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Offline thedesigntailor

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Mobile catering conversions?
« on: 08, January, 2013 - 21:13:16 »
Hi guys

I might have an opportunity to start a little side venture with a mobile food business. I've found a great untapped spot surrounded by hungry and wealthy business people. I'm enquiring to see if they'll let me pop something there but in the mean time I am thinking about what to use.

Does anybody have any experience in this world? I will need some help converting a vehicle for use

I think a burger van style won't go down well, so am looking to find something that is unusual and quirky.  I'd love to do a Airstream style something, I don't think I could raise that kind of money.

So... any ideas?

My C5 is too small  ;D so need to think clever.

Also thinking about doing world food, goat curry, that kind of thing. So I (or the staff) don't need to do too much cooking or prep on site. Really good quality but easy to serve food. Yum!

Dan x

Offline thedesigntailor

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #1 on: 08, January, 2013 - 21:14:18 »
This is amazing but probably a bit pricey to achieve. What you think?


Offline mhurt

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #2 on: 09, January, 2013 - 13:00:39 »
If you do goat curry can you park outside my house please! It's impossible to get goat here and it's one of my favourite meats :(
I tend to only get it once a year if we get down to Goose Fair in Nottingham in October (which I missed this time)

On the ideas side, I know you can pick up old buses/coaches pretty cheap and if they're over a certain age and only have 8 permanent seats you can drive them on a normal licence (in the UK anyway). It would give plenty of room for the kitchen area plus indoor seating.

Offline KarlG

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #3 on: 09, January, 2013 - 14:07:48 »
Without joking, come here to Munich, there's a ready to go unit sat outside here doing nothing for the last six months. It belonged to a Turk who died not long ago, and his son has no interest as he has employment. The only problem, besides the distance, is the unit is LHD.



I did't know untill I took this shot that I know the family, the name is on the door.

EDIT: Photo added.
« Last Edit: 09, January, 2013 - 15:26:20 by KarlG »

Offline coverman

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #4 on: 10, January, 2013 - 10:46:31 »
I do know a little about this business as I make & supply amongst others skirts to go around the bottom of catering vans, usually trailer types. My customers often make their own conversions, or buy from other former showmen who specialise in purpose built trailers or small truck conversions. The French have a fantastic range of small truck mobile shops, so you might nbe able to pick one up there, or take up Karl's suggestion. If you want an intro to the Showmen who make these things in Lutterworth, I can try to arrange it.
I know that in NYC it is all the rage currently to eat from mobile catering wagons offering really high quality and unusual  take away food.
I was at the Goose Fair this year on business, as I was several in years past, and the variety of takeaways has increased imaginatively. I stick to mushy peas when there,  (they were actually initially developed as the first takeaway but didn't catch on universally).

Offline thedesigntailor

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #5 on: 10, January, 2013 - 13:38:04 »
Mhurt - We are lucky in Bristol that it's easy to get hold of pretty much any type of food. I even know someone who can supply cobra!

KarlG - That looks a good sized unit but I want to have a vehicle that stands out a bit more and is a bit more unusual.

A bus is a good idea as Mhurt says - I'd have to find a nice classic one, but I can't find many online. Also been looking at Airstreams in the US but I expect the shipping would be expensive!

Coverman - Yes, it seems that 'street food' is enjoying a resurgence. Esp around here where it seems the low over heads are being plowed into quality ingredients rather than cheaper costs. There's even a mobile Oyster trailer around. I reckon it's a good business to get into before theres no pitches left as all the guys in my studio go out and spend £4.50 a lunch on something tasty from a street vendor. A lot of money in my opinion.

I just hope to get a thumbs up from the people who manage the space where I'd like to be.

Dan

Offline KarlG

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #6 on: 10, January, 2013 - 13:49:51 »
Hi Dan,

is this more to your taste::) ::)

Offline danny7147

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #7 on: 10, January, 2013 - 14:22:24 »
Tell me something, if you were looking at a bus would you want a roadworthy one, or if it was a vintage one with the wow factor would you take on a restoration project? If you want a resto job on a pretty amazing bus then I actually know of one that's about 25 miles from Bristol ;-) I can upload a photo if it interests you, but it's 50's or 60's, and a real eye catcher!
« Last Edit: 10, January, 2013 - 15:24:04 by danny7147 »

Offline danny7147

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #8 on: 10, January, 2013 - 15:27:18 »
Just found the photo... it's in the West Country, I can give you directions etc, but it's an amazing thing to see.

We were on holiday in Weston Super Mare in November, and as we were driving along a road I saw the roof poking above a hedge, so I pulled over, stopped, and this is what I saw  :o



Now, A Bedford Vega, in good running condition, will set you back around £25,000. This one has obviously been off the road for a long time, but does seem complete so would make somebody a lovely project!


Offline Luke S

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #9 on: 10, January, 2013 - 16:09:36 »
Hi Dan,

is this more to your taste::) ::)


You would look like a twerp driving that around. You would defiantly get more looks in that than you would in a C5

Offline KarlG

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #10 on: 10, January, 2013 - 18:25:35 »
Quote
You would look like a twerp driving that around.
U aint gonna sell no fast food by driving around, unless of course you have fast customers.  ;D ;D ;D

With something like this no one could mistake the purpose of the vehicle.  ::)

Karl

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #11 on: 11, January, 2013 - 09:57:39 »
as much as I love the hot-dog mobile ,I vote for the old bus....lovely classic shape  8)

Offline rekooh99

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #12 on: 11, January, 2013 - 16:18:43 »
Definitely the bus , you could have seats inside for customers.Good luck anyhow.

Offline thedesigntailor

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #13 on: 11, January, 2013 - 16:44:59 »
Love the bus - Looks like a lot of work needed though. Probably ok if I could leave it static.

Not far from me there are these - used to have a studio near by. Unfortantly the food they serve was pretty uninspiring. The bus would be cooler I think.



I should hear back on Monday about the space

Offline danny7147

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Re: Mobile catering conversions?
« Reply #14 on: 11, January, 2013 - 18:06:07 »
Let me know if you want details on where the bus is, it's near to Cheddar Gorge :)