Mobile Catering Questionsand Answers Section

I receive emails on a regular basis asking me further questions and advice on a range of mobile catering topics, and problems.Some of the same questions have been asked a number times, so I think it’s time that this section is created which can help tackel your concerns and comments.

So have a read of some of the questions (below) asked by other people looking to start their own mobile catering business and see if you can find the answer to your question.

If not, please use the form below to ask your own question, include as much details as you can and submit the form.You wll normally receive a reply to your question within 24hrs and by using this form below other people can also benefit from your questons.

Please ask Your Questions Below?

Now is your chance to ask a specific question or even share your own catering experience.

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Advice needed on how to use a generator and gas etc 
hello, i have been working in the catering industry for years now and have decided to set up my own mobile catering trailer.

I have done alot of research ...

Selling SHRIMPS! On My Catering Truck  
David,
A quick question, with your experience, how well do you think a shrimp truck would fare?

I am planning the site in a shopping mall and would ...

Online Food and Hygiene Certificate 
hi sorry if this question has already been posted.

i am thinking of starting a jacket potato stall. to trade at local carboots initially. i need a food ...

Starting a Fish and Chip Catering Business 
Hi,i would love to get my own mobile fish and chip van,and maybe do my local area at weekends,however would there be much call for fish and chips during ...

Have Recently Purchased a Mobile Catering Trailer 
Your story is of great motivation to myself, i have recently purchased a mobile catering trailer and have trained a friend so she can work full time for ...

What Gas and Elect Safety Certs do I need? 
Good afternoon all, I have recently ventured into the mobile catering business and am having extreme difficulties finding anyone that will give my trailer ...

CARPENTRY TO CATERING ,WHAT ARE MY CHANCES? 
I have been self-employed for over 30 years; but would dearly love to get out of the building trade.

I am in a position to buy a catering trailer/van ...

Started a Catering Business, But told to move on Help!! 
I recently set up a burger van business after being made redundant. I did not want to be a jobcentre statistic so took the plunge.

It started well ...

Mobile Catering Insurance  
I have a catering trailer which i recently bought and i am wondering how i go about getting a lpg certificate? Where? And What insurance or public liability ...

I have Taken Delivery of a Catering Trailer 
Hi David
Firstly- your site is a terrific help - thanks.

I have taken delivery of a trailer and am starting up on my pitch next month - I am sooooo ...

Interested in Running a Catering Trailer in Ireland 
im interested in running a catering trailer for events and fairs etc in ireland.

Do you know what licences, permissions, i may need, it will be mostly ...

What about fridges/freezers at night? 
Like everyone else I would like to thank you for the effort you put in to this section.

I took delivery of a starter trailer yesterday, very excited ...

Should I invest In a Mobile Coffee Van, Cost £14,000 
I am interested in starting a mobile coffee (proper coffee done the traditional way) with a purpose built mobile coffee van that will cost me £14,000. I ...

Thinking Of Starting Up Our Own Catering Business 
Hi,

My husband and I are thinking of starting up our own catering business, like yourself, by using a catering van.

We live in Sittingbounre Kent,...

£2200 For A Street Trading Consent???????? 
So i've found a nice little 2nd hand starter trailer, got my 4x4 for the trailer.

Passed my NCASS food hygeine online course, had the trailer certificated ...

Starting Out With a Mobile Catering Business. 
hi Ive been reading about your experience and must say its a great help knowing you went through what i am now!

I'm due to be made redundant in 2 weeks ...

Waste Materials and Your Catering Business 
Hi, i am seriously thinking about getting into the mobile catering business.

My main concern revolves around getting rid of waste water/materials etc....

Is The Catering Business Market Flooded? 
hi i was just wondering if building my own burger van would be cheaper.Also do you think that this market is flooded at the moment?

Pay Tax or not to pay Tax, that is the question...lol 
We are starting out in the business very soon, have received the pitch, got a trailer in mind, food hygiene courses completed and the money available (luckily)...

