There are over 24,000 active food truck businesses in the U.S. Whether you’re starting out or have been delivering food on the go for years, maintaining your truck is extremely important. 

But what goes into regular food truck maintenance? And why is it so important?

That’s what we’ll be looking at today. In this article, we’re highlighting why regular maintenance matters for your food truck and tips on keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape. 

Regular Maintenance Delivers More Food

The low-hanging fruit of regular food truck maintenance is that it keeps your operation going. The more you pay attention to how your truck is doing, the more time you can spend on the street selling your products. 

Many people choose food trucks because it’s cheaper and slightly easier than owning a traditional storefront. The number of documents and regulations you have to work around is different than owning a store, but it’s still necessary. 

Additionally, just as a traditional restaurant owner has to pay attention to their AC units or other machinery, a food truck owner needs to keep their eye on their truck. 

After all, if your truck stops working, your entire business grinds to a halt. 

Less Downtime Equals Greater Revenue

Things like checking your engines, keeping a tidy washing station, and maintaining a good power supply are just a few things you can do to keep your food truck in good shape. 

Being on top of preventative maintenance benefits you in the long run. A Decisiv & Oakley study found that truck maintenance improved food trucks’ revenue by reducing downtime. 

Unexpected downtime that comes from fixing lingering truck issues eats away at your productivity. You have less time to serve your customers, meaning your revenues will drop. 

You also can’t afford to lose potential catering customers by having an unreliable truck. If you’re booked to cater a private event, make sure your truck is in good working order ahead of time so you don’t have any unfortunate surprises on the big day.

Food Truck Maintenance Tips

So what can you do to make sure your food truck is running at maximum efficiency? Because a food truck is essentially a mini-restaurant, you should ideally keep a truck maintenance checklist.

Here are some key points that you can include:

Check Your Battery

Your foodservice operation is quite reliant on your truck’s battery. Check to make sure it’s not running out of juice and replace it when it’s no longer operating reliably. 

Watch Fluids

Check your truck’s transmission, brake, and power steering fluids throughout the year. Sometimes winter seasons can diminish their effectiveness. 

Change Oil Regularly

Lubricating your engine with the right oil will prevent unwanted downtime. Always find time for oil changes to make sure you’re never hampered by breakdowns during your regular food service. 

Check Filters

Oil, fuel, transmission, and air filters are common mechanisms that preserve your engine. Check these filters and change them according to manufacturer specifications to keep everything chugging along. 

Watch Tire Pressure

Flat tires can ruin just about anyone’s day, especially food truck owners who are right in the middle of service. Be on top of your tire pressure to make sure you never have to fill up at inconvenient times. Keeping a close eye on your tires will also make you aware if one of them possibly has a slow leak and needs to be replaced.

Leverage Regular Food Truck Maintenance Today

A healthy food truck means more consistent service and greater revenues. Leverage regular maintenance to keep your food truck business profitable in the long run. 

Looking for your first food truck, or another mobile kitchen to add to your expanding fleet? Contact us today and we can get you started on a solution right away!

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.

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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.

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Photo by Gabby K from Pexels

Halloween is just around the corner. And while it might seem like a less-important holiday for food trucks compared to Christmas or the Fourth of July, it can be an equally profitable holiday if you know what you’re doing.

Keep reading to learn 6 simple ways food truck vendors can maximize sales during Halloween.

1. Add a Few Special Treats

Customers love getting into the mood of different holidays and seasons with special treats and drinks. Take for instance the famous pumpkin spice latte that pops up at nearly every coffee shop each fall.

Adding some Halloween food or seasonal treats to your menu is a great way to draw in sales.

You don’t even need to come up with any crazy new menu items. You can simply make tweaks to existing favorites to make them more appropriate for Halloween.

2. Theme Your Menu

While changing a few signature items to make them Halloween-themed is a great way to add some fun to your menu, it’s far from the only way.

If your food truck features a changeable menu that you use to list specials, you can also use it re-name some of your menu items for Halloween.

This doesn’t require any recipe changes; just some creativity. Macaroni and cheese can become “brains.” Hot dogs can become “mummies.” And any of your menu items can be described as “ghoulishly good.”

