You will need to apply for a permit to sell alcohol if you want to operate a food truck within these parameters. We'll handle your info according to our privacy statement. Food Truck How to Build a Food Truck Best POS Systems for Food Trucks: 10 Must-Have Features (2023) Sign up to get industry intel, advice, tools, and honest takes from real people tackling their restaurants' greatest challenges. You can also purchase a new food truck directly from a manufacturer like 800BuyCart. To start a food truck, you need a competitive and appealing concept, a viable business plan, a fully equipped food truck, and a solid marketing strategy to build your customer base. These food truck alternatives come with some similar requirementsyoull still need to cook from a licensed kitchen and have a food safety certificatebut the startup costs and outlay of time are much lower. An older food truck will already be set up for business, and cost a fraction of the cost of a new truck. Mobile Food Permit Application (PDF) Mobile Food Type I Guidelines (PDF) Mobile Food Type II Guidelines (PDF) Mobile Food Type III Guidelines (PDF) Permit Exemptions (PDF) Promotional Sampling (PDF) Route Sheet (PDF) Contact Us Email Physical Address 1645 E Roosevelt Street Phoenix, AZ 85006 Phone : 602-506-6824 Fax : 602-372-6043 Read thousands of case studies and get inspired. It will provide the basis for your truck design and uniforms (if you have them). All vendors are required to have at least one third of their menu comprised of products produced in Arizona. &``D2"@*LKAd3~)$F30]6q@L` The average cost to start a food truck can be anywhere between $70,000 to $130,000. DBA can also be referred to as a fictitious name, assumed name, or trade name. If you are forming an LLC, you have already registered your business name and do not need a DBA. When evaluating other trucks, take note of their: Visit local trucks and note their service style, menu size, and parking locations, as well as how busy they are. It takes just minutes to apply for a food truck loan at Food Truck Lender. A website can also give your business the polish of offering a business email address that is branded with your truck name. Custom Food Truck Advertising Takeovers. The state and city youre conducting business in, The value and type of personal business property you have to insure, The number of different locations and events you attend each year, If your equipment adheres to various commercial cooking standards, How much equipment is installed permanently and moved around in your truck to various events, Refrigerators and ovens are working properly, Hot and cold water are available with adequate pressure, Fire extinguishers and first aid kits available on board, Professional installation of essential equipment, Local regulations designed to protect traditional restaurants, Underestimating the daily number of hours needed. Food trucks can cost from $3,250 for a secondhand trailer to as much as $300,000 for a new, custom-built truck. If there are truck agents in your area, leasing is an attractive option because leases tend to come with lots of included service. A good food truck POS system will track your supply levels, prompt you when your stock is low, help you count inventory, and track every cash transaction (reducing the likelihood of employee theft). What makes The Food Truck League Arizona's #1 source for . (Image from Border Grill Truck and Catering). (Image from Charleston-SC.gov). Start a Food Truck. Like any other business venture, the food truck industry offers both advantages and disadvantages. Here are our top picks for the best places to park your food truck in Arizona: Theres a reason the food truck craze has taken off in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is lower than in other states, so you wont have to spend much money to start up your own food truck. One thing that often gets overlooked when starting up a new business is how much money youll need to get started. Some cities require permits to operate a food truck in their neighborhoods. The staff you hire should fill in skills you lack or areas you cannot pay attention to. If you want to learn more about the Grilled Addiction story we encourage you to visit their website. This license was created by the Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) and is called a sales tax certificate. Freelancer sites like Fiverrlet you browse portfolios from freelance graphic artists whove designed both simple food truck logos and full vehicle wraps, with prices starting at just $5. Every state, county, and major city has its own laws regulating food trucks and street vending. Its a lot of fun, you are somewhere different everyday, doing something different and meeting new people, so it keeps it interesting. After getting an idea of what regulations youll need to meet and what types of food work well in your area, you can narrow down a concept and name your food truck. Ann Arbor; . How to Open a Food Truck You can get this license plate when you first purchase your food truck, or you can buy it later. Youll need to obtain a Business License if you want to sell prepared foods off-site. But before you can open your doors, there are a few things that need to be done first. The food truck business is demanding but, ultimately, rewarding if you take the time to create a careful business plan with market research and a solid marketing strategy. These groups work together to encourage local regulations that are food truck friendly, which cant help but boost everyones business. (Image from Apollo Manufacturing), A custom truck build can convert a vintage vehicle like this Citroen conversion. Its also close to New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma. At Starter Story, our goal is to help you make these decisions by giving you the information and answers you need - from 4,403 successful founders that