business plan Archives - Custom Concessions https://www.customconcessions.com/tag/business-plan/ Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:22:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 http://www.customconcessions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/cropped-Fav-32x32.jpg business plan Archives - Custom Concessions https://www.customconcessions.com/tag/business-plan/ 32 32 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Food Truck http://www.customconcessions.com/5-things-you-should-know-before-buying-a-food-truck/ Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:22:09 +0000 https://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13863 The average cost of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant is $275,000. If you’re an aspiring restaurateur, you’ve likely looked into your options, like buying a food truck. Sounds simple, right? Here are 5 things you should know before you start your food truck adventure! 1. The Cost of Starting up  The costs of […]

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red food truck parked on a city street

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

The average cost of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant is $275,000. If you’re an aspiring restaurateur, you’ve likely looked into your options, like buying a food truck. Sounds simple, right?

Here are 5 things you should know before you start your food truck adventure!

1. The Cost of Starting up 

The costs of starting a food truck business are more than the vehicle, fuel, and food expenses. Unless you’re prepared to do it all on your own, you’ll need to hire and train employees. A food truck needs to be checked out and maintained by a mechanic, like any other vehicle.

Overall, the upfront cost for launching your mobile restaurant business can be over $150,000. Along with equipment for your truck and other essential supplies, you also need to acquire licenses and permits.

2. Licensing, Regulations, Insurance, and Permits

There’s a lot of paperwork and legal costs to handle before you drive your food truck out on the road. In most cases, you can drive a mobile food business without a CDL, unless the vehicle is 26,001 pounds or heavier. Check with your state’s motor vehicle commission for specifics.

You’ll need comprehensive insurance coverage that protects you, any passengers, your equipment, and members of the public. You should have a warranty, which helps to limit out-of-pocket expenses such as repairs. 

Lastly, you’ll need to register and license your business so you can acquire parking permits. Cities, especially big cities, have zoning laws that govern where people can park and where businesses can operate. Unfortunately, sometimes the legal expenses can cost you a pretty penny, but they’re necessary for running any mobile restaurant.

3. Research Types of Food Trucks 

No matter how basic your menu is or how little equipment you think you’ll need, you should research the model and types on the market to learn everything about which is the right food truck for you. Factors from your food offerings, to where you plan to sell, and when, are all things to consider when looking at trucks. Your mobile kitchen should fit all of your needs. You don’t want to invest in a truck that you later find out isn’t going to be a good fit. So do your homework!

4. Have a Digital Marketing Strategy 

If you’re not marketing your mobile food business, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Even before launching, you should have a digital marketing and social media strategy. Establish and stick to brand identity for your online presence. 

Sending out a few tweets here and there isn’t enough. You’ll need a proper social media campaign to really launch your business off the ground. It’s especially important to make sure followers (read: potential customers) know where and when to find your truck!

5. Learn From Your Competition 

When figuring out where to buy a food truck, or how much is it to buy a food truck, you shouldn’t expect too much help from your competitors. The food truck industry is very competitive. Look into how other food trucks started (such as looking at their social media campaigns) or scout out the best spots in your city to sell.

Looking at your competitors will also give you an idea of what may be in-demand in your area. If the trucks in your city sell similar products consider introducing something completely different. If you’re one of ten other BBQ trucks, you’ll need some pretty amazing food to stand out from the crowd. 

What to Know Before Buying a Food Truck 

The upfront costs of buying a food truck can be steep. Permits, insurance, warranties, and other legal expenses are a necessary evil. But if you’re a truck die-hard food trucker, that won’t scare you off. To help your start-up, ensure you have a solid digital marketing strategy and you learn from your competitors to see how they succeeded.

If you want to know more about buying a food truck, request a custom quote from us today!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Why Catering Should Be an Essential Part of Your Food Truck Business http://www.customconcessions.com/why-catering-should-be-an-essential-part-of-your-food-truck-business/ Tue, 13 Jul 2021 13:35:56 +0000 https://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13820 Looking for ways to maximize your revenue at your current business? If you are in the food or beverage industry, this is one aspect you don’t want your business to miss out on! Food truck catering provides significant opportunities to broaden your horizons while adding additional means of revenue. Read on […]

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food truck vendor holding a hot dog

Photo by foodiesfeed / Freepik

Looking for ways to maximize your revenue at your current business? If you are in the food or beverage industry, this is one aspect you don’t want your business to miss out on!

