Setting up food truck?

madbev90210

Hi all,

Apologies if this has already been discussed but I am looking for advice on how I would get all the information needed to enable me to set up a vegan food truck.

I only state it's vegan as I know there is a big difference with a food truck selling meat and no meat.

I did the food safety cert years ago so I know I would need that. I looked into this previously as I have the van rusting my garden years (that would also need a revamp) but I got overwhelmed with the information re health and safety, tax & setting it up as a company, and then permits, generators etc. not to mention trying to source tasty dairy free product

I also work full time and have 2 kids but I feel if I had a one stop shop for simple steps I need to take I could be up and running in Jan?

DaveJoyce

Afraid i can't help on everything but a big headache when you are up and running in tracking cost, income and paperwork.




Picking up an iPad and installing Square will get you up and running on tracking your costs, income, VAT and how much money you are making. You can then pair that with a bluetooth printer and you are now able to give your customers a polished professional feel.


Square also do credit card terminals so you have everything in the one system. Their inventory tracking isn't great but I have set this up for a few customers and linked it to another system I do that specialises in inventory

madbev90210 wrote: »

Hi all,

Apologies if this has already been discussed but I am looking for advice on how I would get all the information needed to enable me to set up a vegan food truck.

I only state it's vegan as I know there is a big difference with a food truck selling meat and no meat.

I did the food safety cert years ago so I know I would need that. I looked into this previously as I have the van rusting my garden years (that would also need a revamp) but I got overwhelmed with the information re health and safety, tax & setting it up as a company, and then permits, generators etc. not to mention trying to source tasty dairy free product

I also work full time and have 2 kids but I feel if I had a one stop shop for simple steps I need to take I could be up and running in Jan?

sysprogrammer

Do you have the time to renovate and operate this food truck ?
with a full time job and two kids , would you maybe consider bringing the truck up to scratch and let someone else operate it for you ?

I think this way, the truck has more operating days per year and could generate a higher revenue.

madbev90210

sysprogrammer wrote: »

Do you have the time to renovate and operate this food truck ?
with a full time job and two kids , would you maybe consider bringing the truck up to scratch and let someone else operate it for you ?

I think this way, the truck has more operating days per year and could generate a higher revenue.

sysprogrammer, it's a bit of an on-going issue with myself and partner. To be honest I wanted to sell it but he says we wont get what we paid for it back as it has become somewhat worn and will require some renovation.

I have been trying out recipes and haven't come up with a decent one yet which is disheartening but I feel I would have Saturdays and Sundays to operate it, if I find a good recipe and setting it up was explained in simple steps to me!

sysprogrammer

quote: I have been trying out recipes and haven't come up with a decent one yet which is disheartening but I feel I would have Saturdays and Sundays to operate it, if I find a good recipe and setting it up was explained in simple steps to me!

The requirements for starting a food based business in Ireland are detailed here :
https://www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/starting_business.html

Any questions on these items I'd say post here for quick reply.

As for recipes , have you seen TomandChee.com , they are doing the most simple of items , Toasted Cheese and Tomato soup.

hope this helps,
Sys

Cheese wouldn't exactly be vegan.

Practically OP having spent money on something and not using it aren't reasons to do something.

Doing nothing and letting it rot is an alternative.

If you don't want to do this and don't have the time or energy why are you even considering it?

If it is to make money what other alternatives are there?
If it is just to make use of the van what other alternatives are there to that - like someone above mentioned renting it out.

Markcheese

Having the van (while important) is probably the easy part, having the recipes is probably more important... But
The 2 most important things are probably the time (at the right times)
And the pitch... (as in where you're selling from) that's probably the hardest to get..

Mooooo

Where are you based? Have you a market near you without a lot of travelling. In terms of products starting out keep it simple. If in Dublin you could try and hook up with veg farmers for the veg that supermarkets don't want, not standard shapes etc and make homemade soups, veg pizza or packets of veg even. Advantage of it being Irish. Drawback is any food truck I've known of which are few,besides chippers at a match, a lot of the business was lunchtime outside industrial estates so if working fulltime that will be difficult.
The cost of getting the truck up and running to a good standard is the first port of call whether that is using it yerselves , renting it out or selling it. Either that or take the hit and get rid. You'll like have to be fairly inventive be working a few hours for free before any return on it anyway, similar to any business

Del2005

madbev90210 wrote: »

sysprogrammer, it's a bit of an on-going issue with myself and partner. To be honest I wanted to sell it but he says we wont get what we paid for it back as it has become somewhat worn and will require some renovation.

