A food van, also known as a food truck, differs from a regular or fridge van as it contains a food preparation and storage area instead of a traditional cargo space, and there will usually be a serving hatch in the side of one on the rear panels.
Whereas the main purpose of a van or fridge van is the transportation of goods, the primary use of a food van is to serve these goods directly to customers.
Food vans can be tailored in order to suit a specific business’ needs, including the facilities provided. Some businesses will be selling cold goods and so need more display units and chillers whereas others might prepare hot food in the vehicle and need a hob to do so.
There are many benefits to operating a food van and these include:
You will need to bear in mind that a food van is a smaller space to operate in, so the number of staff you can have working there and the goods that you can store and prepare will be reduced compared to a traditional space. Similarly, you will not usually be able to provide seating or bathroom facilities which can reduce the cost you can sell goods at, as well as the customers you attract.
The most common and classic example of a food van in the UK is the ice cream van.
However, these days it’s not just people’s favourite frozen treats that are sold from food vans. Many businesses choose to operate a food van instead of or alongside a traditional restaurant or café in a building.
You’ll see food vans of all kinds from those selling sandwiches and small refreshments to ones selling a full roast dinner and everything in between.
There are three main methods of sourcing a food van depending on what you are looking for and these are: buying, leasing and renting.
There are a number of factors that will go into deciding which is the right option for you not just how long you are looking to keep the vehicle for.
You’ll want to consider:
All of these factors will influence the method you choose to source the vehicle.
If you want to lease a food van then you might want to take a look at this guide to van leasing.
Wessex Fleet can help you source a food van if you are looking to add one to your fleet. For more information on how we can help just give us a call on 01722 322 888.
The answer to this entirely depends on what you are using the van for and how often you do so.
If you only need one for short seasonal periods of time then you might find it is more cost-effective to rent a vehicle as and when it is needed. Alternatively, if it is being used regularly throughout the year then it will likely make more sense to own the vehicle yourself.
Food vans that you can hire will usually be equipped with basic or multifunctional equipment so that the rental company can maximise their profit, depending on the food service you are providing you might need more specialist equipment than a rental is able to provide you with. If you need a particular layout or equipment then even if you do not use the vehicle regularly then you may want to invest in a food truck that you can customise to your specific needs.
Firstly, you’ll want to register the van with every local authority at least 28 days before you plan to trade in the area.
If the van will be handling meat, fish, eggs or dairy products then it will need to have a health and safety inspection from a council representative.
In order to serve food from a food van you will need a street trading licence, which will allow you to legally trade in the area. The cost of this will vary between local authorities. If you are planning to use the van in multiple locations then you will need to apply for multiple licences.
It’s also recommended you get a food hygiene certificate for the vehicle, though this is not currently a legal requirement it does show you can handle food and drink responsibly which is required by food safety regulations.
For businesses planning to cook hot food using gas appliances they will also need to obtain a commercial gas safety certificate that confirms all your gas appliances and equipment are safe and fit for use. All gas appliances must also come with a CE marking and flame failure device.
We recommend consulting a lawyer to ensure you have the correct licences and your business meets all of its legal requirements for the vehicle.
If you are looking at operating a food truck then there will be a number of costs that you will want to factor into the business plan other than the purchasing / rental price of the vehicle and cost of trading licences.
These are the regular payments in addition to any upfront costs for equipment, modifications to the vehicle, and produce purchase costs
The main regular costs you will need to factor in are:
Just like any other vehicle a food van requires regular servicing and maintenance to ensure it is in top running condition.
It will require regular maintenance like checking the tyres, ensuring the fluids are at appropriate levels as well as servicing in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
There may be additional wear because of the van’s purpose, and we recommend getting any damage or work needed is completed as soon as you are able to in order to avoid further wear or damage.
Wessex Fleet can help you manage your maintenance with one of our fleet management packages. If you would like to find out more about the services we can offer, and how we can help spread the cost of maintenance for your entire fleet then please give us a call on 01722 322 888.
Most businesses include the following equipment as part of their essentials. These are not all necessary depending on the type of goods you are producing and selling but give a general idea of what they can include.
Some of these require more maintenance than others for example serving equipment and hygiene clothing usually only require thorough cleaning and if they receive major damage they will then need replacing. Whereas a fridge freezer unit requires more regular maintenance to ensure it remains at a consistent temperature.
Similarly, a stove or electric oven might require more regular maintenance work to keep them in top running condition, especially if you are constantly using them to cook.
We recommend ensuring that any necessary maintenance is carried out as soon as it is needed on the equipment in your van to prevent more work further down the line.
Just like any other vehicle in your business' fleet there will be an element of admin management for food trucks. You can manage this internally or use a dedicated fleet management provider, such as Wessex Fleet, in order for them to look after the vehicle for you.
Fleet management is a great option for businesses with a number of vehicles as it saves your business time, money, and stress. Find out how Wessex Fleet can help you today!
Wessex Fleet are here to help you with every step of your food truck needs, from finding the right vehicle, customising it if needed, and then looking after the admin and maintenance side for its lifetime with your company. Give us a call on 01722 322 888 to find out how we can help you.
For more information on sourcing vehicles for your business’ fleet click here to head back to our business guides homepage. for more helpful guides on vans and much more!
