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Author: Janet Kathalu
Thursday, September 21, 2023

What Are the 3 Disadvantages of a Food Truck Business



Entrepreneurs are venturing into the food truck business every day; considering how profitable the business can be, it's a good move to invest in it. However, there are disadvantages associated with it, too. This article takes you through the three primary disadvantages of a food truck business. 

There are three main disadvantages of a food truck business: competition, limited space and resources, and its dependence on weather. 

Read on to learn about the three disadvantages of a food truck business and the best business structure for food trucks. In addition to that, know the major issues regarding food safety and the effective food safety practices.

What Are the 3 Disadvantages of a Food Truck Business

A food truck business is a thriving business, and that's why the concept has gained more ground in several countries, specifically the United States. It has existed over the recent years and is on the frontline of the street food industry. Most restaurants and individuals embrace it for various reasons, mainly because it can act as a pop-up restaurant to fish for more customers in different locations. 

What Are the 3 Disadvantages of a Food Truck Business

Disadvantages of the Food Truck Business

Owning a food truck business can offer multiple advantages, including flexibility and low start-up costs. Still, despite how great and profitable the business might be, read how profitable the food truck business is, there are disadvantages associated with owning it. Below are the disadvantages of a food truck business; 

Competition

The business is very competitive. You must remember and be prepared to fight for your market share. You should also have a competitive idea that will attract as many customers as possible. This will help you thrive and get the most out of your food truck business. Again, it's critical to know more about the consumer demand of where you plan to operate and if the needs are fully met before you start up your food truck business. 

Limited space and resources

A food truck business has a smaller workspace than a traditional restaurant. This means it can be hard to prepare a wide variety of dishes. Also, the storage space is small, which limits you from having many ingredients and supplies, meaning you have to stock regularly. The above also makes it hard for you to offer a diverse menu, leading to higher costs of ingredients plus supplies.

Dependance on location and weather

Food trucks are highly affected by the weather since they operate outside. For instance, high rainfalls, extreme heat, or snow will make you unable to work, losing income. Like location, a food truck should be parked in an area with high foot traffic and a considerable customer base, which might be challenging. Setting it up in a place that doesn't have the above will automatically lead to low sales and won't be good for business. 

What Are the 3 Disadvantages of a Food Truck Business

The Best Business Structure for Food Trucks

All food truck businesses need a business structure for tax and legal reasons. The most popular are limited liability companies (LLCs) and sole proprietorships; they both have various tax implications and liabilities. So, which one best fits your food truck business?

Sole proprietorship

It's an army of one in business, which means the owner is the business. A sole proprietorship is fully responsible for everything in the industry, good or bad. This is because the structure is not separated via liability protection from the business. The most significant advantage of this structure is that only the owner calls the shots. If you want to run a food truck business and have complete control, sole proprietorship may be your best business structure choice.

Limited liability company 

It provides liability protection within the business, meaning your personal and business assets are divided separately from the other. If an unforeseen issue arises and negatively affects the truck food business, your assets will remain protected via the LLC structure, ensuring you are not held responsible for the problem. The structure is also flexible with potential tax pros, including the freedom to choose from S Corporation and L Corporation tax entities. Before going for an LLC, ensure you understand the rules and regulations in the state you plan to operate your business. 

What Are the Major Issues Regarding Food Safety?

What Are the 3 Disadvantages of a Food Truck Business

As much as food is essential to human life, it can lead to multiple diseases. When you eat, you connect with the world through taste and smell. Food is an integral part of a healthy diet; the deliciousness of the food overtakes most people, and they forget other risks that may come with it; hence, food should be handled and prepared correctly. Foodborne illnesses are a significant issue among people who take food precautions for granted and fail to practice safe handling and storage. Check the do's and don'ts of a food business. 

Have you ever thought about the food you love so much being contaminated with germs that can cause sickness? And worse, it can be deadly, too. Much more than the obvious is needed to protect people from food poisoning by handling, preparing, and storing it to ensure the food is safe for consumption. Some of the major issues facing food safety are;

  • Improper hand washing
  • Improper cooking temperature
  • Improper sanitation
  • Same cutting board 
  • Confusing labeling
  • Washing meat and poultry in one container
  • Untrained employees
  • Unsafe food holding
  • Sick employees preparing food
  • Unsafe food storage

What Are the 3 Disadvantages of a Food Truck Business

What Are the Effective Food Safety Practices?

Consumers can be kept safe by following simple rules. The rules can be divided into four categories, i.e., clean, separate, cook and chill. Let's have a look at each direction in the table below;

Food safety practice What it entails Do's and don'ts
Clean Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces. Germs can be anywhere and survive in many places around your kitchen; they can be on your hands, food, cutting boards, utensils, countertops, etc. 
  • Wash hands with soap and running water
  • Scrub the back of your hand, between the fingers, and under the nails.
  • Rinse your hands and dry them with clean towel paper.
  • Wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils with soapy water after use.
  • Rinse your vegetables under clean running water.
  • Avoid washing meat, eggs, poultry, or seafood because they spread germs in your kitchen.
Separate Use separate cutting boards plus utensils for various foods to avoid the risk of foodborne diseases. 
  • Use separate boards for meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
  • Use separate utensils for raw food, cooked food, and ready to eat.
  • Separate raw meat, seafood, eggs, and poultry from other foods while shopping.
  • Keep raw meat, seafood, and poultry in a sealed container. Also, freeze them if you are not planning to use them in a day.
  • Keep eggs in their original container and not at the fridge door.

Cook Only cook when the internal temperature is high to kill bacteria that cause illness. 
  • Use a food thermometer to ensure the cooked food is safe, and the minimum internal temp is observed.
  • Ensure the food cooked is out of the temp danger zone if not served immediately after cooking.
  • When using a food thermometer, refer to a minimum cooking temperature chart for detailed information.
Chill

It's critical to have your food refrigerated and frozen correctly to avoid the risks of food contamination. 

  • Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours.
  • Leave leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate immediately for quick cooling.
  • Don't marinate food in containers; marinate in a refrigerator.
  • Freezing does not destroy germs; it keeps the food safe until you cook it. 

Conclusion

The disadvantages of the food truck business should not stop you from venturing into the business. The advantages are more significant if you have the best food truck structure for your business and adhere to food safety regulations. This article has been an excellent guide to helping you learn a thing or two about food truck business and food safety. Reach out for help in the food truck services.  

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