Catering Trailers – 6 Steps on How to Find the Best Used Catering Trailers in Your Mobile Catering Trailer Business…

The mobile catering trailer business can be a great business to start and be a great source of income as a part-time or full -time business. When it comes to starting your own mobile catering trailer business there are many things to watch out for and starting in the mobile catering trailer industry without doing your research first is strongly unadvised.

Fortunately there are certain strategies for success in the catering trailer business that if followed can ensure your mobile catering cart gets off to a profitable start.

Here is a short action plan to follow when buying or considering any catering trailer, food cart, concession trailer or general commercial catering equipment for your mobile catering van business. I have used these very steps to start multiple mobile catering trailer businesses often with no money down

1: Plan for Success

Have a plan from the start and know where you will trade from, who your target market is going to be, the foods you will be selling and what equipment you will need. Think about preparing a business plan as it will help give you direction and also significantly help out with financing.

2: Choose

Narrow down the search for equipment once establishing your business model. Know exactly what catering equipment you will need and consider the electrical and gas supplies and requirement for that equipment.

3: Talk

Interview the manufacturer or seller over the phone and ask the right questions before going to a viewing such as:

• Will they negotiate on price or terms?

• Is the chassis galvanized?

• Are the wheels and tyres in good condition?

• Is there any rust on the unit?

• Is it clean and presentable?

• Does everything work?

• What is the reason for selling?  and so on…

4: View

Put yourself in a health and safety mindset and know your stuff. Check that all equipment is working and legal and make sure any certificates are valid and up to date. Asses the concession trailer as a business asset and decide on the return on investment you think it will bring.

5: Negotiate

Like a pro by creating a little common ground with the seller. Express your interest (but not too much) and try to negotiate without the damaging admission trying to de-value the catering trailer too much instead come across a serious buyer with a limited budget who is concerned with a few minor details and the overall price.

6: Prepare for business

Many mobile catering businesses fail not knowing where or even how to effectively start trading and have no idea on how to make money in the concession trailer and mobile catering business.

Many People will often go in to huge debt and do things wrong because they did not know how to successfully start up and get into the trading pitches and events that count. This can often be the case in business and without learning the strategies that will lead to a successful and profitable food operation you could end up loosing money fast.

Educate yourself as much as humanly possible and try to immerse yourself in the industry. Learn as much as possible about the road ahead and prepare for business professionally by reading up on the best methods to use in this industry.

Wishing you success with your mobile catering ventures

Mike Carter