Considering joining the ranks of the caravan food truck nation?
With rising rents and the unpredictable cost of operating a location, many entrepreneurs have chosen to run their business on wheels. Mobile businesses are not only more profitable, but they are also incredibly attractive to today's customers.
If you are thinking about starting a mobile food truck, you are not alone. The food truck trailer industry has seen 12.5 percent growth in the last five years alone. As the years continue to progress, we just hope this number grows.
While most food trucks today focus on serving food, others have chosen to focus on something a little different. In fact, one of the most sought-after mobile businesses today is focused on serving beverages like coffee. This is a creative way to serve your caffeine craving customers without having to operate from an official store.
If you are thinking about running your business on wheels, you will want to read this. We discover the 8 essential steps to start your own mobile coffee shop.
First, you'll want to start by setting a strict budget.
While the cost of the mobile vehicle itself is the most prominent cost, other factors are also important to consider. For example, maintenance, insurance, material costs and payment to your staff, etc.
When preparing your budget, it may be worth working with an advisor. This will ensure that you are acting responsibly and following the proper tax guidelines.
Next, it's time to officially register your business.
This is what makes your operation official and legal. Of course, the licensing requirements will vary depending on the country you are in.
The cost and structure of your registration will depend on the ownership structure of your business. For example, if you are the sole owner, you can register as a sole owner. However, if you share ownership of the business with someone else, you will need to obtain a different registration.
In the same way that you must register your company, you must also obtain licenses for your company.
If you are going to serve any type of food or drink, that will require a specific license. This is not something that can be avoided and can result in significant problems if ignored.
Fortunately, these licenses are generally cheap and relatively easy to obtain.
Now is the time for the fun part!
You have your business registered and you have obtained the licenses. It is the official time to buy your vehicle!
Remember, this is the vessel from which you will operate your entire mobile cofee truck business. Not only does it have to look good, but it also has to function like a standard coffee shop. To compete with your competition, you must ensure that you offer beverages of the same or better quality despite your physical limitations.
You will need to carefully consider the interior design of your mobile coffee shop. Much of this will depend on the types of drinks you plan to make and whether or not you plan to offer food.
If you are offering espresso drinks, such as lattes, americano, or macchiatos, you will need an espresso machine. If you want to serve drip coffee, you will need enough industrial-size coffeemakers to keep up with the number of customers visiting your business. Do you think your guests will want smoothies or frozen coffee drinks? These will require space for blenders.
Offering food adds a completely different dimension to the business, but it also means that you will need more space inside your food truck in several stages. Some of these could include prep stations, kitchen appliances, and warming cabins.
You won't probably be successful with a mobile coffee truck if you really don't know anything about coffee. If you are already a coffee connoisseur, you are one step ahead. If not, you will have to do your research and train.
Study the latest technologies and techniques that make your coffee the best. Find coffee roasters that produce quality beans with great flavor. Practice tried and tested mixed coffee drink recipes and then experiment with making your own if you want something unique that will stand out from the crowd.
Once you've selected your cofee truck and done your product research, it's time to focus on the materials that will make up your business.
Although small, a mobile cofee truck will require the same goods and materials as any normal coffee shop. To get started, make sure you have these supplies ready:
Once you have these essential supplies, you can move on to the next step.
Now that you have your vehicle and your materials, it's officially time to start hiring.
In terms of numbers, the size and structure of your mobile vehicle will determine how many staff members you need. Compared to a standard store, a mobile business generally requires fewer staff members. In fact, an average fast food trailer employs only 2-4 people in total.
Because you will be hiring fewer staff members, it is extremely important to focus on hiring quality, dedicated members.
You may want to look for employees who have first-hand experience working in a mobile environment. This will help minimize your overall turnover rate for employees who cannot handle a small-scale work environment. Finding candidates who have experience working in a cafeteria will also be helpful, otherwise new staff may require more extensive training.
Last but not least, it's time to start marketing your new business.
Of course, most business marketing is now done online. To ensure you have a dedicated online presence, you can start by setting up multiple social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or other platforms. This will allow you to interact with future customers and better establish your brand.
You can also speak with local business owners to spread the word and establish connections with the community. From here, you can search for advertising on community bulletin boards, as well as local newspapers, magazines, and radio stations. It will also be important to find local events and festivals where you can get more focused exposure for your new mobile business.
In terms of time, it is best to start your marketing before the official opening. This will help create a sense of excitement among your clientele and build anticipation for the grand opening.
It's time to open your mobile coffee truck!
If you've always dreamed of starting a mobile cofee truck, it's time to make your dreams come true!
By opening a mobile coffee shop, you don't have to worry about the difficulties of having a store or premises. You can narrow your focus to what matters most: serving the best possible coffee to your customers.
With these features, opening your own mobile coffee shop doesn't have to be a distant dream. Contact us to find out how you can make your dream come true TODAY!
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