Ever since you were a kid, you could be found in the kitchen. You’d help out mom and dad with dinner, even packing your own gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for school lunches.
As you got older, that dream of being in the food truck industry, which is worth $1.2 billion, seemed like a distant memory. But now, you’re tired of working a regular 9 to 5 job, stuck in a corporate cubicle.
You’re ready to spread your entrepreneurial wings and fly. You want to know how to start a food truck but don’t know where to begin.
That’s why we’ll go over effective ways on how to start one. Keep reading to know all the best ways to start off on the right foot!
1. Invest in a Vehicle
You can’t start a food truck without a mobile kitchen! If you really want to make an impact right off the bat, a custom truck is the way to go.
You’ll be able to make it to your liking and add whatever features will best benefit your business. You can add a pizza oven, a deep fryer, or even a walk-in fridge!
Your food truck needs to be equipped with the right appliances depending on what kind of food you want to make, so make sure you plan ahead.
2. Get Licensing
Don’t think that as soon as you get your truck you can start selling right away. You need to check with your local government about licensing and permits. These allow you to park and sell in certain locations.
You’ll also need to be certified with the health department to ensure your food truck is in good condition. Just know that this process can take some time, so it’s best to be patient.
3. Insure Your Food Truck
To protect yourself from whatever problems may arise, you’ll want to have insurance. Depending on your location, you’ll need to get in contact with your local health department to know which type of insurance you need.
4. Build a Brand
In order to attract people to your truck to try your awesome food, you need a brand. Obviously, you want your truck to reflect the type of food you’re serving.
This is a cost you don’t want to skimp on. After all, first impressions matter more than you think.
You want to draw attention to your truck in a good way. That means using bold graphics and legible typography to help sell your food.
5. Market Yourself
How else can you get people to your truck? You need to get the word out there!
Start by advertising yourself on social media platforms. Facebook is a good choice as you can control how much you spend on ads.
To establish yourself as an expert in your industry, guest write for blogs and appear on popular local podcasts. Be sure to let friends and family know what you have going on so they can let others know where to get a good meal.
How to Start a Food Truck Answered
Don’t let your dream of starting a food truck fall by the wayside. As long as you follow our tips on how to start a food truck, you’ll be well on your way to sharing your gift of food while earning a nice income.
Want to feel more prepared? Check out our tips for aspiring food truck owners!