How close are you to the business district? Would you pull a good lunch crowd? Won't it conflict with your day job?
1/2 Block from the main drag. I'll be really looking for Fri-Sat supper crowds.
If you go for it and want to sell the trailer PM me I'm looking for one now and have cash in hand.or anyone else that has a vending trailer don't need the smoker have a few.just a trailer with a vending window.
Keeping the trailer. It does really well at festivals and such..
I think anyone who opens a new business in this economy is real farkin stupid. With tarp coming and health care taxes, you just cant know what your costs will be up the road. However it is a cash business, if you know what i mean, and $250. a month rent it sure is tempting. Get some good lease options and make sure you have a big cash reserve.Good luck.
My plan is to open for takeout, if that doesn't work out, I can use it as the kitchen for my catering gigs only. Supplying rubs, smokers and sauce may help supplement the biz,as well. At $250/mo, I will already be making money with the catering. I already have paid that amount to the kitchen I have been using on a per cook basis for catering.
What about food cost? Insurance? Permits? Fees? Taxes? ?
I know the food costs already, with catering/vending, I have agood supplier and know where to get the deals I need. Insurance is already covered with my liability coverage, would just need to add commercial renter's. Fees are with the HD, about $650 to get certified. I already pay local, state and fedral income taxes with the vending/catering business. My city has a food convenience tax of 1%.
As I said, as long as I can make sure the owner isn't going to jack the rent as soon as he sees success, I can already profit by having my own kitchen for caterin. I will be working WITH the HD to determine what, if any, modifications I would have to make. The trailer is great business, however the taco wagons kill me because out of a dozen in the area, only my trailer and another are certified. The others are able to offer lower prices because of less overhead. I choose to be legal, because I can do the feastivals, many towns that require city licensing, and can use that in my ads. Fly-by-nighters are notorious here, and they are fixin to get hammered.
If I try with the stationary locale, maybe it takes off maybe not. If it does, I have everything to gain. If it flops, I figure I may be out at best $3000, if I have a year lease on the joint. The smoker will be no loss, as I am already looking for a smoker to suit my vending/catering business.
