Enough of My Office Job-Thinking of Starting a Mobile Catering Business

by Chris

I have been working a stupid office job since finishing uni (management degree) and somehow ended up in a call centre.

I have been enjoying the job less and less and the feeling that my degree was pointless grows each day.

I am now at that point that i need (not want) but really need to make a difference in my life and follow my ambition to own my own business and this seems the perfect start!

Your story has completely inspired me and given me the confidence to pursue this train of thought... so thank you!

Just a few thoughts though, where do you go for the training course and how much does this cost?

How long does it take to set up the business and get going (as once I leave work and set off on my own i will of course lose my guaranteed salary).

Have you ever suffered from fellow traders getting funny or abusive with you trading near them?

And to your knowledge, are there any restrictions on what food you serve?

I had the thought of serving up more organic homemade food as sometimes the usual burger vans don't appeal as much as i would like from personal experiences looking round car boots
etc...

Thank you for inspiring me to take this further, and congratulations with the business you so
clearly have succeeded in.

One more thing, as long as I earn more than £1000 a month after tax, then I know that I will be able to survive after leaving work.

Is this a realistic goal? I am of course ready to put a lot of hard work into this idea just as you did! Cheers! Chris

Comments for Enough of My Office Job-Thinking of Starting a Mobile Catering Business

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 30, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Good Idea
by: David

Hi Kwad,

Your idea sounds like a good one and the site sounds promising – Also see if you can contact the landlord - look out for boards/advertisements for vacant warehouse/units to let these normally have a phone number which you can call to make enquires.

From here you should be able to find the landlord and see if an opportunity exist for you.

Best of luck and please keep us updated

Regards
David
Mar 30, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thinking of Starting a mobile catering business
by: kwad

Nice post Chris. (i think I am in a similar position) So thank you for asking the question

David, I really found your response useful and the website and knowledge has been priceless

I have been looking into the prospect of starting a mobile unit myself. I am thinking teas, coffees and breakfast food etc. in the morning and then burgers, sarnies and drinks in the afternoon.

I know of a good location on an industrial site which homes companies such as Royal mail sorting office, a car garage, hand car wash and quite a few other business. This morning I went to see if anybody traded there. As I didn't see anyone, I am going to call the council to see if there is an opportunity. Also, I saw quite a few deliveries so I intend on spending a few hours watching the sort of traffic that comes and goes.

Anyway, in response to what David said I think running the business part time sounds like a very good idea and something I am considering. I am also wondering how feasible it would be to set up my van in the mornings, run it for a few hours and allow somebody else (that I trust!!!) to take over whilst I am at work? Or am I being over ambitious.

....don't mean to hijack Chris's question

kwad
Oct 09, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Start, But Take It Slow
by: Anonymous

Hi Chris,

The first thing you need to do is go on a food and hygiene course (1 day) and normally around £50 this is usually done privately or with your council call (speak to a health and safety officer)them and they should send you a starter pack with form included.

Once you have you form you can then start looking for a site to trade from and a trailer(site being more important)

After you get trailer/van register with Council who will send some one around to inspect you vehicle and conditions for food storage.
You will need liability insurance, food and equipment and you may consider renting a trailer to try it out before you buy one.A clean trailer will set you back around 3-4 grand, then you need a strong cat to tow it with.

Early starts and early finish normally around 3.30 ish depending on what location you are working on.Maybe you should find a weekend pitch keep your day job and see how you like it.Then you can do it full time if you like.

Depending on where you work you can earn from £2-600 a week, but don't forget to minus all your cost e.g fuel,food,gas,stock,rent if any.So you should be able to hit a grand a month no problem.

You can serve any food you like as long as you have the equipment to cook it,but most people like the basics, f/stick, bacon, sausage, eggs basically cafe food.

Hope this help Chris

Regards
David
p.s Get My Free Mobile Catering Guide

Free Start Up Guide

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Start Mobile Catering .


Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.