Tips for a mobile food cart.

[JohnGalt]

I don't think you need to expand your offerings just yet. Your menu sounds like a pretty solid variety and more than enough for anyone walking by to be able to grab some breakfast and be happy. Two weeks also doesn't seem like a very long time and maybe it will just take some time for people to trust the new stand and for word of mouth about your good bagels to spread. Hopefully some of those customers you have been having will be return customers and will tell coworkers and friends about your stand.

Best of luck

[cermoore]

I am planning to open my own food cart here in Denver, CO along the 16th St Mall and stumbled across this post looking for tips before I pull the trigger on it. There is a good looking blonde with a hot dog cart in the Cherry Creek area of Denver who crushes it and that is part of my business plan right now...having a good looking gal help run the cart. You clearly save on labor by running it yourself, but it is a strong possibility that a good looking girl in a Red Sox shirt/jersey and hat will boost your sales. Do they allow music to be played? Another cart here in Denver played great tunes and sells gourmet dogs with a line 10 deep for two hours on a sunny day. Try adding tunes and a gal to your equation and see if that works. Best of luck.

[spoon]

First and foremost, two weeks is certainly not long enough to judge the success of your idea. Your lack of customers can be attributed to the fact that many people don't know you exist. It takes time.

How is your cart presented? Would you be open to sharing some photo's of your setup?

[angle]

Hello Everyone
This cart includes these items:

* Full size 24" flat-top griddle (NSF certified propane appliance)
* Deluxe stainless steel double steam table
* Capacity for two standard 20 pound propane tanks
* Quality quick change dual-stage propane regulator with "auto-changeover"
* Removable trailer tongue for security and safety during events or storage
* 6.5' heavy duty umbrella, assorted colors (optional triple umbrellas and mounts)
* Long lasting, rechargeable 12vdc battery for the Sure-Flow™ water system
* Full set of restaurant quality stainless steel steam pans with lids
* Start up kit inc: condiment dispensers and tongs
* One year Limited Warranty protects your investment
* Certificate of Ownership (CO) for easy DMV registration
* 1-800 Toll-Free customer support, seven days a week

[jake_russell]

first off congratulations on jumping in feet first! Just a couple of suggestions. The free coffee is a really good idea but many people assume free means poor quality. People place a value on something that costs money, otherwise they wouldnt buy it. Maybe instead of offering free coffee, offer very cheap coffee.

If the area you are in is a high tourist area you may want to focus on them. Have maps of the area or a good knowledge of buses, subways etc. Offer to help or give away maps. it may bring in some sales.

Signs can be really difficult. Because you know where you put it you will always think it is in a very good spot, your eyes are drawn to it based on prior knowledge. Get into your customers shoes... Are they looking down to avoid stepping on someones feet? Are they looking straight ahead to avoid eye contact with other people/vendor. Place the sign where people eyes are pointed. I know you understand that point but it is difficult to truly know where there eyes are looking.

best of luck, buckle down, spend little, and be aggressive

[richard13]

Hello
You have to register your business with the appropriate parts of the government. They are most concerned with what sort of business you are going to be and, more importantly, how you will give them their tax money. Also you will need to choose a business name. After you have registered your business with both federal and state governments then you can get a license from the city government. The local authorities may require you to get a permit before allowing you to set your cart up on public property such as a park or a street.

You will also need to find out what the health department in you r area requires of people working in food service. They will tell you what foods you can and cannot serve out of a mobile food facility like a hot dog cart. They likely will tell you what equipment you need to have on your hot dog cart to make it legal as well. This important information helps with selecting the right model of hot dog cart as you will have a minimum set of features to work with. Your regional health department may also require that you take training courses in safe food handling. Last, they may need to physically inspect your hot dog cart to see that it follows all regulations.

[sam2010]

hi,

I am in the street food business and have a lot of experience with coffee carts and food carts. I have recently been looking to expand to new spots. If you are interested in talking about partnership possibilities, you can contact me. There are ways to build your business that could make it very profitable.


good luck.

Sam

[TheMetropreneur]

We've put together an indepth "How To" guide for mobile food businesses. Some of the information is geographically-specific, but it's still a lot of good information regardless of where you're setting up:

How To Open a Food Cart or Food Truck
By Walker Evans on September 24, 2010

Mobile food businesses have exploded onto the Columbus dining scene over the past six months, and the trend doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon. If a mobile food operation is a business that you’re considering, then allow us to provide some detailed instructions on how to get one up and running, with the assistance and advice of a few of our established mobile food entrepreneurs.

Google search for "How To Open a Food Cart or Food Truck" to read the rest on our site.

Hope that helps!