It is no secret that not all food truck builders are the same. Choosing the right food truck builder is a huge first step in starting your food truck business—and it is an important one. Getting the wrong advice, information, or getting equipment that you simply do not need can put you a step behind your competition right out of the gate.
A good food truck builder will have the success of your company at the forefront of everything they do. Being selective about who you choose as a builder will set you up for success.
Ask for Samples or Portfolios.
If you are looking for concession trailers for sale or considering food truck builders, you should ask for samples of previous work. Builders that have done this before and have a good reputation will have a portfolio of prior customers’ builds to show you. Look for a wide variety of customers. This type of experience shows that the food truck builder really knows how to meet a diverse assortment of needs, and they can put that experience to work for you.
You can also go one step further and contact businesses that the food truck builder has worked with before. Ask them how their experience was and whether they feel like the builder helped set them up for success. Real-life experiences from prior customers say a lot about a company.
Find a Food Truck Builder that is Interested in Your Needs.
Some manufacturers of mobile kitchens will build the truck you ask for and let you drive off the lot. The right food truck builder will listen to your needs, ask about your business model and offer experience-based recommendations on the best features, unit and layout for you.
A good food truck builder will be able to help you find the perfect blend of equipment that meets your needs. They will be realistic about what your company requires to thrive for years to come.
Ask for Certification, Warranties, and Financing.
Make sure that you only work with a builder who is certified in your state. Ask your builder if they are certified in your area (state). They will need to know that the truck they are building will meet safety and operations standards. Likewise, you want to the reassurance that the builder will be there for you after you drive off the lot. Make sure they offer warranties and how their service warranties work. This is a big investment, you want to be with the right builder.
Speaking of investments, check with your manufacturer for finance offerings. Sometimes having all the funds to invest in the right layout with all the right equipment takes some financing. Ask your food truck builder if they offer a variety of opportunities to give you the best opportunities.
Confession Nation is a leader in the food truck industry and uses their blog (http://concessionnation.com/our-blog/) to share insight on the concession trailer and food truck industry and customer success stores. Their trucks have been featured on ABC, NBC, CNN, the Food Network, and the Cooking Channel.