I have been trying out recipes and haven't come up with a decent one yet which is disheartening but I feel I would have Saturdays and Sundays to operate it, if I find a good recipe and setting it up was explained in simple steps to me!

The cost to get the van up to standard for the road could be huge if its been rotting in your garden for years, to get it suitable for food prep will be more on top of that. How much do you think you will make from selling food for a few hours each weekend to cover the cost of commercial insurance for the van, public liability insurance for the food business, tax for the van, diesel and gas, paying off the cost of repair and fit out before you have to buy the product and pay yourself?

Chiorino

Depending on the condition of the van, I would be budgeting somewhere in the region of €20k for refurb and prep, equipment and insurance. Vegan food units, while trendy at the moment, are still a relatively niche market and won't necessarily have mass appeal outside some specialist markets and events. Have you done any costings/research on how much typical products sell for at existing markets/events and how long you will take to recoup any investment in the unit?If you have your heart set on this, location is going to be key. Have you researched any events or trading locations? IOMST list a lot of these and can help with insurance too.

It is possible to do "quality" fast food that will have a broader appeal but done right will still elevate you above the ubiquitous chipper & burger wagons.

pm1977x

Sounds like it's going to be a money pit, cut your losses and get out now.

sysprogrammer

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheese wouldn't exactly be vegan.

Practically OP having spent money on something and not using it aren't reasons to do something.

Doing nothing and letting it rot is an alternative.

If you don't want to do this and don't have the time or energy why are you even considering it?

If it is to make money what other alternatives are there?
If it is just to make use of the van what other alternatives are there to that - like someone above mentioned renting it out.

Pedantic much ??
I am not suggesting cheese is vegan and you clearly haven't read the posts above or you would see those questions have been asked.

"Doing nothing and letting it rot is an alternative" - how is that helpful ?

There is a poster below budgeting 20k , really , you must have a bank in your back pocket.

Look , unless you have been out there vending food/beverages before , can you stop the madness please.

To the original poster, if you do see yourself as enjoying some (not all) weekends selling at events then maybe volunteer with an existing stall and see if it is a goof fit for you.
Any market trader will be glad of a free pair of hands and someone to chat to for the day.

I myself ran a coffee / snacks operation (thanks to some of the old posters on here) and it was a fantastic earner. Although I vended coffee from backpacks and far outsold the competition.

IOMST (group for market and stall traders can be helpful with getting insurance ).

I think , leaving the van aside , that you should get out there and get some real world work experience.

Then you can figure out if you want to renovate your equipment, or rent from someone who has already gone bust.

My point about using cheese and toast was that you don't want an over complicated product, you want an easy to dispense and tasty product .

I'll come back to write about licences and casual trading if you decide you are progressing this idea.

Hang on to your 20k for now ;-)
Sys

madbev90210

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheese wouldn't exactly be vegan.

Practically OP having spent money on something and not using it aren't reasons to do something.

Doing nothing and letting it rot is an alternative.

If you don't want to do this and don't have the time or energy why are you even considering it?

If it is to make money what other alternatives are there?
If it is just to make use of the van what other alternatives are there to that - like someone above mentioned renting it out.

Sorry about late replies! I couldn't rent it as it is currently not in good condition. However, my issues re not exactly time and energy, it's the actual recipe and the setting up that specific business, as there's no one to ask. If I had the recipe mainly sorted, I would be passionate about sharing tasty plant based food

madbev90210

Markcheese wrote: »

Having the van (while important) is probably the easy part, having the recipes is probably more important... But
The 2 most important things are probably the time (at the right times)
And the pitch... (as in where you're selling from) that's probably the hardest to get..

I know, I travelled to England and spent a weekend with a lady selling vegan crepes and I was very disappointed in her recipe. It was selling but I personally would not have been happy selling them.

