started with your food truck business. The choice is yours. In either case, food trucks offer flexible working hours, easy clean up, and the chance to earn money while enjoying what you do best.
A food truck usually seats between eight and ten people, depending on the size of the truck. These trucks are usually separated into several different units, so there will always be room for one more customer or storage area. You can also choose to purchase refrigerated units for foods that require cold temperatures to keep them from spoiling, but most mobile food trucks are equipped with non-freezer compartments for foods that are intended to be kept frozen.
Most food trucks are operated by individual entrepreneurs. Many are first-time operators, and some have been in the business for decades. No special equipment is needed for a food truck business, so you don’t have to spend extra on costly supplies. A basic business set up consists of a small kitchen with working appliances and a few tables for the waiting customers. Depending on your income, you could decide to work full or part time, making your business profitable as soon as possible. Your only limits are the amount of time and money you’re willing to invest in your food truck business.
