Now, we know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but there’s no denying that an aesthetically appealing catering unit draws the eye and gets those tastebuds tempted and tingling. Whether it’s a quaint, rustic cake stand with that warm and inviting countryside look or a retro minivan serving authentically Italian pasta dishes on the go, you can’t deny the appeal of a well-designed mobile catering site.
Once you’ve drawn in the crowds and wowed them with your flavours, customers are likely to visit time and time again and even recommend your service to colleagues, friends, and family. But before this point, there are a number of things that you must first take into consideration before trading.
As we said, the appearance and style of the unit should be largely dependent on the venue and the target audience of your business.
If the unit is selling a menu based on hearty English breakfasts and burgers, based at a DIY store or in a lay-by, then customers would not be expecting a unit that has had thousands spent on it – but they would be expecting it to be clean and maintain high hygiene levels.
If the unit is going to be based at a supermarket or shopping centre, then a theme and décor would play more of a part and help with sign-off from the property owner. A unit used for festivals or street food markets would be expected to reflect the food being sold, probably based on the country of origin.
For the top results, we’d recommend considering the following:
Typically, most catering units would fall into the mobile category, being brought to the site under their own power or hitched to a car or van. Before selecting your format, we’d suggest bearing your service, audience and target location in mind! Let’s break down your options, shall we?
Coffee bikes don’t take up much space and can be great for putting the pedal to the medal when it comes to building revenue in the right location! Not only do they look great, they are welcomed by a lot of venues. They can be easily removed at night and can even be kept in overnight storage on the property, if available. As many shopping centres and retail parks have coffee outlets, a commercialisation agency can recommend the most appropriate sites.
These retro vans are very difficult to walk away from and are rapidly growing in popularity. The proprietor can take them on as a conversion project and theme them specifically to the service at hand! When they’re all done up, they can look both unique and appealing and will be welcomed at a whole host of venues. Many even come equipped with mobile bars to target events like weddings and garden parties - because who can say no to a bit of booze?
Very few sites tend to accept static units - but certain venues may be open to the conversation. The initial outlay could be restrictive, and there could be a risk of the contract not being renewed. The suggestion would be to try the business concept in a mobile catering unit, and if successful, a more permanent solution could be made.
Branding can be just as important to the unit as the actual unit itself! The branding does the job of telling the customer exactly what to expect before they make a purchase - and we’re not just talking about the cuisine, but the quality as well! Branding adds a certain level of professionalism and can be carried across multiple units, uniforms, menus and online platforms.
Recognition and familiarity are key to branding. So, set yourself apart and create a visual story that customers will remember and rely on for delicious foods over and over again. You’ll need to think about:
Choose a simple, easy-to-interpret logo so customers immediately understand who you are and what you represent.
A creative font is an effective way to support the overall mood of your business, but make sure it is legible and can be easily read.
Most food truck operators decorate their units with eye-catching graphics that entice customers to buy their products. Don’t forget that by decorating the outside of your unit, you’re a walking - sorry - driving advertisement as you make your way around town!
Okay, listen up for the serious part.
Finally, be sure to proudly stamp your Food Hygiene Rating on display in clear view of potential diners. This helps people make an informed choice on whether to dine with you or not. Be mindful that this is actually a legal requirement in Scotland.
Remember, you only get one chance at making a first impression! So go the extra mile when it comes to making your catering unit extra special. If you need help finding the perfect site for your service, Access Point has plenty of spots available for your business to bring in a crowd of hungry customers.
If you’re keen to find out more about Access Point, however, you can learn more about us on our website or contact us for more information by calling 01704 544999 or emailing hello@apuk.net.
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