Food truck catering provides significant opportunities to broaden your horizons while adding additional means of revenue. Read on to find out how you can benefit.

Broaden Your Abilities and Location

One of the more interesting trends to recently emerge is the popularity of food trucks. There are over 26,000 food truck businesses in the United States as of 2021. It has become more trendy to be in such a business with many offering unique flavors and fun pop-ups.

With so many in the game, you set yourself back when you don’t join in on the fun. A mobile food truck allows you to take your business anywhere. That means you always have the perfect location.

Great food pairs with great events, so it makes sense that food trucks are a popular choice for many when planning.

Weddings

From the smallest to the largest of weddings, it’s likely that they’ll need some food. It makes it easier for you and your clients if you have food truck wedding catering. Some might even make your truck a key part of their big day. This is more exposure for you and you are forever engrained in the memories of that day.

Here’s a fun fact that shows just how much you might make off of one wedding. The average couple spends anywhere from $1,800 to $7,000 on their catering alone.

Work Events

Work events are another big occasion that many choose to opt for a food truck or catering. So, how does catering for these kind of events work? Depending on your setup, you may come by at a scheduled time and drop off your food, or you may spend a set amount of time at the event working from your truck.

Festivals

It seems like every other weekend there is some kind of event or festival happening. There are art walks, gatherings downtown, vendors set up on the street, and even music festivals. If you have ever wished that you could bring your business to these events it’s time to realize you can!

Beautifully customized food trucks are no stranger to these types of events. In fact, food trucks are almost the main event for many attendees. It’s fun to try out new foods as you walk around and enjoy the rest of the entertainment.

Free Advertising

You’ll essentially be driving around a big billboard that exposes passersby to your logo and brand. Not only have you added another stream of revenue but you’ve put your investment to work for you. Bringing this giant advertisement to events is a wonderful way to increase awareness.

Keeps Costs Low

Have you ever wished that you had started your business elsewhere? Maybe a supposedly perfect location wasn’t really right after all? Well, food trucks are significantly less expensive than creating an additional physical structure or moving your business altogether. If you don’t think you’ve landed in the right surroundings, try taking your truck to a couple events in a place you’d be interested in relocating to see if it could be a good fit.

Food Truck Catering

Food truck catering is increasing in popularity. You can add another revenue stream, keep your costs low, increase exposure, and take your business essentially anywhere. As you weigh the pros and cons, remember that there are others out there who are already doing it!

We can help get you started with your food truck setup. Contact us today!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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7 Reasons You Should Open a Food Truck http://www.customconcessions.com/7-reasons-you-should-open-a-food-truck/ Mon, 07 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13675 There are thousands of food trucks in America doing roughly $2.7 billion worth of business per year. Food trucks have become a growing fad, often found on busy street corners, at special events, and more. Wondering whether it’s too late to join in and open a food truck? We can safely say […]

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Close-up of a hand picking up meatballs from a food truck

There are thousands of food trucks in America doing roughly $2.7 billion worth of business per year. Food trucks have become a growing fad, often found on busy street corners, at special events, and more.

Wondering whether it’s too late to join in and open a food truck? We can safely say that’s not the case! First-time restauranteurs will have an easier go of this type of mobile business, and it’s a great way to get started in the culinary world. Check out these 7 reasons to open your own food truck.

1. Low Initial Investment

Unlike a traditional restaurant, a food truck can be a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to put down a hefty lump sum. The main cost, as you might expect, is when you purchase a food truck—which is still significantly cheaper than paying for a large indoor space!

This means you can put more of your money toward what matters, like marketing your business or crafting the perfect menu.

2. Low Operating Costs

Even after you start your food truck business, you’ll find that the low overhead allows you to keep more of what you make. Food trucks require a small staff, and your expenses are typically limited to ingredients, supplies and equipment, and gas. Don’t forget about the lower (and easier) taxes!

3. Freedom to Move

This is one of the most obvious benefits of a food truck business. When you aren’t attracting customers in your current location, when you want to follow the crowds to a local event, or when you want a change of scenery, all you need to do is drive away!

4. Customer Connections

Food trucks create a casual, interactive experience. This lets you connect with customers directly, rather than having them interact with a server only. This (in addition to your mouthwatering food) can help you convert customers into true fans, prompting them to recommend you to friends.

