Being new to the food truck business is always exciting. Once you establish regular locations and build up your customer following, you will want to start expanding your service to increase your profits. There are two ways to accomplish this: private catering and participate in events.

Private Catering

Catering trailers are now being hired to offer food service at a variety of events. You can be the only food truck or trailer at the event or alongside one or more.

How to Start:

Start announcing your service offering on your website, brochures, on food truck signage, social media and more. If you’ve never catered before and are not sure what to do, you can always practice and train staff for your first event by hosting your own for friends and family.

You will want to have a contract in place that specifies dates, times, how long, how many to serve, what the costs/charges and when to pay. Research or work with an attorney to get your standard contract in place. Then show up early, be prepared, serve the client’s guests well and leave the place clean. Good service leads to good referrals and more catering gigs.

Types of Catering Events:

  • Weddings
  • Birthdays
  • Anniversaries
  • Sporting Events
  • Fundraisers
  • Corporate Gatherings
  • Holiday Parties
  • Family Reunions

Participate in Events

Catering is great for booking throughout the year, but don’t limit yourself. Seek out events that your city, county, and state offer. Search online for public events put on by private event companies.

How to Start:

  1. Decide how many each month you wish to participate
  2. Research
    1. Local area events
    2. Annual events
    3. Search online
  3. 3. Apply
    1. Read all posted information about how to apply, how much and what is required
    2. Complete your application, common items include:
      1. Menu
      2. Truck photos
      3. Business information (i.e. team, service abilities, etc.)
      4. Previous experience
      5. Website & social media links
    3. Follow-up with organizer (once is good) to show excitement
  4. Have backup events in case you are not accepted.
  5. Preparing for Events
    1. If your menu is fast/easy, stay with it. You can, also, create a modified version for the larger crowds.
    2. Prepare for getting the food delivered fast to keep long lines moving. Do test runs with your team to find ways to deliver fast with quality still in mind.
    3. Get as much food prepped prior to the start of the event as possible. The less you must do, the faster the service.
    4. Have a system for tracking number of customers you served.
  6. After Event
    1. Track the ROI (return on investment). How many did you serve? How much did you profit? What was the cost of participating? Was it worth it?
    2. Make note of events that were profitable
    3. Follow up with the event planner to let them know you would love to be considered for the next time.

Types of Events:

  • • Festivals/Fairs
    • Music
    • Art
    • Ethnic
    • Summer
    • Beer
    • Wine
    • Food
  • City, County, State Fairs
  • Food Truck Events
  • Outdoor Movie Nights
  • Concerts
  • Car Shows
  • Parades:
    • Boat parades
    • Carnival parades
    • Circus
    • Military parades
    • Pride parades
    • Holiday parades
    • Victory parades

Concession Nation has expertly designed food trucks and
concession trailers for a variety of businesses. Let us design your food truck.
Call us at 888-390-4479