Food truck businesses allow operators to keep costs relatively low, reach a wide audience, and bring in a healthy product. However, opening a successful noodle food truck business isn’t as straightforward as getting your hands on a suitable truck, parking up, and opening your doors.

ConceptualiSing

The very first part of your noodle bar journey is coming up with a concept that’s high in demand. This may involve catering to the growth of the vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free markets. Alternatively, you tailor your business around being environmentally friendly, which helps attract a wider market. No matter which direction you choose to take your food truck in, it’s important to keep it simple. 

Costing

Your food truck venture will be much more cost-effective than opening a traditional restaurant, but you’ll still need to factor in relatively high startup costs. On average, you’re looking at spending around £43K to get started. This investment will include initial truck payments, legal support, a POS (point-of-sale) system, equipment, and plenty of noodle boxes to get you going. 

Once you’ve got started, you need to factor in any continuing outgoings including wages, marketing, taxes, insurance, and fuel. Additionally, you need to remember that you’ll be serving up food using disposable packaging. For example, seeing as you’re launching a noodle bar, you’ll need to source a reputable supplier of noodle boxes. 

Funding

Now you have the total estimated cost of setting up your business, you work out how you’re going to pay for everything. If you’ve never launched a business before, you’ll likely need to secure funding from several sources including:

• Government funding. 
• Secured and unsecured loans. 
• Crowdfunding. 
• Friends and family. 
• A business partner. 

Business Planning

If you want to stand any chance of securing funding, you will have to write a detailed business plan so that investors can gauge the likelihood of success. To give you an idea of what to include, you should split your business plan into these sections:

• Executive summary. 
• Market analysis.
• Company description.
• Marketing. 
• Product overview. 
• Management and organizational structure. 
• Financial predictions. 
• Funding request. 
• Appendix.  

Permit Applications

Every state has different rules when it comes to the types of licenses you’ll need before operating. However, the majority of states require a food service permit and a business license. The best way to make sure you’re operating within the law is to contact the health department. 

You will need to factor in where to park as well because food trucks aren’t allowed to just set up anywhere. The local council will tell you more about the relevant restrictions. 

Truck Purchasing

The most expensive cost for your business will be the truck. However, you can reduce the cost of your truck by searching the secondhand market. The key consideration when buying a food truck is ensuring it’s in a fit state for its purpose.

Successfully launching a noodle truck business involves having a detailed concept/direction, an idea of the costs, a business plan, sufficient funding, and proper licence.