Starting a mobile food truck business is an exciting opportunity. If you are a creative chef or foodie looking to take your passion for food on the road, you need to know which licenses, permits, and registrations should be obtained before you begin operations. Legion Food Trucks makes custom food trucks to match your unique business needs.
We also help food truck business owners who partner with us obtain the needed permits and licenses. Below, we will look at what legal documentation you need before opening your food truck window to the masses.
Health Permit for Food Truck Business
Regardless of the cuisine you will serve to customers, you need to have a health permit. Health department officials have to inspect, review, and approve your truck before you can start working. They will request you to submit specifications for your vehicle, the menu, details of the equipment you use, and written procedures of how you handle your food, sanitize surfaces, and clean utensils. They will then set a date to inspect the truck.
To get a health permit, it’s essential you partner with a specialized food truck builder like Legion Food Trucks. Here, we create a controlled environment in your truck for you to safely prepare, store, and distribute quality meals. We will assist you in obtaining a health permit when you buy a custom food truck from us.
Food Truck Business License
Every food truck owner needs to have a basic business operation license before they can start running. This license allows the authorities in your city, or county to identify your business and collect tax, and assure the public that you have complied with all health requirements. Since the license requirements are subject to change, it’s advisable you join a local food truck association to stay informed on any amends or directives that may affect your business.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
If you plan to hire employees to work at your food truck, whether full-time or part-time capacity, you will need an employer identification number. The EIN is a federal tax ID given by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business and ensure you comply with tax requirements. Even if you plan to run the food truck on your own, you will need to obtain the EIN.
Parking Permit
The fact that you have a mobile food business doesn’t mean you can park your truck anywhere and start operating. Most cities only allow food trucks to park in specific areas for a particular period, and you need a parking permit to operate in that zone. You can consult with the relevant authorities to know which areas are allowed and which ones aren’t and learn about the distance you need to keep from other businesses.
Vehicle License
Remember your truck is a motor vehicle and it will need a valid vehicle license. The driver, too, needs to be licensed. The license the driver should obtain will depend on the weight and length of the truck. In some places, you may need to have a commercial driving license if you have a food truck.
Fire certificates
If you have installed cooking equipment to prepare food inside the truck, it will need to be inspected by the fire department. They will also educate you on the best practices and routinely inspect your mobile food facility to see whether you are following their recommendations.
Partner with Professional Food Truck Specialists
A mobile food vending business is a promising venture if you invest in a specialized food truck. However, as seen above, there is a lot of paperwork involved. Fortunately, you don’t need to put your dreams on hold because you are unable to assemble the right documents. Partner with Legion Food Trucks, and we will help you get the necessary permits and licenses in a shorter time.
If you ever need a customized and fully branded food truck fitted with the right equipment and electronics, contact us today!
