Do any of you guys own a food truck? I've asked /ck and /biz and they're too busy talking faggotry instead of white owned small local businesses.
I have inherited some property in a really small town of like 4000 people but several thousand more in the rural county. That property is both commercial and residential mixed zones. I'll get back to that.
I want to open a taco truck, trailer, concession. The town has three existing typical small town crappy slop Mexican restaurants. I want to sell steak, pork, and chicken tacos with onion and cilantro you know, street tacos, with homemade taco sauces, canned soft drinks, and bagged chips and a couple other fast foody things. But I want to sell them super super cheap. Like Taco Bell prices. Really cheap right. There is no Taco Bell in the town, no late night fast food other than McDonald's and those Mexican places are like $8-$12 plates and it's a poooor town.
Back to the property. Since the property is mixed zones, the health department tells me I can get those kitchens certified to be commercial kitchens/ commissaries. With a little bit of remodeling. 3 basin sink, mop pit... that gets me out of that requirement and I'd be able to rent them myself. The houses and kitchens is not intended to be used as a dining room, or for guests at all.. The property is also smack dab in the middle of town and right across from a highway exit and a gas station...
With this unique situation, what is the best way to set up shop? I would like to cook in the kitchen and then sell it outside in front of the property. I also wont be frying anything. I want to get a Blackstone griddle or something and cook outside as well. I also prefer a trailer. I think. I only need an oven, griddle, salamander, and a couple other counter-top appliances..which I could keep in the kitchen..
Out of the gate your town seems a touch on the small side to food truck full time. Also are you a native to this town because it's easy for outsiders to get semi legally fucked over in small towns. Do you have any regular community events? Is there any large employer in town like a factory or large office that would be ok with you parking out front for lunch? Are there any larger towns within a reasonable distance with colleges or an active nightlife bar district? Before you jump in if would contact local employers, bars and the city and get a feel for how accepting of your business they would be. As a rule if they sell food that's an automatic no. If they don't then try to play up the synergistic aspect between your businesses. If you really want to do this full time you will have to travel to events like concerts or food truck festivals. Also take an in depth look at food cost AND operating cost(including estimates for kitchen and vehicle maintenance) to see if your super low prices are viable. Food truck food is kind of expensive for a reason sometimes.
Kevin Wilson
I think you have a good idea. I recommend getting a class 3 food truck - the kind that you drive, rather than towing a trailer with a truck. Most of the times I've bought food from a truck has been a two man operation. One person outside the truck collecting the money, and one person inside doing all the cooking. Hit up every construction job site you see, they'll probably be the biggest consumers. Maybe try office complexes but I'm not sure if white collar people get down with food trucks.
Julian Wilson
The property is mine and I owe nothing on it. I want to park the truck or trailer out front of the house and leave it. There a a couple festivals there, local football and stuff. I would close it one day of the week and everyday between idk 2-4 or 2-5... I used to live in the town a long time ago, yes, and the property has been in my family for a while. I'm well known there.
Luis Parker
yes.... there is a medical marijuana plant opening soon.....
Jose Fisher
Not enough costumers dickhead. Let's say the area has 10000 inhabitants you still couldn't cut it. Sell the land and try the food truck thing in a more densely populated area.
Parker Ross
Wrong.
Eli Allen
I'm glad you have the property and are semi local. Having commercial kitchen space that you own will be super helpful but it's only a small part of your overall operating costs. The big advantage of food trucks is the ability to go where the is a high density of customers if your parked every day your essentially just another brick and mortar restaurant with no dining area. Also high school football and a bi yearly festival aren't going to cut it. You should aim to go to a highly attended event or area at minimum 2 weekends a month ideally every weekend. You will have to form relationships with other businesses in town and promote yourself and them heavily on social media. If there isn't an event team up with another business and make your presence an event. Also do you have family or friends you can coerce into working for you for cheap? If not good help willing to work an erratic schedule for low pay can be tough to find.
Andrew Peterson
What state? Rich or poor area matters little compared to red or blue state. Blue states, especially in the Northeast, kill you with regulations, licenses and (((other fees))).
Levi Cruz
The property is prime location. Parades and cruise nights drive right in front of the place. It's shaded and I want a few tables and umbrellas.
I'm not going to say where but it's a red state. The town is like a trashy Mayberry.
The McDonald's there is the highest grossing in the region and Taco Bell will not build one. I want to fill that roll and sell cheap quick mexican food late night... right off the exit and like a quarter mile from McDonald's in a spot that I own..
Mason Bennett
Eh, if you're from, or have even simply live, the southwest, you know how to make some good Mexican or Tex-Mex. And it's very food-truck friendly. And I've seen successful trucks in smaller towns if they get a good schedule going and make sure to apply for permits for fairs pretty much everywhere in a 100 mile radius. Since it sounds like he's from the southwest, there are literally events going on all year round here.
Ian Nguyen
If you plan on being stationary, do a food cart and not a truck, particularly since it sounds like you're making most of the food off-site.
Nathan Jenkins
Yes. But, I don't know the rules on carts and I think they're limited to literally hotdogs and sausages? There's also absolutely no raw food allowed at all in anyway.
Jaxon Gonzalez
Like I said earlier having that property is awesome and gives you a serious leg up in the business. But if you want to make a living and not just make a little side cash you have to travel. My typical schedule is M-F lunch between the 3m plant and two other factories. Dinner to late night 3 days during the work week outside of whatever bar is having an event trivia, ladies night etc. Weekends days I'm driving to any event within 2 or 3 hours or making my own payment with a local business i have painstakingly forged a relationship with. then weekend nights I drive to the college town an hour away and set up in the downtown bar district. Thursday and Monday instead of taking a break between lunch and the evening I'm in a rented commercial kitchen doing prep for the next few days. The fact that Taco bell a huge multi national corporation that can open stores with basically no risk to the bottom line won't touch your town should be a red flag
Jacob Jackson
How much does that kitchen cost you and how long are you there? I guess 4000 people in the city limits and another 16,000 around it doesn't meet Taco Bell's standards? But there is a demand there, believe me. Especially since it's a medical state now and the town is half full of alcoholics. I'm in a prime location that Taco Bell couldn't acquire and probably isn't a better one.
What I want to know is with all this benefits of have, like the location, the commercial kitchen I'll own, , what all requirements and expenses does that get me out of and since I'm not using that stuff in the truck or trailer, does that change the requirements?
Wyatt Green
Another thing. I don't even think there is a kitchen I can use in that town.. I might would be the only one.
