Photo by Emre Kuzu from Pexels

With the onset of the coronavirus, the entire restaurant-clientele dynamic has changed. 

The virus has trapped the entire US in their homes, hunkered away from each other. Missing the constant flow of diners, the restaurant market lost out on nearly $150 billion in revenue in just the first few months of the pandemic.

Nearly 30,000 restaurants have had to close their doors—as if owning a restaurant wasn’t hard enough. 

Fortunately, some business-savvy owners and new entrepreneurs have pivoted to survive this crisis. They’ve started doing take-out, delivery, and even meal kits to keep their businesses afloat. Some have even pivoted to the mobile restaurant business with a food truck. 

Start a Food Truck Business to Cater

Not a lot of people are comfortable eating in crowds yet. There’s still a lingering fear of being exposed to the virus, but the restaurant experience is desperately missed by many. 

As always, people still like to eat. 

It’s a recipe for the perfect storm. Takeout and delivery have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic. Capture the market of at-home-eating with the alternative option: food truck catering.

Despite social distancing, people still want to be social. They’ll assemble among friends and family but aren’t too adventurous outside of those circles. 

And with more people stuck at home, backyard get-togethers and house parties have substituted going out. Those backyard festivities need catering. 

Take this opportunity to gain a footing in the community—partner with neighborhoods and local areas to promote your health-conscious business plan.

Among the doom and gloom, some people don’t want to leave their homes at all. Your mobile restaurant may be their only chance to indulge in the nostalgic (has it been long enough to be nostalgic?) dining experience. 

Ride Onto Success With Low Overhead

A food truck is a scaled-down restaurant on wheels. As such, they operate at a fraction of the cost. 

In this terrible economy, most businesses can’t afford to keep the lights on, let alone issue paychecks. Restaurants operate on margin-thin returns, even in a good climate, because of their substantial fixed and variable costs.

However, a food truck doesn’t face the production scaling issues that a regular eatery does. Most can get by with one or two employees and an eighth of the kitchen. Menus should be kept manageably small, so you can operate a business with a minuscule staff.

Without a huge staff to oversee, you’re not liable for a lot of heads. People are less likely to get sick, and there’s less of an overall risk. 

Different Standards

Not many people get food from a food truck for a sit-down experience.

So, a food truck is a lot less restrained than a typical restaurant. You don’t have to worry about seating your restaurant at only 25% capacity. Food trucks aren’t constrained to four walls. 

Most importantly, customers are more apt to social distance in a queue for a food truck. They’re not confined to a booth or a table, so they’re free to separate themselves. 

Start Your Engines—People Are Hungry

Despite the overwhelming pressure to close restaurants, people still want to eat out. Entrepreneurs have adapted their restaurants in many ways, and some have even chosen to pivot to a food truck business.

Food trucks are perfect for catering, have low overhead, and don’t face the same strict restaurant regulations.

Have an idea for your first food truck? We’d love help you make your dream reality. Reach out 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 Should You Start a Food Truck Business During the Coronavirus Pandemic? appeared first on Custom Concessions.

Photo: Freepik

Last year, the food truck industry was worth a billion dollars. While current circumstances have halted many restaurants, food trucks are still—well—truckin’. 

Today, there are 25,476 food trucks wheelin’ around unique eats and experiences to communities worldwide. While business has slowed for many, it hasn’t stopped for food trucks.

The value of food trucks may spike this year due to current conditions. Food trucks are apt for social distancing and can abide by safety guidelines.

For consumers missing the dining experience, food trucks are the best bet.

Social Distancing Made Easy

Food trucks epitomize a dine-in-dine-out fusion. If you can’t dine-in and don’t want take-out, food trucks are the latest social distance solution.

Here’s how you can encourage potential customers to support local businesses and also honor social distancing guidelines.

1. They’re Outside

Food trucks were always an outside operation. But now, you can get even more creative with your setup.

Before, it was easy for food trucks to have crowds of people waiting around the truck with no dining area. Now, food trucks can set up designated seating and socially distanced lines.

Even on hot days, your food truck’s social distancing set-up can work to take care of your customers. Providing umbrellas or serving by shaded parks will encourage more people that your food truck is worth the wait.

2. Social Media Presence

A lot of food trucks rely on social media for a following. If this is already a marketing channel you use, it will be that much easier to let customers know what social distancing guidelines your truck and your local government have put in place.

That way, customers know what to expect when they show up. Communicating through social media also limits in-person reminders and allows for more enjoyment.

3. Mobile Apps

Some food trucks take advantage of this tech-focused, social-distancing era with mobile apps. Staying in touch on apps allows you to offer coupons and discounts on your food truck’s fan favorites. 

Being on mobile apps is another way you can keep customers in the know about your truck’s social distancing methods. 

4. Encouraging the Support of Local Businesses

Operating a food truck means getting to know your neighbors and community in a more intimate way.

In a time where people are conscious of where they spend their dollars, why not remind customers that food trucks in your area are local small businesses?

5. Promoting Safe Gatherings

Food trucks are used to being able to set up shop in a variety of locations. But things are different now.

Some have limited their travels and stay in one spot for their loyal customers. Others visit nearby neighborhoods during socially distanced block parties.

Either way, food trucks are tokens of connection. Remind your customers that having a socially distanced meal from their local food truck would be a great way to reconnect with friends they’ve missed while being able to gather safely.

Social Distancing Food Trucks for the Win

Amidst the current social distancing protocol, food trucks remind us of the constants: good food and good people.

Food trucks are providing a new eating environment. Though parking lots may not have fancied you before, more and more places are giving food trucks flexibility as restaurants remain closed in some locales.

Food trucks are flexible, adaptable, and creative. Customers are catching on, which makes social distancing easier. Through it all, it’s obvious the human spirit’s still shining bright.

Interested in opening your own food truck? Call us today to get started on your food truck journey.

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 Ways Food Trucks Help With Social Distancing appeared first on Custom Concessions.