How to start a food van business in the UK

Starting a food truck catering in the UK requires great cooking skills, passion, and creativity. You're also likely to be self-employed, so you'll need a range of business and marketing skills, as well as the ability to plan and create menus to keep your customers happy.

1. Define your big idea

As noted above, the street food trade is a competitive market. Then what about your idea that will attract customers? Is it unique? Are you bringing special experiences from a culture to your kitchen? Think about your expertise and what types of food will appeal to potential customers.

It's always a good idea to put the time and effort into writing a business plan and doing a SWOT analysis so you have a clear idea of ​​how you're going to start and grow your business.

Your business plan will cover important areas such as:

summary of your business idea

how to finance your business

marketing plan

Details of your menu and how much you charge your customers

potential places and events you will attend

Start-up costs and overhead costs (including equipment and beginning inventory)

2. Budget for initial start-up costs

It's relatively inexpensive and low-risk to start a food truck compared to opening a restaurant, for example, but you may still want to start your business as a side business first to minimize the financial risk.

The good thing about a street food business is that you can start small and grow as you grow. The cost of renting a pitch is around £30-£100 per day depending on location (market stalls usually take a percentage of your profits).

First, try to create a limited menu so you can focus on the right few dishes. You have the flexibility to expand your options or change the menu later as you learn more about your customers.

To make things easier, you can even set up your booth with a gazebo before you buy a van. Once you are more established, you can buy a used van, customize your equipment and brand it with your company name and logo without breaking the bank.

Make sure you have a budget and can afford supplies and supplies.

3. Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations

Selling food to the public can be understood with certain rules and regulations.

Register your company

As a food business, you must register with local authorities for at least 28 days before you can start trading and selling food.

You should also register as self-employed and be aware of your tax obligations.

set license

If you are in a public place, you may need a street vendor license and an additional license if you intend to sell alcohol or play music. UK Government License Finder is a useful tool to tell you what is right for your business.

Prioritize health and safety

If you prepare food and sell it to the public, you are required by law to have a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate. And all employees who handle food in your company must have food hygiene training. The Food Standards Agency and the Health and Safety Executive have further guidance.

If your food is prepackaged but manufactured on-site, you will also need to be aware of food labeling regulations and legislative changes to allergen information. Our article describes the legal details of Natasha.

Visit the National Restaurant Association for more support and regulatory guidance - and you can become a member for access to additional training and advice.

4. Spread the word

When you park at a bustling lunch market or one of the many food trucks at a music festival, you have to stand out from the crowd. Consider your brand, your social media presence, and whether you want to offer loyal customers.

As a street vendor, your personality will be a big part of your brand as customers will know who you are and feel part of the local community. You may also consider collaborating with micro-influencers or offering delivery services to local offices and businesses as you grow.