I want to have my own lunch wagon?

Question

Ever see these guys who drive to factories and other places with meals and lunch items for sale out of the back of their truck? I want to do this to start my own bussiness.

The question is start up costs and cost to stay in bussiness. What are they and how much? Will I have to comply or be inspected by the local food inspector and health regulations? What about taxes? How do I go about finding supplies to buy the food to sell and find the best bargin? Any one here tried it with any sucess?

To help people understand what I am talking bout here is an image

http://www.bigislandgrinds.com/wp-content/images/misterd_outside.jpg

Now I do not expect to have all my questions answered, yet I would be happy if you could point me in the right direction to a source so I can answer my own questions.

Well the idea is to buy pre-made pre-wrapped lunch items that can be stored at room temperature. The idea is to buy the food so I do not have to clean up as much (less time spent cleaning = more time spent to make money.) nor do I have to cook. If I do, then all I have to do is keep it warm in a oven until I arrive to sell it.

Answer 1

This is a highly competitive field .... there are a lot of people doing it 'on the cheap' with existing Vans (so no need to buy new) and without the costs involved with Inspections, Licences or Insurance ...

You will not succeed unless you buy the ingredients yourself at wholesale prices and make the sandwiches yourself (at least to start with) .....

I suggest you create a Spreadsheet of costs V Sales income to give you some idea to how many / how much you will have to sell at to make a profit....


Remember your main selling opportunity is before lunch time :-) .. you will need to plan a route to take in as many Companies in the time available - and if you are ever late you will loose your customers ...

Answer 2

i wouldnt sugest starting this as my brother in law did, you have regular health and safety checks where if your fridge is out 2 degrees celcious then they can shut you down,

what i sugest is rather than have a burger van, prepare filled rolls in your home and buy juice fom cash and carrys ( about £4 a case 24 cans at 40p means £7 profit per case )

then go round factorys in your area with leaflets (putting them on car windows with a time when you would be at there factory) and then deliver to factories directly at the front of there building

it would be slow to start off but you would soon build a customer base

you could even employ a person to deliver it for you in time, leaving you to either target other areas etc. thats what he does now

thanks

Answer 3

you mean the roach coach???