This site and others talk about the advantages of a mobile catering business, and Identify many of the steps needed. But before our readers run out to buy catering trailers – let us just condense down to some critical keys.
The details to each of these can be find in other posts on this blog, and in mobile catering mastery
MOBILE CATERING BUSINESS PLAN The old adage really is true – if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So don’t buy a catering trailer yet, or any mobile catering equipment . The plan needs to identify clearly :
- Who are your customers?
- Where can you find them?
- What the customers want to buy, and so what equipment you need to fulfill that need.
- Which licenses are needed and locations are legally permissible and also available
- How much it will cost including a cushion for if all does not go well (weather can be a big factor!)
- When is the best time to start.
MOBILE CATERING – LEGAL ISSUES! – The legal and license issues must not be ignored and have several different aspects – find the detail elsewhere on this site but here are the boxes to tick.
- Local Licenses – you need street trading licenses to trade on public highways and all local authorities are slightly different in the way they handle this.
- Concessions – to trade on private land, or in public places of the highway (eg parks) , or at events need a concession. Some of these like parks are dealt with by public tendering, events are planned well in advance. Don’t expect to turnup and trade.
- Safety – The prime legislation is safety, and food safety is a major issue. Make sure you understand the requirements and inspections. Food mistreatment can be dangerous.
- Corporate issues - corporate issues such as VAT, employment and employees. There are advantages and disadvantages to trading style – limited company vs sole trader.
- Insurance – You need insurance – both public liability, employer liability, and vehicle insurances.
CATERING TRAILERS and MOBILE CATERING EQUIPMENT – Once the target market and locations are understood, it is possible to determine the types of equipment and trailer to use.
- Catering Trailer Selection – Lots of issues to consider, including whether to buy new or used. Remember that looking clean really matters to customers. If you are planning to buy used, check out factory reconditioned to see whether the saving for private purcase is worthwhile. One reason to buy old, is if you buy a site – however work IN the business for a period to make sure it is as busy as you think.
- Mobile catering equipment - be very wary of second hand catering equipment. Faulty equipment can shut you down, and lose a days takings for the sake of a handful of pounds.
MOBILE CATERING MARKETING! - marketing will be the difference between success and failure. Several issues to consider
- How are your customers going to discover you?
- Why should they buy from you not anyone else – why is your offer the best? This is not just about price. People will pay an amount more the cheapest for food they want to eat.
- The BEST customers are repeat customers, so how are you going to get them to want to come back?
FUNDING
- How much will it cost?
- What are contingency plans – alternative offerings and locations?
- Remember also that banks are looking at how YOU survive low income, not just the business!
SO PLAN ALL OF THESE - ONLY THEN start a MOBILE CATERING business – none of it is rocket science, but the difference can be success or failure.
Most of the essential issues are covered in mobile catering mastery
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