3. Decorate Your Truck

Wherever you set up your truck this Halloween, take a few minutes to add some decorations.

Decorating for the holidays is the perfect way to grab visitors’ eyes as they walk by, and get them in the mood for the holiday. Whether it’s adding some orange and purple string lights, draping spooky cobwebs, sticking on some scary (removable) decals, or going all out with multiple forms of décor, customers are sure to enjoy your take on the holiday.

4. Set up at Trunk-or-Treats

One great spot for local food truck vendors to set up this season is at trunk-or-treating events.

These fun gatherings draw a crowd because they offer a safe space for trick-or-treating. They are also a great option for families that may live too far from their neighbors.

All that walking around collecting candy, coupled with the time of day these events usually take place, means that families will be looking for some filling food, making it a great spot for your truck.

5. Give Out Candy

If you’re participating in a trunk-or-treat, don’t forget to bring your candy! When little ones get close for a treat, so will their parents.

One look at your menu might be all it takes to get them to hop in line and grab a snack. Having a few quick serve items that people can enjoy with one hand will play to your advantage—think donuts, sliders, egg rolls, etc. And be sure to include a few hot drinks, like spiced cider or hot chocolate, for when people are looking to warm up. 

6. Offer Discounts or Run a Costume Contest

Another great way to boost sales at a trunk-or-treat event (or anywhere else you might set up this Halloween) is to run your own costume contest. Pick a time, and have competitors—either just kids or kids and adults—line up for the judging.

If you aren’t setting up at Halloween events, you can offer a small discount for anyone who dresses up to visit you. Or, run a social media costume contest, with competitors submitting photos for you to judge. And of course, don’t forget to make the prize a gift card or free meal from your truck.

How Food Truck Vendors Can Take Advantage of Halloween

Whether you mix up your menu or run a costume contest, food truck vendors can take advantage of these tips to maximize sales this Halloween season.

For more tips on boosting sales, check out these social media tips next.

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.

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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.

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Did you know that the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival made 29.6 million dollars in 2019?

There’s no doubt that there is good money to be made as a festival food truck. Yet, there are so many mistakes that can take a bite out of your profit.

Here are 5 common food truck festival mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Failing to Know the Competition

One of the most common mistakes people make when joining a festival food truck event is forgetting to inquire about the competition.

The number of attendees is important to know, but you also need to find out how many other vendors there will be. You’ll especially need to know if there is already another vendor selling the same cuisine.

Depending on the size of the festival, it might not be worth your effort to attend if the competition is fierce. 

At the very least, be sure to ask the event organizer to put your stall far away from any direct competitors.

2. Having an Expansive Menu

Another mistake is trying to reel in more customers by having a wide variety of menu options.

The more choices on your menu, the longer it will take you to move customers through the queue. When choices are plentiful, and lineups are long, many customers will simply choose elsewhere.

Consider cutting out the items on your menu that take the longest to make. Festival food trucks need to keep up a high speed of service.

There’s no reason not to have a festival menu that is simple for you and your customers. Plus, lowering the number of your offerings means that you can buy ingredients in bulk for cheaper.

3. Wrong Pricing 

A rookie mistake many food trucks make at festivals is with menu pricing. Remember, foodies are attending in order to sample as many options as possible.

Having a few low-cost menu options will bring new customers to your stand. Remember, lots of people will have cash with them. Keep that in mind when pricing items and keep it simple.

Items for $2, $5, and $10 makes paying for it and getting change easy peasy.

4. Not Buying Enough

You buy double the ingredients you think you will need. Yet, you still run out. Then, you have to rush to the store to buy ingredients at a higher price point.

Not only is that bad money management, but it’s also stressful and drives customers away.

Be sure to come to the festival armed with more ingredients than you think you could possibly go through. As long as your truck has plenty of dry and refrigerated storage, it’s OK to have leftovers.

Having extra after a busy day is better than the alternative. 

5. Ignoring Social Media

If you aren’t posting on social media before, and during the food festival, you are missing a huge opportunity to get your name in front of festival foodies.

Plus, all the other vendors will be promoting on social media, so you should too.

