New Biz - Can anyone help? Catering Trailer

[Deleted User]

:cool: Hi Everyone :j

I need some help, I have done some research but it seems I still need more info.

My business idea is a catering van, I have applied to sit at a location near a very busy college, however I am awaiting confirmation.

I don't have a trailer/van yet, but I want to know what I must look for and what I should be careful of?

Can anyone help me and any further info. . .

easyhost

assj wrote: »

:cool: Hi Everyone :j

I need some help, I have done some research but it seems I still need more info.

My business idea is a catering van, I have applied to sit at a location near a very busy college, however I am awaiting confirmation.

I don't have a trailer/van yet, but I want to know what I must look for and what I should be careful of?

Can anyone help me and any further info. . .

first you need to get a trailer/van from a reliable dealer like http://www.towability.com/ who will have trailers that conform to current legislation and will also help with licences/insurances etc.

passatrider

I suppose the most important question to ask yourself is can you cook? ;

pitkin2020

Is there anything else that you could cater for other than a large college nearby, if thats the only likely custom then I think you will struggle. Ideally you would need either a lot of other businesses in the area or atleast good road access for picking up passing trade. Colleges generally have well priced food outlets on site which you may struggle to compete with on price and students aren't the flushest of people.
How you worked out what you need to turn over each week just to break even, taking into account cost of the site fees, insurance, van cost, repairs, wages, stock, etc if it really is only a busy college close by will you be able to break even from that alone??

suicidebob

passatrider wrote: »

I suppose the most important question to ask yourself is can you cook? ;

Slapping a burger on the grill != Cooking

steve1980

I can't believe you've applied for a pitch but you don't have the trailer to occupy the pitch.

jexygirl

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3193258
did you decide yet having researched???
Assuming you researched the pitch prior to applying for it, you would know what people roughly want in that area, so know what equipment you need, to supply what people want in that pitch area and so dont need to ask what you need because its common sense to research and know if people want burgers and chips you need a griddle (or a frying pan) and a fryer rather than a fridge to put sarnies in... - and have looked at all the options from ebay and can be modified if needed, add a potato oven if you think people want JPs - and at what cost, to new... because you are serious about this... as well as hygiene certs, knowing about GP, suppliers, storage, rent, rates, insurance, etc etc.
GL
Jex

Savvy_Sue

passatrider wrote: »

I suppose the most important question to ask yourself is can you cook? ;

I'd say the most important question is "do you have the necessary food hygiene certificate?" rapidly followed by ones about experience in catering; staff cover for when the OP is ill / needs to take a day off; insurance; power supply; waste disposal ...

Here's hoping the OP realises that a 'very busy college' will be a bit dead all through the summer ... and depending on the college, that summer could be about to start!

paulwf

At the college local to me if you take in account students are only there part of the day (they go into town between classes so you don't get a captive audience), they have a half day on Wednesday, there are loads of inset days and of course long holidays there isn't actually that much business to be had. The youth market today is also very much brand led, the sandwich has to be from Subway, the fries from KFC and coffee from Costa. Independents don't get a look in.

There are two catering trailers in a prime location in town and tbh they don't do much business at all compared to the nearby equivalent cafes, people prefer the whole experience you get from a cafe, it isn't just about the food. I also personally don't like buying from places without a running water supply.

You also need to think of whether or not you'll enjoy the job, working alone in a catering van for hours on end is going to get very lonely. I think the guy in one of the catering vans near me has gone a bit stir crazy not having anyone to talk to all day.

mizzbiz

I guess, following on from another thread on here recently, the most important question, before any of those others, is do you know what net profit is and are you sure your idea is going to make some?

greyteam1959

Also ask yourself another very important question.........
If its such a good site why has nobody else taken it ???