The mobile food sector is quite popular because it is cheaper than owning a restaurant. People like mobile food because it creates a unique environment and sells excellent food and drink at an affordable rate. Your potential consumers are swarming with people who want to try something great on the road.
Good food and stylish vehicles are "in". And one trend combines both: food trucks. I think it's great, because the colorful wagons offer us delicacies that aren't so easy to find elsewhere . You see them more and more often at street food festivals, markets and at all kinds of events such as company parties or weddings. Sometimes they also sell small portions so you can try multiple dishes -
For entrepreneurs who want to get into the mobile food industry, it is not unusual to be confused about what they wish for, a food truck or a food trailer. To answer this issue, you need to examine, compare and contrast their advantages and disadvantages.
Food Truck
The most popular mobile food service option is food trucks. As it sounds, food trucks are like a brick-and-mortar restaurant hosting a full-service kitchen. Ranging between 16 and 18 metres are the most common food trucks. They are easy to carry, especially when your event takes place in several places. Food trucks are a type of mobile kitchen that has a single unit kitchen and truck.
Pros of Food Truck
- Easy for Setting Up
You may drive to a place by a food truck, park and serve without any setup.
- Eliminates Towing
Food trucks have their engine; therefore, towing is unnecessary, saving time in setup and packing.
- Easy to Park
Food trucks are pretty simple to park because they are a single unit and quickly move to different places.
Cons of Food Truck
- Mechanical Failure
This may be a problem with old vintage models, and if the engine fails, you cannot reach the event and trade.
- Maintenance Costs
A food truck has an engine and some commercial cooking equipment; the maintenance costs will be higher.
- Storage Costs
Food trucks cannot be left on the roadside for zoning laws in some countries but also to protect against theft and vandalism. So you have to store them.
Food Trailers
Food Trailers are generally more affordable, allowing food trailers to enter the world of mobile kitchens at a lower cost.
A food trailer is a movable kitchen that you can take onto a truck from one place to the next. These customizable vehicles are designed to accommodate huge audiences over many hours or even multi-day events like state fairs and weddings. The dimensions of the kitchen trailers can vary considerably, from 8-53 feet in length and 7-8 1/2 feet in width.
Pros of Food Trailers
- Relatively Cheap
The food trailers between a food truck and a food stall are an excellent medium and cost far less than a food truck.
- More Space
Food trailers are usually larger than food trucks. Therefore cooking, equipment, and staff have more space to work comfortably.
- Lower Maintenance Costs
Food trucks do not have an engine, which means the costs for maintenance are reduced.
Cons of Food Trailers
- Towing
Food trailers have to be towed, making them difficult to move between places when closely placed.
- Daily Packing
Packing and unpacking for every day are time-consuming.
- Unprofessional Look
Food trailers do not appear as high end as compared to small cosy cafes and restaurants.
Which Should You Choose
The best mobile food vehicle varies from situation to situation, the amount of money available to start the business, the number of meals on your menu, the amount of cooking space you require and the number of places you plan on visiting daily etc.
The regulations are another difficulty. Some states have defined laws for mobile burger trailer business while others do not. Additionally, the rise in competition or unclear rules, making it a little harder to set up a mobile food business, can allow local restaurants to lobby against trucks.