5. Effortless Branding

Whether you’re extending an existing restaurant business or starting a new brand of your own, you can’t go wrong with a mobile food truck. As you drive around from place to place, your truck will act as a moving billboard, advertising your company, and increasing brand awareness in your community.

6. Fewer Employees

With most business opportunities and restaurants, you’ll have to hire, train, and manage a full staff. This can be a huge drain on your time, and it can make it difficult to catch employee mistakes. However, a small team is easier to train. You can spend more time with them, and the time you’ll need to manage them is much less than it would be with a full staff.

7. Follow Your Dream and Work With Food

One of the great points about owning your own food truck? You get to spend all day being creative with food! If you consider cooking to be your passion, you’ll get to follow that dream every day you open for business.

Get on Track to Open a Food Truck Today

If you want to make great food, own your own business, and connect with your community, there are few better ways than a food truck! Once you’ve decided to open a food truck, don’t forget to keep us in mind as you consider your next steps. We offer a huge range of food trucks for a spectrum of industry needs, so check out what we offer.

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Tips for Starting a Food Truck in 2021 http://www.customconcessions.com/tips-for-starting-a-food-truck-in-2021/ Fri, 02 Apr 2021 19:27:09 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13664 Did you know that 19% of Americans have reported eating more junk food than they should? We live in a world driven by convenience, so it’s no surprise that Americans turn to fast food and junk food for meals. However, food trucks give diners the option of a fast, well-cooked meal. Starting […]

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two people buying food from a food truck in the city

Did you know that 19% of Americans have reported eating more junk food than they should?

We live in a world driven by convenience, so it’s no surprise that Americans turn to fast food and junk food for meals. However, food trucks give diners the option of a fast, well-cooked meal.

Starting a food truck can be overwhelming to new business owners though. Luckily, there are a few tricks that can streamline the process!

Keep reading our guide below for five of the best food truck tips for 2021!

1. Food Truck Networking: Connect With Your Community

The easiest way to establish yourself in the food truck market is to connect with your community. Through meaningful in-person conversations and friendly social media outreach, communication with others is key to building your reputation.

Reaching out to your community also opens you up to a plethora of new opportunities. You may find the chance to move into the catering sector by networking with community leaders. You can also learn about potential events hosted by business professionals requiring food services.

2. Give Yourself a Buffer Budget

Many people only provide enough cushion room to last for the first few weeks or months of their food truck business. To stay afloat, it’s wise to prepare enough funding to last you through your first year in business.

Unexpected costs often catch food truck owners off guard. For example, it’s nearly impossible to buy in bulk because you won’t have the room to store your product. Many food truck owners also have to rent out space in a commercial kitchen to do meal prep, which can come at an unexpected cost.

3. Marketing Food Truck Tips: Build Your Brand

The best way to develop more consistent relationships with your customers is by building your brand. Claim an identity and continue to develop it.

When promoting your business through social media, develop a brand voice, and stick with it across platforms. Whether it’s goofy or more professional, make sure your brand’s identity rings true to your company’s ideals.

4. Invest in a Good Truck

This may seem like the most obvious of food truck tips, but many people skimp out when it comes to buying a reliable food truck.

You’ll be spending most of your workday inside the truck, so you’ll want to purchase a reliable and functional model. Because you are relying on your truck to keep your business operation, reliability is a very important attribute to keep in mind.

5. Do Your Research

In order to secure as many customers as possible, you’ll want to do a fair amount of research before starting a food truck. It’s important to conduct market research specifically on the area and local food truck market.

Which types of foods are already being served via food trucks? Which areas get the most foot traffic?

These types of questions will help you develop an idea of which foods and locations will be most profitable. 

Hitting the Road

You’ll hit plenty of roadblocks when starting a food truck. However, that shouldn’t hold you back from pursuing this unique endeavor! The food truck tips above will help you flesh out the finer details of your business plan.

For more articles on the food truck industry, check out the rest of our blog! Looking for a high-quality truck of your own? Contact us for a quote

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Your New Year’s Resolutions and Food Truck Plan: A Follow-Up Guide http://www.customconcessions.com/your-new-years-resolutions-and-food-truck-plan-a-follow-up-guide/ Mon, 08 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13568 By the end of the year, roughly 92% of people will not have achieved their New Year’s resolutions. But, if you haven’t made immense progress in just over one month, that doesn’t mean you should scrap your resolutions altogether! If you had some goals set for your food truck business, this is a […]

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photo of a desk with office supplies and a red notebook with "2021" on the cover

Photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels

By the end of the year, roughly 92% of people will not have achieved their New Year’s resolutions. But, if you haven’t made immense progress in just over one month, that doesn’t mean you should scrap your resolutions altogether!

