Thinking of operating a mobile catering unit?
Mobile Catering is a tough and challenging job, one that requires you to be excellent in many fields
You will need to be a great cook, a good communicator, an excellent sales person, but most of all, a good business person,
First think again about catering as your next career move, if you like the idea of being your own boss, when every day is different, and where you really can be in charge of your own destiny, then catering could be for you.
First Things First
The first things to understand are the rules and regulations concerning mobile catering.
Local authorities have very specific guidelines and how food can be prepared and served to the public. Food preparation needs to be well managed, hygienic and safe. These guidelines will give the minimum acceptable levels in order to be able to prepare and serve food to the public. In addition, they will set out the health and safety guidelines for operating mobile unit.
Here are some useful contact links to help you understand the rules and regulations.
in addition, a very useful resource is the NCASS- Nationwide Caterers Association - the trade association for the mobile & outside catering industry in the UK. Here you will find information regarding all aspects of the mobile catering trade together with help for start up guides and contact addresses.
Be Prepared
Even before you get to that stage you might want to consider as the enormity of this task. Catering is a tough job, mobile catering has its own set of problems and issues, which make the role even tougher. You need a good measure of self-determination, resilience and the ability to work along long hours. On the other side, the rewards can be very good, and in most cases very profitable.
On the positive side, we know that people have to eat and drink and this will continue for the foreseeable future. Events and outdoor functions are becoming more numerous, and, best of al,l we know the catering is a high margin business.
Having decided on your business profile, the next most important step is to research, research and research again. Starting business from scratch is risky, when you understand the business and the sector, the problems and surprises you run up against in the future will be less of a surprise.
Where to Sell
Once you have decided on your profile and have determined the type of food that you will be offering, the next challenge is to decide where you going to sell your food. There are many opportunities in the UK, including, seasonal, static and franchise locations.
Shows and events -
Licensed pitch
Franchise –
Roadside –
Markets/car boots –
Each has their own peculiarity, advantages, and disadvantages. As business opportunities they vary enormously depending on location and foot fall. Again, this is an area for intense research but, fortunately, there is help at hand with the experts at NCASS. They will be able to help you with detailed information on locations and site operators.
Starting Up and Running a Mobile Catering Trailer
Setting up a Mobile catering trailer is one of the most attractive options in this field. It is relatively easy to get into, the start up costs is low and the opportunities are very varied.
Understanding your market and consumer needs is essential, together with a good smattering of local knowledge and a dash of business acumen.
Choosing the right trailer
Since your trailer is going to be your main business tool it is obviously very important that you make the correct choice from the start. It must be designed properly and a reliable, safe unit, which will last, without problems for at least the next 10 years. There are specialist trailer manufacturers who will be happy to work with you to design a suitable solution for your business project. Building catering trailers is a specialist area requiring construction techniques, but also awareness and compliance with health and safety rules.
The oldest and most established trailer manufacturer in the UK is Edmund Evans. They are have been designing and manufacturing food trailers for over 50 years. They will work with you from concept to design to build your food trailer, kiosk, coffee bar, mobile bar or exhibition unit precisely to your specification - matching or exceeding current safety and catering trading standards and giving a lifetime guarantee.
Be cautious of buying second-hand trailers since there are usually very good reasons for the unit to be on the market. First and foremost the continuous update on regulations means that your trailer must be compliant with all current safety and food regulations. Second-hand trailers sometimes no longer comply with regulations, so it could be a costly exercise to update them. Be aware of hidden as costs when buying a previously owned units of any description.
BEFORE YOU START TO OPERATE
Before you can begin to operate a mobile catering unit, you must register your vehicle with the Local Authority where it is based at least 28 days before you intend to open.
This is done by completing a “Food Registration Form” which can be obtained from the Environmental Health Department.
Certain streets, lay-bys and land may be either prohibited or restricted for trading purposes. Information on this is available from the Environmental Health department. You will also need to check with the Land Owner (often Derbyshire County Council) before you operate from a highway or lay-by.
Planning permission may be required in certain circumstances to trade from private land. Both you and the site owner should therefore consult the Borough Council’s Planning Department
The Law
UK food hygiene law requires food handlers to receive adequate supervision, instruction and training in food hygiene. In addition the Health and Safety at Work Act requires business owners to ensure, instruction, training and supervision to ensure, the health and safety at work of his employees.
Here are the key areas of training for Food Handlers
• Temperature control;
• Food poisoning;
• Personal health and hygiene;
• Cross contamination;
• Food storage;
• Waste disposal;
• Foreign body contamination;
• Awareness of pests.
Training
Edmund Evans we will offer training to ensure you understand your requirements and give full training for new units but in addition, here are some useful links for more information
For more information:
Edmund Evans
Pool Meadow Garage,
22, Westend Parade,
Gloucester GL1 2RY
United Kingdom
Tel:- +44-01452 527388
Fax:- +44-01452 300531
Email:- omar.alim@edmundevans.co.uk
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