How Do I Get Started With Mobile Catering

This can either take the form of a static site where your trailer is permanently placed or a temporary site where you trade from daily and at the end of your trading day you take your trailer home with you. Most people do the opposite they buy a trailer first then have no where to use it.

Important- Secure Yourself a Pitch First -Then Buy Or Rent a Catering Trailer.

How do you secure a site? Here are some suggestions for you

• Ask at the local Sunday Market
• Find a Spot On An Industrial Estate
• Try Your Neighboring Car Boot Sale
• Most DIY Stores Provide Spaces For Catering Trailers

So you need to start looking around you will be surprised where your services are needed...and don't forget you are mobile...so If IT'S NOT THAT BUSY MOVE ON!

Legal Requirements, Hours of Work and Location

You will need to have a current Food and Hygiene Certificate to cook and sell food to the public, this is a document that shows you have passed a test on Food and Hygiene Practices.You are then issued with a certificate and by law you must have it displayed on your catering trailer.

You will also need an LPG Test Certificate (gas) and an Electric Certificate to legally trade from your catering trailer.(ensures appliances are safe on trailer) Again this shows you have conformed to Health and Safety Practices You should also be registered with the local council who will visit you and inspect your trailer to make sure you comply with the food and hygiene laws.

Location as with any brick and mortar small business opportunity is important, and the same applies for this particular business but in a slightly different way. You don't really want to have your mobile catering business near other food service providers if possible.This is your unique advantage after all your business is mobile... and can within reason go where the money is just make sure to obtain a license (if required) or have the relevant permission from the land owners.

Your hours of work are determined by the location or local area that you service.So if you work on a Sunday Market obviously you probably work for just the one day. However if you are catering for people who work on Industrial Estates, then your trading days (5-6) will be substantially longer.

Pros and Cons of Starting a Mobile Catering Business

• Cheaper start-up costs compared to a shop
• No business rates,No lease to tie you down for x amount of years
• Cash business
• No real competition RIGHT! you picked the location
• You Are In Full Control, Your Business
• Can Be Very Lucrative
• Servicing Your Local Area
• Expand Your Catering Trailer Small Business Opportunities At Your Own Pace
• Shorter Trading Hours Than Normal Shop
• Can Be Personally Satisfying Preparing Food And Getting Compliments

Cons

• Initial Outlay Can Be Quiet Expensive
• Finding A Site Can Be Difficult
• Your Site May Not Have Long-term Prospects
• Very Hard Work, Early Start Required
• You Are Directly Responsible For Cooking And Food Preparation
• Very Hot During The Summer Especially With The Added Heat From Cooking Appliance
• Trailer Left Over Night Could Be Stolen
• No Real Time Off Except For Christmas Unless You Employ Staff
• Working On Your Own
• If You Are Sick Or Do Not Work You Will Not Get Paid

Mobile Catering Business - Conclusion

So now you've been briefly introduced to the mobile catering business opportunity, we have also touched on some basic start-up steps. Now that you have a little more insight you can make up your own mind and see if this kind of small business is right for you.

I have tried to be honest with most things here, but there is a lot more detail that I have not gone into on this page.So if you would like to know more or are considering the idea of starting your own catering business but lack the courage to take it any further.Read Chapter 1 and discover how I got started with no experience and a tiny dose of courage... my own small business in mobile catering.