Author: CMK

Categories: Food Trailers

“Used Food Trailer For Sale!”- Why Buying New May Be Better For You

Search Google for “used food trailers” and you’ll fetch thousands of results.

If you’re anxious to get rolling into the mobile food industry, buying a used food trailer may seem like an attractive option.
Of course, buying used has it’s perks. Lower initial costs are typically the main driver behind purchasing pre-owned vs. new, but the ease of having a trailer that’s already up and running stands to be another big influencer in entrepreneurs considering pre-owned food trailers.

Should I Buy A New or Used Food Trailer?

There may be valid reasons why a used food trailer may serve you better than new, at this point in time.

In our experience, those looking to start quickly making consistent profit benefit more from a new, custom trailer. Buying new provides a peace of mind that used trailers can’t usually live up to, but the decision ultimately comes down to what your business needs at this time.

How much of a budget do you have?

Do you have an intricate, unique design envisioned for your food trailer?

What menu have you created?

Unless you are a seasoned veteran, buying a used food trailer can land you in somewhat of a pool of hot water down the line. This is particularly true of older food trailers; they are infamous for surprises down the line.

If you’re gearing up to head to the auction, we’ve shared some things to consider- and remember, keep your budget and business plan in mind before handing over the cash.

The Low Cost of a Used Food Trailer May Not Stay That Low

The saying goes – “you get what you pay for.”

And that isn’t to say that used food trailers out there on the market are pieces of trash, because quite honestly, you can find some great buys out there.

But a lot of the time, the money you save buying new actually dwindles as time goes on. Unfortunately, you end up throwing back into the trailer.
When you work with a reputable manufacturer and designer, you’re privy to a few things that keep your pockets happy down the line.

The chance of having to foot for costly repairs is much lower, but if problems arise- you’re covered by service and parts warranties. With used trailers, you’re on your own.

And typically, buying used trailers means buying older- and older models, like anything else, are prone to more mechanical issues.
You can very quickly find that what you saved initially is being handed back to a repair shop.

(While these horror stories of used cars are slightly unrelated, they gave us a chuckle anyway.)

Another thing to consider is the money you’ll spend making it yours. It’s quite unlikely that you’re going to find a used trailer that’s built the way you want (and need) from the get-go, so you will need to account for the money you’ll spend on those last few levels of customization.

Consider the money you may have to spend adding components as well- appliances, extra counter space, exterior wrapping for your branding etc.

If the price is too good to be true, there is always a reason why.

Your Food Trailer Needs to Be Built For YOU

In a brick and mortar kitchen, you have the space to reinvent. If areas of the kitchen don’t work for you, you can use additional space to make your kitchen work how you need it to.

That isn’t really the case with food trucks and food trailers, where every square inch counts in the kitchen.

There’s not really a whole lot of square inches to spare, right? That’s why your kitchen design and layout- including appliances- have to align with your vision.

(These ten food trailer owners needed customization from the get-go to achieve these beauties.)

Your vision includes your menu, your branding, your service procedures, your storage needs etc. It’s very unlikely that a used food trailer is going to be built to suit how you envisioned your new business.

When you work with a dealer to build and design your trailer, you’re starting from scratch and can customize it down to the inch just for you.
With no hidden costs. Talk about keeping the wallet happy.

Quality Decreases in Older Food Trailers

Used food trailers are typically older, and depreciation becomes a real thing to consider.

The quality of the trailer- the exterior, interior and mechanical set up- deteriorates overtime. To the untrained eye, it might be hard to see the declines in quality.

Not only can these present unexpected, costly repairs but it will ultimately put your food trailer out of business until they’re dealt with.
Loss of consistent income can hit harder than repair bills, and with depreciating assets, you can never really predict when problems will arise.

One breakdown after another could mean the difference between you rolling into profit or just sitting stationary.

(Yes, we know we’ve used the rolling joke TWICE now, but crafting puns for food trailers is harder than it seems.)

Does The Trailer Meet Regulations & Health Standards?

Sigh, we know. The regulations, licences, permits and codes surrounding food trucks are overwhelming to say the least.

And as these mobile food veterans share, the paperwork and standards your trailer has to meet are tough as is.

Used food trailers, especially older models, sometimes don’t stack up to meet your zones regulations. It’s crucial that your food truck is built to reach compliance, or at least be built to be adapted to do so.

It seems like a reoccurring theme, but the cost of bringing your used trailer up to standard can far surpass the initial savings of opting for used over new. It takes a while too- you could be looking at a long time without bringing in revenue while you wait.

