Any thoughts on a food truck?

dopey

I have 2 little maggots that are 6&7 who cook with me every day (girls).  I've got some excellent sandwiches down with home made bread / pickles / smoked meats... etc.  I'm thinking about the teenage years when they can do some prep work on Sunday, work lunch during the week, and have the weekend to actually be with their friends instead of working a retail job.

Yeah, It's 10 years away, but not too early to come up with a business plan.  Does anyone have experience with this that can give some pitfalls to look out for?  It might never amount to anything, but I see what my wife's degree got her ( she doesn't work ) and I want to give them the option to be self sufficient without spending 400K of my money.

nolaegghead

The investment/work/return/regulations ratio is not that favorable.  That's why there aren't that many food trucks.  That said, your kids would be perfect - teach them something about business.  It's tough work unless you're just dishing out mundane food.  

Do it.

dopey

I figure if it's something that'll teach them, and I can live vicariously through them it could be a great learning experience for all of us.  I don't mind investing in their future, even if it's just a learning curve for some other venture they might be interested in.

Sea2Ski

Someone on here tried that two or three years ago. Not sure what the final outcome was.  I think his screen name was "badinfluence" but am not sure of that. Someone here will remember for sure. Once we have the name maybe you can PM them and get in touch them and pick their brain.  A search would probably turn up a result, but I am on a phone and already a little late for work.

Best of luck!! 

berndcrisp

Maggots(?) running a food truck is sure to fail.

pgprescott

Sea2Ski said:

Someone on here tried that two or three years ago. Not sure what the final outcome was.  I think his screen name was "badinfluence" but am not sure of that. Someone here will remember for sure. Once we have the name maybe you can PM them and get in touch them and pick their brain.  A search would probably turn up a result, but I am on a phone and already a little late for work.

Best of luck!! 

Larry (bad influence) passed away this last summer. Told me they enjoyed the experience, but as stated prior, it was A LOT of work. 

Good luck. 

Sea2Ski

pgprescott said:

Larry (bad influence) passed away this last summer. Told me they enjoyed the experience, but as stated prior, it was A LOT of work. 

Good luck. 

Oh wow, not that I knew him, but I admire anyone that takes a risk like that and follows their dream.  
He did that, so good for him. 

@dopey  if that is what you want to do, go for it. You get one life here, so do what you want with yours.  If you do your due diligence and make the best informed decision, not matter what happens, it is/was the right decision at the time. Hindsight is 20/20. What fun would life be if life was always hindsight?

Live your dreams and follow your heart, and you will not find yourself saying "I wish I...... but didn't" at the end.
Well, that is the way I am living mine at least. To each their own.

fishlessman

do they have the fancy homemade food type trucks in ct, up here its all cafeteria generic type trucks and assume all the food comes from the same sources. the only exception is freds franks in wakefield ma with the eggs on his.

Killit_and_Grillit

@dopey where are you located? (I'm on my phone...not sure if it's on your tag line)

in the food business it's location location location.  Having wheels under it doesn't change that too much. I have family members in Oregon that have a few and are doing very well. My sister and I have contemplated doing one here in Nashville due to their popularity, low overhead, current demand, and our ability to buy in to a currently thriving business model.

Restaurant business isn't easy though.  My family and I have done it for years since I was just a kid. It doesn't always bring everyone closer together. 

NPHuskerFL

A few years back we carefully considered this. Son is 22 and me a few years older. I'm in the HVAC/R industry and can also repair hot side equipment. Son almost has his BA and has been a cook for over 3 years. 
That said our area is saturated with roach coaches. They range from BBQ, Sammy style, ice cream & specialty galore. Key turn startup ranged from 45K-180K depending on how elaborate and equipment quality. Permits are required for each county, event and some areas require the rolling restaurant to be in a Corral of other food trucks on particular days at particular times.  Lots of gubmit regs and socialite areas tend to be even heavier on regulation. If you're going to do it you need to do a serious Market study if you want to be successful. Good luck.

https://youtu.be/oytywCDU9S4

dopey

I'm in CT and there are a few decent ones around a couple colleges and Hartford and New Haven, but beside major cities, there's not much.  I work outside, and I'd love to have a good lunch spot without having to find parking.  There's hot dog carts all over the place, but very generic all for profit ones, the kind you never go back to if you remember.

As far as the hard work goes, that's the part that makes me excited.  I was given an opportunity by my dad with the expectation that I wouldn't fvck it up.  15 years later, he works for me.  I want my girls to have the same sense of responsibility with said given opportunity.

evie1370

Here is a thought: start small maybe, like a large cart or so? I agree with a lot of the comments above about research in the area, etc. In the Cincy area Food Trucks were real popular for a while, but they pretty much reached their nadir-and many have gotten out of the business. The ones still going are limited for the most part to the downtown area for lunch and at our Craft Breweries-there is a real need for that as these guys do not serve food.

Just my thoughts-as stated above it depends on the demographics and needs of your area.

dopey

fishlessman said:

do they have the fancy homemade food type trucks in ct, up here its all cafeteria generic type trucks and assume all the food comes from the same sources. the only exception is freds franks in wakefield ma with the eggs on his.

