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How to start your mobile business

This is your time to set yourself free from the daily grind, to secure financial freedom and make your time your own. Work your new venture around your family commitments, another business or your favourite hobbies. What you do, when and where… it’s all up to you!

But taking the taking the plunge on a new venture can be a hugely stressful experience and we’re here to ensure you have all the support you need to get you up and running. Here are some important things you might need to consider, depending on the nature of your business.

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How do I decide what kind of business to start?

Before starting a mobile food and drink business, it’s important to consider what your niche and target market will be. Look for gaps in the market and avoid already saturated areas where there are lots of people selling a product in a certain geographical area. Think about what competitors are doing. What could you do differently or better? Research and decide on the type of food and drinks you’ll offer, as well as the target audience you’ll be catering to.

Create a business plan.

Once you’ve identified your niche and target market, you need to develop a business plan. Your plan should include a description of your business, a summary of your marketing strategy, financial projections, and operational details.

Obtain necessary licenses and permits.

You may need a street trading license to operate a mobile retail business if you are planning on trading from council owned property. Find out more on the Gov.uk website.

Choose your equipment.

Once you have obtained the necessary permits, you’ll need to choose the equipment you’ll use to prepare, store, and serve your food and drinks. Consider factors such as storage space, capacity, and ease of transportation.

Develop a brand that stands out

To stand out in a crowded market, you need a brand identity that represents your business. Consider developing a logo, choosing colours, and deciding on a catchy name that reflects your brand.

Plan your menu

Your menu should be well-planned, with a mix of popular and unique offerings. You can also cater to special dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly items.

Set up your social media presence.

Social media is an important marketing tool for any business. You can use it to promote your business, interact with customers, and share updates on your latest offerings.

Decide on a pricing strategy

Before launching your mobile food and drink business, it’s important to decide on a pricing strategy. Consider factors such as food costs, equipment maintenance, and competition when setting your prices.

Have you thought about securing a pitch?

There are more than 1,200 mobile caterers operating on the roads of Britain alone. A great place to start is with the Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS). Find out more the NCASS website.

Make sure you’re legally equipped to tow a trailer

This depends on your age and license type. A full driving licence already enables you to legally tow a trailer, with the size and weight of trailer depending on the towing vehicle. You have to have at least a standard full driving licence if you want to tow anything larger and heavier.

You can find out more and complete a useful tool on the Gov.uk website.

Powering your conversion

Most of our conversions have the capability to run from dual fuel. This means the conversion can be simply plugged into an electrical source or generator and run from electricity. Or, if trading in the middle of a field, the conversion can be switched over to using LPG and an onboard battery to give the ability to trade “off grid”.

Make sure you’re insured

To operate a mobile business, whether it’s a mobile coffee shop, mobile prosecco bar or anything else, you will need liability insurance to be able to sell to the public. This could be Public Liability Insurance, Employers’ Liability Insurance or Product Liability Insurance, or all three. This is a helpful article on the subject.

Launch your business

Now that you’ve done all the groundwork, it’s time to launch your mobile food and drink business. Consider holding a grand opening event to generate excitement and attract customers.

Starting a mobile food and drink business can be a rewarding experience, but it takes hard work, dedication, and careful planning. By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up for success and be well on your way to building a thriving business.