Over the past 4 - 5 years the development of Street Food in the UK has been nothing short of remarkable. It has grown from a handful of itinerant traders plying their trade in car parks and the like, to the insatiable growth of specialist Street Food Markets and ‘off-grid’ style events.
NCASS have supported this growing industry from the beginning, providing Street Food vendors with the advice, and helping to develop opportunities for trade. Enhancing profitability and developing safe and legal working practices, to change the public perception of Street Food, from undesirable ‘greasy burger vans’ to the most exciting new trend in British food for many years.
The appeal of Street Food from a trader point of view is clear. It is one of the most affordable and low-risk ways to start your own business, and does not necessarily require ‘cheffing skills’ to get started or make money. You can run your own business and be your own boss.
From a customer point of view, Street Food has offered a welcome alternative to recession-conscious consumers. High quality, affordable fast food sold without pretense. The success of Street Food and the concepts that drive it, have to some degree changed restaurant and dining culture in the capital, and could well do the same around the rest of the UK if given the opportunity.
The Main Advantages of a Street Food Business:
1) Low Start-Up Costs
A market stall or gazebo set up, with completely new equipment and gas rig can be put together for around £5,000. A converted van, depending on the make and model can be on the road for anything between £5,000 - £20,000. While a quirky looking van might be the dream vehicle, if you just want to get out there and start selling great food to the public, you can do so very cost effectively. In all honesty, that’s what the game is about: great, honest food. What other business can you start for this kind of money with this kind of potential?
2) Reasonably Low Rents
Rents for street food markets tend to be between £30 - £100 p/d. Often with private markets this includes a non-refundable deposit and a percentage of takings rather than a flat fee. The rents shouldn’t break the bank as they are a far lower investment and lower risk than rents at shows and events. However, there is still the potential to over pay and you should research the market as thoroughly as possible before you commit to working there.
3) Produce the food that inspires you
Many people go into Street Food because they want to produce great food and share it with the world. From Kimchi to Churros and everything in between, Street Food is revolutionising what people eat and the way they eat. This is your chance to show what you can do, whether you love American Barbecue, Taiwanese Street Food, Spanish Tapas or foraged British food. Street Food customers want to try something new, different and inspirational - the more interesting the better! If you can deliver that, then you have the ingredients for an enjoyable and profitable career change.
4) You get to meet your customers...
…and find out what they think. Either through face to face meetings when they buy your food, or afterwards via social media. Many a successful street food trader has listened to feedback from their customers and acted upon it to great success. What other part of the catering industry allows you to see what your customers think of your food within one mouthful and to see how happy or surprised they are by your food? Many Street Food traders list this as one of the best things about their job - chefs in kitchens up and down the land are very jealous!
5) On Trend
Everybody’s talking about Street Food, it's expanding rapidly and starting to establish itself in cities across the UK. It also has potential in terms of urban & high street regeneration, supporting the night time economy and creating employment, a fact that is being recognised by government, entrepreneurs and private land owners. It’s about great food that people can afford and trust; it's not a fad or fly by night fashion, and is already growing rapidly around the UK with much potential yet to realise.
6) Opportunities for Private Work
Many street traders supplement their income with private functions and corporate gigs. This has been an essential part of the trade for many. Markets and Street Food events combined with effective social media, has made it easier for customers to find the perfect food for their event or party. While you never know when a private gig will pop up, established Street Food traders can expect to do several private parties a year.
7) You’re not in an office…
...or a factory, or any other job you hate. If you want to be outside, with like-minded people, meeting the public and delighting them with food, then this could be the job for you - as long as you can cook! Street Food suits sole traders and partnerships, you are the master of your own destiny, you can choose what to sell and where and when to work. Every aspect of the business will be your responsibility, so if you want control of your future and you don’t mind the wind or rain, then Street Food could be just what you’re looking for.
8) If it’s not working you can change it
If the market or the type of food you're selling isn’t working for you, you can always change where you work or what you sell. Whether that means tweaking your food or whole scale changes, if something isn’t selling then you can easily change without incurring significant costs. If you decide it’s not for you, you can probably recoup much of your investment as there is a good market for second hand equipment.
The Disadvantages of a Street Food Business
1) It’s not as easy as you might think
Street Food can be physically challenging, require early starts and long days. The weather cannot be relied upon and there are days when you won’t sell much at all. Hopefully the good days will more than make up for the bad ones but it’s not easy work.
2) The British Weather & Seasonality
The Street Food season tends to be spring to autumn. The public don’t tend to like eating outside in rain, snow or high winds, all of which are possible if not probable during the winter months. During the winter, some traders work Christmas Markets or at indoor food courts, some open pop-up restaurants, and others just go on holiday. You will need to make your money during peak trade season, then and budget accordingly through the winter months.
3) Jack of all trades
You will have to do everything yourself, from cooking to customer service, marketing, stock control & bookkeeping. If you want complete control that’s great, but very few of us are masters of all aspects of business, and at times the tendency to concentrate on what you’re good at may see other aspects of the business slipping.
4) Ever increasing competition for market pitches
The growth in popularity of street food has been matched by the number of people looking to start-up businesses, but not by the amount of places to trade.
We are working with collectives, promoters, councils and government to try to increase opportunities, but there is no guarantee they will materialise. More privately run events and council pitches are becoming available, but you are unlikely to walk into the pitch you want. Street Food start-ups often think working at Street Feast or KERB is just a phone call away, but many established markets are largely full. You may have to earn your stripes at a less established market or event before you get the opportunity to move onto more profitable jobs. If your food and attitude is good, you should get your chance.
