Need advice on new business idea....

**Berry18** · 07-08-2008 09:28 PM

So I had this idea to open a business that seels smoothies on college campuses. The ste-up would be your basic "lemonade stand" w/ upgrades.

Does anyone have any experience with the selling of food (in general), that would have any advice for me.

I am also planning, to get permission from the local school adminstration (High School) to see if I would be able to set up shop there also....

Any advice, would be great

Thanks

**Dean-123** · 07-08-2008 10:19 PM

What kind of food do you sell? The dried food or fresh one? If it is fresh, then the deliver is very important.

**pboychuk** · 07-08-2008 10:31 PM

I doubt u could setup shop in a high school.
At my college there is a vendor or two, one is like a hotdog stand, are you trying to set it up on school property? or just on the road near college, because i figure the best way to approach it is just get a vendor license and setup near the college or even on campus on a public sidewalk, I am not sure exactly what the laws are for this/

**Berry18** · 07-08-2008 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by pboychuk

I doubt u could setup shop in a high school.
At my college there is a vendor or two, one is like a hotdog stand, are you trying to set it up on school property? or just on the road near college, because i figure the best way to approach it is just get a vendor license and setup near the college or even on campus on a public sidewalk, I am not sure exactly what the laws are for this/

I have already talked to the princepal at a high school and he is considering allowing it for the upcoming fall school year (as a test). I would also give a percent to the club FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) at the school...

Thanks for the information about the vendor's license.

**Berry18** · 07-08-2008 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dean-123

What kind of food do you sell? The dried food or fresh one? If it is fresh, then the deliver is very important.

I wont really be selling food but rather smoothies. The smoothies will be made from fresh fruit w/o any artificial flavoring

**CDRamming** · 07-10-2008 08:14 PM

Most rec centers at college already have juice and smoothie bars like this and the students can use their meal plans then as opposed to spending cash. Something that has worked at my school is students make hot grilled sandwiches at a little stand between the student neighborhood and the dorms. They are only open from 12 am-3 am when everyone is returning home from bars and partying. They sell a ton of sandwiches, there is always a like of 10 people. They have a basic website THE MONCHON . I think inebriated people are going to be the most likely to spend cash for food, especially when the food is conveniently located.

**just1guy** · 07-10-2008 08:41 PM

It sounds like a good idea and it also sounds like you've got some traction. I'd be really careful about liability. I'd recommend talking to an attorney about insurance and corporate setup. The last thing you want is a kid's parents suing you because he claimed to have eaten a bad strawberry smoothie.

**Berry18** · 07-10-2008 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by CDRamming

Most rec centers at college already have juice and smoothie bars like this and the students can use their meal plans then as opposed to spending cash. Something that has worked at my school is students make hot grilled sandwiches at a little stand between the student neighborhood and the dorms. They are only open from 12 am-3 am when everyone is returning home from bars and partying. They sell a ton of sandwiches, there is always a like of 10 people. They have a basic website THE MONCHON . I think inebriated people are going to be the most likely to spend cash for food, especially when the food is conveniently located.

Thanks, for your response. I completely understand what you are saying and I will look into the hot grilled sandwiches stand.

My university does not provide the the juice/smoothie bars like most campuses. The closest thing we have to a juice or smoothie is something from a vending machine. Its more of an urban campus.

**Berry18** · 07-10-2008 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by just1guy

It sounds like a good idea and it also sounds like you've got some traction. I'd be really careful about liability. I'd recommend talking to an attorney about insurance and corporate setup. The last thing you want is a kid's parents suing you because he claimed to have eaten a bad strawberry smoothie.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely do that before I setup.