Be sure to use the festival hashtag in the weeks leading up to the festival. Make a point of engaging with people who are excited about the upcoming event.

Post pictures of your festival menu a day or so beforehand. This allows foodies to plan what they will eat on the festival day.

Also, make sure you let people know your location during the festival.  

Have A Successful Festival Food Truck

There you have it! 5 of the worst festival food truck mistakes people make, and how to avoid them.

Are you in the market for a new food truck? Contact us today to discuss your needs.

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.

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Photo: Freepik

As a food truck operator, you know that in order to earn big you need to make the right choices in operating your food truck.

Here are some tips on how to keep customers cool and happy when the temperatures are up. 

Set Up Near Green Spaces 

Heat islands are a phenomenon that makes it feel many degrees hotter in urban areas than it is in surrounding greener areas. 

A jumble of roofs and pavements work together to bump up the temperatures. So, instead of a parking lot in a business park, opt to set up near a green space. Especially on those days where it is going to get hot, hot, hot.

Look for any patch of green: a golf course, a football field, a park. If you can find some trees to park under, even better!

Not only will trees block the sun from beating down on your customers, they will also provide cooling shade for your truck. 

Park Strategically

Running a food truck involves a lot of strategic decisions. One of them is where you will park. 

If you are attending an event, ask if you can choose the parking spot. Try to pick a spot where you are not in direct sunlight.

If you are not at an event and just trying to feed hungry people in the city, this still applies.

If you park facing north or south, it usually means that the sun will not be in your customers’ eyes. Depending on the time of day, you may even want to swivel around to face the other direction to give them some shade.

Also, look around and park where there are shaded areas nearby. If there are picnic tables that’s a bonus! Customers are more likely to stick around and buy from you if it is convenient for them to eat in the vicinity too. 

Pack an Umbrella

You pack a lot of gear and ingredients in order to run your food truck, we know. You have a list of food truck expenses. If you don’t have an attached awning, packing an umbrella and stand is one extra item to lug around and one more expense. 

Yet, this can make a huge difference in your business. Set up your umbrella near your order window. Try to angle the umbrella to cast shade towards the lineup. 

That way customers get some relief as they stand in line. Chances are people will stick around to wait for their order if they aren’t roasting. 

Ask Your Customers Their Names 

On those scorching hot days when the asphalt is melting, standing in a lineup is torture.

Don’t do that to your customers. Take their name down as you take their order. Tell them you will call their name when their food is ready.

Doing this takes just a few seconds. Then your customers can go stand by a tree or a building where there is shade.

They will appreciate not having to stand in the open where the sun is fiercest. 

Play Some Music

Playing music won’t lower the temperature at all. But, it can do a lot to boost the mood.

People naturally feel happier when there is music on. Even if they are so hot, sweat is dripping down their back. Put some music on and suddenly they feel like they are on vacation at the beach!

Running a Food Truck Is All About Customer Satisfaction 

There you have it! Some fool-proof tips for running a food truck during a heatwave.

Remember, running a food truck is just as much about customer service as it is about good food.

Contact us today for more info on our state-of-the-art food trucks.

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.

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Photo by Arturo Rey on Unsplash

Are you a food truck owner thinking of taking the plunge and participating in a food truck festival? If you are, the good news is there’s probably one taking place near you. The Food Truck Festivals of America has seen an explosion of food truck events with each passing year.

The bad news? It’s not always easy to secure a spot. With so many applicants clamoring to participate, the competition can be surprisingly fierce.

But there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting accepted. Here are some tips on booking a spot at food truck festivals.

Make Sure You’re a Match

The first step is to find a food truck festival that your brand and menu are a good fit for. If you have a burger and hotdog food truck, you don’t want to apply to vegan or vegetarian festivals.

You also need to consider whether the festival will help you turn a profit.

Many food truck festivals require that all truck vendors give a percentage of their sales in addition to the application fee. This may require you to raise the price of your menu items for the event. However, if you increase them too much, it could turn people off and negatively affect your brand.

When you come across a festival you may be a match for, read the application process carefully and do some number crunching to make sure it’s worth the invested time and money. Be aware that renting additional equipment and services at a festival can rack up additional fees. 

