Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash 

The food truck industry has surprisingly grown by 7.9% from 2019 to 2020. This might seem surprising, considering the hard hit that COVID-19 dealt the restaurant industry, but food trucks are a whole different game. The fact that they can easily accommodate social distancing protocols may be one factor contributing to their popularity.

With that in mind, food truck safety has never been a more pressing or important issue. What can you do to keep yourself and your customers safe?

Keep reading to find out!

1. Fighting the Weather

Food trucks and bad weather are a combination no business owner or customer wants to see, but it’s a cold (and wet) reality. Food trucks receive exposure to even more of mother nature’s bounty than permanent structures. This can include strong gusts, hail, snow, heavy rain, and even lightning.

As the owner of a business that will be significantly impacted by adverse weather, you should always be up to date on the latest forecast.

Some excellent resources for weather include:

• Farmer’s Almanac
• Weather Underground
• The Weather Channel

If your local area sees heavy snow in winter, make sure to winterize your truck. Even if your local weather isn’t severe during the colder months, you’re not off the hook. If you plan to travel to colder climes for winter festivals you’ll still need to do some winterizing research. Not planning in advance could cost you a lot of time and money in repairs until your business is ready to reopen.

2. Make Sure to Legally Cover Yourself

If you plan to feed protesters, law enforcement, employees on strike, or “permanent replacements,” make sure you have covered yourself—legally, and otherwise.

Feeding protesters is a form of activism. It could even be considered a promotion of human rights—though it can open you to legal problems and risk personal safety. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement that escalated throughout 2020 saw several food truck operators get arrested while distributing meals.

Of course, it’s entirely up to your own discretion to decide how much risk you are willing to take, and what causes you are willing to support with your food truck activism. Just remember: any time you take a risk, there could be unintended or unforeseen consequences.

3. Keep Clear of Risky Driving

Just because everyone loves food trucks doesn’t mean that you don’t need to be safe on the road. Last year, over 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes.

As a larger vehicle that has less capability to react quickly in a sticky traffic situation, you carry more risk. Not to mention your livelihood is wrapped up in the integrity of your vehicle.

Identify blind spots, get to know the dimensions of your vehicle intimately, know where and when you can set up, and get proper permits and licenses.

4. Kitchen Risks in a Truck

While your food truck is first and foremost a vehicle, everyone also knows you’ll have to struggle with all the same issues any kitchen does.

Keeping proper food truck safety standards regarding the quality and integrity of your food is a given.

However, safety precautions for normal kitchens should also be assessed. Things such as smoke inhalation, preventing cuts and burns in a small space, and identifying slip-and-fall zones, should all be priorities. Add to that heat-stroke and cold-weather exposure risks. You have a lot to think about as far as safety is concerned.

Make sure to have first-aid kits at the ready and a plan for putting out electrical or oil fires.

Food Truck Safety: On the Go

Be sure that food truck safety for you and your customers is number one. All the success in the world can’t protect you from being unprepared for the whole realm of food truck hazards.

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 Should I Stay Or Should I Go: 4 Food Truck Safety Tips appeared first on Custom Concessions.

Photo by Karen Zeng on Unsplash

Did you know that in only three years food truck revenue increased 300% industry-wide? 

Food trucks are more popular than ever and owners are making smart decisions to earn money all year long, especially when it comes to preparing for the unexpected.

Below we’ve compiled this list of five tips to never get caught off guard. Keep reading to learn more. 

1. Always Have a Back-up Plan for Bad Weather

As the owner of a food truck, you need to stay on top of the weather forecast. Watch local television reports and download a reliable weather app on your smartphone.

Not every forecast is 100% accurate but you should always have a back-up plan to avoid losing business.

2. Develop Business Partnerships To Survive the Unexpected

Always keep an open mind when it comes to expanding your business. One thing you can do is reach out to a major company in your community to see if they will reserve a spot for you. 

This could help develop a steady revenue stream and increase your customer base. Customers will start to expect to see you at that location on certain days.  

3. How Food Trucks Survive the Off-Season With Seasonal Menus

Meal preferences change throughout the year. Customers may love salads or tacos during the summer months but once it gets cold they’ll be desiring soups, casseroles, and hot drinks like coffee or tea. 

You should start switching up your seasonal menus to ensure you’re filling customer demand. It could be as simple as using more seasonal flavors like pumpkin or mulling spices. 

4. Try Catering Local Events During the Winter 

Wondering how to survive the off-season? Many food truck owners will cater over the winter months. They do it on their own or partner with another local business. This is perfect for customers who crave your food all year long.

If you start taking orders, there are a ton of food delivery services to use: Grubhub, Uber Eats, or Doordash. Trying to cater or deliver your food will ensure you don’t lose revenue in the slow months. 

5. Develop Winter Marketing Ideas To Attract New Customers

Every successful business embraces marketing. This is true for food trucks as well. You’ll need to switch up your marketing several times throughout the year to address customer behavior.

Winter is the best time to offer seasonal sales, ramp up your online presence, or expand your business into other areas. 

