Monthly trade publication features news and information for food truck owners and operators, with topics covered in various issues including business strategy and profitability, marketing, branding, and promotion, franchising and growth, food and beverage trends, customer service, staffing and training, and vehicles and supplies. Articles are categorized by topic and are available free online.
MC Magazine
https://mobile-cuisine.com/
Online trade journal features news and information for the mobile foodservice industry, with topics
covered including business startups, running and growing an existing business, marketing tactics
and strategies, handling business finances, menu design and
culinary lessons, and effective use of technology to increase
profits. All articles are categorized by topic and are available free online.
Startups
https://mobile-cuisine.com/
Topics covered in the startup section include the ins and outs of starting a business, developing a
business plan, dealing with legal and regulatory issues, rules and regulations applicable to mobile
vending operations for selected metropolitan areas, naming your vending business, trademarking
your brand name, buying a new or used vehicle, and foodservice
vending platform manufacturers.
Run & Grow
https://mobile-cuisine.com/
Topics covered in this section—which focuses on running and growing an existing mobile vending business—include
business tips and strategies, marketing and growing the business, dealing with customers and enhancing
customer service, staffing and training personnel, insuring vehicles and operations, maintaining vending
equipment, conducting health inspections, and food safety issues.
Association directory provides links to regional trade associations that cover regulatory requirements applicable to mobile foodservice truck operators for specific states, counties, and cities, with various geographic areas covered by these organizations including Baton Rouge, Philadelphia, San Antonio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland/Virginia District, Central Ohio, Minnesota, and Southern California.
IRS audit guide provides a summary overview of this industry sector and its business practices from an income and expense verification standpoint, with operators covered in the guide including mobile food preparation vehicles that prepare and serve hot foods such as hamburgers, burritos, and tacos and industrial catering vehicles that sell packaged food and beverage products on a self-serve basis.
Market research report analyzes the U.S. market for this foodservice sector, with data provided in the report including historical trends and forecasts for number of units or outlets, number of transactions, and foodservice value, and percentage growth in these measures by type of operation (e.g., all firms, chained operations with a minimum of 10 branded units/outlets, and independent street stalls/kiosks).
Market analysis report provides industry statistics for a user-defined area on a national, state, county, metro area, or zip code level, with data provided including number of companies, market volume and sales trends, average company sales, sales per employee, staffing and employment trends, average employee wage, and business start up activity and failure rates. Sample report can be viewed online.
Financial benchmarking section of these reports provides an analysis of industry profit and expenses as a percentage of revenue by major category (e.g., purchases, wages, depreciation, marketing, rent, utilities, other costs, and earnings before interest and taxes) for the most recent year and line graphs indicating trends for each category over the past five years. Sample report can be viewed free online.
Five-year comparative income statement analysis provides salaries, wages, and officer compensation in both dollars and as a percentage of sales by sales size range on a national, state, and metropolitan area level for firms that sell snacks, meals, and beverages for immediate consumption from motorized vehicles, towable trailers, nonmotorized carts, and mobile stands. Sample reports are available online.
Annual employment and wage survey provides hourly and annual wage data for personnel employed by foodservice contractors, caters, and mobile foodservice vendors, with the latter consisting of firms that sell products such as hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, soft drinks, and bottled water for immediate consumption from trucks, trailers, nonmotorized carts, and mobile kiosks and stands.