Photo by Joana Godinho on Unsplash
With over 24,000 active food trucks in the US, there’s no doubt that it’s becoming a popular method of dishing out delicious food!
They’re convenient, because food can be grabbed on the go, and they’re also great for social distancing.
If you’ve been thinking about starting your own food truck, it’s likely a worthwhile venture in these times. However, as with any business, there are some pros and cons to consider carefully before you go ahead and get started.
Think about each of these before taking the plunge:
The Pros of Owning a Food Truck
There are many pros of owning a food truck. Here are a few of the main ones!
You Get to Be Your Own Boss
You set your own hours and decide your own work! One of the best things about starting any business—particularly one as flexible as this—is making your own rules. No more punching the clock, or reporting to your higher ups; you are the higher up!
So Many Opportunities
Since food trucks are so popular these days, there’s no shortage of opportunities.
You’ll find there can be lots of different applications for food trucks, if you’re willing to work it a little. Aside from operating like a normal food truck park and sell operation, you can branch into catering of all kinds—corporate events, weddings, parties and more. You’ll also want to find out about any local festivals where you could sell.
You Can Do What You Love
No one is dictating your menu! You get to decide what food goes on there and make it your own. You can be top chef of your kitchen and cook to your heart’s content.
The Cons of Owning a Food Truck
As great as owning a food truck is, there are cons to any business. You shouldn’t let these stop you, but keep them in mind when getting started! You need to be prepared for the hard parts so they don’t make you lose your momentum.
You’ll Be Responsible For Every Repair
When working in a vehicle with so much equipment, it’s likely that things will go wrong and break down. Not only is this going to cost a lot, it’s inconvenient, and might impact when the business can operate on short notice. You’ll want to make sure you have reliable business insurance to help cover the cost of any repairs, and to help cover lost business if you have to shut down temporarily.
Local Zoning Laws
You’ll need permits to park in certain locations, which means trying to create a schedule months in advance.
It would be nice if you could park anywhere and begin selling, but it doesn’t quite work like that. There are many laws to be aware of, and they vary depending on where you are.
The Competition
The nice thing about food trucks being popular is that you’re entering an industry where people might already be interested in you. The bad thing, however, is that you have ample competition.
Whether you have a taco truck or a gyro one, many kinds of food likely have another truck in the area already. That means you’ll have to create a good marketing strategy using word of mouth, social media, and whatever else you can to get ahead.
Food Trucks Have Both Pros and Cons
Starting any business has its pros and cons, and food trucks are no different. If you do your research and are aware of what might go wrong, you could have a really successful venture on your hands. Just be aware, and be prepared.
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