Needing the Loo! 
Hi

I have sought out a pitch on a medium sized industrial estate and am now taking my hygiene certificates etc. to start trading from a trailer selling ...

Good Small Business-But We Need More Sales 
My partner runs a burger van and has a site on an industrial estate in Wales.

Custom is ok but we cannot seem to attract the office workers on the ...

Coffe and Muffin Van 
Hi,
I am looking into purchasing a small mobile coffee and muffin van. I intend to make the muffins and cookies from home so i wont actually be cooking ...

Inspired Me To Start My Own Small Business 
Hello, Your story inspired me to start my own business. If you could answer my question it would be great..

What legal requirements do I need to gain?...

Selling Grilled Food On My Catering Trailer Business 
Hello,

Your page is very useful :D

I have a idea to sell grilled food on weekends, and as I have no idea how will it work I Have decided to pick ...

Do I need to apply for a HGV license  
Hi my name is Noor,

I am a chef and used to work in a restaurant.Now i am trying to open a fast food trailer but, i am a bit confused and need your ...

Start Part Time and See How It Goes.. 
Me and my friend are very interested in starting up our own burger van business on the side of our every day jobs.

We are looking to start off doing ...

Need more Info Looking For Venues 
I would like to go and work in the festivals around england with a burger van but I haven't purchased one yet.

Could you tell me a good way of getting ...

Thinking of Trading Outside a College 
I thought your story and tips are great I'm actually looking to do this myself asap.

I already have a vehicle in the pipeline and poss contacts for ...

I've been Thinking about Running a Curry Van for Years 
Very interesting stuff. I've been ruminating on running a curry van for years.

There's a possibility of redundancy from my job that would maybe give ...

Thinking of Buying a Jiffy Van to Sell Pies 
Hi there,

I loved reading your article... if your food is as good as your article then you must have made some great money ;)

I am toying with the ...

Can I Get All The Facts 
Hi

I found this very useful indeed, i am in accountancy and it sounds silly but i have wanted to do this for so long.

Your story has really inspired ...

catering on prison land 
hi i have been giving permission from the governor of our local prison.To set up my catering van three days a week to serve staff and visitors

Do i ...

start cooking 
hi based in Ireland and want to start catering trailer business.

I have a spot to park on my own property along road where cars can pull in. Do i need ...

Rent a Catering Trailer ? 
Please could you let me know where best to hire a catering trailer ?

thanks
karl

Waiting for the Local Council Planner  
Hi you have inspired me to take the plunge and i am now waiting for the local council planner to let me know whether i can trade from a lay by off the ...

ice cream wars - burger van wars? 
How prevalent is 'family' and 'extortion' in the burger van world? I'm interested in the business, but not interested in entering a world with potential ...

Can I Use a Parking Bay? 
Hi enjoyed your story, i have a question for you, i have found a pitch in a busy area of students, however the only parking in the area is a pay and display ...

Getting My LPG Safety Certificate  
hi, just starting out with a catering trailer and nearly there, but i am really having trouble finding someone to come and give me a safety check on my ...

Gas & Electric Certificates 
Your story is very inspiring and I'm so glad to have come across it.

We have just purchased a second hand trailer and would like to get the electric ...

I'm not considering working in the catering trailer? 
hi I'm considering buying a catering trailer, and read your thread which i thought was absolutely brilliant.

It was a very informative and exactly ...

Sell Champagne on New Years Eve? 
Hello

My plan/idea is to sell champagne on New years eve
at Embankment(Opp London eye, during fireworks display.
I will be providing disposable glasses,...

I Don't Want To Be Tied Down To a Shop 
It was wonderful to find a site that told me exactly what had to be done by experience. Your story was great and gave me the courage to continue.

My ...

I would like To Trade Legally-So That Idon't Have any Problems 
Hi, i have found your site very helpful, but i wanted to ask what would be a reasonable rent if and when i find a suitable pitch for a catering trailer....

Catering Business In Scotland-Good Idea? 
Hi there,

I have just read your article and am keen to start a catering business in a remote but beautiful part of the west coast of Scotland.(during ...