If you had some goals set for your food truck business, this is a great time to reassess them and get back on track. Grab a pen and some paper because you’re about to learn how to stick to your food truck plan and make some achievements this year. 

Break Down Goals

Setting huge goals often means you won’t cross the finish line for a while. The longer it takes to see results, the more unattainable the goal will start to feel, and the more likely you are to give up on it. 

Taking these high aspirations and breaking them down into manageable tasks is more useful. Say your goal was to take your business online this year. Break that down even further and decide where on the internet you want people to find you.

Do you want to build a website, or do you want to make a social media account? What form of social media would you use? 

Once you can answer these questions, decide who is best suited to take the steps required to launch your online platform. You can then establish a timeline, mapping out when you would like to get each action on the plan ticked off. 

Make an Outline

Sometimes a whole year is too long of a time frame for you to stay motivated about your food truck business plan. For instance, if you want to expand your food truck to include online ordering you’ll need to come up with a logistical plan to keep things running smoothly—including setting yourself up on an online platform, tracking order fulfillment, etc. If you give yourself an entire twelve months to do so, you might not get around to the task for a while. 

Setting monthly or quarterly goals can be more beneficial. Since you have already broken down your resolutions into small tasks, you can set deadlines for them. Making this outline will motivate you to get them done and keep you moving toward what you ultimately want to achieve. 

Track Your Progress 

When you complete a task, you should write it down somewhere. Every time you achieve a goal, the dopamine levels in your brain spike. Psychologically, your brain is more willing to repeat that action.

You can build off these progress trackers the following year too. Perhaps one of your intentions this year is to increase your food truck revenue. Tracking the percent increase from this year will give you an idea of what realistic expectations you should have going into the next one. 

Keep on Going with Your Food Truck Plan

Remember that failure is normal, and it doesn’t mean you can’t get back on track. Write down a purpose as to why you want to achieve the list of goals on your food truck plan to remind you why you are striving for them in the first place. 

Last but not least, if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to upgrade your food truck, don’t hesitate to reach out today for a free quote. 

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Top 6 Reasons Food Trucks Fail http://www.customconcessions.com/top-6-reasons-food-trucks-fail/ Wed, 13 Jan 2021 16:45:56 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13522 Photo by Jess Vide from Pexels Food truck businesses are still going strong even in the wake of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean mobile businesses are easy to run. To be successful, you need to be prepared. Keep reading to learn about the top 6 reasons food trucks fail and how to avoid them.  1. […]

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food truck with signs and surfboards parked underneath palm trees

Photo by Jess Vide from Pexels

Food truck businesses are still going strong even in the wake of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean mobile businesses are easy to run. To be successful, you need to be prepared.

Keep reading to learn about the top 6 reasons food trucks fail and how to avoid them. 

1. You Lack a Brand Identity

Major companies can be identified by a single logo or a three-word tagline. How? They built their brand identity from the beginning and stuck to it.

If you don’t have a solid idea of your brand identity, neither will your customers. It will be difficult for them to talk or post about you (word of mouth is the best form of advertising), and you won’t stand out against your competition. When planning your food truck business strategy, make sure you have a clear idea of your concept, style, and what you have to offer.

2. You Don’t Have a Business Plan 

We’ve all heard the statistics of how often small businesses fail. One reason why is having lack of direction and a good business plan. A business plan maps out the future of your investment and takes unexpected events into account.

You should draft a business plan with a professional and determine your goals. This will keep you focused and help you succeed.

3. You’re In Over Your Head 

You’ve decided to get into the food truck business because you’ve heard it’s a pretty profitable endeavor, and hey, who doesn’t like food? You did your research, have your grand opening, but you’re not seeing a profit. You could be in over your head. 

It’s easy to skip over crucial steps when planning to open a mobile business. If you went ahead with your idea without a business plan, understanding the demographics of your area, or preparing for inconvenient expenses, you’re setting yourself up for failure. 

4. You Don’t Know the Market

If you’re looking to break into the street food business, you need to know your market. Market trends fluctuate over time; people’s interests in food trends can change nearly overnight. You need to know what the demand is like in your area, as well as the market in general. 

