If you are going to be buying a food truck but are still searching for the ideal company to construct your mobile kitchen, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. There are many food truck builders out there, and each one brings something different to the table. When it comes to building a food truck with a custom shop, you need to make sure certain variables are in place.
This article is intended to help entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses find the best food truck companies to work with in building a custom platform that will help garner success.
Buying a Food Truck: New or Used?
Before we delve into the three pitfalls to avoid, let’s explore the question of buying a food truck new, or used. Many will opt to get a previously owned food truck because they save money up front. While this may seem attractive, it is actually very risky and can sabotage your food truck business.
In 2017 more than 80 percent of food trucks failed within their first two years of business. One of the leading reasons was continuous repairs to pre-owned food trucks. You run a significant risk in hemorrhaging thousands of dollars when you buy a used food truck, not to mention being taken off the street to deal with repairs thus giving your business to your competitors.
Buying custom food trucks brand new might cost more up front, but they pay off in big ways and keep your business alive. All you need to worry about financially with a new food truck is routine maintenance, and that’s it! Talk to your food truck designers to learn more about new build solutions.
1. Successful Custom Food Trucks are Built with Market Knowledge
The best food truck designers take your business model, market, menu and customers into account before building your platform. When buying a food truck, make sure they company is business savvy and studies the above components. Building a food truck should always revolve around your business growth goals. If the food truck company simply builds vehicles with no rhyme or reason, you will not be as likely to succeed.
2. Your Food Truck Design Needs to Fit Your Business
When building a food truck, make sure the company you partner with designs a food truck that can accommodate you now, as well as into the future based on your growth goals. For example, if you plan to start a food truck business with one other person working alongside you serving 8 menu items, you will want to make sure the food truck is the right size for two people and your cuisine in terms of work space and equipment.
But if your projected two-year growth goals are to add a fryer, 5 extra menu items, and another employee, you will want to make sure your food truck size will still accommodate those efforts. The best food truck designers can achieve such a build.
3. Top Food Truck Manufacturers Excel at Aesthetic Design and Branding
Make sure you work with food truck manufacturers who can design the exterior of your truck in a way that resonates with your target buyers, is head-turning, and memorable. Food truck designers use vinyl wraps or they hand-paint food trucks to give the vehicle a great design that reflects your brand. When building a food truck, make sure the manufacturers use market insights and truly understand branding before creating your business look!
