Food trucks are the new craze in catering. They’ve quickly become a must-have at any event, and for a good reason. What could be more perfect than food served on wheels? The truth is that there are some pitfalls to avoid when it comes to food truck catering. Not all of these pitfalls will apply to everyone, but they’re worth noting if you want your next event to be successful. Here are seven tips for food truck catering success.
1. Get a Truck with a Good Design
Don’t underestimate the importance of the design on the outside of your food truck. You want people to see it and be tempted by what’s being served inside, so you need something that catches people’s eye. A lot of food trucks have trendy designs nowadays but artwork isn’t always the best form of advertising. Instead, you might want to consider a truck with a catchy name or a simple design.
2. Keep It Simple
There’s a reason why people like food trucks: simplicity. Instead of trying to serve 50 different items, keep your menu short and blend the food in such a way that everything flows well together. You can serve specialty items if you like, but don’t overdo it with the amount of food presented.
3. Make Sure the Menu Is Customized for the Event
This seems obvious, but many people let their food trucks serve standard menus at every event. If you want to make the most of your investment in a food truck, it makes sense to match up each kind of food with the types of guests who will be present.
4. Hire the Right Crew
Food trucks are supposed to be fun, so make sure you’re hiring people who keep things interesting. You want food truck catering that makes your guests feel like they got more than what they paid for, and the right crew is one way to do this.
5. Make Sure the Food Is Delicious
No matter how well you plan your food truck catering event, none of it will matter if the food is terrible. Make sure everyone involved with the food preparation knows what they’re doing so that your guests get something delicious to eat.
6. Don’t Compromise on Cleanliness
The first thing people notice about food trucks is their appearance, but the second thing they see is how clean they look. Whether you’re setting up for a wedding or some other kind of party, make sure your truck is as sparkling as possible. This will reassure guests that whatever you are serving them is safe and well-prepared.
7. Make Sure Your Prices Are Right
You can’t get everything right, but pricing is one of the few things you can do. It’s important to make sure your prices convey value and don’t scare away customers. Let your food speak for itself and price accordingly, and you should have no trouble making a profit.
Private events, such as birthday parties, weddings, and corporate gatherings, account for about 30% of food truck sales. That’s why it’s important to ensure you do everything possible to make your guests feel special. You want people to talk about your catering event for weeks or months afterward, and that kind of word-of-mouth is worth more than any amount of money you can pay for ads.