Starting a food truck. Any advice? (1 Viewer)

[RokNRole]

What type of food are you going to be serving, if it something that any other food truck can offer than i wouldnt even bother. Too big of a risk. 

Just a few of my personal creations and juices and smoothies.

it will be a pretty diverse menu.

 

[RokNRole]

I don't know anything about running a restaurant or food truck but based on what you said initially about leaving the office rat race I would suggest start by working the truck on weekend while keeping your weekday job and see how it goes, how you like it and how well you do.  Good luck.

I've worked in professional kitchens before. I can handle the work.

 

[Peyton Marino]

if you actually start a food truck by next year and aren't posting under another stupid ### alias starting stupid ### threads about stupid ### things that you're never going to do, or stupid ### problems you don't have that no one cares about, i will eat a hat live on periscope

 

[RokNRole]

There's been a food truck boom in Baltimore over the past year or two. Over saturated. Can you secure a good location in this giant metropolis of yours?

I assume I can just drive around and find a good spot

 

[Limp Ditka]

I assume I can just drive around and find a good spot

I can see it now, Your assumptions are going to lead you to greatness.

 

[RokNRole]

Do you know how to cook?

Very well. Better than your average to above average trained chef.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I assume I can just drive around and find a good spot

I assume you can't.

 

[arrow1]

Hire Eminence

 

[RokNRole]

Death Metal Food Truck!

That's exactly what she suggests I do.

i can sell my band merch off the truck as well

 

[RokNRole]

Do you have a truck?

No. Going to have to get a used one to spruce up

 

[RokNRole]

Every time I go to a food truck the people look like hot death and miserable. Must be 170 degrees in there in the summer, no shtick. Why would anybody want to do this?

Good money if you are the owner and gain some popularity

 

[RokNRole]

Hire Eminence

Will I need a CPA right off the bat?

 

[Jobber]

Watered down market. Everyone who cooks now a days think they can open a food truck. Just like anyone who enjoys beer thinks they can start making craft beer and open a brewery. 

Don't forget about the cupcakes.

 

[RokNRole]

I would probably put my entire net worth and any sort of credit I could into it, but also don't really put much effort in.  Try to make it so if you fail, you are screwed for the rest of your life, to the point where you won't ever be able to afford a computer or internet access again.  

I will always have Internet access

 

[RokNRole]

I can see it now, Your assumptions are going to lead you to greatness.

This is still the early planning phase

 

[jamny]

I think a food truck permit is about $20,000 in nyc

 

[RokNRole]

I think a food truck permit is about $20,000 in nyc

That puts the kibosh on this for sure.

nothing more to see here. Hard delete!

JK about the delete. I have a few investors lined up and there is kickstarter

 

[Peyton Marino]

I will always have Internet access

one of the great downfalls of modern technology imo

 

[gianmarco]

I think a food truck permit is about $20,000 in nyc

"You need a permit?"

 

[cstu]

Sell hot dog sandwiches.

 

[Jobber]

I think a food truck permit is about $20,000 in nyc

And do your research. Unlike many other metropolitan areas, I doubt NYC allows you to pull up anywhere.

 

[Limp Ditka]

That puts the kibosh on this for sure.

nothing more to see here. Hard delete!

quitter

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I, for one, am shocked at this unforeseen turn of events.

 

[saintfool]

I think a food truck permit is about $20,000 in nyc

what if you call it "roach coach" instead of food truck?

 

[RokNRole]

I, for one, am shocked at this unforeseen turn of events.

Just kicking the wheels. Nothing set in stone. Only brainstorming

 

[James Daulton]

That puts the kibosh on this for sure.

nothing more to see here. Hard delete!

$20k and you're out?  Did you think you wouldn't have to spend any money to get started?

This may be the worst thread ever. 

 

[RokNRole]

$20k and you're out?  Did you think you wouldn't have to spend any money to get started?

This may be the worst thread ever. 

I had no idea what it would cost. I only have 2k in savings currently

 

[jamny]

http://upended.net/post/25574021175/foodtruckstartupcosts

Truck — $50,000 (purchase cost plus basic retrofitting)

Mobile Food Vending Unit Permit (bought on the black market) — $15,000 (2-year permit)

Commissary — $500 (per month); $6,000 estimate per year

General Liability Insurance (for the business) — $3,500  (per year)

“You need general liability insurance to operate in a commercial kitchen.”

Mobile Vendors License — $103 ($53 for the class, $50 for a 2-year license)

Truck Insurance — $2,000-$3,000 (per year; $2,500 estimate per year)

Commercial Kitchen — $2,000-$5,000 (per month; $36,000 estimate per year)

Workers Comp — $7,000  (per year for 3 employees)

“You’re combining two things insurance companies hate - moving vehicles and hot food.”

