How To Start A FOOD TRUCK. Do I Get A Beneficial Profit?

Hi Guys,

This blog is about the complete guide to open a food truck, the essential (such as employees, required license, location and many more) factor to start, the advantages and disadvantages of food truck.

WHAT IS A FOOD TRUCK?

A large vehicle equipped with facilities for cooking and selling food. It is also called as “ROACH COACHES” and “GUT TRUCKS”. Food truck is a different method of evolving of restaurant space, thus there is no wonder that the restaurant owners seek to the mobility so they can change the location according to the time.

HOW TO START A FOOD TRUCK BUSINESS?

The key point of starting any business is that you should have a proper plan, the required points to remember when a person starts a food truck business.

• Choosing the right vehicle.
• Gathering the raw materials and kitchen utensils.
• Applying for a license and permits.
• Deciding the number of employees to work.
• A unique style of food truck and staff uniform.
• Installation of POS (Point Of Sale) software.
• Marketing.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I INVEST?

The average cost of opening a food truck revolves around Rs 10L - 20L (~13k - 25k $). The expense you will invest on is, 

1. Commercial vechile cost around Rs 3 - 5 lakh (3,000 - 6,000 $)  
2. POS software cost around Rs 2,000 - 5,000 pm ( 20 - 70 $ pm)
3. Employees’ salary should be around Rs 30,000 - 35,000 pm ( 400 - 500 $) [FOR A SINGLE PERSON] 
4. Kitchen utensils cost around Rs 2 - 3 lakh ( 2,500 - 4,000 $) 
5.  Raw materials cost around Rs 30,000 - 35,000 ( 400 - 500 $) 
6. License and permits cost around Rs 50,000 ( 600 - 700 $) 
7. Staff uniforms cost around Rs 3,000 - 6,000 ( 40 - 90 $)
8. Others ( packaging, renovating of van etc...) cost around Rs 60,000 - 70,000 ( 800 - 1000 $)

WHAT LICENSE AND PERMITS SHOULD I GET PERMISSION FOR?

I have already said you that the license and permits cost around Rs 50,000 (600 - 700 $), but you might think what kind of license and permits should I get? The list is given below.

1. Fire Safety Certificate.
2. NOC (No Objection Certificate) from RTO and Municipal Corporation.
3. Kitchen Insurance.
4. Shop and Establishment License.
5. FSSAI Mobile Vendor’s License.

WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR THE EMPLOYEES?

The easiest way to get employees for the food truck is the guy is poor in cooking, it doesn’t mean that he should have finished master chef. There will be lots of person who is good at cooking but still he/she will be unemployed.

After your employee selection, give them a simple cooking test at your home so you can be confidence that they won’t ruin the business. 

As they are unemployed, they will be ready for the any kind of salary so if your decided to give the salary of Rs 35,000 ( ~ 480 $), then offer them around Rs 25,000 - 28,000 ( 340 - 380 $) for a month. So that you can give a hike every month and you can see a minimal profit from it.

The uniform which you going to give to your employees should have the same contrast of van and it should be comfortable for both men and women.

WHICH IS THE BEST PLACE TO START THE BUSINESS?

For this question you should have a walk around the city and look for the most populated place on the specific time, such as outside big offices and complexes, near schools and colleges. 

During the morning and lunch, you can drive to big offices and during evening you can drive to schools and colleges.

I think that you understood what I’m trying to convey.

ADVANTAGES OF FOOD TRUCKS:

• Low Initial Investment 
• Low Operational Cost 
• Food Will Be Inexpensive So Many Customers Are Attracted 
• You Can View The Health And Hygiene From Outside
• Can Experiment With Various Other Location 
• You Are Allowed To Built Or Expand The Brand

DISADVANTAGES OF FOOD TRUCKS:

• Working In Small Space 
• You Must Abide By Local Zoning Laws
• You Need To Be Ready To Pay The Future Repairs
• Competition With Other Restaurants

I think that it will be useful to your business. Never ever forget that every business has it own constitutive problems that you should fight and win for.

Thank You

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