1) Research Your Mobile Catering Business.

Firstly – start with some basic market research and make sure there is demand in your area for your service. Take a drive around and see what’s available is in your local area, can you  spot any plausible locations for your mobile catering business. Your aim should be to visit industrial estate, techno parks, car boot sales, and other industrial and commercial type places. Anywhere where they are plenty of people but not enough quality hot food providers.

2) Food and Hygiene Certificate

Get your food and hygiene certificate as you will need it to work with food – it’s a legal requirement and you can’t legally work without it. There are a number of ways in which you get your food and hygiene certificate. One way is to take a course at your local college and the other type is to find a course online which you can study for.This is know as distance learning and is becoming a very popular choice.

3) Find Your Money Location

Start looking for a pitch or a venue as soon as possible, so that you have a place to trade from permanently. Your truly want to establish your catering business for the long term and become profitable as you build your business. The location you choose is vital to the success of your business so make sure you get it right first time.

4) Time To Check Out Some Food Trailers

Start looking at catering trailers and mobile catering vans for sale - even if you don’t have finance in place – Make some appointments and take a look for yourself, get familiar with the size and type of trailer/van you want to buy. Think in terms of  will it fit your needs and accommodate the type of food you want to sell.

5) What To Offer In Your Menu

Establish your Menu – what kind of food do you want to offer to your customers – Will it be the traditional burger, hot dogs and bacon sandwiches or something a little different. Try and plan out what it is you want to sell. So you will know precisely the equipment you need in your food trailer.

6) Choose The Right Catering Equipment.

Catering equipment – Now you have a rough idea of your menu you can start thinking about what equipment you’re going to need. The basic equipment that most mobile caterers ordinarily start off with is a Tea Earn, Griddle (cook food like eggs, bacon, burgers, Bain Marie is to keep food hot and at the right temperature.And finally a fridge/freezer to keep milk, butter and meats cool and safe from harmful bacteria.

7) Register with Local Council /Government

 Register your food business with the local council or government as all food providers restaurants, fast food chains etc must comply with the law. Start with speaking to someone in your local council or government who will be able to advise you on registering your food business legally with them so that the required standards can be met.

Register To Pay Taxes

 Register as self employed – with your local government before you get started as you don’t want unwanted problems or bills, just because you forgot or didn’t take the time to find out about paying taxes. Ignorance is no longer a good excuse and in some cases you can be fined especially if you are start to earn money and have not declared it.

9) Liability Insurance

 Public liability insurance is necessary to protect you and your business from being sued by a member of the public. This is not a legal requirement but this is always recommend and is considered best practice. As a claim made against you could cause you a serious financial crisis or even bankrupt your business.

10) Catering Insurance

 If you can’t afford to replace it straightaway then insuring you catering trailer or catering van is a smart thing to do. Because if something were to happen to your food trailer, such as it being stolen or damaged. You would no longer be able to work and generate an income for yourself or your family, so don’t take the chance.

Finally

Use these 10 steps to launch your mobile catering business, and you will be on the way to being part of thriving million dollar industry. And a business when done correctly, will generate you a considerable and lucrative income for many years to come. Additionally having the freedom and satisfaction of owning and running your own business is priceless

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