How many of you guys do this professionally? Or at least competitively?

[bamamontana]

I'm interested in buying a food truck, but I don't know where to begin. Don't want to quit my day job, either, so that leaves only time for nights and weekends. I don't know how lucrative that would be. Probably would just be a lot of catering and special events. I've dabbled in the restaurant biz in the past, but never as an entrepreneur. Any advice from any of you pros?

 

[bonzbbq]

Bama, welcome, I have been catering part time for a while and just finished a trailer, it can be very expensive to buy or build a food truck or trailer, I would suggest starting small and build up, and do not quit your day job unless it really takes off and you want to work just about double than a 40 hour work week, you have to love this kind of work, I am semi retired and it works well for me, but my circumstances were right for my venture, any help we can be here just ask, I have learned a lot from this forum, Bonz

 

[bamamontana]

Semi-retired or retired would probably be the best time to buy a food truck, I'd imagine.  Catering is the way to go.  You making a pretty good run at it, bonz?

 

[ynot2k]

I just started a BBQ catering business.  So far two jobs, both of which went well and were profitable (if you don't count my labor...sheesh)

It's a labor of love right now, but I hope to some day have a brick and mortar BBQ shack where I can employ a few youngsters and sling my recipes.

I will be hitting festivals and farmers markets later in 2015 and into 2016 with a trailer stick burner and a tent/awning.  I don't expect to make money on those days, but hopefully word of mouth will bring the catering jobs.  Lots of signage and business cards going out.  Free samples.  Cheap plates of good solid BBQ.  

My idea is to build the business very slowly and in 5-7 years when I really know what I'm doing I'll be ready to retire from my day job and either go play golf or be a full time pit master.  I'll decide then.

Good luck to you with your food truck.  It's a ton of money up front and a ton of work...but if it's what you WANT to do, I say go for it!

 

[bamamontana]

I wish you all the success in the world, YNO2K. It's a tough gig, I know. As for my food truck, I haven't decided yet, but you have the right idea...start small and build up. It's a lot of work, and I'm not sure I'm up to it. If I didn't love cooking I wouldn't even be considering it.

 

[bonzbbq]

Bama, doing ok so far, staying out of the red and putting something in the pockets, always learning and trying to get better, this forum has helped more times than I could count, festival gigs are always a crapshoot, lunch or roadside is a little easier to figure, catering you always know what you will make, keep us posted on what you will do, Bonz

 

[ynot2k]

I wish you all the success in the world, YNO2K. It's a tough gig, I know. As for my food truck, I haven't decided yet, but you have the right idea...start small and build up. It's a lot of work, and I'm not sure I'm up to it. If I didn't love cooking I wouldn't even be considering it.

bamamontana - thanks for the well wishes.  It is indeed a tough gig.  Smoking meat is a passion of mine, as well as creating recipes for sides and sauces.  I have so much fun doing it for myself and friends that I figure if the passion stays lit I'll do ok in catering.  I wish you the best of luck with your business as well.