Food trucks have been growing in popularity over the last number of years, catering to just about every cuisine imaginable. In fact, according to reports, more than 2.5 billion eat street food every single day. With figures like that it’s no wonder that we are in the middle of a street-food revolution in Australia.
However, with such a dramatic rise in the number of custom food trucks serving the public, it’s crucial that you stand out from the crowd. Your truck design, the food you serve, your staff, business sense and your management skills will all be critical factors in ensuring your food truck stands the test of time.
Continue reading to find out how you can boost your food truck business in the New Year and beyond.
Create a Brand
Like any business, having a clear, defined brand is critical to establishing and growing your business. You need to ensure that your business stands head and shoulders above the rest of the competition and people remember who you are and what you stand for.
Naming your food truck, choosing an attractive design, implementing a vibrant colour scheme and designing a versatile but definitive logo will all be essential elements in establishing your brand. Back this up with solid business ethics that represent your brand and you’ll be off to a great start.
Conduct Thorough Market Research
As tempting as it can be to dive in and get started right away, make sure you properly analyse the market first. Pulled pork sliders might be the food of the moment, but if there are already established trucks catering to this market, it will be very difficult for you to break in.
You need to consider what people want, what you can offer and what is already in the local marketplace. Identify the opportunities. Remember too, that your research and analysis should continue long after you open your windows. Continuing to meet the needs of your customers and adapting to their requirements shows that you care and will help you build a loyal customer base.
Build the Right Team
Your employees are the face of your business and you need to ensure that that face is friendly. Put time into recruiting the right people for the job. Not everyone is cut out for the service industry and bad service will spell bad news for your business – that’s a guarantee.
Look for candidates with experience, who are friendly, outgoing and have a positive attitude. Keep in mind that the food truck business can be stressful at times. You need team members who can handle pressure, who you get on with and who enjoy interacting with the public.
Consistency is Key
Establishing a reputation in your area is one thing, but maintaining that reputation is the real challenge. Introduce procedures, use the same recipes every day and make sure that the customer is always getting the same amazing product each time they visit your truck.
Staff training is key to making this happen. Not only will training your staff properly ensure that you have consistency in your food but overall you will become a much more efficient operation. Ultimately this will lead to an increased bottom line every month and your truck becoming an established part of the food truck scene.
Keep on Trucking
Building and maintaining a food truck business in today’s competitive marketplace comes with its fair share of challenges. However, with some careful planning, a great team and smart business sense, there’s no reason you can’t compete in this exciting industry in 2018 and beyond.
Let your staff and your customers know that you are there to help. Be regularly present in your business and show your team and your clients just how much you care about the success of your food truck. Your positivity and energy will no doubt rub off on them and will be a true recipe for success.
