Gone are those days when every person would like to sit in sophisticated dining chairs in restaurants and have their meals.
Today most people fall for taste more than sophistication and well-dining experiences. And, nothing can beat the taste of street foods and dishes served in the food truck business in the UK.
With each passing year, the demand in the UK food industry is increasing for mobile food served by food trucks because of their savoriness.
So, if you are planning to launch a business for your earnings this fiscal year, choosing a food truck business will be the best plan ever on your part.
Are you wondering how to launch your food truck business UK? What are the procedures?
Well! Let’s help you with it and give you a detailed food truck business plan with all the essential steps to launch it. Hey! Here we go…
UK Food Truck Business – Why Start It Now?
The UK food scene once started with a niche market. But, presently it is booming like anything else and has been converted into a 1.2 billion pound industry.
And, the one who is leading the charge in this food scene is none other than the food truck business.
They keep on serving food everywhere to their customers, whether it’s amidst the hustle and bustle of the towns or the serene environments of the countries.
They also serve food at various festivals. Some of the inspiring food truck business companies that have established their business with great fame are Honest Burgers, KERB, etc. They are truly inspiring for novices.
According to a recent survey, nearly 73 per cent of customers have expressed their likeliness towards the food trucks serving street foods in the UK.
Seeing all this progress in the food truck business UK, it’s always a good idea to start this business now.
Food Truck Business UK – Why The Demand?
The reasons why people choose food truck business dishes over others are –
- The deliciousness, uniqueness and creativity of the food items.
- Convenience.
- Affordability of the meals.
- Providing gourmet-quality food at a low price.
- The mobility of the food trucks.
Food Truck Business Plan For Launch – Steps To Follow:
1. Research:
To take any business to the height of success, proper research and planning is a must. A food truck business is no exception in this matter.
Research helps you identify the customer’s preferences regarding food. So, to bring popularity to your food truck business UK, you need to find the following –
- Which street food menu stands out from the crowd in terms of its uniqueness, taste and affordability?
- What types of street foods are trending at present?
- Which street foods exactly satisfy the taste buds of the clients?
- Which fusion dishes work best with which main course items?
Research says that some of the street foods that are in vogue right now are Korean barbecue tacos, Veg. burgers, etc. To know more about the competitiveness of the food items in the market, local food markets are the best place.
Notice everything with patience, which food vans are selling food items fast and which are not. The ones selling food items fast are the ones who make food more tasty than others.
Try to know the secret of their taste enhancement in food. Also, find out what items they are selling.
2. Planning Different Things and Getting Licenses and Permits:
Once you are done with it, the next thing you have to do is to make your food truck business plan work out. It is important to enhance profitability in your business using that plan.
Give your company a name first. Then, here are some things that you should find out or plan on –
- Which vehicle to purchase?
The vehicle cost depends upon your purchase of a vehicle (old or new).
- Which trading licenses and permits to get? What certifications do your trading area need?
The licenses and certifications most areas need are a street trading license (approximate price is 200 pounds to 1000 pounds), food business registration certifications (needs 28 days prior registration; free of cost), and food hygiene certification (50 pounds to 200 pounds).
You can register for your food truck business UK by visiting the environmental health department of the local authority.
The street trading license and food hygiene rating are also delivered by the local authority. You can insure your business by acquiring public and employer liability insurance.
- Which equipment do your food truck needs?
The basic ones usually include kitchen equipment (approximate price is 2000 pounds to 10,000 pounds), signage and branding, and energy-saving appliances (though high in price saves your money in the long term).
- The running costs of your food truck business in cities, suburban areas and rural areas.
Running your food truck business in cities usually costs more than that in suburban and rural areas.
However, the profit you get from the business is much more in cities, especially Central London than that you get in other areas.
3. Food Truck Acquisition and Design:
Did you get the permits? Now it’s time to acquire your food truck. You can purchase a new/old one or take it on lease. Visit a reliable supplier for the same.
Design your food truck. Decide which area to make a kitchen and which one to keep for serving purposes. Your truck must include all the necessary equipment. Some of them are –
- Cooking appliances.
- Refrigeration units.
- Point-of-sale systems, etc.
4. Menu Development and Sourcing:
After everything is done, deciding and finalizing your food truck business menus is important. Decide which prices to be kept for what portion of different menus.
Keep a consideration of your customer’s preferences before finalizing your menus.
Always choose to cook with high-quality ingredients. Only a reputable supplier can provide you with that. As you do your business, never violate the food safety and handling standards.
5. Marketing and Promotion:
As usual, marketing and promotion are inseparable parts of business. You need to do the same to make your food truck business UK reach the height of popularity.
There are many strategies available for the same, and you need to choose the most appropriate ones for your business. You can choose to do the following to make a reach of your business in public –
- Resort to social media marketing with the help of various social media networking sites.
- Advertise locally in online directories or by contacting local publications.
- Tie up with local events and festivals and serve your dishes.
6. Launch and Operations:
Is your business ready to launch? Then launch it and focus on the operations side. To run your food truck business smoothly, you need to hire employees for food preparation.
Also, hire staff to handle the customer service and food safety departments.
If needed, train them as per your requirements. Try to keep your truck in good condition. Timely maintenance is needed for that. The customer service your company provides must be exceptional.
7. Ongoing Evaluation and Post-Launch Improvement:
Here’s not the end! Wanna keep running your food truck business with great fame? Then, continuous evaluation of it after launch is also important.
If any problem is found, go for an immediate solution. Whether your business operations need improvement or not can be determined by –
- Customer feedbacks.
- Financial analysis.
- The demand level for food by customers and the need for refining your menus.
FAQ:
1. Is a food truck business profitable in the UK?
Yes, a food truck business is much more profitable in the UK than you expect. A smart person involved in this business can make up to 8400 pounds per month from it.
Conclusion:
So, launching a food truck business in the United Kingdom is not a tough matter. You just need to follow the important steps carefully.
Do all the necessary research and planning to uprise your business and execute it with care.
Besides, the extraordinary culinary skills and customer-friendly behaviour of your staff will only add more fame to your business.
