Food trucks are on a roll, and attracting many entrepreneurs. This alternative to traditional restaurants is very popular with the French population. Let's find out what you need to know to set up your own food truck!
Still confined to the American market 10 years ago, food trucks are now a must in Europe! They've firmly established themselves on the national culinary scene, and are enjoying double-digit growth!
Originally, canteens on wheels (the ancestors of food trucks) were used to supply the armed forces during the American Civil War in the...19th century! In 2020, they have become a real alternative to traditional restaurants and bakeries in the daily lives of the French. By 2019, over 700 food trucks had been set up across France.
Would you like to get started? Don't wait any longer, and discover all the steps you need to know to make your project a reality!
Step #1: How do you choose your concept?
The most successful food trucks are those with a strong concept or identity. In other words, you need to build a structured, clear and attractive offer for your customers. The greater the added value in their eyes, the more likely they are to come and eat with you, and the higher the average shopping basket.
Some offer a particular type of food, such as sushi, burgers, local cuisine and so on. Others are geared towards vegetarians, vegans and so on. The aim is to build a culinary identity that meets your customers' needs.
To make your choice, we recommend that you carry out a market survey in your catchment area, to better understand the structure of demand and the intensity of competitive supply. Then draw up your business planto understand the benefits of your project, its growth potential and estimated financial performance.
Step #2: How do you choose your legal status?
Food truck entrepreneurs generally opt for the following legal forms:
EIRL (Entreprise individuelle à responsabilité limitée). As the name suggests, the entrepreneur is only liable for the amount of capital he or she has contributed to the company. His or her personal assets are protected in the event of bad business, and cannot be used to recover any debts.
EURL (Entreprise universelle à responsabilité limitée). It offers the same advantages as the EIRL, but its manager is considered a self-employed worker. They benefit from a specific social protection scheme, which is less effective than that of salaried employees.
The SASU (Société par actions simplifiée unipersonnelle) is particularly flexible. Its day-to-day operation is set out in the articles of association. The Chairman of the SASU is covered by the general social security system.
Micro-entrepreneur status is particularly easy to set up, manage and wind up. Your social security contributions are calculated on the basis of your gross sales. This is capped at €176,200 for sales and purchases, and €72,500 for services.
Step #3: How do I find a truck and a location?
To buy a truck, it's best to get in touch with the most reputable manufacturers on the market: Hedimag, Caravi or Concept Mag are among the most sought-after. Your truck needs to be fully equipped with everything you need to produce, preserve and sell all your dishes.
Rental offers are also available. Finally, have you consideredopening a food truck franchise ?
Your choice of location is absolutely crucial to the success of your business. You need to obtain a permit to occupythepublic domain, issued by the town hall, to be authorized to work.
You can also obtain contracts for private events (trade shows, fairs, festivals, etc.) by contacting the relevant people directly.
Step #4: What are the official regulations in force?
Food truck operators mustcomply with legislation governing the sale of street food.
First of all, you need official approval from the veterinary or customs authorities to market takeaway food and beverages. To do this, contact your local CFE (Centre de Formalités des Entreprises).
Step #5: How can you improve your visibility and attract customers?
To be popular, a food truck needs to be popular. You need to make yourself known, by creating a website, blog or business cards to match.
Distribute your contact details as widely as possible on the Internet (online directories, Google My Business, Yellow Pages, etc.), in businesses close to your catchment area and on social networks. Why not set up an Instagram account featuring your best recipes, and news about your establishment?
Finally, build up an email list to communicate directly with your most loyal customers, and personalize their experience over time (newsletter, invitations to private events, previews of new recipes, etc.).
Finally, there's one detail that's all too often overlooked when it comes to winning the confidence of your prospects and optimizing the launch of your food truck: displaying an attractive head office address. There's no better way of doing this than with a domiciliation company! This allows you to :
Benefit from a prestigious address in your catchment area, to optimize your local SEO ranking on search engines.
Protect your privacy by not disclosing your personal address.
Reduce your tax bill by strategically choosing a commune with a low CFE (Contribution Foncière des Entreprises) tax rate.
With SeDomicilier, you can obtain your certificate of domiciliation in less than 5 minutes, in a 100% online process. What's more, all your services are then available in a personalized, secure virtual office!