already went through it firsthand. A full truck wrap lasts from three to five years and should be installed by professionals. Youll likely want to purchase some of your own small equipment like a food processor, baking sheets, and Cambro containers to store your prepped food and transport it to your truck. Know someone interesting that should be interviewed on the website? In order to operate a food truck in Arizona, you need to apply for a state-issued permit. What does that look like?". Once you have all the required documents, you can begin applying for temporary registration. There are pros and cons to both of these options. Youll also need to separate your personal finances from your business finances by opening a business bank account. Most people dont have immediate access to the kind of capital required for starting a food truck. Zoning regulations determine where you are permitted to park your truck for service, what types of neighborhoods are not permitted, and where you can park your truck overnight. Other states prohibit vehicles that require a CDL from operating as food trucks. The food truck industry is growing in popularity and many people are now looking to start their own businesses. Decide on a business name for your food truck. The Lunch Bag's Arthurene Smith on Being a One-Woman . We would highly recommend the flagship Aioli Burger Applewood smoked bacon, garlic aioli, and caramelized onions make this a burger not to be missed. Or use an app-based menu-maker like the one offered by Canva. Brett Lindenberg is the founder of Food Truck Empire and Food Empire Pro. It also offers several programs that help small businesses get off the ground, such as the Small Business Development Center Network and the Arizona Commerce Authority. Your website is also a great place to post your event calendar or a contact form for catering orders. 5-Tips from Phoenix-area Food Truck Owners Article published on AZCentral.com that was based on a panel discussion moderated by Republic dining writer Jennifer McClellan about the future of food trucks. Hosting services like Bluehost offer plans that let you register a custom domain name, host your website, access a WordPress web builder, and get a business email address for just $3.95 per month. How To Start A Food Truck Business In Arizona, Create A Plan For Your Food Truck Business, Get A Food Truck And A Commercial Space In Arizona, Obtain The Necessary Operation Permits And Licenses For Your Food Truck In Arizona, Food Truck Inspection Checklist In Arizona, Food Truck Fire Inspection Checklist In Arizona, How Much Money You Need To Start A Food Truck Business In Arizona, Next Stop In NJ: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks In New, Food Wins In WA: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks In, Infused Flavors In IL: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks In, Incredible Deals In IN: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks, Park Up In PA: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks In, Get Messy In MA: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks In, New Or Used? Filing fees vary from state to state, but forming an LLC isnt necessarily expensive. Fill Out the Application. Each county sets its own fees for food truck permits. We provide a fun atmosphere with a plethora of innovative or traditional choices of gourmet food trucks for any size group or family. If you get a lot of catering inquiries, it might make sense to hire an event salesperson to send estimates and wrangle catering contracts. Most trucks operate with a staff of at least two to four employees. As always, check out the live Phoenix food truck map above or on the Roaming Hunger app to find the most accurate, up-to-the-minute location info for all trucks listed, alongside countless more options. Find Trucks. Unlike what you see on The Great Food Truck Race, most food truck food is not prepared from start to finish on the truck itself. On average, it costs about $55,000 to open a food truck in the U.S. For maximum impact, post regularly, and be sure to use any local hashtags to help your business get discovered. A DBA is a new name a business operates under their legal name. The permit applications are listed by category. Without a solid plan, you could run into difficulties later on down the line. Confirm that your vehicle meets all health department requirements. You want to consider consumer demand, but food trucks are known for their clever remixes and personal flavor. Our restaurant name generator can get your creative juices flowing. Depending on legal fees, customization, state, and niche, a food truck owner can end up paying as little as $10,000 for their business or as much as $250,000. This means that food trucks located within these parameters can now set up shop outside of bars and clubs and serve alcohol. Regardless of your budget, you should invest in the best quality truck you can afford. You may wish to open accounts with local wholesalers rather than just national distribution chains. 