Plant-based food surged in popularity in 2019, and CBD-infused food and drink dominated 2020. You’ll need to be aware of these trends, regardless of whether you chose to jump on the bandwagon or not. 

5. You Don’t Have the Right Employees

Your employees need to have the skills to work on your food truck, but they also need good customer service skills. Just like restaurants or stores, food trucks also have loyal customers. Hire friendly, well-trained people to represent your business. 

6. You Aren’t Consistent

Customers expect consistency in service as well as the quality of food. Even if your food truck has a basic menu, all cooks should know how to cook it the same way. One poor experience could turn away a loyal customer for good.

Avoid These Reasons Food Trucks Fail

If your dream is to open a mobile food truck business, you have a lot of planning to do. You need to make sure you have a solid brand identity, a business plan, and the right people working with you. Avoid these 6 mistakes and you will be on your way to success. 

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Can You Finance A Food Truck? How To Get Food Truck Financing http://www.customconcessions.com/can-you-finance-a-food-truck-how-to-get-food-truck-financing/ Tue, 25 Aug 2020 15:56:00 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13347 Starting a food truck, just like any other business, requires a start-up investment. You need money to purchase your truck, get permits, and buy kitchen and food supplies. There are several ways to raise the money to get your food truck venture off the ground. You can find investors, you […]

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close up photo of a pen, calculator and financial charts

Starting a food truck, just like any other business, requires a start-up investment. You need money to purchase your truck, get permits, and buy kitchen and food supplies.

There are several ways to raise the money to get your food truck venture off the ground. You can find investors, you can use cash on hand, or you can save up the money over time. For many owners though, the most convenient way to get a food truck going will be via a business loan.

Keep reading to find out how to get food truck financing.

1. Start With Market Research and a Business Plan

Before starting any business, you need to do your homework. You need to understand the local market in terms of competition, demand, pricing, costs, regulations, and more. You need to determine if your business idea is viable and what your opportunity will be for growth and success.

Then, you can build a business plan. This is an essential document that lenders or investors will look at to judge the credibility of your future business. 

Fortunately, there’s much less risk involved with a food truck than a traditional restaurant. Your overhead costs will be far cheaper, you’ll have fewer employees, no dining room, etc. This will make it easier to get financed.

2. Small Business Loans

Can you finance a food truck through a traditional bank or SBA loan? The answer is yes, assuming your business plan is well-written and you have an acceptable credit score.

First, you’ll need to come up with a dollar amount of how much startup money you will need. Then, do some research on the various types of loans available and figure out which one will best meet your needs. 

3. Private Investors

If you get turned down for a small business loan, you can seek private investors for food truck financing. There are multiple options here. 

First, you can try to find an angel investor. They will provide the startup funds you need in exchange for equity in the business. They may also allow you to pay back your debt over time instead of taking equity.

There are also peer to peer investors. These are organizations that invest in small businesses they see potential in. They basically provide loans like a bank but aren’t a bank. 

4. Crowdfunding Campaigns

Another option for food truck and food truck equipment financing is crowdfunding campaigns. This provide a great way to make money if you’re turned down by the bank and traditional investors. Crowdfunding relies on larger groups of investors all contributing small amounts to pool together the necessary funds.

Contributors can be rewarded with stock in the company, free products, etc.

5. Friends and Family

Can you finance a food truck without applying to banks or investors?

Yes, you still have options. Consider getting funds from people in your personal life. These include friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers. 

You should still provide a business plan to show them how serious you are and that their investment won’t be wasted. This may mean you need to finance a smaller or more modest food truck instead of the huge truck that costs more, or cut startup costs elsewhere.

So, Can You Finance a Food Truck?

Are you ready to start a food truck restaurant? If so, we can help. Now that you know the answer to financing your food truck, let’s talk about getting you on your way. Contact us today for a custom quote!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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7 Essential Tips for Food Truck Advertising on Social Media http://www.customconcessions.com/7-essential-tips-for-food-truck-advertising-on-social-media/ Mon, 10 Aug 2020 20:59:04 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13327 In the United States alone, there are over 25,000 food trucks! How do you make yours stand out in a sea of others? One key is through food truck advertising on social media. Keep reading to discover seven tips for a successful social media strategy.  1. Keep Your Socials Updated When it […]

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Man taking an advertising picture of coffee and cake with his phone

Photo: Freepik

In the United States alone, there are over 25,000 food trucks!

How do you make yours stand out in a sea of others?

