How To Start A Mobile Catering Company

mobile catering company
Chef in hotel or restaurant kitchen cooking, only hands. Prepared salmon steak with dill decoration.

Whether you own a food truck or a concession trailer, you may want to expand your business. Entering the catering world provides the perfect opportunity for your mobile business to increase its profits. Hundreds of individuals in your area are likely to host corporate or social events every week, and many of them are looking for a catering company. In this blog, we offer you all the things you need to do to begin a mobile catering company.

Find A Location

Although your business is mobile, it’s important to decide which areas you want to travel to. For example, if your business is based in Brisbane, research nearby cities and see if you’re interested in traveling there to do business. If you’re doing research, take a look at the paperwork required for your mobile catering operation in each city.

You should also consider the cost of gas to and from any location. You can charge $2,000 to provide food and beverages at a wedding. However, the cost of gas in addition to supplies and staff may not leave you with a large portion of the profit. Do some research on how much you would pay for gas to travel to each city and see if it is worth it.

Once you know where you want to deliver your services, include them on your website and social media pages. By sharing these details with individuals, they can quickly see if your company is a catering option for their event.

Get The Necessary Permits and Insurance

When you open a food truck, you need permits and licenses. Documents required for the catering and operation of a food truck can vary from city to city. Therefore, it is essential to contact the local government of each city where you want to provide your services.

If you start work without completing all the proper catering formalities, you face fines and possibly the loss of your business. Moreover, you cannot perform many events without documentation. In most venues, caterers will have to present their liability insurance, food service license, and other formalities before they are approved to conduct an event. Without proper food trucks and catering documentation, you will find it difficult to find work.

Create A Catering Menu

When you begin a food truck catering company, you probably have in mind what kind of food you want to specialize in. Feel free to get creative with menu items to broaden your customers “palette and highlight your business. If you’re creating a menu for catering events, you should keep an eye on your business and your customers.

Make A Standard Menu

Similar to a seated restaurant, your mobile food business should have a standard menu that should include all the beverages, appetizers, appetizers, side dishes, and desserts your business offers.

Your standard menu should also incorporate at least a couple of catering menu packages. Each catering package should list the appetizers or side dishes that are included in the package. For example, if you operate a taco food truck, a catering menu package may contain two chicken tacos with one side of rice and beans.

Admissible Customers For Customer Menus

You may have a list of catering packages available from which your customers can choose. However, some guests may have dietary restrictions or there is no suitable package for their event. Whether during a call or on your website, inform customers that they have the option to customize the menu. If customers are allowed to choose what is served from your original menu, they will be happy and help boost business.

Decision On Catering Menu Prices

When setting catering prices, it is very important to cover the prices of food, work, travel, and time. The aim is to match your prices with the competition and at the same time make a profit for you. Most caterers follow a fixed, tiered, or custom pricing system when offering customers based on their event size and needs. In addition, if a customer requests a unique facility or cake cutting service, it is important to inform customers of the additional fees you are charging for these services. You do not want to offer customers surprise fees on the day of the event. This can lead to negative online reviews and affect your business reputation.

Food Truck Equipment & Supplies

When you buy a food truck or concession trailer, many of them already include cooking equipment. However, it is essential to equip your catering vehicle with the equipment and supplies that are vital for your business. Equipping your truck with all the necessary equipment will allow you to serve your customers efficiently and effectively. A list of equipment is mentioned below that your mobile catering company may have to prepare food and deliver orders:

Cooking & Holding Equipment:

  • Griddles
  • Microwaves
  • Fryers
  • Refrigeration
  • Ranges
  • Food Warmer
  • Toasters

Food Prep Equipment

  • Frying pans
  • Food processors
  • Gloves
  • Cutting boards
  • Knife racks
  • Saucepans
  • Worktables
  • Turners
  • Thermometers

Janitorial Equipment

  • Cleaning chemicals
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Floor mats
  • Sponges
  • Sinks
  • Mops

Serving Equipment

  • Food boats or plates
  • Condiment cups
  • Cups
  • Food wraps
  • Utensils
  • Sugar
  • Spices
  • Napkins
  • Take out boxes

Rent A Catering Team

The size of your food truck determines the number of employees you can hire. You want to hire enough caterers to quickly fulfill orders but not overload your vehicle. The goal is to find a balance so that your team can conveniently and efficiently complete tasks inside the truck. Many caterers and food trucks give each employee a variety of roles. This helps limit the number of employees needed in the truck during events and on the payroll.

When gathering your catering team, you must consider all the positions that need to be filled. There are different roles that have to be filled to have the best mobile catering company:

  1. Chef: The chef is responsible for preparing the meals for each event. You will probably need several chefs on your team to prepare the meals in an orderly manner.
  2. Driver: This individual is responsible for transporting the vehicle to and from events. Depending on the size of your vehicle, the driver must have a professional license.
  3. Event Planner: The planner meets with customers to determine what they need for their event. Catering event planners are responsible for collecting information such as the number of guests, the meals served, the type of event, and other important details.
  4. Server: Regardless of whether the service for the event is buffet-style or plated, one server is responsible for ensuring that everyone is supplied with food and beverages. A server distributes appetizers to guests, refills buffet stations, or works the service window in a food truck. For large events, you need several servers.
  5. Supervisor: This person is responsible for monitoring the entire operation. The supervisor ensures that all tasks are completed on time. A supervisor is also responsible for handling any problems that may arise during the event.

Time To Open A Mobile Catering Company!

Opening a mobile catering company is not as easy as it sounds. You need to get all the necessary documentation, create a catering menu, buy kitchen appliances and take care of other fine details on the go. Although it may be difficult to follow the steps in our detailed guide, it will help you choose the right path to start a successful catering business.