A catering van business is a low-cost, low-risk venture for those looking to set up a food business. Rather than simply being a convenient way of eating, catering vans have become a gastronomical experience in themselves.
Food vans offer a unique eating experience and can be found at a variety of events and locations. Customers have come to expect restaurant-quality food at a more affordable price – but don’t be fooled into thinking the lower price will harm your profits. A catering van has significantly lower overhead and running costs compared to traditional food establishments, which increases your profits.
Catering vans have no culinary limits. You can serve any type of cuisine you choose, focusing on your culinary strengths and the type of food that is most likely to make a profit. Catering vans offer culinary diversity to their customers.
When setting up your catering van business, it may be recommended to focus on a specific type of cuisine. You can then fine-tune your menu. This can also help you to focus on your target market and stand out from your competition.
Some ideas for your catering van business include, but are not limited to:
A catering van business can operate in several ways, depending on the type of business you choose to run. You could choose to be a street vendor, meaning you park your catering van on a street or roadside and serve food this way. Alternatively, you could choose to cater at different events. We will look at this in more detail later.
If you have a love for cooking, a flair for business and enjoy communicating with customers, starting up a catering van business could be an excellent business opportunity. However, you will also need a high level of commitment. Running a catering van business can be time-consuming and at times stressful. You will likely be driving to different locations and cooking and serving customers for hours at a time. However, if you put in the time and effort, a catering van business can be both lucrative and rewarding.