It's mostly the same garbage that rolls around construction sites.  Finding a good one is tough anywhere but the shore and cities.

DoubleEgger

pgprescott said:

Sea2Ski said:

Someone on here tried that two or three years ago. Not sure what the final outcome was.  I think his screen name was "badinfluence" but am not sure of that. Someone here will remember for sure. Once we have the name maybe you can PM them and get in touch them and pick their brain.  A search would probably turn up a result, but I am on a phone and already a little late for work.

Best of luck!! 

Larry (bad influence) passed away this last summer. Told me they enjoyed the experience, but as stated prior, it was A LOT of work. 

Good luck. 

I didn't know that. RIP Larry

DoubleEgger

dopey said:

fishlessman said:

do they have the fancy homemade food type trucks in ct, up here its all cafeteria generic type trucks and assume all the food comes from the same sources. the only exception is freds franks in wakefield ma with the eggs on his.

It's mostly the same garbage that rolls around construction sites.  

The good ol' Roach Coach. 

kl8ton

Have you watched this? 

Chef https://g.co/kgs/dOIVNd 

It will want to get you motivated for a food truck. 

Grillin_beers

kl8ton said:

Have you watched this? 

Chef https://g.co/kgs/dOIVNd 

It will want to get you motivated for a food truck. 

That movie will also get you motivated to buy a panini press!  

NPHuskerFL

kl8ton said:

Have you watched this? 

Chef https://g.co/kgs/dOIVNd 

It will want to get you motivated for a food truck. 

Yes it will. Realistic expectations?  They travel City to City and serve food in every single area they stop with not one permit drawn. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from Hollywood though. Don't get it twisted the movie is good. And I've watched it countless times.

northGAcock

Extremely long hours, lot of work...and you are working while others aren't. If you have a family, and you value your time with them, I don't think it is a good career choice. I get your thinking that you could spend some time with them in the business....but be prepared to miss out on a lot of their sporting events, plays, or other school activities. I have worked in the food industry for many years. If you don't have a serious passion for this....your chances of financial success are minimal. I don't mean to be a downer...but hopefully a realist. 

If it is for you....I wish you all the best. Go for Greatness. 

NewBerlinEggprentice

@dopey I was looking on Craigslist the other day for a griddle and this popped up.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tro/5967053289.html

fishlessman

dopey said:

fishlessman said:

do they have the fancy homemade food type trucks in ct, up here its all cafeteria generic type trucks and assume all the food comes from the same sources. the only exception is freds franks in wakefield ma with the eggs on his.

It's mostly the same garbage that rolls around construction sites.  Finding a good one is tough anywhere but the shore and cities.

the crowds move up here, winter everyone stays in the cities, summer the beach bars are packed and the local bars are empty.  you would need two locations and change the food by the seasons probably. freds franks is a captured audience on a lake, lots of walkers, town has a parking area behind it. lots of problems from the town and neighbors complaining, but the location is pretty good, rain and snow wipes the business out, closed til early spring now

NPHuskerFL

DoubleEgger said:

pgprescott said:

Sea2Ski said:

Someone on here tried that two or three years ago. Not sure what the final outcome was.  I think his screen name was "badinfluence" but am not sure of that. Someone here will remember for sure. Once we have the name maybe you can PM them and get in touch them and pick their brain.  A search would probably turn up a result, but I am on a phone and already a little late for work.

Best of luck!! 

Larry (bad influence) passed away this last summer. Told me they enjoyed the experience, but as stated prior, it was A LOT of work. 

Good luck. 

I didn't know that. RIP Larry

Seriously???
That's the first time hearing about this. 
RIP Larry @badinfluence

pgprescott

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/lawrence-grant-obituary?pid=1000000181877235

I'm sorry, it was October when he passed. Here is the local obituary.

He loved his Meat Monster!

bgebrent

pgprescott said:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/lawrence-grant-obituary?pid=1000000181877235

I'm sorry, it was October when he passed. Here is the local obituary.

He loved his Meat Monster!

Damn, he was young.  RIP.

EggPerfection

Here in the extended city of Atlanta there's a truck called Happy Belly that makes great stuff and noticeably cooks with a BGE inside.  It's been going for years so it must be working profitably. 

lousubcap

@pgprescott - thank you for the information on Larry aka badinfluence .  He was a passionate contributor to the forum and well eggsperienced given his collection.  Waaaaay  too young.  

YEMTrey

I had no idea about Larry @badinfluence.  Thanks for sharing @pgprescott.

jeffwit

Didn't know that about @badinfluence, either. He hooked me up in the rub/sauce exchange last summer. RIP. 

Jeremiah

I didn't know either. Very sad. Looks like he had young kids too. 

nolaegghead

I had him in the rub exchange once.  Sent me some good stuff

HeavyG

The problem with food trucks (and craft beer) is that we may be at or near the peak of those bubbles.

Ten years from now I wouldn't be surprised if numbers for both are much smaller.

Or...maybe much higher. The future can be mysterious.