One key is through food truck advertising on social media. Keep reading to discover seven tips for a successful social media strategy. 

1. Keep Your Socials Updated

When it comes to social media advertising for your food truck, nothing is more important than keeping your socials up to date! You shouldn’t make an Instagram one week and then neglect it the next. If people come across one of your social media platforms that seems abandoned, they’ll think that your food truck has been too.

2. Location Information

As a food truck, you’re constantly on the move. At any given time, if someone feels like eating a burrito from your truck specifically, they should be able to look on any of your socials and find out where you will be and at what times. 

Customers don’t have the luxury of always counting on your truck to be there, like with a brick and mortar store. Think of updating your social media with your location as paying your rent to stay in the same spot. It needs to be done!

You can make it easier on yourself by linking your socials to one location page that you update.

3. Menus (With Labels)

Perhaps one of the worst things about trying to eat out is trying to find a menu that seems ever so elusive. Very few people want to go to a restaurant if they have no idea what their options will be and how much they’ll cost. Your socials should include a way to easily access your current menu. 

Additionally, so many people these days have dietary restrictions, whether vegetarian, vegan or food allergies. Your menu should be very clear about what’s in your dishes and should be labeled accordingly. 

4. Use Stories

People love to know who’s behind the wheel and the spatula! So let your customers get to know you. Post stories about where you are on any given day, what new recipes you’re creating, and the amazing customers that you meet. 

Stories will help you connect with new clients and reconnect with old ones and they’re especially popular at food truck festivals

5. Repost User Content

It’s common practice to take photos of your food, especially when it’s from a food truck that’s active on social media. People love to feel heard, so a repost to the feed or to your story is a fantastic way to grow a loyal following. Plus, it saves you a lot of time creating your own photos. 

Use a social media scheduling service that keeps track of user-generated content and allows you to quickly organize your social feeds. 

6. Offer Unique Discounts

Offering discounts on your food for a follow on social media is a great way to get new followers and loyal customers. Every few weeks post something special on one of your accounts with a unique “codeword” that gets people a discount or bonus item.

7. Engage, Engage, Engage

On all of your socials, you need to constantly be engaging—whether with customers, foodies, bloggers, or other food trucks. Seeing your username popping up in feeds and comments will create brand recognition, and more importantly, get you new customers. 

Start Your Food Truck Advertising Plan Today

Now that you know how food truck advertising on social media works, plan your own strategy. Set up times throughout the day to be active on social media and to update your location. 

Keep reading to discover more tips and tricks to a successful food truck business!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Mobile Business Apps: Why You Need a Mobile App for Your Food Truck http://www.customconcessions.com/mobile-business-apps-why-you-need-a-mobile-app-for-your-food-truck/ http://www.customconcessions.com/mobile-business-apps-why-you-need-a-mobile-app-for-your-food-truck/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13297 Now that your food truck is ready to roll, you are wondering how to bring in those customers. In the age of technology, almost everyone has access to a smartphone. And smartphones have a knack for installing mobile apps. How does this help today’s food truck owner? Mobile business apps help […]

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photo of a man looking down at his smartphone and smiling

Now that your food truck is ready to roll, you are wondering how to bring in those customers. In the age of technology, almost everyone has access to a smartphone. And smartphones have a knack for installing mobile apps.

How does this help today’s food truck owner? Mobile business apps help to keep current customers up-to-date on your whereabouts. They help potential customers get a feel for what to expect when they visit your food truck business. And you can even have the option for customer to order online through your app.

Continue reading to learn more about apps for food trucks and why you need one.

Show Off Your Brand

Being one of the 23,873 active food truck businesses in the U.S. isn’t going to be easy, so you will have to do everything that you can to stick out from the rest. An app will allow you to promote your brand and draw in more customers.

Once you have your mobile kitchen up and running, an app for your food truck is a great way to promote your brand. Apps are customizable to your business colors/logo to catch your customer’s eye.

An app is a perfect opportunity for you to try out new things and advertise daily lunch specials. 

You can tell your story on the app as a way to connect with your customers on a personal level. You sell amazing food creations every day, but what do you do when you aren’t catering to the public? Where do you get inspiration for your specials? Your customers want to know more about the person running the food truck.

This becomes your brand. 

Location

Mobile businesses are well-known for moving from one location to another. A food truck is not always going to be in a singular place. Depending on the time of day or day of the week, you may be in a different location in an attempt to bring in more customers.