Dealerships build and design food trucks to not only meet general standards, but they customize food trailers to meet compliance in different geographical areas. The bonus of working with a dealership is also their knowledge of permits and licensing; they can assist you during the process and really streamline this part of initial set up.

It’s like having someone do your homework for you. Awesome.

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Categories: Food Trailers

10 Of The Most Insane Food Trailers

You might think that food trailers- as small and compact as they are- would likely cap out when it comes to design and functionalities.

How many things can you actually do with them?

How many ways can you actually design them before they start to look the same?

And how many cuisines can you serve out of these babies?

Well, as these food trailer owners below show- a whole, whole lot.

These Food Trailers Go Beyond Cool- They’re Genius

Cuppy’s Coffee & Smoothies

Cuppys Coffee & Smoothies

Even small, small trailers can be made into something pretty sweet. This little beauty serves – yep, you guessed it- coffee and smoothies. So, the cubicle is entirely too small for a full blown kitchen but this proves even the smallest trailers can be adapted to something successful and profitable.

(We know coffee is profitable by the amount we spend on it per week, here at the office.)
Correct window placement and lighting, shows even the smallest trailer can be made into something eye catching.

The unknown trailer bar

Unknown

You’re not seeing things- this is a food trailer turned bar.

We want to go as much as you do.

Highly customized, this was likely built by a food truck expert- because that is A LOT of work. But man, does it pay off.

The bar has 10 seats in total, which is actually as many seats as some small brick and mortar bars. The bartender is cleverly placed at the forefront, with a rolling pedway to send drinks and glasses down.

Imagine sitting at this overlooking the Okanagan?

Scout & Sage Gin Bar

Gin Bar

It must be Friday, because we are really liking the cocktail inspired food trailers.

Again, depicting that size doesn’t really matter, this gin bar houses a decent size bar and serving area with beautiful branding.

The stop is designed to focus on gin-based cocktails and highballs, with a full bar housing mixers, garnishes and different cocktail glasses.

Did we mention the branding? Minimalist, sleek and subtle.

Tiki Taco

Tiki Taco

A perfect example of how the simplest trailer can be turned into something just plain adorable.

This small, bare bones trailer was turned into a cute taco trailer, with a kitchen then pumps out fresh, creative tacos, burritos, quesadillas and salads.

A staple at the South Island Beer Festival in NZ, Tiki Taco is known for it’s beef burrito. All of their food is grown locally and organically, making the take off of this food truck super easy with millennial’s

Summer Street Restaurants

Summer Street

Food trailers that have turned into a Bangkok chain- Summer Street restaurants.

Bangkok is FULL of food trailers and food trucks. Mobile kitchens are somewhat of a way of life there, with street food playing a huge role in Thai culture.

With seating around the back and front, the trailers serve up fresh seafood and sides; the trailer is kitted with a full kitchen and storage units, showing the ability for high functionalities in these compact little gems.

Twisting Roots

Twisting Roots

This trailer park themed food trailer is a hit across the entire US nation. Starting out in Texas, the rustic and unique design & branding of the bar caught many eyes in the mobile food industry before they even tried the food.

Which by the way, is a mix of homemade burgers, tacos, fries, pulled pork sandwiches, seafood, sandwiches and even fried plantains. So yeah, the kitchen in this RV trailer is full, full function.

The plus? You can order with a beer.

The Shallow Bakery

The Shallow Bakery

The cute, girly and slightly animated design of this sweet looking food trailer is a definite eye catcher.

The size of this food trailer doesn’t seem to matter, as the trailer houses the space and tools to churn out delicious cupcakes and freshly roasted coffee.

There isn’t too much customization in terms of additions etc. but this shows even a basic trailer can be turned into a clever little pod with the right eye.

The cute cupcake up top helps too, we think.

Yep – that’s a pizza oven!

Pizza

Another unknown on the list, but we couldn’t not give this one a mention.

A pizza oven built into a food trailer? Apparently. The capabilities of these mobile kitchens are insane- you can turn a food trailer into almost anything for any cuisine.

These pizza ovens mimic those found in wood fire pizza restaurants, some as fast as 90 seconds for a piping hot pizza.

A pizza made to order is possible anywhere. Who would have known?

Lolita Food Caravan

Lolita

Design, design, design. We cannot get over this design.

Serving up classic Mexican food, from appies to desserts, this food truck has been built to mirror a modern brick and mortar fast-casual restaurant. The bright lights, the risen menu board and overall look of this food trailer is plain rad.

Travelling anywhere and everywhere, you can see this beautiful food trailer at some of the busiest festivals and food related events in the country.

