Comments on: Concession Trailer Business – 10

By: craig

craig — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:42:16 +0000

I am starting a bbq concession trailer in michigan and I am building it myuself out of a car hauler trailer. This site is awesome . my name is Craig.

By: Leo P.

Leo P. — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:26:05 +0000

GOD Bless you, Persons like you make this country the greatest in this planet.

By: Kimberly Brown

Kimberly Brown — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:37:05 +0000

I am looking for as much advise and help as I can get about starting a food concesion business.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:52:24 +0000

Hello,
My name is Steve and I have decided to enter into the concession business.
First I decided to talk to some other venders in my local area..I asked lots of questions..like how much did it cost you get started in the concession business and was a little shocked at how much people pay for a simple constructed hot dog cart. average was around $3,000 dollars for there cart. Health inspection in my State anyway is $75 a hr. min. 2 hrs charged. license fee, permits and asked what the inspectors look..if i needed to have a commissary to wash my pans. (i am in washington state.)
Almost every vender i talked to said Start at your local health dept. and start there.
So that is exactly what i did i went to the health department and asked for a packet of
requirements to open a concession trailer.
This site is very helpful as it seems to follow the exact path i am taking, except I decided to build my own concession trailer. ( having some construction background and a garage full of tools that are not being used for the winter).
So I have my codes in hand and after long thought of how I wanted to build and not cost me $3,000 dollars. In fact I think I will finish it under a $1000 dollars..not counting inventory and insurance..
Ok I know there are those of u that want to know how I will be able to reach this goal.
First of the person the made this website is dead on about keeping it simple and keep a simple menu in mind..it will make it much easier when it comes to equipment. I will have no fryer or flat grill. eliminates hood fan requirements. I will be starting with a hot dog roller. (must be NSF). prices starting $200. always check your local craigslist.
I also decided not to build just a push cart and went with a trailer. I found a pop up tent trailer I decided to convert There was already a waste water tank installed and propane lines ran..also has power outlets and I have a licensed trailer FOR $250 HE Wanted a bit more but when i explained what i was doing with it he wanted to work with me..I removed beds and stripped most of the inside of it out except the plumbing (that will need modified to add more NSF sinks.) I have been finding these for about $50 per stainless steal sink. I also found Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater for under $100.( very cool product at takes very little space heats water by propane. ebay) I found a mini fridge for storing my condiments that need to stay cold for $30 also craigslist. I am not really required to have the four sinks because i will be using a commissary.(local church Free) however i will be installing anyway in case I every decide to travel with it. So the step now is purchasing a cold well or cold table. I am planning to be inspected on ready to go by spring. I will keep everyone updated on progress.

By: James MacDowell

James MacDowell — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:01:45 +0000

Great info!
How do you get health Dept approval if you are going to travel to different states?
Thanks so much

By: Dedee

Dedee — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:37:17 +0000

Thanks for the info

By: Jackie Caravello

Jackie Caravello — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:00:32 +0000

This was very informative as my daughter and I are preparing our trailer now. We have already discussed w/the Md. Health Dept. what is required for the various permits. Depends on just sandwhiches and the likes, but if deep frying for frys or making hot sandwhiches requires a certain permit. We also are required to take a 2 day Food Certification Course at our local college that offer it. Individuals can inquire if this is a required course in their individual state. **It is also here in Maryland required to have a commisary with approval letter from them stating we can use their facilities such as ; storing foods in frig., use kitchen for cleaning of cooking utensils that have been used, and that waste water can be disposed of there as well. We have approached our local VFW but have not had a confirmation or denial so this may be the last difficult thing to be accomplished in gettng a commercial commisary.

By: Bryan Thompson

Bryan Thompson — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:26:36 +0000

Very informative, and i love the way you make it straight to the point. My trailer is going to be set up in Austin Texas and my desire is for two spots during the day Monday-Friday on south first for the lunch time crowd and on Thursday-Saturday nights on 6th street. Would there be a difference in the permits/ordinances ill need or have to follow for two spots?

By: Anthony McCarthy

Anthony McCarthy — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:01:20 +0000

Wow, thanks for all the guidance! great information and easy to digest…..

By: hagar

hagar — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:07:43 +0000

great info, from a guy who seems to have been there… you’re going to get a lot of folks going that couldn’t have otherwise; the number of fake “plans” sites is dismaying… your site is all solid, practical info… thanks!