Apply for a Spot

Once you’ve found an event that seems like a good fit, you’ll have to submit an application once the organizers start accepting them.

This may require more than listing the name of your food business and menu items. Think of it like applying for a job — you’ll want to introduce them to your brand and provide a little history on it. Include links to your social media profiles and any positive press written about your food truck business.

You’ll also need to propose your menu for the event, focusing on dishes that can be prepared quickly and meet the festival’s criteria.

Follow the Rules

Once you’re accepted, you may need to secure the necessary business license and health permits and equip your truck with the proper fire extinguishers — you don’t want to have to deal with a fire.

Read over everything in the festival application carefully so you know exactly what you need before the event.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Make the outside and inside of your truck shine by cleaning and disinfecting it before the big day.

Remind employees to smile and greet every customer. This is an important opportunity to elevate your brand, so do what you can to make a great first impression.

Increase Your Chances of Getting Accepted at Food Truck Festivals

Participating in food truck festivals requires a little extra work on your part, but it can be a wonderful way to introduce new customers to your menu and brand.

Are you thinking about starting your own food truck business? Learn more about our mobile kitchens and request 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.

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Remember when everyone thought food trucks were just an amusement?

Well, we do. But we know that this fad was anything but that. Now, this hard-scrabble food slinging world has some serious value. 

By 2020, the food truck industry will be worth $996 million—proof that we can’t imagine life without them.

Your food truck is an essential part of your mobile restaurant, so you have to make sure that thing is insured! But what does food truck insurance cost?

Food Truck Insurance Cost Varies like the Cost of Food Truck Lobster Rolls

The less expensive the policy is, the less likely it is to have real lobster. Somethings you just can’t fake or flake on. But even in that, you don’t need to pay out the nose to get what you need. 

Food truck insurance cost depends on the provider and plan that you buy. 

Don’t be surprised if the cost is in the thousands for an annual premium. This is, in part, good if you actually expect a payout when you file a claim and if you understand that there really is no such thing as food truck insurance. 

Wait, What? 

That’s right. It would be surprising if a state’s laws actually spelled out insurance on food trucks, even if going without coverage is out of the question.

Most of the time, insurers will package together insurance plans that include general liability coverage, commercial auto insurance, business property, and workers’ compensation insurance—all of the insurance types that a mobile food serving organization will need. If you bundle all of your insurance policies and purchase them through the same company, you may be able to get a better deal. 

Other Reasons It’s Hard to Guess

Nearly every food truck is different. This is what makes the food and the food truck scene so great. 

But the fact that all trucks are different makes insuring them a challenge. Some trucks have grills, others have friers, pizza oven or BBQ smokers. All of these things have varying levels of risk and monetary value and will be treated differently by insurers. 

Further, the kinds of food, your state’s regulations for food-serving entities, and the gear that is attached to your truck will impact the price.

You’ve Got Questions

Finding the right food truck insurance can be confusing, but you will want to know how much of your budget will need to go toward insurance. Your best bet might simply be to get some quotes or reach out to a local insurance firm for help in finding a close estimate of how much you should expect to pay.

Food truck insurance cost will be just one part of a larger plan for success. Be sure to make a business plan so you can determine the overall cost and profitability of your future food truck business.

Need a quote for your first food truck? Or need help designing an upgrade? Connect with us and make it happen!

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.

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Did you know there are over 23,000 food trucks in the United States? Food truck culture has become very popular over recent years, but where did it all come from? 

Food carts have been in use for millennia, dating as far back as the Roman era. The food truck as we know it today was a gradual evolution of this format, as trucks advanced and became literal mobile kitchens.

Want to find out more about the history of food trucks? Ready to see how the food truck revolution happened and why? Then read on!

The Early History of Food Trucks

The very first food trucks date back to the chuckwagon. These covered wagons sold perishable food to cowboys and loggers in the American wilderness.

In a typical chuck wagon, you’d find beans, cured meat, coffee, and biscuits. It would also carry water, and wood to build fires. Many also functioned as mobile barbershops and dentist’s surgeries.

Jump forward to the 1890s, and these early food sellers began to cater to university students. Wagons selling sausages would be set up outside dorms at Yale, Princeton, and Harvard, among others. 

