Food trucks form part of a multi-billion dollar industry. They line the streets and sidewalks of communities offering meals that are both delicious and affordable.
Considering having a mobile pizzeria? While it’s not as simple as buying a truck and cooking up some great food, it’s definitely possible to get it off the ground in a few steps.
Read on for a brief rundown on what it takes to start a mobile pizza business.
1. Get Your Documents in Order
If you’re serious about starting a mobile food truck that serves pizza, begin by planning your costs. Write a well-thought-out business plan that you can show to investors (if necessary). This will also serve as a guide for you.
Next, decide on a legal structure: do you want to be a sole proprietor, or will it be a partnership? It’s highly recommended to hire an attorney when registering your business to help you navigate the intricate waters of setting up your business properly.
2. Find a Truck
Once you’ve registered your business, start looking for a food truck and equipment. You should plan your costs considering the following:
- Food truck
- Ingredients and food
- Equipment
- Insurance
- Salary for employees
- Marketing
Be sure to do your research before purchasing any equipment. There are free resources to take advantage of, like the information found at pizzaovenreviews.com. Here you’ll learn all about the best pizza equipment on the market, along with tips and tricks to create the best pies for your clients.
3. Get Approved by the Board of Health
Consider the rules and regulations set in place by your state. Since you’ll be serving food, you’ll need to abide by the Board of Health regulations. You want to make sure you have the following in the case of a pop-up inspection:
- Proof of ownership
- Records of food purchase
- Food is stored at the proper temperature
- Health and fire codes are met
4. Obtain the Right Permits
Along with abiding with the Board of Health, you need all proper permits and licenses. The business licenses you’ll need depend on your state and its requirements. Visit your city’s website to learn more about proper documentation.
5. Think About How You’ll Prepare Your Food
When you have all your ducks in a row and ready to start operation, think about the food you’re going to serve. Where are you going to obtain your ingredients from? Are you going to prepare your food ahead of time or on-site? When preparing your recipes, make sure they’re easy to understand and can be repeated in large quantities.
6. Hire Employees
Once you set a launch date in mind, hire a reliable team of employees. If it’s a family business, this may be a simple step; however, if it’s just you, consider hiring help.
7. Figure Out Where to Park
Another challenge of having your own pizza food truck is deciding where to park. The fact that you’re mobile means you can go anywhere. Having the ability to go to wherever your customers are is a huge bonus. The restrictions of where you can and can’t park will be specific to your city; however, you should consult your local rules and regulations to learn what options you have.
8. Market and Promote
There are so many ways to promote your business. Here are some to consider:
- Plan a grand opening event
- Start a website
- Set up social media accounts
- Advertise around town
- Run promotions from time to time
9. Team Up With Food Delivery Services
Restaurants need to get creative if they want to survive in this industry. Thanks to food tech companies, staying afloat has become easier. Here are some food tech companies you’ll want to team up with to increase profits:
- DoorDash
- GrubHub
- Uber Eats
- InstaCart
These companies give your customers a way to get their food delivered directly to their houses. Also, using an app like InstaCart means you can get ingredients delivered to your truck when you’re running low on something. These food tech companies are great for emergencies and open doors to more clients.
10. Enjoy the Process
One of the best tips when starting a food truck business is having an open mindset and enjoying the process. Hire help when you need it and seek the advice of consultants when you’re unsure of how to move forward.
Starting a mobile pizzeria is going to take a lot of time, energy, and investment. Following the above steps will make this process more stress-free and enjoyable. Best of luck!
