Getting Your Barbecue Business on the Move (Literally).
If you are considering taking your barbeque business on the road (a food truck), you’ll want to employ the tried and true business basics that are the foundation of success.
That means a plan, a strategy, and the right equipment. Working with the right equipment and strategies, you can create a thriving business that brings delicious barbecue to your trading area. Some essential tips will help you achieve success, including the advantage going mobile with Lang smokers.
Strategic Plan
If you have another barbeque business, don’t think what works there will necessarily work on the road. You should think through what and how you are going to move forward. And it’s not enough to have it in your head, you need a written plan; that makes it more real and a reference to guide you. This is especially vital if you are going to a financial institution to get a loan. They won’t be lending money to an idea that’s in your head. They want to see details, financials and strategies.
Efficient Marketing
Invest in marketing strategies that highlight the quality of your barbecue and the uniqueness of your food truck. Use high-quality photos and engaging content to showcase your dishes, your people, and the barbecue smoker with trailer, and with it’s graphics showing your name and message. Social media is the way these days. Make sure you integrate your marketing. In other words don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Try avenues other than just social marketing.
Brand Building
Your food truck must have a differentiated brand that sets it apart from the competition. In the advertising world it’s called a USP, Unique Selling Proposition. This includes a catchy name, a visually strong logo, and a unique color scheme.
Building your brand isn’t just logo and graphics. It includes how you prepare and serve your barbeque. How you relate to customers and how your offerings are structured. It also involves consistency in taste and flavors. As Ben Lang always points out about Lang Smokers, “It’s all about that “flavor profile.”
Manage Your Time
Efficient time management is absolutely vital for any barbeque food truck business. Plan your cooking schedule to ensure that you can serve customers quickly and keep wait times minimized. Lang Smoker Cookers are designed for efficiency, helping you maintain a steady flow of delicious barbecue.
Food Safety
Sounds obvious but it isn’t. Make food safety a priority from the very beginning. Maintaining high standards of food safety and cleanliness is essential. Regularly clean your smokers and other equipment to prevent any buildup of grease and residues. This ensures the longevity of your equipment, and also assures the safety and satisfaction of your customers. If some gets sick on your food, negative social media can be the worst thing to ever happen to your business.
Location. Location. Location.
You’ve heard that over and over, curtesy of the Real Estate Folks. And it directly applies to you. Location is a critical factor in the success of your food truck. Identify areas with high foot traffic, such as festivals, fairs, corporate plazas, and busy street corners. Take advantage to be part of local events and private catering opportunities to maximize your reach. As you build a following on social media, you can also read customer comments to discover their suggestions, and where they would like to see you next. Not always true, however, listening to what your customers say can be a great advantage for you.
Passion Power
Nothing, absolutely nothing is more powerful for your business than you personal passion for it. You have to be a believer, sold out that nothing is going to stop you from reaching your goals. It’s passion that pushes success forward. Everything else should support that. Most importantly, you employees and customers will respond to your outward and genuine passion for what you do. You will do better by hiring employees who show some real passion and train them rather than hiring experienced people who are just there for a job. Here’s where your USP should attract people.
Play by the Rules
Ensure you are familiar with and adhere to all local health and safety regulations, including permits and licenses required to operate a food truck. Staying compliant will help you avoid fines and ensure a smooth operation. Mobile business food prep likely plays by different rules than a brick and mortar operation. Bad news travels fast and can hurt your business.
Support
It doesn’t help to go it alone. You will find it helpful to have someone trusted to bounce ideas off and for those times you need to vent. Someone who will tell you the truth even if it’s difficult.
Believe
Believe in yourself.