Constructing food trucks
There is always a need for food trucks. You can buy a used vehicle but you are just inheriting someone else’s problems. The better option is to buy new and get all new equipment to work with.
However, when you buy a new customized food truck, it takes time to build one. There are certain steps involved that influence the look and organization of the food truck.
Steps to build a new food truck
#1. Know what you want
Before the design stage takes place there are three main questions that have to be asked and answered. These questions are:
- What type of food will you make?
- What equipment will facilitate that menu?
- What is your budget?
The last question is very important as it will determine the type of equipment you get in the food truck. Each question needs to be thoroughly answered as all three will influence the other steps in this construction process.
Make sure you have answered the questions correctly as they cannot be changed midstream.
#2. Picking the right truck
A very important step and there are two ways to do it. First, you can buy the truck and then fit the design to it, or you can create the design and fit the truck to the design.
While there is no right or wrong answer here, one answer is better than the other. It is better to fit the truck to your design as that will cut down on alterations and other hassles that arise when you try to fit the design into the truck.
Choosing the right truck will take some time, even though there are lots of food truck designs available. You need to have a truck that will fit your purpose. Will you be mobile all the time or will you sit in one spot every day?
The truck needs to be strong and durable enough to meet the challenges of where you will be operating. It also needs to be able to carry all the equipment, supplies, and workers easily. Not to mention be fuel efficient when driven.
#3. The fuel and power stage
Once you have the design and the type of truck you want, you now have to be concerned about powering your equipment. Food trucks have to meet certain government regulations in the area you will be operating.
Some key questions will be how much voltage will you need? Will you use propane or natural gas to power the stove and other appliances? What type of generator will be the best to use or will you use solar power?
Another problem to solve will be emissions. It is a difficult road to travel in this area of a food truck operation. Powering your generator can be done in two ways. You can draw from the truck’s fuel tank or use the fuel tank on the generator.
Keep in mind that these tanks will run out of fuel and you will have to stop what you are doing to refuel them. That means you will have to have some fuel cans ready to go.
#4. Creating and organizing the food truck
You have your design for the equipment already but there are some other key details that come into play. The first thing that has to be decided is what type of flooring you want. This has to be non-slip, non-flammable, but also easy to clean.
Then you have to take into account the rising temperatures inside the truck. Your employees, or yourself need to have proper ventilation so they do not suffer from the heat.
After that, your design should include easy access to all food and other cooking items you need inside. This design should have easy access while leaving room for your workers to move about without worry.
Finally, when you decide on the type of truck you want, you need to include where to put the emergency exits. This may be difficult to do with small food trucks. All of this may be influenced by local regulations governing the food truck industry
#5. To have a throne or not
One of the most important decisions for a good food truck is the decision to have a bathroom or not. Different cities have regulations on this issue and you may need to park within a certain distance from a public washroom that has soap and water.
Or you can build your truck with holding tanks, just like RVs have them, and keep the bathroom on site. The latter option means you need to find a convenient dumping station, take time to clean those tanks and those holding tanks may affect your overall design.
You will need to provide space for the bathroom if you want to have one onsite and help improve productivity on the part of your workers. It is a tough decision but different cities may have made it for you. Check all regulations before you do step one.
#6. Branding the food truck
This is the last step but it is also an important one. People will remember your food truck easier if you keep your name short and sweet as well as colorful but not outrageous.
In this step, you need to decide if you want a sandwich board, type of menu, graphic designs, and more. Getting the right combination that attracts and not repels customers takes time and plenty of thought.
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As you can see, there is a lot of thought and work involved in creating a good food truck. This process can be very stressful. If all of this is overwhelming take some comfort in knowing that our company High Level Enterprises, Inc., is there to help you each step of the way.
Our food truck experts, including graphic designers, can take the hassle and the work out of the process for you. We have the experience and the talent to help you create the perfect food truck following your ideas.
Call us today to see what we can do for you in this venture.