MOBILE CATERING COMPETITION

The food cart industry has grown exponentially in the United States. Understandably then, with a restaurant on wheels, you need to be prepared for some competition. As an organized restaurateur, you need to have a competitive edge and develop attributes that set your food cart apart from other carts, trucks, trailers and kiosks in the market.
To be truly competitive in the mobile catering industry, you need to:

• Approach the business with knowledge of what your competitors are doing the market
• Check the food carts and trailers that are generating the longest lines
• Know the prices that your competitors are selling at
• Identify the ‘favorite food cart’ in the market

Useful Tip:

Get into social media and read what the foodies say /share about their favorite food stands and mobile food vendors. Stay updated on popular food culture for breakfast clubs, lunch lots, casual diners and the habitual foodies. Better still, create your page and update your customers and prospects on the food items on your menu. Do invite feedback and suggestions!

Systematic market research is very important for success in the mobile food industry. Remember, your business rival could be 5 miles away or just on the next block when you run a business on wheels. Further, your competitors are not only the food carts, trucks and kiosks but also the brick and mortar restaurants in the area.

On the positive side though, competition adds to the dynamism of this trade and motivates you be more innovative. It prompts you to move out of your comfort zone. When you know that you are not the sole seller of cooked food in your area, you do try to develop better and more distinct products. By offering quality products, you can effectively deal with competition and strengthen bonds with your own clientele.

To be more competitive, you can also negotiate with your suppliers for timely delivery of fresh ingredients. At times, you may have to offer discounts or reduce the price of your food items to keep your customers happy and drive repeat sales. As per the 80-20 rule in sales, 80% of business comes from repeat customers and 20% from new customers. So as a caterer or mobile food vendor, you ought to keep all your existing customers satisfied, nay delighted!

The mobile restaurant industry gives you the flexibility as to when and where you ‘park’ your business. Nonetheless remember, the more available you are, the better off you will be.