Best friend has decided...

[dakcp2001]

I would think someone who wants to run a food business would be a good cook or have a specialty. She needs a well thought out plan and food service experience. I agree with the previous poster who said she should work for a year in a food truck to see how the business works.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Not sure about the food truck in this economy...but..

My favorite food truck was one that served home cooking and came to our building at lunch. (It was a big building so they made a lot of sales.) It was nice to be able to grab a home cooked meal fast, instead of eating something cold or fried. ( Most ate at their desk while they worked.)

My favorite was the pot roast plate that came with homemade mashed potatoes and carrots. They dished it up hot and ready to go, They served that everyday, a special of the week plate that changed, and I think some fresh raw fruit or veggies with dip in a grab and go container. Of course what made it sell was that it was really well prepared food. Like a chef Ramsey truck.

It was especially popular with us mostly single workaholics who chose lunch as our main meal of the day. ( We were too tired to eat at night.) That is why she really needs to research who she will be feeding!

 

[valee]

I agree with the suggestion to consider setting up a table at a farmer's market as a way to test what food items will be popular, and start with a food cart before you get tied to a food truck, If you get a cart, you'll need some type of vehicle to tow it to its operating location, but that also means that if the vehicle breaks down, the cart can still go out behind another vehicle. There was a popular local food truck that went out of business because transmission troubles meant he couldn't get to his customers.
You'll need to be tech savvy, because many jurisdictions only permit the truck to be stopped while it is serving. So you have to use social media to let your customers know that you're on your way, and have a line of customers waiting when you arrive.
I would seriously suggest getting to know some local food truck operators, and ask if you could volunteer to help out to get a sense of everything required (Don't forget you'll have to have clearance from the health department). It's more than dashing around on the truck, there's buying food and serving supplies, doing the food prep and cooking, doing the books, taking care of licensing, permits, and insurance, and cleanup.
I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
If I were going to try a food related business, I think I'd try to find some type of specialty item to make that I could sell to local caterers or directly to people planning parties, events, wedding, etc. I've got a co-worker who picks up extra money making diaper cake for baby showers (okay, I know that's not food, but you get the idea).

 

[Bob NC]

My biggest advice would be for her to EXTENSIVELY research all the laws related to food stands and food trucks.

The long time brick and mortar restaurant owners here are raising holy heck because they are paying for real estate/buildings/property taxes and every other expense under the sun only to watch a guy with a grill and a pack of hot dogs set up shop on the street in front of them.

The politicians ARE listening.

It's hard and getting harder for these types of food businesses to start up.

 

[lizabu]

My biggest advice would be for her to EXTENSIVELY research all the laws related to food stands and food trucks.

The long time brick and mortar restaurant owners here are raising holy heck because they are paying for real estate/buildings/property taxes and every other expense under the sun only to watch a guy with a grill and a pack of hot dogs set up shop on the street in front of them.

The politicians ARE listening.

It's hard and getting harder for these types of food businesses to start up.

I agree. The city I live in doesn't allow food trucks. I only see them at things like festivals and fairs. They aren't allowed to just park in the street and sell food. Even things like jams and jellies have to be prepared in a commercial kitchen. Making things like birthday cakes at home and selling them can get you fined here.