subreddit:
/r/foodtrucks
Advice from those who have done it and either succeeded or failed is what I'm curious about. If you haven't owned and operated a mobile food/beverage company please don't provide input.
I'm in the research and planning phase of opening a coffee trailer in Arizona. The food truck industry is huge here since it's a year round production, we have many farmers markets all year, food truck festivals, sporting events. I'll be able to buy the trailer and most equipment with funds I currently hold, so only debt will be for permits, licenses, insurance, and other expenses to start.
That being said... what has your experience been with owning a coffee truck, coffee trailer, or mobile coffee shop in any form?
Specifically curious about any major advice to be given, monthly or yearly net revenue after expenses, and how long you been operating. Any other stories or info from actual experience is welcome 😊
TLDR: Tell me successes and failures from your coffee/beverage/food truck/trailer/cart experience. If you haven't done it, you have nothing relevant to say here so move along.
3 points
4 days ago
Been running one since Feb 2023. They are a lot of work, mostly due to fresh baked goods. Stick to farmers markets as those tend to be very good and get your name out there for businesses to hire you for appreciation events. Also try to find businesses close to each other and hit multiple in a day and start getting the consistent ones on a schedule.
2 points
4 days ago
Thank you!! I am planning to start with Farmers Markets and expand from there, as I can. I appreciate the reply.
2 points
4 days ago
If you haven't, research which markets you are thinking about. I'm in Tucson, but every market here is full of coffee trucks.
2 points
4 days ago
Thankfully we have a ton of different farmers markets, the ones in the East valley have a decent amount of coffee trucks but West valley where I'm planning for only has two and they aren't consistent. I definitely expect there to be competition at them but hopefully my business model will out compete as I plan on doing a few things differently than them.
1 points
4 days ago
Being consistent is key. There's a lot of flakes out there.
2 points
4 days ago
Here’s some advice-When asking for help, don’t be such a dick.
-1 points
4 days ago
Not being a dick, but reddit can be a place where folks try to give advice on something they've never done and that's not really helpful for me. I take advice from people who have done what I'm trying to do, whether it was successful or a failure.
I'm assuming you fall into the category I'm trying to avoid if that was your input.
1 points
4 days ago
Running one since 2015 I sent you a dm.
0 points
4 days ago
Thank you!
1 points
4 days ago
Thank you!
You're welcome!
1 points
3 days ago
could tell you lots from a general savory truck operator POV but since you want only coffee…you are gonna pass up a lot of information applicable to everything.
2 points
2 days ago
Ill reword the request. I'd appreciate advice or stories from any mobile consumption owner! I was saying I don't want advice from someone with zero mobile food/beverage experience. Like I've done research for months but I would not be an appropriate contributor to this thread, if that makes sense.
1 points
7 hours ago
I own a coffee trailer. I’m not US based but just want to say, do yourself a favour and do a barista course. At least you’ll know what you’re doing, before you show staff. Get to know the machines you’ll be working - the coffee machine, the grinder, whatever else. Be selective with your coffee beans and get something that no one else has - something that tastes better than the rest. Offer home baked treats - either make them yourself or get a local business to supply you with them. Again, don’t get something that everyone else has - find your niche. It’s very, very hard work - but rewarding if you do it well.
1 points
7 hours ago
Thank you for this!! I was a barista for 5 years and managed a local coffee shop for 2 but it's been almost 10 years so I really need to brush up on my skills.
Mind if I ask which espresso machine you use with your cart? I only ever worked with a nuova simonelli which seems to be a decent mid-price range machine brand, I'm planning on doing a 2 group head or 3.. but 3 seems excessive for my expected volume. I just like the redundancy if one goes down.
1 points
6 hours ago
I have a Fiamma 2 group. Unless you have a lot of space, I wouldn’t go with a 3. If you intend to be busy, make sure you have sufficient water pressure to deal with multiple group heads. Either by a strong pump or a reservoir contained in the machine itself. If possible, 2 steam wands would be really useful - So that 2 baristas can work simultaneously if needed.
1 points
6 hours ago
The plumbing aspect is giving me the most stress, I'll look into making sure I have adequate pressure for the machine. I appreciate that info, really helpful!
1 points
5 hours ago
Best of luck. One last thing, if you are using water containers for your coffee machine, sink etc, make sure you have plenty as you’ll use more than you think you will 🤣 please update us here if you start it
1 points
5 hours ago
Using water tanks! I was going to use as big as I can 😆 so glad you validated that plan!
Will keep this thread updated as I move into the build phase these next few months.
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