We are thinking about doing a healthy option van in industrial estate etc. Just wondered what you think of the idea.
2006-06-25 11:30:19 · 17 answers · asked by glo 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
One the principals for a successful business is effective market research!!! Go and do a recce of the area you are proposing to operate and get some views of potential users with a small questionnaire. Instead of simple yes/no answers I would suggest a scoring system to gather strength of feeling towards the different food options - it gives you something to generate some scores for your decision making. I would also investigate the potential for delivering some food (eg sandwiches), a mobile to take phone orders... you need to make it easy for the customer. Some customers prefer collecting food earlier in the day. Have a good brainstorming session!!
2006-06-25 11:38:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 16⤊ 6⤋
Sandwiches, salads & pasta etc would be better option. You will appeal to a wider range of people. From the health concious, dieters, vegetarians etc. Also even if someone would normally buy a burger, if it's not available they will go for similar alternative in a sandwich as they will still be hungry so you are not losing custom.
The van that visits our place of work, does a lot of business with sandwiches, paninis, coffee & salads.
2006-06-25 18:36:20 · answer #2 · answered by linkysplinx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd love it but I don't know if an industrial estate would be the right place for food like that.
Lorry drivers and workmen want something they can eat while driving or shovel down their throat quickly plus the fact you would need cutlery for a salad or pasta bake would put people off.
The type of customer you would get in an industrial estate isn't particularly health food conscious you may be flogging a dead horse
2006-06-25 18:35:14 · answer #3 · answered by madamspud169 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please don't go down the route of trying to "re-educate" the taste buds of your customers - they will not allow you to do so until they know and trust you. DO NOT try to reinvent the wheel. Industrial estates have a certain type of customer and tabbouleh or organic Quinoa is not their thing. They like hearty portions of easy to eat food that they are familiar with. I agree with you in sentiment about trying to serve healthy food but before you do this earn some money and grow a customer base by selling them what they want now, later on you can start selling specials and advertising alternatives to them but for now just stick to the golden rules - they are golden for a reason and the amount of caterers who have gone up it because they "knew better" is huge.
You will always get advice from veggies and organic nuts (by the way folks before you react im a passionate organic food nut and support the veggie movement 100%) who want to see more options out there for them but this corner of the market is small as is the health food market (a, in relation to snack food and b, in the type of area you are considering)
If you are still unsure what I would do (have done in fact) is type a questionnaire out asking people what they would like to buy on a regular basis - drop this off then collect it back 3 days later!
Personal belief is a powerful thing but so is commercial common sense!!
2006-06-26 08:19:20 · answer #4 · answered by heath 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Healthy is the way to go. Industrial estates are difficult, but I can tell you the men in my family are all tradesmen and are getting really sick of greasy oily foods etc. Potato bakes are popular with guys, and anything with cheese on it for some reason. Just make sure you have plenty of options and lots of flavour. Good luck!
2006-06-25 18:34:43 · answer #5 · answered by catsup 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd use the second, not because its healthy, but because I wouldn't want to cram a burger at work and end up with mayo all over the place. Plus I'd have more choice and couldn't eat a burger 5 days a week.
I reckon you're on to a good idea with that!
2006-06-25 18:34:00 · answer #6 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sandwiches, salad and pasta one- sounds like a fab idea! All of the takeaway or fast food places are unhealthy and yes we all eat from them but if there was a healthy option available then i know i'd go for it!
2006-06-25 18:38:42 · answer #7 · answered by j70see 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't go into competition with all the fast food joints. A van with pasta or any food people can't get from a Wendys would be better. The Mexican food van outside of my job does extremely well.
2006-06-25 18:35:33 · answer #8 · answered by Sue Chef 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people are getting on the health thing. So I think you will do well with the sandwiches, salads and pasta bakes.
2006-06-25 18:44:14 · answer #9 · answered by nastaany1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think it is a wonderful idea. I would like to have healthy fresh choices over a burger anyday. Variety is always good.
2006-06-25 20:00:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
healthy sandwiches salads pasta ,its the way to go nobody wants burgers every day plus they not that good for you .
2006-06-25 18:42:01 · answer #11 · answered by JJs world 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