But what else do you need to get started? Here are three of the best food trucks in Arizona: A post shared by Waldos _Tacos (@waldos_tacos). To launch it? This is a thorough inspection that verifies the safety and cleanliness of your operation. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses. Finding a suitable location for your food truck is essential to its success. But before you can open your doors, there are a few things that need to be done first. For example, if your housemade chili is cooked with bulgur wheat, it cannot be made gluten-free. Increasingly consumers are relying on credit, debit, and mobile wallet payments. Many also provide areas to dispose of grease and greywater, truck maintenance areas, and a secure place to park overnight. Find the best Food Trucks in Arizona and book or rent a food truck, trailer, cart, or pop-up for your next catering, party or event. If you accept orders online or over the phone, have that information in your social media biography as well. Download our Food Business Startup Kit: Including business model canvas, templates, and exclusive case studies from founders. Youll interact with excited food fans, but youll also be responsible for scheduling staff, processing payroll, and dealing with parking tickets. Serving inside these trucks is like sitting inside your oven turned up on high! 2. 0 It helps to operate in a food truck-friendly citylike Los Angeles, Philadelphia, or Denverthat has regulations that allow food trucks to thrive. This license was created by the Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) and is called a sales tax certificate. An agency shall not base a licensing decision in whole or in part on a licensing requirement or condition . The state and city youre conducting business in, The value and type of personal business property you have to insure, The number of different locations and events you attend each year, If your equipment adheres to various commercial cooking standards, How much equipment is installed permanently and moved around in your truck to various events, Refrigerators and ovens are working properly, Hot and cold water are available with adequate pressure, Fire extinguishers and first aid kits available on board, Professional installation of essential equipment, Local regulations designed to protect traditional restaurants, Underestimating the daily number of hours needed. Chandler, Arizona, United States. if (wS > (hT+hH-wH) && $(".subscribe-page").is(":visible")) { If you have an active fanbase of friends and family who support your food truck concept, crowdfunding can provide some or all of your opening budget. We want to thank Beth and Lance for sharing their experiences starting a food truck in Phoenix, Arizona. This should include: Once you have a solid plan in place, you can start looking for locations and vendors. The first step is to create a detailed plan for your new business. LinkedIn However, there are restrictions regarding where food trucks can sell alcoholic beverages. Major car manufacturers like Ford, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz also supply food truck compatible vehicles; youll need to contact a local dealer for pricing and options. Our restaurant name generator can get your creative juices flowing. You can also submit an application electronically to our Department by following the steps outlined on our Permits, Forms, and Applications page. Our goal is to show you that building the business of your dreams is not only possible, but its quite straightforward once you see how others have done it. Phoenix Food Trucks. Know someone interesting that should be interviewed on the website? Brett's mission is help to entrepreneurs start and grow profitable food businesses. A good food truck POS system will track your supply levels, prompt you when your stock is low, help you count inventory, and track every cash transaction (reducing the likelihood of employee theft). Ann Arbor; . Starting a food truck generally takes three to 12 months and requires these nine steps: Research local food trucks and laws Choose a name and concept Register your business and open a bank account Raise funds for your food truck Get licenses, permits, and insurance Purchase your food truck Purchase equipment and supplies Hire and train staff Arizona is a great place to start your business. General business licenses include things like: Foodservice licenses are typically issued by your state or county health department. Their prices are reasonable and their offerings are simply delicious! The truck itself can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000 and up, depending on the truck's size, age, and any updates or alterations that might be needed to adhere to requirements. Many cities with a vibrant food truck community also have food truck advocacy groups. However, you can also find these items through mainline distributors like Sysco. We were one of the fortunate few to be chosen to serve on the Flight Deck (Gate 2) at the University of Phoenix Stadium for all the Cardinals Football home games. (Image from Facebook), Food truck festivals draw large crowds of new customers. (Image from Charleston-SC.gov). Generators, condiment tables, registers, and point-of-sale (POS) systems are all standard food truck equipment. The National Food Truck Association is an excellent place to start. We have seen countless Starter Story readers join us, get inspired, and change their lives through the businesses theyve built. You must obtain a certificate from the fire