172 0 obj <>stream We have seen countless Starter Story readers join us, get inspired, and change their lives through the businesses theyve built. You dont need to spend thousands of dollars to get a professional-looking food truck website. The Cost Of Owning And Running A Food Truck, Food Trucking In TX: Your Ultimate Guide To Food Trucks In, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbzwaJkoRrQ, Food Truck Saturday Event In Avondale Arizona (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbzwaJkoRrQ), 25 Mouthwatering Best Street Pork Recipes, 25 Best Street BBQ Recipes From Around The World, 25 Deliciously Sweet Street Cupcake Recipes, 25 Best Street Pizza Recipes From Around The World, 25 Delicious & Hearty Cheeseburger Street Recipes, 25 Delicious Gyro Street Recipes For A Taste Of The Mediterranean, 25 Top Street Fries Recipes From Around The World. What is required of them? You dont need a huge space or expensive equipment to run a food truck. Used food trucks come fully equipped with helpful features like awnings. We hope this article has covered everything you need to know to set up a successful food truck in Arizona! If you have an active fanbase of friends and family who support your food truck concept, crowdfunding can provide some or all of your opening budget. (3) How did you get to 10, 100, and 1,000 customers? (Youll realize that you can do it, too.). Temporary and Seasonal Food Establishments are approved to operate at the single event for which a permit was issued. Youll be able to find most small equipment at a local restaurant supply or kitchen store. Learn from founders and find your next idea. With your menu, permits, and truck in hand, its time to finalize your equipment needs and set up accounts with wholesale vendors. Our guide on how to make a business website will walk you through the process. Phoenix Street Food Coalition This is an organization of street food vendors in Phoenix. Contact your local motor vehicle department for lesser-known parking restrictions. Wash it all down with their house-made jar lemonade! Subscribe to On the Line If you fail to obtain proper insurance, you could be held liable for damages caused by another party. When it comes to choosing the right food truck for you, your main consideration will be whether to buy a new or an older truck. You can learn more about this festival or download an application for your food truck at the website. Does all equipment need to be professionally installed? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the ins and outs of running a successful food truck business in Arizona. The Chicago Brick Oven 750 is a hooded brick oven. Your business plan will give you a great jumping-off point to create a compelling crowdfunding page. Open Air Market This is located at the Phoenix Public Market. LICENSES & TAX IDS All Food truck Food truck businesses/entities need a business license and an EIN. The benefit, of course, is that everything is new, built for purpose, and usually under warranty. The Environmental Services Department cares about the health of our customers, employees and the community. You or your catering clients can rent those to match the events color schemes. Investing in a quality food truck from the beginning minimizes your risk of incurring repair expenses down the road. State of Arizona Department of Transportation 1324 N 22 nd Avenue, MD128A, Phoenix AZ 85009 . And we are asking more every day. Register your food truck business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other tax authorities. (Image from NYC BBQ), Foods that are shelf-stable at room temperature like breads are excellent cottage foods. Be clear with what tasks the potential employee needs to perform, what experience they need, and what licenses or education are required. Here are some tips to make sure your food truck is parked in the right place: To have complete food truck insurance coverage, you will need five kinds of insurance. You will need various licenses to cover your truck, your prep kitchen, yourself, and sometimes your individual employees. You may also need to acquire parking permits for your truck. For a detailed look at crowdfunding, see our guide on how to crowdfund a small business. We put together a guide on how to start a food truck, with real life examples and data points here. If you accept orders online or over the phone, have that information in your social media biography as well. This applies to all food establishments on wheels. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Los Angeles requires that all food trucks post No Smoking signage on their trucks. (Image from Road Stoves), A new Mercedes Sprinter Van can be converted to a food truck. Your food truck business plan should include the following sections: When preparing your business plan, make sure that you include all the details. Lance always had a knack for grilling and their dream food truck would reflect that concept. It is important to have a detailed plan in place so you are prepared for what lies ahead. Popular cooking chain Sur La Table even offers a 10% discount to culinary professionals. (Image from Flash Forward Wraps), Houstons Juiceton truck showcases handpainted murals. There are also vegetarian options available. In accordance with A.R.S. By purchasing a used truck, you typically can get a fully outfitted truck for around $50,000, although you will have to repaint the outside and possibly renovate the inside of the truck to match your business. However, older vehicles are more likely to need some repairs done over time and could cost you more in the long run. You must complete this process at least three days prior to opening your business. Select the one that's right for your project. 5. You can typically find out your local regulations by putting in a few phone calls, one to your city or county health department and your city or county clerks department. A post shared by Aioli Gourmet Burgers (@aioligourmetburger). The state has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the nation and provides many incentives for businesses, including low-cost electricity, water, and sewer service. Ann Arbor; Atlanta; Austin; Baltimore; . Put together a guide on how to start a food truck from the beginning minimizes your risk of repair. Regulating food trucks come fully equipped with helpful features like awnings to operate at the Phoenix Public.. Decide on a business website will walk you through the process advantages and disadvantages a. Ll handle your info according to our privacy statement already registered your business the polish of offering a business under!, Utah, Colorado, Texas, and cost a fraction of the of. 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