Arguably the very first food truck that we would recognize as such was the Wienermobile, created in 1936. Made to advertise—what else—Oscar Meyer wieners, the Wienermobile toured the United States selling hot dogs. It rocked up at schools, orphanages, parades, and hospitals. 

If you were hungry, the Wienermobile had you covered. Today, the Wienermobile has been repurposed as an Airbnb.

By the 1950s, ice cream vans were touring neighborhoods across the United States. Their playful tunes drew children (and adults) from across the neighborhood, and the utility of the food truck was becoming obvious.

The Modern Food Truck

The Wienermobile was great, but it didn’t go everywhere. Ice cream trucks are awesome, but only sell one type of food. When did the first food truck start selling tacos, that lunchtime favorite?

Let’s jump to LA in the 1970s.

Since the 1960s, Mexican loncheras had been selling incredible food, but the first food truck selling tacos would not come until 1974. One Raul Martinez bought an old ice cream van and opened up King Taco. Friends told him he was crazy, but he set up shop outside an East LA bar and sold $70 of tacos on the first night.

A few evenings later, he was bringing in $150 every evening. Six months later, he opened up a brick and mortar store, which has become an LA institution. By 1987, there were three King Taco trucks doing business in the city.

While he had the first taco truck, Martinez wasn’t alone for long.

If you were at Rutgers University from 1979, “grease trucks” were a common sight. These trucks sold “fat sandwiches,” essentially rolls stuffed with two cheeseburgers, fries, lettuce, and tomato. So bad for you, but so delicious.

These food trucks were huge successes, in limited areas. It wasn’t until 2008 that the broader modern food truck revolution would begin.

The Food Truck Revolution

Mark the year: 2008 was an incredibly important time in the history of food trucks. This was when truck catering technology, social media, and a growing interest in street food caused the food truck revolution.

Roy Choi’s Korean BBQ truck, Kogi BBQ, was creating a stir on the west coast. In the East, New York’s Rickshaw Dumpling Bar was serving up delicious dumplings to foodies. Social media like Facebook and the nascent Twitter meant that customers started to do the marketing work themselves.

The great recession of the late 2000s also provided an impetus for the food truck. Chefs from top restaurants were being laid off, and few restaurants were hiring. 

Food trucks were the obvious solution. They were cheap to buy, and easy to run, requiring no more skills for a chef than working in a restaurant. It was this movement that started making food trucks truly gourmet.

There have been good and bad developments in the industry since. In 2010, LA started requiring food trucks to pass inspections, like brick and mortar restaurants. In 2011, New York food trucks were forced to relocate away from parking meters, after city authorities ruled no vendors could park up and sell food.

Despite the occasional hiccup, food trucks have gone from strength to strength. They have started to be granted liquor licenses, offering customers superb wine and beer pairings with their food.

The preponderance of different food types is another string to the food truck’s bow. 

A food truck can sell any kind of food. Want a pizza truck, a grilled cheese truck, or a kimchi wagon? They’re all possible.

The combination of low cost, delicious food and a strong variety of choices has made food trucks a nationwide success. But what’s next for the industry?

The Future of the Food Truck Industry

In many metropolitan areas, food trucks are now as entrenched as restaurants and bistros. Across the country, millions of people buy lunch from food trucks. 

The good news? This industry is expected to keep growing.

Established restaurants, such as the famous Katz’s Deli in New York City, are starting to get in on the action. Such branded food trucks are something we can expect to keep seeing. They offer a low-cost, high-impact marketing solution.

More and more, we’re also starting to see food trucks in places other than the sidewalk. Food truck festivals are hugely popular and it’s not unusual for trucks to cater to events.

In contrast to the early history of food trucks, we’re also starting to see more and more healthy food trucks. These take advantage of the clean eating culture that is particularly popular in California.

Technology is another feature that today’s food trucks are taking advantage of. For example, it’s not unheard of for trucks to offer free Wi-Fi. This not only attracts customers but also encourages sharing on social media.

Thinking about starting a food truck? Curious about costs, or wondering if you have what it takes? Take a look at the options available on our site, and get in touch if you have any questions!

