Coffee Van Run - Establishing a run - etiquette etc

Comments

• GaryatGala

  October 2012

  Hi Tom, Don't worry about stepping on other's toes. You need to be assertive if you want to survive. Look at how the others do their run by observation. See how much they charge and what range of products they carry to sell. You then offer something that is superior for the same price or cheaper to entice those existing clients. You will get knockbacks, that's part of learning about business. If you dont have much luck you may have to try areas that a normal van would not bother to go to, and that will mean a bit more traveling for you, but as long as it brings  business and success for you then it's worth getting a bit off the track. So instead of targetting the main industrial areas, you could target retail sectors or medical, transport, offices that's in a population center. There will be places within the industrial areas where the other vans won't bother, perhaps they become more selective so they can reap the most benefits for the least amount of work/traveling, so that's where you come in to pick up the crumbs so to speak, you may do well. Bottom line is, don't worry about stepping on other van's tyres, you may get one or two telling the area s taken, but there is no law saying you can't. If you operate as an independent operator, you are free to go anywhere you want, unlike a franchise who is restricted to a certain territory and still have to compete with other franchises or independent operators. All the best and i wish you success.

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• thomen

  October 2012

  Thank you so very much for such a detailed and informative post.. I really appreciate you taking the time to write it I'd be an independent.. just wondering.licensing wise what's required as a mobile vendor to setup and sell is it council based or state based? In terms of setting up in public and selling ala the Mr whippy model? Tthanks again Tom

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• Ol Grumpy

  October 2012

  You could do what has been suggested.... Or, You could actually ask your prospective clients what they want? There's a thought... Ask your clients what they would like, but can't get and then give them what they want. People don't buy price, they buy value! Add value and you can ask a higher price... It's not rocket science, but the majority of people can't think past 'plain vanilla' so they get mediocre results. Do a few surveys in the areas you want to target. Offer some free samples and ask opinions. You don't need to reinvent the wheel- you just need to (really) listen to your clients. BTW: that was $20k worth of marketing advice- you just got for free- don't underestimate it's power. Not sure where you are- but here in (gods own country :tic) Qld. there is a service called I Think 'Smart Licence' ... anyway, it's a State Gov't service designed as a one -stop answer to all the licences, permits, etc you require. It's certainly a good place to start. You may have a similar service available wherever you are. Certainly your local council will assist and lighten your pockets in the process! Good Luck, OG

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• thomen

  October 2012

  Thanks so much for the reply and the 20k advice! It is gold! Re the licence im in nsw so not sure ill check with the council Thanks for the help you guys are great

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• GaryatGala

  October 2012

  You're very welcome. Do speak to an accountant. Contact council in your area. They will direct you to the right department and they should inform you there's about 1 or 2 fees applicable as well as inspection of your vehicle prior to operation. The fees i'm talking about is a yearly fee in your council, and perhaps another fee if you want to apply to service on council land and events like public concerts, australia day celebrations etc. If you intend to produce your own food, keep a few things in mind. Cakes, muffins and bikkies may not require health inspections, but making your own pies, rolls, sandwiches require a commercial standard kitchen, so health inspections apply. On another note, slushie machines are a great idea if you are doing static events. Kids love slushies and profit margins are very good on those. You can get premixes in different flavours and colours if you do research. A sound marketing strategy is to provide a service or goods that others don't provide. Some independents would opt for no ice blended drinks in their vans to keep things simple but you could if you want provide blended cold drinks as part of your product line. So basically bottle flavourings, a good blender and something to keep the ice frozen is the go, and it will provide a tidy income when it's stinking hot out there and tradies and workers need a cold one. Most important is good coffee. Good quality coffee beans, machinery and technique. They will know when they taste a great coffee and it will be a matter of time before word gets around and a few more customers join in. Consider loyalty cards as well as some business cards to hand out. Again, do your research, take your time and don't worry about getting in there amongst the other operators. It's a win win for the customers, and you are helping to raise standards by competing.

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• Sub-Ju

  January 2013

  Hey there, Just jumping in on your chat..in the process also of setting up a new mobile coffee van and in need of all the advice available..more so along the lines of fitting out the van itself..I used to be employed to drive and make coffees for a franchisee owner that had 2 vans..but ive since moved back to NZ and have decided I would love to set up my own..in hine sight i should have taken more notice on the actual set up of the van..Im in need of some direction as to generators and water tanks, plumbing and electrical side of things...having taken note of a fair few pix online theres a lot involved to get everything to work efficiently..any advice would be greatly appreciated...thanks.. :thumb:

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• Koffee_Kosmo

  January 2013

  First things first Dependent on the rules and regulations in your country or council area They all differ in the application of compliance Contact them for the regulations I prefer generators as a power source however nose can be an issue Unless new models are very quiet running, the generator should be shielded or the muffler altered to make it a near silent system Fill tanks with filtered water or have a filter in the line KK

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• Sub-Ju

  January 2013

  Hey, thanks for that, Ive been to Council re: health license and all that is pretty standard..Yes defiantely going with a generator..there are a few to choose from..any preference on models? Onan? Yamaha? Honda? I know the van i used to drive had honda not sure of exact model but it was so noisy so def looking for a quiter one..inverters?umm should a plumber/ electrician be able to hook everything needed up for me with out me having to fully know exactly what i need?in the throws of drawing up some templates of a bench space and stuff and will get some imput from a stainless steel fabricator in regards  to fitting it all..any dos or don'ts you can think of? i had fridges underneath the bench of the van i drove in ozzy and they were all built in stainless from memory..alot of the vans ive been checking out have actual little fridges, would not it be easier to have it all just built in?thanks heaps for offering your advice much appreciated..

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• Koffee_Kosmo

  January 2013

  For the generator I would go Honda as my first choice For a fridge - look at dual fuel like the ones one sees used in caravans Also have a look at other set ups for practical ideas KK

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