Carpe Donut

Carpe Donut

Carpe Donut needed a mention because of their unwavering commitment to organic, healthy and local ingredients.

Not typically found within the realm of delicious baked goods, it’s these ingredients that have scored them both a well known food truck and physical store in Charlottesville.

And according to their website, they’re certain that you’ve never tried donuts like this before.

Challenge accepted. Ship them, Carpe Donut!

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Categories: COVID-19

Food Truck Sales Increase During COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has broken the Internet and made a huge impact in the lives of business owners around the globe.
With the rightful emphasis being placed on social distancing and increased sanitization measures, brick and mortar restaurants around the world have been forced to close their doors in the midst of the largest global pandemic since the early 1900’s.
With self isolation the main priority of many around the world, you may assume that takeout and fast food sales have dwindled- especially with reduced hours, dining room closures and a societal fear of coming too close.
This however, does not triumph society’s need for quick, convenient and healthy food on the go.
Many are still working, particularly in the essential service industries. Many are still travelling, and finding complete self isolation almost impossible in contrast to our usual hectic, constantly moving lives. Many still struggle to cook daily.
Which would explain why, even among the pandemic scare, food truck sales have increased.

Food Trucks Have Not Been Slowed Down by COVID-19 Truck

We can’t deny that some areas, and some food truck businesses have taken a hit. Depending on the societal outlook of certain areas and the government’s intervention during COVID-19, some food trucks have been forced to relocate to areas where demand for elevated fast food is still soaring high.
Skip The Dishes has seen a major increase in demand during COVID-19, with increased sanitization and protection measures in place to keep the swing of mobile food delivery going.
New comers to the game, such as Door Dash, have also seen a notable increase in sales- with contactless delivery appearing to settle hungry minds.
Local governments have had their chance to make their own modifications to the mobile delivery system; seeing the popularity of these services and the increased demand from people has prompted them to make changes aimed at keeping limited contact food delivery alive.
The BC Government has allowed take out providers to now deliver booze with food items; out of work servers with valid Serving It Right certification will have the opportunity to deliver these orders to help curb economic impacts from job loss.
Food trucks, although a little slower on growth during this time, have also seen an increase in sales.
“People see us take out stations, but just a little different. There isn’t a tonne of people around, there aren’t lots of people working in the food trucks. It’s much easier for us to follow extra sanitization measures during the outbreak than bigger brick and mortar stores….. I don’t know, I was surprised. I was ready to take the hit, but sales have actually increased. – (Shelly Monfongo, owner of JellyCee food truck, Calgary.) Food truck and food trailer owners have found that strategically moving to more isolated locations- those outside of the downtown core and busy metro areas- has boosted their sales in a time where it’s expected they would shut down.

Food Trucks Feed the Demand for Convenient Food- At A Distance

The need for quick, fast food on demand hasn’t shifted during COVID-19; if anything, it has become stronger. The market is somewhat temporarily elevated and certainly modified- society is demanding fresh, healthy food on the go- but also at a distance.
Brick and mortar locations aren’t able to provide this service within a respectable proximity during this crisis.
Typical fast food options are available, but as the growth of the mobile food industry in the first place indicates- people still need something more.
Even in self isolation, or social distancing, a good chunk of the community struggle to source and prepare three meals a day for themselves and their family.
Many are concerned about the supply chain of big franchise, and where their product is coming from. Food trucks are notoriously known for using fresh, local ingredients, where risk can be monitored more effectively.
And ultimately, people are having a real tough time staying in their house 24/7 and see a quick venture out for a bite to be enough of a mental relief- for now.
The Nashville Food Truck Association has seen an increase in calls from neighborhoods demanding food trucks to roll up and post up in their area. With many areas enacting “Safer-At-Home” initiatives, food trucks have become an integral part at curbing the amount of people out and about looking for fast food.

Food Trucks Are Designed Perfectly for Limited Contact Food Service

The design and functionalities of a food truck don’t just suit well for a profitable business venture. They suit well as an alternative, a redesign of the mobile food industry that brings food more directly to the end consumer.
It limits the need for people to actively source and find food, and provides an opportunity for food to travel where it’s needed.
And in the midst of COVID-19, we are faced with two heavy demands: food on the go and the government saying stay home.
It would appear that food trucks are the closest thing to meeting both demands simultaneously.
The ability for food trucks to safely provide food on the go for our communities has shifted so rapidly, that this website was created to order food from trucks online- to pick up quickly and safely, or have it delivered for larger groups.
Even during a pandemic, most food trucks remain profitable- all while help serve the masses in the most safe way possible.