Park up at the A1 somewhere ? Wait for Police to Arrest Me... 
Hello there mate, its a really nice story , I've been looking into this for a few days now.I've moved up from London and staying in the north east where ...

Thanks For Sharing Lot's Of Questions To Ask Myself 
Thank you for the article you have posted to share the knowledge and experience. I am the one who wants to run such a business but I still have lots to ...

Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer 
hello there mate its a really nice story , I’ve been looking into this for a few days now , the thing is I’ve moved up from London and staying in the north ...

Do I Need a Street Traders Licence to Trade for My Catering Business 
Hi, read your story.. it was great, it was just what i needed, i have been getting my trailer ready to trade for 18 month now I m 99% ready to go, I have ...

I Myself Work In The Catering Business-But Want To Start Up 
Hi how are you and i hope all is well, anyway having read your story on how you started and achieved your goal regarding your catering bossiness i can ...

What Size Generator Do I Need To For My Catering Trailer? 
Hi there I found your article very informative and helpful. I have a question, I am about tot take the plunge with a van and need a generator that can ...

Do I Have to Pay Rent For My Trading Spot? 
I am interested in starting a mobile catering business. I wanted to know do I have to pay rent on my trading spot and since I do not have a mobile van ...

Permission To Trade On Private Land 
Hi found this site very useful, it gives a general but good insight into mobile catering. Just wanted to ask if i have a bit of land at the side of my ...

Just Been Offered A Jacket Potatoe Catering Site 
Hi i have just been offered a site for a jacket potato unit in my town centre The thing is i am not too sure what to do as there is another unit that ...

Fed Up With 9-5 Office Job-Dreaming Of Starting Mobile Catering Business 
Hi, i have just read your 'starting out ' and found it really really interesting and useful! its exactly what i was looking for.

I have always dreamt ...

Front Facing Griddle Or Back Facing Griddle For A Catering Trailer 
Hi great read and advice thanks, looking for my first trailer now.Seems to be a lot of trailers out there with a griddle positioned at the back
or end ...

I Approached a Lot of People About Mobile Catering 
hi i really want to start my own business in catering i have approached a lot of people for sites but to no avail. My local council have told me not to ...

Is £5000 to Much To Pay For a Catering Pitch 
Firstly, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed reading your story and pass on my congratulations with your success!

My sister and I are hoping ...

Bored..Bored..Bored With Office Job-Inspired By Your Success 
I have been working a stupid office job since finishing uni (management degree) and somehow ended up in a call centre. I have been enjoying the job less ...

It Stemmed From The V Festival 
Hi,I' m really keen to get into doing what you have been doing! It stemmed from going to V Festival last year and seeing the amount of people buying food ...

We Did Up Our Catering Trailer-Business is Really Picking Up! 
Hi, I come across you article whilst searching for information on burger vans. Like yourself me and my friend have bought a catering trailer (which was ...

Starting my Mobile Catering Business-Many Questions 
I have just read your article and it has given me the extra bit of encouragement I need to move forward in my ideas of starting a catering van business....

Enough of My Office Job-Thinking of Starting a Mobile Catering Business 
I have been working a stupid office job since finishing uni (management degree) and somehow ended up in a call centre. I have been enjoying the job less ...

Where is the loo? when you are working In Mobile Catering 
Hi,I read with much interest your experience in starting your own mobile catering
business.This is something I have always wanted to do.

Just a quick ...

Thanks For Sharing Your Mobile Catering Business..How Can I 
Hi there,Thanks ever so much for sharing your new business story with me, I found it very helpful. I to am looking to start a catering business but mine ...

Insurance Prices For Mobile Catering Trailers  Not rated yet
Hi there, first things first great site!

I'm looking at working from a mobile burger van. I have max no claims and the best price i got was £1275 for ...

£18 million Development and On site Catering  Not rated yet
I've just read your story of setting up a catering trailer business. I also want to do this but have some concerns and worries.

In the summer there ...

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