Marketing tools you should be using include social media apps, an SEO optimized website, local online listings, online ordering, an e-newsletter, and a brand loyalty program. 

Don’t Let the Unexpected Hold You Down

This article should provide you with more ideas on how to survive the unexpected. Besides partnering with local businesses in the bad weather, you can also use social media apps or food delivery services to keep earning when it’s slow. 

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 5 Tips to Survive the Unexpected as a Food Truck Owner appeared first on Custom Concessions.

It’s normal for niche markets to have off-seasons. Like outdoor sports and tropical vacations, there’s a time for everything. It’s easy to assume winter would be a food truck’s off-season—but it doesn’t have to be if you use these winter food truck success tips.

Food truck operations are unique both in their food as well as how they serve it. Food truck folk are no strangers to change, so don’t let seasonal changes hurt your business.

Though food trucks rely on the outdoors for sales, winter encourages new strategies. While some might close, others switch gears.

Follow these food truck success tips to keep your winter service a warm one.

Food Truck Success Tips

First thing’s first. Winter’s not the time for record-breaking food truck profits. It’s best to go into the season with realistic expectations.

That said, consider it a chance to experiment. Do you want to stay on brand, or venture out a bit? 

Your answer can influence how you relate to these food truck tips.

1. Consider Catering

Food trucks offer made-to-order food, but catering could be good for winter. Instead of serving on the spot, box up those orders and deliver! While customers usually go to you, winter’s the perfect time to return the favor.

2. Boost Your Online Presence

To combat people assuming you’re out for the season, use social media to communicate! Your followers will be happy to hear you’re adjusting and they won’t have to wait for months to eat your food again.

Keeping customers engaged keeps them loyal.

3. Consider Your Concept

Food truck chefs love innovation. For that reason, winter’s no monster. If you want to embrace your cold food in winter, more power to you!

There are those people who love cold foods like ice cream in winter, but you might want to consider a switch to more warm and hearty fare.

If you choose to flip your concept towards hot food, what works with your customer base?

Following food truck chef tips means using your concept and your customers to your benefit.

4. Consider Your History

How long have you been operating your food truck? Your winterizing decisions may depend on how long you’ve been around.

If you’re learning tips for starting a food truck, know that your winter-born concept can dictate what you serve the rest of the year.

5. Up Your Community Partnerships

There’s no better time than wintertime to up your professional network. Reach out to organizations, restaurants, and other trucks you could work with. 

Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say.

Food Truck Tips Gone Right

There’s no reason for the winter blues with these food truck success tips. The food truck thrill lives in its constant evolution. No two days—or seasons—are the same.

Consider winter another food truck adventure. Imagine how it could change your business for the better—perhaps with new traditions. The right menu, equipment, and marketing will make your winter food truck unstoppable.

Don’t wait for winter to get winter-ready. Start organizing your winter food truck plan 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.

The post 5 Food Truck Success Tips for This Winter appeared first on Custom Concessions.

Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash

Did you know that the food industry is worth 985 million dollars? Even if it’s the wintertime, your business can still thrive.

Are you looking to increase your food truck profits? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over how to survive the winter.

Consider Catering at Banquets and Receptions

If it’s too cold in your area, customers might not want to venture outside for food. Instead, let your community know that you are available for catering opportunities.

You can contact local schools, offices, and businesses. Inform them that you cater for special events or meetings.

People love to gather to celebrate in the wintertime, so make the most of these opportunities.

Change up Your Menu

Most food trucks will create a menu centered around summertime foods. Stand out from your competition in the winter by selling seasonal foods.

Add savory food items for your customers during the colder months. Introduce warm beverages, as well. You will have an influx of customers excited to try out these new menu items.

Connect with Local Businesses

Print off menus and add a delivery service to your food truck. You can pass them out to businesses in your local area. This way, you can build a partnership and sell more food.

Grow Your Customer Base and Food Truck Profits

Work hard at building relationships with your customers and deliver excellent service. When the colder months hit, you will still have regulars who will come for their coffee or food.

Going to a food truck becomes part of many people’s routines. Let them know that you are still around in the wintertime.

Treat Your Employees Well

With the changing of the temperature, you’ll want to make sure your food truck’s warm enough. You might need to revamp your vehicle or buy a new one, so it’s prepared for the cold.

This way, your employees’ morale will remain high. In turn, your customers will get a better service from your happy team members.

Make the Most of Your Mobility

The benefit of having a food truck is getting to move around to different places. In the winter, check out new areas. You can make notes about where you get the most foot traffic.

Keep updating your social media, so people know where to find you each week. Learn more about how to improve your social media strategy.

Make a plan to see where would be the best place to park during the colder months. You could get close to a sports arena or a mall near a lot of traffic.

Contact Us Today

We hope you found this guide on winter food trucks helpful. Increase your food truck profits with these tips. Find out where you can access the most foot traffic in your area.

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 How to Increase Food Truck Profits During Cold Weather appeared first on Custom Concessions.