Mobile food trucks are becoming increasingly popular, both with hungry customers and with entrepreneurs eager to operate an independent business. Shanghai Mobile Kitchen Solutions, the leading custom food truck experts in Brooklyn, NY, offer some important tips below for opening a successful mobile eatery. Since 1979, they have been providing operators in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina with the finest mobile kitchen products available.

3 Important Tips for Starting a Mobile Food Truck

1. Understand the Law

Consult an experienced attorney to make sure you understand all local and state laws governing your new business. Most cities set limits on truck size and the location and hours of food truck operations, and some even require operators to work out of a commissary—a commercial kitchen that meets all health department guidelines—to prepare their food. Thus, it is critical to be aware of any applicable state and local regulations as soon as possible.

2. Choose the Right Truck

Decide early how much you can afford to spend, how much space you'll need, and what type of functionality you want. A custom food truck can cost anywhere from $25,000 for a quality secondhand model to more than $100,000 for a new vehicle. Check with bread companies, delivery companies, and other businesses that operate vehicles of an appropriate size and type to see if they have any for sale.

3. Reach Out to Other Operators

Reach out to other operators in the mobile food truck community. They can offer a wealth of information on acquiring a truck, setting up your kitchen, choosing a route or location, and hiring employees. They can tell you what mistakes to avoid and what opportunities to embrace.

Shanghai Mobile Kitchen Solutions has been supplying mobile food truck operators with the finest professional-grade mobile kitchen products for more than 35 years. They can help you start your business off on the right foot, so visit their website for contact details, or call (800) 253-4815 to discuss your needs with a friendly, knowledgeable professional.