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 History of Food Trucks and How They’ve Shaped America appeared first on Custom Concessions.

The food truck industry is growing faster than the traditional restaurant. In fact, more restaurants are using mobile services to expand their businesses.

As popularity is growing, the need for an attractive and functional vehicle is at an all-time high. 

In order to reap the benefits of the food truck industry, investing the money in a custom truck can make your new venture fun and more profitable. 

Here are the top 10 reasons to convert your culinary business into a unique, one-of-a-kind vehicle. 

1. Mobile Advertising

One of the benefits of owning a food truck is that your logo travels with you. Driving around town allows you to market your company for free. 

This can have a direct effect on your restaurant business as people will recognize the name when they search for their next meal online. You can also add pictures of your food and restaurant location to become a mobile billboard.

2. Gain New Customer Base

Some people are food truck junkies. They seek out new trucks to add to their list of favorites. These types of people may have never set foot in your restaurant or have heard of it until it has gone mobile. 

By adding a second location, you gain new customers who may never have heard of your restaurant otherwise. 

3. Introduce New Menu Items

Starting a food truck means inventing a tiny new restaurant. And with it comes a new menu. You want to market toward the type of people who want good food fast. 

Cooking in a truck is also different than in a commercial kitchen. It is small and may not include all of the appliances that you have in your restaurant. Consider adapting your current menu with simpler takes on customer favorites. 

Tailoring your food to be simple and quick will keep down the maintenance and cook time required. 

4. Participate in Community Events

When thinking about how to open a food truck and gaining a local presence, consider attending local events. You can join many of the social gatherings that cater to food truck businesses. 

With a restaurant, you are stuck in one location. As a mobile service, you can bring food to the party. 

5. Expand Your Business

Looking for ways to get more business may include adding a delivery service, offering coupons, sending out mailings, and marketing through traditional means. You may even have considered opening another location or franchising. 

By having a custom food truck, you can expand without a huge marketing budget and without using a brick and mortar location. Food trucks are much cheaper than restaurants to design and maintain.

Another plus is the simplicity of having a smaller operation—you do not need to hire a full staff to operate a truck. Just few employees can run a mobile service.

6. Build Social Media Presence

Buying a food truck helps promote your following online. Many trucks post on social media their daily locations. When your reputation for tasty treats expands, so does your social media presence. 

People start looking for your truck and when it will be in their area. This makes for a devoted customer base, especially during the business lunch hour. Professionals love to get out of the office when a food truck is nearby. 

7. Get Creative

Besides being great for your business, having a custom food truck gives you a chance to design a whole new look.

Food trucks want to be noticed, so you can go all out with the theme. People should be able to spot your truck from afar. Also, this is your chance to have fun by thinking outside the box.

Your restaurant may be fancy or conservative, but your food truck can be a more inventive interpretation of your cuisine. 

8. Travel to New Neighborhoods

The great thing about a mobile business is that you can travel to areas where people might not know your name yet.

Most restaurant-goers stay in their own neighborhood when choosing a place for dinner. When you bring the restaurant to them, they might love your food so much that they will make the drive to check out your establishment.

9. Match Your Brand

When designing your own food truck, you have the ability to make it cohesive to your restaurant brand. Use the same logo as your restaurant and represent your overall marketing strategy. 

Although your menu might be different, it should be an extension of your main menu. Make sure that you market with unity in mind.

10. Make it Comfortable

Buying a food truck and making it your own gives you the ability to make it functional. You can customize your cooking, serving, and prep area according to the type of food you serve. 

Food trucks are smaller than a typical restaurant kitchen, so making the space work for you is essential to success. 

You also want to make sure that your customer is comfortable by adding things like a canopy to shield them from the elements. Offer entertainment with outdoor speakers for music. And make sure your menu is attractive and visible. 

Getting Started with a Food Truck

The first step in starting your food truck business is finding and designing the vehicle.

Make sure you have the means to cook, store, and transfer food safely by contacting us for a quote. Tell us your needs and we can ensure you will be prepared for going mobile.

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 10 Benefits of Building a Custom Food Truck Designed for Your Business appeared first on Custom Concessions.