Accountant — $350 (per month; $4,200 estimate per year)

“Most business owners are doing a million things. Having an accountant look at your books objectively is highly recommended.”

PR professional — $1,500 (for 3 months; $6,000 estimate per year)

Grand total food truck start-up costs for year 1:

             =  $130,303

Please note that the expense list does not include variable costs such as gas, vehicle repairs, food and paper products, marketing materials, and a host of other possible sundries. Budget for incidentals and miscellaneous expenses accordingly.

 

[James Daulton]

I had no idea what it would cost. I only have 2k in savings currently

 

[cstu]

Don't even think about doing it without having read the Food Truck Handbook.

 

[Peyton Marino]

oh wow, things cost money!  

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Maybe just open a restaurant instead? That has to be close to $2k.

 

[RokNRole]

http://upended.net/post/25574021175/foodtruckstartupcosts

Truck — $50,000 (purchase cost plus basic retrofitting)

Mobile Food Vending Unit Permit (bought on the black market) — $15,000 (2-year permit)

Commissary — $500 (per month); $6,000 estimate per year

General Liability Insurance (for the business) — $3,500  (per year)

“You need general liability insurance to operate in a commercial kitchen.”

Mobile Vendors License — $103 ($53 for the class, $50 for a 2-year license)

Truck Insurance — $2,000-$3,000 (per year; $2,500 estimate per year)

Commercial Kitchen — $2,000-$5,000 (per month; $36,000 estimate per year)

Workers Comp — $7,000  (per year for 3 employees)

“You’re combining two things insurance companies hate - moving vehicles and hot food.”

Accountant — $350 (per month; $4,200 estimate per year)

“Most business owners are doing a million things. Having an accountant look at your books objectively is highly recommended.”

PR professional — $1,500 (for 3 months; $6,000 estimate per year)

Grand total food truck start-up costs for year 1:

             =  $130,303

Please note that the expense list does not include variable costs such as gas, vehicle repairs, food and paper products, marketing materials, and a host of other possible sundries. Budget for incidentals and miscellaneous expenses accordingly.

There are ways to do some of these cheaper like get a used truck.

 

[RokNRole]

Maybe just open a restaurant instead? That has to be close to $2k.

Maybe a stall at some local food events?

 

[jamny]

There are ways to do some of these cheaper like get a used truck.

Of course. Just giving you a rough idea.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Maybe a stall at some local food events?

Why not just buy a building that already has everything you need? 

 

[HellToupee]

Sell hot dog sandwiches.

What is this sliced & served on bread ?

 

[ShamrockPride]

$130k for a gotdamn food truck? JFC.

 

[RokNRole]

Why not just buy a building that already has everything you need? 

Too expensive and I can't get a loan

my credit score is 525. I couldn't get a loan for a stick of gum

 

[RokNRole]

oh wow, things cost money!  

At least your sage advice is free

 

[Ned]

That puts the kibosh on this for sure.

nothing more to see here. Hard delete!

JK about the delete. I have a few investors lined up and there is kickstarter

Which one is yours?

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?term=food+truck&woe_id=2459115&sort=magic&seed=2453565&page=1

 

[HellToupee]

Too expensive and I can't get a loan

my credit score is 525. I couldn't get a loan for a stick of gum

That's only a temporary hurdle. You can fix this score 

 

[RokNRole]

Which one is yours?

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?term=food+truck&woe_id=2459115&sort=magic&seed=2453565&page=1

Haven't started the campaign yet.

will post when it's up.....if I move forward with this.

 

[RokNRole]

That's only a temporary hurdle. You can fix this score 

Not right away. I owe almost 8k on an old college loan

 

[Limp Ditka]

Haven't started the campaign yet.

will post when it's up.....if I move forward with this.

if?

 

[RokNRole]

if?

This is the planning phase.

currently consulting the experts

 

[johnnycakes]

if?

Sounds to me like he won't even be able to afford the permits and insurance it takes to even think about starting the enterprise.

 

[RokNRole]

Sounds to me like he won't even be able to afford the permits and insurance it takes to even think about starting the enterprise.

Have to raise funds. I'm probably about a year away from seriously getting this started

 

[Thunderlips]

Watered down market. Everyone who cooks now a days think they can open a food truck. Just like anyone who enjoys beer thinks they can start making craft beer and open a brewery. 

But is there anyone running a foodtruck who sells poutine and calls the customers "sizzlechest"?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Maybe just by an old F150 and put a propane BBQ in the box. Drive around selling food and say #### it to the permits and insurance (that stuff is for suckers and you're too smart to get conned into it). Start small and build your way up.