Starting Fish and Chip Van Business

by Gavin
(Maesteg, South wales)

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to start up a fish and chip van in the south Wales area, I live in the middle of Swansea and Cardiff around 30 min drive to each of them. I'm looking for any advice anyone can give on best possible pitch. I've looked at industrial estates, lay-bys, caravan parks and also considered travelling around various villages which have no takeaways.

I've choose to do fish and chips because I feel there is so much competition with burger vans and also I'd like to work events once I feel I could cope with them. I'm not just setting up this business to make a living, I would like to make a very nice living but am I hoping for to much or can a fish and chip van be as successful as I want?

Also I've not seen any fish and chip vans around, could this be a bad sign?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Gavin

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Aug 30, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wedding
by: Anonymous

Hi gavin
I am just wondering if you went ahead with the business as we are looking for a chip van for our evening reception at our wedding
Rhiannon.
Apr 29, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wedding hire
by: John

Not sure what the dates were on your previous posts but...

I was wondering if you're up and running yet/will be for the end of June for a wedding gig?

If so, please get in touch!

John
Mar 08, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reply
by: Gavin

Hi hayls
I'm not up and running yet as I'm in the middle of paying for my own wedding and can't afford to leave current job to start the new business. Weddings are one of the events I'm going to be looking to cater for once up and running but I want be able to help for yours sorry. Hope all goes well and you find a caterer to help.

Thanks Gavin.
Mar 05, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		re fish and chip shop van
by: hayls

hi guys. im after a few quotes on a chip shop van to come to my wedding in the evening for the guests. ive had quotes from a few but i want to keep it local as im from bridgend and would rather a local business to do it for me. anyone interested
xxx
Jan 16, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks lisa
by: Gavin

Hi Lisa thanks for taking the time to comment. I've just finished a buisness course today to help me prepare, I'm still trying to sort out finances to get me started. I'm not shy on working long hours I currently work 12hr shifts 6-7 days a week away from home so this is a way of working from home but also a chance to earn a good living and build a buisness. I'm from maesteg so would b no rival to your van so could I maybe come and see your van some time as I've never had a look at 1 up close. My number is 07725341612. If u could txt me I could then ring u when convenient to have a chat if that's ok.
Thanks Gavin.
Jan 16, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Comment to starting a Fish and Chip Van Business
by: Lisa

Hi Gavin,
My partner and I have recently set up a mobile Fish and Chip Business in the last six months after being made redundant and out of work for a year. We trade in village locations in the Cardiff and are open for 3 1/2 hrs an evening for 3 nights per week. We are doing very well and make a decent living from our business.
If you don't mind working hard, and plan well before you start I don't see why you can't do well too. Don't underestimate how many hours you will have to put in, we work 10/12 hrs on trading days and rarely get a day off.. We peal our own chips and make as much as we can by hand.
I used this site to help me setup my business, it is full of helpful information and a great site. Thanks David!
Make sure you are legal and have all your certificates you need to trade.
Feel free to message me if you need any advice https://www.facebook.com/GarthFishandChips
Good luck with your new venture, I'm sure it will do very well if you put the work in.
Lisa

Dec 21, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mobile Catering Fish and Chip Van Business
by: David

Hi Gavin,

I think the reason that there is so much more burger vans compared to fish and chip van, is that burger vans sell more of a variety of food which would include breakfast and lunchtime type foods. With a fish and chip van it’s not really something you want to eat first thing in the morning, possibly for lunch but more of a late afternoon/evening meal. This could be the reason why you don’t see that many F&S vans flying around.

I think a fish and chip van may be better suited to larger events, concerts, markets, air shows etc where you will have more footfall and customer demand to give you a better chance of making a decent profit.
Also consider that it does take longer to serve fish chips to a large quantity of people. Have you ever been to a decent Fish and Chip shop where there is normally a long queue of people waiting to be served while the staffs are working flat out?

When you are mobile you want to offer food that does not take that long to cook and prepare (or store), so the more commonly found bacon, egg, sausage, burgers etc is the more attractive offer. It’s also quick to cook and you can invariably sell more and make more income. Also you can pre-cook and store this type of food, try doing the same for say 50 portions of fish and chips.

Of course I’m not saying that this is a hopeless idea, but you should consider all your options carefully before making a final decision.

I do hope this answers some of you question. You may also find the following post helpful:


Starting a Fish and Chip Business

Fish and Chip Used To Drive on Our Estate

Thinking of Starting Fish and Chip Van Business

Best of luck,
David


PS. Get my free guide on Starting a Mobile Catering Business Guide

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