Is the Future of Mobile Businesses in the Hands of the Coronavirus?

Hard times for mobile businesses - or is there a boom on the horizon?

The last month and a half has shown some serious negative side effects for small businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but mobile businesses are showing they can thrive even as the virus sweeps the nation. As brick and mortars close, city/county codes loosen up, and landlords allow mobile units to park long term in areas they wouldn’t normally be allowed to.

Mobile businesses are known for their ability to travel and conduct business. Whether it be in a food truck or a mobile retail pop up shop (both of which were allowed to stay open with restrictions during this epidemic), can shift gears quickly to accommodate their business. The food truck industry saw a climb in sales due to restaurant closures (with the exception to take out/delivery orders). Where many brick and mortar locations closed -whether it be restaurants or retail, due to the cost to operate business during this time -inventory, rent/mortgage, employee payroll, insurance, and the list goes on, was/is difficult, the mobile business industry benefited. 

Mobile business units are notorious for having low overhead, for the most part can be operated by oneself or an additional employee, little inventory, and may even have the ability to accommodate online business or deliver/curbside pickup -making mobile vessels an obvious choice for patrons, especially in the midst of a pandemic.

As mobile industry workers in the service field, we have heard all sorts of great news from our client base. The biggest complaint from our food truck customers is trying to keep food stocked since people have been stockpiling and clearing out the stores! Otherwise, they have been able to sustain or have even been busier than before the Coronavirus quarantine.

One thing we can learn from this small business shut down is that mobile businesses are flexible and have the ability to adapt to unorthodox situations, making them a great choice for starting/sustaining a business during the good times and the hardships. Projections show this industry to boom, especially once the quarantine is lifted as businesses will need an affordable business model, and going mobile offers that and more.

To learn more about getting your business mobile, check out  8 Ways A Custom Mobile Vessel Works For Your Business or give us a call today at 541.728.3511!

Top Benefits For Buying a Custom Food Truck

Buying a used food truck has few benefits, whereas buying a tailor made custom food vessel has many. Below we have listed the top benefits of purchasing a custom food truck, though there are many more perks that come along with it!

1. Tailored Layout + Flow
   An important and most adored feature of a custom food truck is the tailored layout and flow. Every truck owner has a layout in mind and a workflow that works best for them -it is one of our favorite parts to sit down with a customer to come up with theirs. We have a motto and it’s, “No Nuts to Butts” -there is nothing more exciting than a busy food rush for a food truck owner, there is also nothing more frustrating than a busy food rush with multiple chefs in the kitchen and bumping into each other while trying to prep, cook, assemble and run food -something we often see when hobby builders build trucks or people are looking at used food trucks. So save the headache and the shoulder checks, tailor made is the way to go. 
   
   

2. Minimize Issues and Maximize Functionality
   When going with the custom build option you minimize your chances of equipment and utility malfunction and maximize your opportunities of functionality. We recently had a new customer call us because her used truck only had a 2 space breaker and she needed much more power as a mobile food unit. We ended up placing a 12 space breaker, running new outlets and lighting to make her truck more efficient and functional for her operation. Remember that your vessel will make or break your business, if you are constantly having issues, shutting down for repairs because things are breaking, then you may notice a break in your business. Customers get frustrated with the lack of consistency, and will not be continuous patrons as they once were -something we have seen as well.
   
   

3. Equipment + Warranties
   Yes, that used food truck looks pretty nice and the equipment looks to be in good shape, price doesn’t look so bad either...but what about a couple months from now? One rule of thumb is never buy refrigeration equipment used. Why?  You never know how or if it was maintained, the life of that specific equipment is about 7-10 years before problems occur or become obsolete, so it’s better to play it safe than sorry. That’s just one “for instance”. We have a good friend and customer of ours who always says, “Buy it nice, or buy it twice” -a good motto to live by. When building custom, you have the opportunity to get the equipment you need and want and also have more warranty options available to cover your equipment if something were to happen like a break during transport, faulty item upon use, factory defects, etc.
   
   

4. So Fresh So Clean
   Used food trucks have lots of wear and tear, and even though someone may have cleaned it up real nice it still may have underlying issues like mold, water leaks, electrical issues, grease build up and unnecessary health risks. Instead of finding a used truck that was utilized for someone else’s previous business venture, you will have a fresh and clean truck that is ready for you to utilize it towards its’ specific purpose, and no scary surprises down the road.
   