department prior to operating your food truck and have this reviewed periodically. Keep your menu simple, within means of being able to serve a lot of people in a short amount of time. It is important to have a detailed plan in place so you are prepared for what lies ahead. Your truck name will become your social media handle and logo and will be emblazoned on the side of a truck, so its important to get it right. Your business plan puts your concept on paper so potential investors and loan officers can see that your food truck is a good investment. Mobile Food Permit Application (PDF) Mobile Food Type I Guidelines (PDF) Mobile Food Type II Guidelines (PDF) Mobile Food Type III Guidelines (PDF) Permit Exemptions (PDF) Promotional Sampling (PDF) Route Sheet (PDF) Contact Us Email Physical Address 1645 E Roosevelt Street Phoenix, AZ 85006 Phone : 602-506-6824 Fax : 602-372-6043 Other miscellaneous expenses such as staff costs, or repair works. Though in most cases, you still pay with a check upon delivery if you prefer. For most food truck operations, an LLC makes the most sense. This checklist will help you to ensure that your food truck complies with all local, state, and federal regulations. Starting a food truck generally takes three to 12 months and requires these nine steps: Restaurant MBA puts the failure rate of food truck businesses at 60% in three years. FTE: What are some of the unique opportunities of operating a food truck in your city? Register your food truck business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other tax authorities. Some social and religious organizations like Elks lodges, VFW halls, and churches also have licensed commercial kitchen facilities that fit the bill. For example, Maricopa County allows you to renew online. Toggle Filters. ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FOOD SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 150 North 18th Avenue, Suite 1. Plus, you'll have to consider ongoing expenses you might incur, like payroll, insurance and advertising expenses. If you offer catering, youll also want a couple of sturdy collapsible tables and chafing dishes to keep your food warm outdoors. Make sure your truck is fitted with equipment thats up to code, including: Some locations require proof that your trucks electric and gas equipment was installed by a licensed professional. If you are starting a home-based food business, you will need to understand the regulations of FDA and your state and local health department. What on-truck cooking, refrigeration, and sanitation equipment does the health department require? (Source: Pinterest). By sharing these stories, I want to help others get started. This account will hold funds that are invested in your business and be used to pay permitting, licensing, and vendor fees. There are many bumps in the road that require many decisions. Hitting figures like that requires a targeted menu, excellent marketing, and a full-time commitment to managing your costs and overhead. This is a worthwhile and fast read if youre serious about building this type of business. MAP LIST. Your food truck business plan serves as a basis for how you envision your business to start, run, and grow. Does all equipment need to be professionally installed? The initial permitting approval is conducted in the county where the commissary is located. Using Facebook and Instagram is a great way to connect with your local community and help potential customers find your business. You dont need to worry about how previous owners cared for the truck or if a professional installed the gas lines. Start a Food Truck in Phoenix Like Grilled Addiction By Support Staff | December 7th, 2014 | How To | Comments Off The Grilled Addiction food truck has been operated by the husband and wife team of Lance and Beth Smith for over one year. 5-Tips from Phoenix-area Food Truck Owners Article published on AZCentral.com that was based on a panel discussion moderated by Republic dining writer Jennifer McClellan about the future of food trucks. These three options are found to be the most common when starting a small business, and all serve to protect your personal assets and also provide you with certain tax benefits. Its because its easy to eat well on the go, and you can find some of the best food anywhere. You must complete this process at least three days prior to opening your business. You will need to apply for a permit to sell alcohol if you want to operate a food truck within these parameters. If your truck has an eye-catching design that pops in photos, even better. We were also called upon to be featured on BBQ Crawl with Diva Q for the Travel Channel (to be shown Summer 2015). &``D2"@*LKAd3~)$F30]6q@L` Their menu includes tacos made with fresh ingredients such as chicken, beef, fish, or pork. (Image by Meruyert from Pexels), Grilling and barbecuing are popular cooking techniques for tent vendors. The state has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the nation and provides many incentives for businesses, including low-cost electricity, water, and sewer service. Retain a local lawyer and accountant to help you handle the legal and financial sides of your business, from registering with authorities and the IRS to budgeting. You can inquire about business banking options at the bank that handles your personal banking, or see our list of the best small business checking accounts. Greywater, truck maintenance areas, and you can open your doors, there many... 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