Food Cart

If you’re just starting your food business or looking to target more foot traffic with your seasoned specialties, a food cart may be a great way to reach the most customers in your area. Learn more about the pros and cons of selecting a food cart for your business model by reading on.

What Is a Food Cart?

A food cart is a compact mobile kitchen that can either be pushed by hand or towed with a car or bicycle. Food carts range in size from 4-7 feet long and 2-6 feet wide. The food server will generally serve from behind the cart since they are typically not enclosed structures. Most food carts only have one piece of cooking equipment and a warmer to hold food at temperature. Food carts are designed to attract foot traffic from nearby walking paths to serve an individual customer at a time.

Pros

Explore the following benefits of a food cart to help you make your mobile food vehicle decision:

• Highly affordable option for new business owners to get into the mobile food scene
• Compact size is perfect for busy sidewalks to target specific walking paths during lunch rushes in major cities
• Mobility allows you to bring food options to locations where large brick-and-mortar cannot go, such as parks, fairs, boardwalks
• Does not need to be hitched to be transported, meaning that you can quickly readjust your location to target a more lucrative spot
• Can help create a close relationship with locals because carts provide eye-level customer service
• Space-saving size allows for simple and safe storage overnight and during off-seasons
• Comes with a reputation of a niche menu, allowing your cart to be known for its signature selections in the neighborhood

Cons

The compact size of a food cart can also come with some drawbacks for your business.

• Lack of full-sized kitchen equipment limits the menu selections you are able to serve
• Limited storage space does not allow for the storage of many ingredients, to-go containers, or cleaning supplies
• Mobility of the carts is fully dependent on your own foot power, additional vehicle or bicycle may be needed to transport it further
• Stigma associated with the lack of cleanliness of food carts can keep potential customers away

A food cart can be a great vehicle to help you start a farmers market stand or serve refreshing summer treats on your local boardwalk.