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Categories: Entrepreneur

8 Tips for Success That Food Trailer Owners Swear By

Word out there is that hindsight isn’t that strongly liked. To be fair, if you’re looking in hindsight there’s a good chance you’re looking for when a venture took a particular turn.
One man’s mistake is another man’s treasure. Good, or bad, hindsight can put forth some wicked advice for aspiring business owners.
Whether you’re looking to enter the market or you’re already there, insight from successful food trailer owners could make the difference between making money right off the bat or not.
Because as simple as a food trailer may be in terms of getting a trailer and designing your business, there still are moving parts within the actual trailers themselves and the industry that might not spring to mind.
So, if we talked to some insanely successful mobile kitchen owners- what would they have to tell you?

#1- Get Your Paperwork in Order Sooner Rather than Later

The paperwork and permits for mobile kitchens are a little excessive, we admit. For some reason, governments- city, provincial, federal- aren’t sure how to simplify the paper trail for operating food trailers. Make sure you understand the process and every single form is filled out. Make sure you have all the permits required, and absolutely read up on your local guidelines for mobile kitchens, as they do differ from place to place. In fact, most food trailer and truck owners share that the preliminary paperwork is by far the most stressful part of operating a mobile kitchen and that it surprised them how intensive the process is. While the payback is worth it, it can seem overwhelming; if you try to do it in a hurry, you will almost certainly miss things. Don’t rush. Start your paperwork months before you plan to launch and place it as your first task of business.

#2- It’s a Business, Not a Cooking Hobby

Be prepared to invest your time and skills into building your business. Just because the trailers are small, doesn’t mean the business plan should be. No matter how good your product is, you have to remember to consider other elements of a successful business when planning what, where, when, why and how you’re going to operate your mobile kitchen. Do your homework about your market, stay on top of trends and foodie movements, have a robust event calendar. A food trailer is not something to just make a mean burger out of and park anywhere you feel like. It’s still a strategic investment- it’s a reinvention of fast food.

#3- Make Sure Your Market is Ready for a Food Truck

For as big as the industry is, there are still areas that haven’t adapted the idea of food trucks yet. You would assume that they would be small, rural towns and that the big cities consider food trucks a staple.
Not quite true.
Food trailers may be known by most people, but some areas have not yet opened up their culinary doors to a consistent stream of mobile kitchens. It really depends on the social culture of an area, their needs for convenience and speed, and the culinary palette of your market. Bigger cities don’t necessarily mean a robust palette and you may find yourself in a market that doesn’t actually know what they want from that kind of culinary offering.

#4- Trademark Your Name

A lot of new business owners miss this step for some reason- perhaps if you don’t envision your food trailer expanding nationally. However, the mobile kitchen industry is a more tight knit community and your food trucks success may go more viral than you anticipate.
Got a cool name? Someone might just swipe it from provinces away.

#5- Don’t Upset Your Fellow Food Truckers

Food trailer owners have found that a huge chunk of their success has relied on the cooperation of other mobile kitchens in your operating area. With the market being tighter than some, networking is crucial and can make the difference between a well oiled machine (no pun intended) and a struggle to do things well.

#6- The Beginning Is Hard, So Roll Up Your Sleeves

Successful mobile kitchen owners have seen aspiring entrepreneurs enter the market and very quickly phase out. A common trend among the industry’s drop outs?
The assumption that a food trailer is easy work.
The demand for food trailers is sky high, but it’s coupled with the demand for fresh, unique and on trend food. Executing your product offerings to align with your markets demand means you’re going to have to put in the work from the very get-go. A food trailer will never run itself, and it takes time to get your operations to a point where you can fully staff your kitchen.
And don’t assume there won’t be hiccups with doing that either. When you rely on other people, you’re always running the risk that the don’t execute to your standards. In light of business slipping, if your staff are underperforming, be prepared to get right back in the kitchen.

#7- Don’t Limit Yourself to One Spot or Just Events

Look into catering with food trailers (link to blog). The big bucks lie in using your food trailer several different ways. The functionalities, mobility and size of these beauties make it easy to determine several revenue streams to make your mobile kitchen as profitable as can be. If you leave it up to just events to make money, you won’t be utilizing a really great business tool- that you own.

#8- Make Sure You Have a Great Mechanic on Your Side

Your ability to execute business relies on that engine, right? Without your vehicle, your food trailer is immobile and can’t do much for your wallet. Having your truck fail is like having the POS system at a restaurant fail- it’s just something you can’t ignore. Foster a great relationship with a mechanic in every city you operate in- you might have to pay premium, but the first time missing an event with your trailer because you’re waiting on a mechanic will soon change your mind about forking out for quick vehicle repairs.

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