   

5. Saving in the Longrun
   Some may think it is cheaper to buy a used food truck/trailer/cart, but purchasing a custom truck will actually save you more money in the longrun. We have worked with people who purchased $50,000 food trucks, just to turn around and dump another $5-15k into them because they either were not functional for what they were needing, were poorly constructed, or did not follow city/county codes, and it can be completely devastating for a new business owner. So do yourself a favor and don’t take the cheap way out!
   
   

6. Broader Palatte
   When looking for a used food truck/trailer/cart, it can be very limiting. You will only come across certain layouts, vessel sizes, and equipment which may not even work for what your food truck’s flow needs to be -forcing you to settle for what’s available. When opting for a custom vessel, you don’t have to settle, you have the ability to create exactly what you need/want tailored for your business.
   

We hope that this information can be helpful when making the final decision about purchasing a used vs. a new custom food truck. Still need more convincing? Check out some of our work or give us a call at 541.728.3511 to learn more about making your food truck dreams come true today!

5 Tips For Building A Food Truck

The food truck industry is down right exploding, causing big minded and food inspired business entrepreneurs to venture down the path of food on wheels! Food trucks and carts allow flexibility, creativity and diversity, which is why they are becoming so popular throughout the food business industry not only nationwide here in the states, but throughout the world from Australia to Tokyo to Spain. Food trucks are sweeping the world by storm!

Many foodies are turning to open up their own food truck, offering their take on delicious dishes and drinks, but a small overhead and vision will only get these ventures so far. A well thought out business plan is a crucial factor to ensure a business’s success, but in the food truck industry it’s a little different. A properly constructed/maintained truck is a mobile food business owners ideal scenario and essential for a successful food truck business, but unfortunately is not always feasible -yet it is one of the most important factors. We know how difficult it can be to source the perfect truck for your mobile needs, that’s why we put together a little list of tips (below) to help during the scouting and buying process for your rig.

5 Tips For Building or Buying A Food Truck

1. Power Supply. When it comes to food trucks, food carts, RVs, and the like most manufacturers put in 30 amp power supply. 30 amps is just not enough depending on amount of equipment being ran. Majority of permanent locations and hookups already  offer 50 amps, so why not take advantage and supply your operation with every option possible. Not only is 50 amps preferred, but this extra amperage prevents breaker malfunctions, allows specialty equipment (ex. frozen yogurt machine, pizza ovens) to run efficiently, and offers peace of mind.
   

2. Plumbing. Take advantage of putting in a bigger water heater instead of an oversized supply tank. Having a sufficient amount of hot water on demand can definitely make the day go smoothly especially when it comes to getting the dishes wrapped up.
   

3. NO INSTAHOT WATER HEATERS IN COLD CLIMATES. You would think by the name that this product would be great in cold climates...wrong. During the cold season, the metal of the heat exchanger gets very cold, the water entering the heat exchanger can also be cold with the last 3-18 inches depending on connection from outside to inside, and when mixed with an instant flame or electric heat source it will more than likely result in a crack and complete failure. A big reason these do not work as well in mobile units compared to homes is wall and floor insulation.
   

4. Layout and Flow. We have had many food truck modifications due to functionality and workflow. It’s so important for your day to day sanity and work efficiency that a proper workflow is laid out and planned. A prime example is placing a handwashing sink near the order and pick up window, that way when you have to head to the window for customer and food interaction, the ability to wash hands right there vs. walking to the back of the truck/trailer, this causes backtracking or clustering/path crossing.
   

5. Codes and Regulations. It’s always important to(know) work with your local government to ensure your business, truck/trailer, location, and the like are up to code. We’ve helped many food trucks get up to code so they can get back up and running, because who likes to work so damn hard, have one little thing wrong, and in return be shut down -meaning no income. So be sure to check out your city’s requirements and codes for the little things like internal grease traps and ansul systems for fire protection. It’s also an important reminder that codes and regulations are constantly changing with how new this industry still is.

Finding a food truck is easy these days, but finding great quality food trucks -now that’s a tough one. At Peace Of Mind Customs it doesn’t have to be, we strive to manufacture and modify high end food trucks, carts, and trailers at affordable prices. We believe your success is ours and are here to advocate and assist in the building/modification process. Give us a call or email to learn how we can make your mobile business dreams come true today!