Description
Book SynopsisHow to start, grow, and succeed in the food truck business. Food trucks have become a wildly popular and important part of the hospitality industry. Consumers are flocking to these mobile food businesses in droves, inspiring national food truck competitions and even a show dedicated to the topic on The Food Network.
Table of ContentsForeword xiii
Matthew Geller
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction 1
Plan: Preparing for Success 7
Is the Trucker’s Life for Me? 9
Foundations for Success 18
Playing by the Rules 25
Picking a Concept 31
Assembling a Winning Team 49
The Business Plan 51
Raising Money 63
Start: Making It Happen 67
Administrative Necessities 69
Finalizing the Menu 78
Lay Out Your Kitchen 82
Procuring a Truck 87
Picking a Commissary 99
Branding Fundamentals 103
Hiring 109
Picking Vending Locations 112
The Opening Schedule 117
Succeed: Doing One Truck Right 121
Responsible Vending 123
Vending Locations 126
Managing the Team 132
Put It on Paper 135
Watching the Numbers 137
Refining the Menu 142
Social Media 145
Connecting with Customers 150
Seasonality 153
Maintenance 155
Grow: Moving beyond the Truck 157
Growth Opportunities 164
Contract Packing 171
Building the Right Infrastructure 174
Technology 176
Exiting the Food Truck Industry 179
Afterword 183
Appendix A Templates and Worksheets 185
Appendix B Food Truck Regulations, by City 205
Appendix C Social Media Guides 229
Appendix D Interviews with Food Truck Entrepreneurs 233
Notes 263
About the Author 265
Index 267