In terms of where to pitch, I can imagine quite a few places I could go permission permitting of course!

madbev90210

Mooooo wrote: »

Where are you based? Have you a market near you without a lot of travelling. In terms of products starting out keep it simple. If in Dublin you could try and hook up with veg farmers for the veg that supermarkets don't want, not standard shapes etc and make homemade soups, veg pizza or packets of veg even. Advantage of it being Irish. Drawback is any food truck I've known of which are few,besides chippers at a match, a lot of the business was lunchtime outside industrial estates so if working fulltime that will be difficult.
The cost of getting the truck up and running to a good standard is the first port of call whether that is using it yerselves , renting it out or selling it. Either that or take the hit and get rid. You'll like have to be fairly inventive be working a few hours for free before any return on it anyway, similar to any business

I'm in Dublin Moooo, out of curiosity, as I'm back at the drawing board, do you think vegan quesidillas would sell?

madbev90210

Del2005 wrote: »

The cost to get the van up to standard for the road could be huge if its been rotting in your garden for years, to get it suitable for food prep will be more on top of that. How much do you think you will make from selling food for a few hours each weekend to cover the cost of commercial insurance for the van, public liability insurance for the food business, tax for the van, diesel and gas, paying off the cost of repair and fit out before you have to buy the product and pay yourself?

To be honest, it's only the wrapping that's looking worn. The inside is perfect and could be cleaned easily enough on a dry day. I don't know how much I'd be expecting to make to be honest, I would hope to just break even initially until I had some regulars! Then it would be a labour of love with minimum profit ideally! I love to cook, and am disappointed with so much plant based food and think I could do better.. clearly the crepe recipe is proving difficult but I haven't exhausted all recipes yet..

madbev90210

Chiorino wrote: »

Depending on the condition of the van, I would be budgeting somewhere in the region of €20k for refurb and prep, equipment and insurance. Vegan food units, while trendy at the moment, are still a relatively niche market and won't necessarily have mass appeal outside some specialist markets and events. Have you done any costings/research on how much typical products sell for at existing markets/events and how long you will take to recoup any investment in the unit?If you have your heart set on this, location is going to be key. Have you researched any events or trading locations? IOMST list a lot of these and can help with insurance too.

It is possible to do "quality" fast food that will have a broader appeal but done right will still elevate you above the ubiquitous chipper & burger wagons.

Hi Chiorino! I think 20K is a way overestimation but do see your point. I took a research trip to England to spend time in such a van and came up with prices, fillings etc. I have also looked into markets a little but my priority is the recipe, if I have that nailed down, I know I will make the rest work.

Alternatively, I was considering vegan quesidillas, as the truck is set up with 2 cast iron crepe plates, for which quesidillas are the only other food I think is viable to cook in them. I could try some simple, and some "more fashionable" fillings?

Mooooo

madbev90210 wrote: »

I'm in Dublin Moooo, out of curiosity, as I'm back at the drawing board, do you think vegan quesidillas would sell?

Tbh I don't know, best thing may be to make some in the kitchen of whatever you will be looking to sell and try them out on a or a couple of test groups. I'd imagine you would need some bit of choice. Also don't underestimate the cost of getting the van up and running if preparing and selling food.
As an aside while demand is growing for vegan food it is growing from an extremely small base so you may have to travel more to sell enough.
There only my opinions, if the project won't put you under pressure financially may as well drive on and see how it goes for you, perhaps check enterprise Ireland etc for advice

madbev90210

Mooooo wrote: »

Tbh I don't know, best thing may be to make some in the kitchen of whatever you will be looking to sell and try them out on a or a couple of test groups. I'd imagine you would need some bit of choice. Also don't underestimate the cost of getting the van up and running if preparing and selling food.
As an aside while demand is growing for vegan food it is growing from an extremely small base so you may have to travel more to sell enough.
There only my opinions, if the project won't put you under pressure financially may as well drive on and see how it goes for you, perhaps check enterprise Ireland etc for advice

Thank you! Agreed, if i can get my carniverous friends and family to like them I'll know I'm on to something!

Mooooo

madbev90210 wrote: »

Thank you! Agreed, if i can get my carniverous friends and family to like them I'll know I'm on to something!

Strangers may give a more honest reply

madbev90210

Mooooo wrote: »

Strangers may give a more honest reply

You don't know my friends! Brutally honest

Chiorino

madbev90210 wrote: »

Hi Chiorino! I think 20K is a way overestimation but do see your point.

