Establishing a food truck in this competitive market comes with many benefits. For starters, operating a food truck provides flexibility. That is to say, you are not restricted to one location. Also, you are free from some of the obstacles that arise with running a brick and mortar location. Furthermore, initial and operating costs are far lower than opening a restaurant. While establishing a food truck comes with many advantages, there are some considerations operators must take into account.
Health & Safety
Firstly, planning is essential. It is necessary to ensure that you obtain all necessary licenses and permits to legally operate your business within your region. It is absolutely essential that your truck complies with local health and safety regulations. This includes careful consideration of how you will set up and configure electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and washing stations.
Layout
Secondly, it is vital to know and understand your truck’s limitations. This means that you must be mindful of the space you have to work with. This also means that you must be aware of the weight limit your truck can handle. This will all play an important role when designing your layout and considering your selection of commercial cooking equipment. It is beneficial to measure all dimensions available to minimize uncertainty when making purchases for your food truck.
Before making any purchases, ask yourself what your menu will look like. Are you planning to serve up comfort food or street food? From there, you can determine what equipment will be the most beneficial for your business. Making renovations down the road can be costly. For this reason, it is important to plan for projected menu expansion or changes as early as possible. Once you have your plan in place, you can look to purchase the most beneficial equipment for your food truck.
It is also important to ensure that you have considered how your space will be utilized and how it will impact your workflow. You’re going to want to keep all essential equipment and supplies close by and within reach. This will optimize workflow in tight spaces. Working with space restrictions means it is essential to get the most out of what you have. It is also important to think about whether your truck will have the space to store any ingredients when the vehicle is not in operation. If not, you may need to look into another facility to ensure your inventory stays fresh.
Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Finally, the goal is to maximize your facility space. It is not enough to simply purchase commercial kitchen equipment and restaurant supplies that can execute your menu. You’re dealing with a smaller workspace. You want to maximize this space as best as you can.
Like any kitchen, there will be restaurant equipment that most foodservice businesses will have. This includes commercial refrigeration, prep tables, commercial ranges and cooking units, and wash stations. The key is to find models of these essentials that work effortlessly in your food truck.
There are 3 types of commercial kitchen equipment that is essential in maximizing kitchen space. They are countertop equipment, multifunctional machines, and alternative storage solutions.
Countertop ranges and burners are a great example of countertop equipment that will benefit your food truck. These machines will save floor space with a compact unit that sits nicely on a work table. As a result, these units make a great option for expanding cooking capacity without utilizing floor space. Furthermore, these units are generally more compact than stand alone machines, conserving as much of your workspace as possible. In addition, many countertop models generally cost less than most standalone restaurant equipment.
Commercial food processors are popular multifunctional machines. These units are capable of slicing, dicing, and mixing – all in one machine. Multifunctional equipment plays an essential role in food trucks. This is because you can perform a variety of tasks without having to purchase equipment for each function. As a result, these machines will utilize less space. Also, multifunctional equipment will enable you to save time by streamlining tasks.
Under counter or wall storage is another essential. Hanging wall storage and under counter units will be your secret weapon for maximizing the space you have. Once again, under counter and wall storage provide a great option for utilizing less floor space.
Set Up Your Food Truck
Look no further for all of your essential food truck requirements. From countertop, to heavy duty multifunctional equipment – we’ve got you covered. Babak Food Equipment is your trusted provider for commercial cooking equipment and food truck consultation. Backed by over 20 years of experience, we take customer service seriously. We have the know-how to prepare your foodservice establishment for success.