It might be ideal for you to be in the business district during lunchtime on a Tuesday. While it would make more sense for you to be near the park entrance on a Saturday afternoon. Location is all about where the money is.

If you are going to be moving around your city to different places, your app is a place where people can stay up to date on where you will be on which days.

Coupons, Freebies & More

An app is a great place for you to advertise coupons or freebies for your customers. If your customers want to sign up for a loyalty program, this is where they could do so.

Other Alternatives

If creating an app for your food truck business isn’t something that you can do right now, you have other options. There are apps already out there that allow you to advertise your business on them, but that may entail paying a membership fee or advertising costs.

There are different apps available depending on where you’re located. Apps like, Roaming Hunger or Street Food Finder can get your mobile business off the ground.

Once your food truck has a decent following, you will be in a better position to create your food truck’s app. This will help you reach that next level.

Mobile Business Apps: The Next Step

Now that you are thinking about mobile business apps, you are ready to take that next step.

Create the app for your food truck and you will be ready to take on the world. Or at least you’ll be ready to take on the streets of your city.

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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6 Key Steps for Starting a Mobile Bakery http://www.customconcessions.com/6-key-steps-for-starting-a-mobile-bakery/ Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.customconcessions.com/?p=13289 If you’ve got baking skills, you shouldn’t keep them to yourself. Instead, you should consider making a living by sharing your baked goods with the community.  However, starting a small business is far from easy and the start-up costs for setting up a brick and mortar bakery can be enormous. […]

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photo of a bakery interior with cinnamon rolls cooling on a baking rack in the foreground and ovens filled with baking goods in the background

If you’ve got baking skills, you shouldn’t keep them to yourself. Instead, you should consider making a living by sharing your baked goods with the community. 

However, starting a small business is far from easy and the start-up costs for setting up a brick and mortar bakery can be enormous. What if there was a way around it? What if you could learn how to start a bakery and avoid massive overhead costs?

Have you ever thought about running a mobile bakery? A mobile bakery could be the answer you’re looking for. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to get started.

1. Do Your Market Research

First, know what you’re getting into. Conduct market research to find out more about the baking industry. Learn about:

  • Costs (day to day and start-up)
  • Revenue forecasts
  • Logistics of running a mobile bakery (license, insurance, certifications, etc.)
  • Competitors
  • Growth potential
  • Demand

These are important factors to consider for any business. 

2. Create a Business Plan

Next, create a business plan. You’ll need it if you want to get financed through a bank or investors. However, a business plan is equally important for you, the business owner to detail your path to success.

Your business plan should include:

  • Executive summary
  • Description of the company
  • Products/services
  • Market research analysis
  • Business strategy
  • Business structure (team and organization)
  • Financial projections

Lenders will need to see this to determine if they want to invest in your business. 

3. Get Financed

Depending on your financial situation, you may need to borrow some money to get started. There are several options for you here.

You can get a small business loan from a bank or other lender. You can borrow money from friends and/or family. Or, you can find third-party investors.

4. Find the Right Vehicle

Once you get financed, you can find the right vehicle for your mobile bakery. To make the right choice, you need to determine if you actually want to bake in the vehicle or just use the vehicle for transportation and delivery. 

It may be wise to invest in a refrigerated truck or insert if you want to just do delivery, but if you plan to bake inside the truck, you’ll need a mobile kitchen. Ultimately, it depends on your products and how you plan to operate.

If you decide to bake onboard, you’ll need to think about the equipment in your bakery food truck. You’ll need racks, insulated coolers or refrigerators, ovens, and more. Make sure you account for these in your startup costs.

5. Determine Your Target Audience

One of the most important steps in business is determining your target audience. What type of people will your bakery on wheels most likely appeal to? When will be the best time to market to them?

For example, you may want to set up shop in front of office buildings early in the morning so employees can grab breakfast on their way into work. In this scenario, it would be a nice touch and boost your profits to offer coffee, as well.

6. Start Marketing

There are several ways to get your brand out there in the community. One of the best things you can do is use social media to advertise your mobile bakery. You can keep followers and businesses posted on where you’ll be located and when.

However, you might also want a website where people can find out more about your business. 

Looking to Start a Mobile Bakery?

If you’re looking to start a bakery on wheels, make sure you do your research to find out everything you can about the industry. This includes the baking industry and the food truck industry.

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post 6 Key Steps for Starting a Mobile Bakery appeared first on Custom Concessions.

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