Again, depending on just how much work, mechanically and to fit out, the van actually needs, it won't be far off this. Bear in mind, the commercial motor and liability insurance is going to be in the region of €5k alone (this is a fact based estimate), €15k for a rough van to be brought up to spec and fitted out isn't that much.

makeandcreate

Have you tried Jackfruit for wraps - it's great in a homemade barbecue sauce with lots of fresh leaves (grow your own) and crunchy red peppers?
We do a mean vegan pie using lots of winter veg, leeks and mushrooms - savoury yeast adds depth - sprinkle in or on when serving.
Soup - loads of soup options.
Jacket potates with fillings are a good crossover for all people.
Creamy garlic mushrooms in a crepe (vegan bechamel).
If you want a "meaty" style dish then play around with seitan - it will take most flavours - I was going to try smoking some.

sonandheir

I don't know anything about food trucks but this may be useful to you:

https://foodtruckr.com/

I follow his other blogs on business and find them very good so check him out.

Lincoln98

madbev90210 wrote: »

Hi all,

Apologies if this has already been discussed but I am looking for advice on how I would get all the information needed to enable me to set up a vegan food truck.

I only state it's vegan as I know there is a big difference with a food truck selling meat and no meat.

I did the food safety cert years ago so I know I would need that. I looked into this previously as I have the van rusting my garden years (that would also need a revamp) but I got overwhelmed with the information re health and safety, tax & setting it up as a company, and then permits, generators etc. not to mention trying to source tasty dairy free product

I also work full time and have 2 kids but I feel if I had a one stop shop for simple steps I need to take I could be up and running in Jan?

Hi, Madbev.

I am not versed on this subject, so I am unable to assist as you would like.=, unfirtuantely. However, I do know of a business which performs un this. They started their foodtruck business almost 3 years running now, and, I would say, are experts on the matter - not just because they own sell food in a truck, but because they operate in foodtruck consultancy (tax; reggistration; menus; etc).

- Business' Info -
Facebook: World Food Porn/Sean Mc Cleary
Website: www.blastastreetkitchen.com
Email: blastafoodporn@gmail.com
Contact No.: 089 245 4367

I hope this helps. Wishing you the best in achieving in your dreams!

Dee1401

Hi Madbev!!!!A bit late to the party here!Just wondering if you made a decision?My partner is in the very early stages of looking into this too but caught at the licensing/permit...does anyone know what paperwork is required in setting up a mobile food truck?Not necessarily just for occasions but also possibly business parks etc too?

Lincoln98

Blasta Street Kitchen might have the answers to your questions, Dee.

Goodluck!

https://www.facebook.com/Blastastreetkitchen

Lincoln98

Blasta Street Kitchen might have the answers to your questions, Dee.

Goodluck!

https://www.facebook.com/Blastastreetkitchen

Chiorino

Dee1401 wrote: »

Hi Madbev!!!!A bit late to the party here!Just wondering if you made a decision?My partner is in the very early stages of looking into this too but caught at the licensing/permit...does anyone know what paperwork is required in setting up a mobile food truck?Not necessarily just for occasions but also possibly business parks etc too?

IOMST will be able to assist with all information related to this.

duploelabs

Dee1401 wrote: »

Hi Madbev!!!!A bit late to the party here!Just wondering if you made a decision?My partner is in the very early stages of looking into this too but caught at the licensing/permit...does anyone know what paperwork is required in setting up a mobile food truck?Not necessarily just for occasions but also possibly business parks etc too?

You need a license to trade issued by the HSE following an HACCP audit, then a license to trade from the council if you want to street trade

Chef12clu

Hi all ,I'm just wondering if anyone who has a catering Trailer, were do I look for Insurance for the trailer and also do I need public liability as well?

Chiorino

Chef12clu wrote: »

Hi all ,I'm just wondering if anyone who has a catering Trailer, were do I look for Insurance for the trailer and also do I need public liability as well?

IOMST can organise all this. No event or council will touch you without public liability.

sysprogrammer

Chiorino wrote: »

Bear in mind, the commercial motor and liability insurance is going to be in the region of €5k alone (this is a fact based estimate), €15k for a rough van to be brought up to spec and fitted out isn't that much.

Chiorino , message me for the details of my insurance broker.
2.5k year one with professional, public, motor and some other liabilities covered.

1.8k year 2.

And now I'm on a different policy due to having a bus.
I can't see myself changing broker though, they pay for themselves.

(the policy was paid in 3 x monthly installments , as this stops some operators from cancelling their policy after peak season.)

hth