5) One irresponsible trader could give the industry a bad name
The number of markets allowing people to trade with unsafe gas installations, no hand washing, poor hygiene training or no understanding of HACCP principles could be a recipe for disaster. If members of the public get ill or get caught up in a LPG ‘incident’ due to unsafe practices, it will reflect badly on the whole industry – even those doing things properly.
6) Profit
Your trading time at a market may only be a few hours, and your capacity is limited as you can only hold so much stock. On top of that, many Street Food businesses have limited pairs of hands to sell the food, and many either cook or put together the food to order in front of the customer. This means that you cannot turn over huge amounts of food, limiting your ability to make significant profits. But that's one of the things that makes Street Food so appealing to the public - food being cooked fresh in front of them. This said, experienced Street Food vendors can turn over quality dishes in lightning quick speed and make good money.
7) Very few pitches available
While we call it Street Food, the name could be considered a bit on the aspirational side as actual pitches on streets are pretty limited. It will depend entirely on the local borough council in which you hope to work, whether you will be able to trade on their streets rather than on a market and while local councils have traditionally been more hostile to this than they are today, many have so far missed the opportunity to raise revenue and help job creation by allowing street trading licences for street food vendors in high footfall areas.
8) It won’t make you rich overnight
That really isn’t why people get into this game and if it is, they tend to fail. There must be easier ways of getting rich if that’s your ambition. Yes, some traders have hit dizzying heights, moving into restaurants, retailing their secret recipe sauces or getting TV work, but they have done this through many years of hard work. You can earn good money from street food, but it can take time to develop your product, build up your customer base and get the work that will make you money. If you concentrate on getting the core elements of your business right then you stand a good chance of running a profitable business
What to Think About
Is it for you?
Working and running a Mobile Catering business can be great, but it can also be very difficult. Don't go into it blind. Find out more about it by reading our articles looking at both sides of the coin:
- 10 Reasons why Starting a Mobile Catering Business is a Great Idea > Click here
- 10 Reasons why Starting a Mobile Catering Business might not be for you > Click here
- 10 Reasons why Starting a Mobile Catering Business is a Great Idea > Click here
- 10 Reasons why Starting a Mobile Catering Business might not be for you > Click here
What Unit you will operate from
What type of unit are you going to operate from? There are 4 main categories of units and each of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Find out more below:
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Your Equipment
If it hasn’t got the CE label, don’t buy it - no matter what anyone might say. You will not get a Gas Safety certificate for it, and therefore will be operating illegally.
Event Organisers will want to see your Gas Safety certificate and you won't be able to trade without it. Even if you find work at small private functions, you could have some real problems with insurance companies if you ever need to make a claim, let alone with the law if you are prosecuted.
Where you're going to Trade
Where you trade is obviously critical to the success of your business. There are a variety of different options that you can choose from, you might even operate from a variety of different locations. Below are some ideas as to where, and you can find more information in our Get Profitable section.
From village Fetes to week long music Festivals
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Lay-by's, Car Parks & Industrial Estates
> Read More |
Pricing
What price are you going to charge for your food or drink? Obviously this will depend on what it is that you're selling and where it is that you are operating. Food and drink often costs a lot more at shows and events than it does on a roadside, but then you will probably have to pay more in fees at a show.
How to Operate Legally
Many people start in catering because they like to cook and maybe have hosted some larger house parties. The thought of becoming a professional caterer is very appealing, however bear in mind that when you provide food for others there are rules to follow.
As soon as you say yes, even if you're not getting paid, you are a professional caterer and you are responsible and can even go to prison if things go badly wrong. Therefore, you need to ensure that you comply with a variety of laws and standards to ensure that you are operating legally. Our Get Legal section has a lot of information to help you on this.
As soon as you say yes, even if you're not getting paid, you are a professional caterer and you are responsible and can even go to prison if things go badly wrong. Therefore, you need to ensure that you comply with a variety of laws and standards to ensure that you are operating legally. Our Get Legal section has a lot of information to help you on this.
Insurance
Don't even think of operating without Liability Insurance. Not only is it a legal requirement, it's not expensive and will cover you against accidents and food poisoning. Have a look at our Insurance section to get more information as to what type of Insurance you need > Click here
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How to Succeed
In order to succeed we think you need to do / have the following things:
Do lots and lots of research
Research, research, research. You need to find out as much information as you can before you start, to know what to expect. What to sell, where to sell, how to sell it! This site should help you with lots of your research, but you might also want to consider buying The Complete Guide to Profitable Catering - it takes a lot of the information on this site and goes into more detail. You might also want to speak to some experts face to face.
Have a Support System in place
Where are you going to get answers to the many questions that you have? Where are you going to get the reassurance that you are doing the right thing or the confidence to change if things aren't going to plan? You might know someone else who has done it and therefore you can tap them up for information.
By being a member of NCASS you can call us with any questions or queries that you might have.
By being a member of NCASS you can call us with any questions or queries that you might have.
Have lots of Determination
There's no doubting that in order to succeed in this industry you need to have a lot of determination to keep on going when the going gets tough. It's not an easy trade, especially in the depths of winter when you have to go out and trade in the cold weather but you'd rather be at home or in an office in the warm. That's the main difference between those who last 1 season and those that last 20.
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