Getting into the food service business is always easy and fun. Still, for many budding entrepreneurs, the question of whether to have a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant or a lighter version of food service plays in their minds. That’s why concession trailers have become so popular for several reasons. In this blog, we will outline in more detail several advantages of having a concession trailer, which applies most to those in the Pacific Northwest.
1. Flexibility and Mobility
Yet the best advantage for concession trailer-based businesses is their mobility. When you don’t have a fixed restaurant location, it permits you to establish your operation in many different locations the local festival, farmers’ markets, or even sporting events-with the flexibility to access many different customer bases while adjusting your offerings to appeal to the local population.
2. Targeting Events and Festivals
Portland has really vibrant food culture, hosting a list of events every year. Be it the Oregon State Fair, the local food festivals, or the community gatherings; a concession trailer lets you cash in on that. You can pull your trailer to the hottest places and get as much foot traffic and sales as possible.
3. Lower Startup Costs
Opening a traditional restaurant is quite pricey to begin; the initial costs for leasing or buying real estate, renovations, and all equipment are substantial. A concession trailer is often much less expensive to begin. You can get many models, from used ones that are very affordable to custom builds that fit your dream of what you wanted to serve.
Many concession trailer manufacturers, such as PNW Food Trailers, offer financing options. This means that prospective food entrepreneurs may invest in the purchase of a trailer without financially breaking the bank.
The high customizability aspect of concession trailers makes them suitable for those wishing to start a food-related business on a low budget.
A concession trailer is quite a blank canvas that you can design to reflect your brand and your culinary style. Many builders present options to help build the space to suit your very needs, from kitchen layout up to branding elements.
4. Customized Layouts
Be it saving space for fast service or a large kitchen area to fit in all the complex menu items, you can design a layout with your builders that maximizes efficiency and functionality. This will ensure that your trailer complies with health regulations and provides a comfortable workplace space.
5. Streamline Operations
Concession trailers are designed to be efficient. With a good design, you can lay out your trailer so that you stream all your sales for efficiency during events when customers want to eat but do not like waiting in lines, especially during peak hours.
6. Equipment Choices
You can also pick the right equipment, which would fit in with your menu when customizing your trailer. From grills and fryers to refrigeration units, this provides you with appliances that allow for quick cooking and the immediate serving of food, thus improving your overall customer experience.
7. Low Overhead Costs
Operating from a concession trailer is clearly cheaper on overheads than most restaurants. You will not be saddled with the necessity of paying for monthly rent, bills on utilities, or the need to staff extravagantly. This reduces the financial burden on you, thereby maximizing the quality of ingredients you can afford and your marketing efforts.
8. Seasonal Convenience
Many food trailer businesses boom in the summer. Over winter, though, business may sleep. This does create an opportunity to operate your business on a seasonal basis and to engage where events and locations may stay more active year-round without the stigma of having to maintain a lease.
9. Increased Marketing Opportunity
A concession trailer offers a marketing opportunity unlike any other. With attention-getting designs and branding, your trailer can be a mobile billboard, attracting customers wherever you go.
10. Social Media Engagement
Food trailers are very appealing to the eyes and can be used very effectively through social media marketing. One can share pictures of their mouth-watering dishes and the trailer to attract more followers and customers towards them. Start engaging with your audience on sites like Instagram and Facebook to build loyal customers.
Conclusion
Concession trailer options, like the ones above, are a fantastic choice for the up-and-coming Portland food entrepreneur and the broader Pacific Northwest food innovator, allowing flexibility and lower startup costs while providing a basis from which to create community connections, a customizable product.
Are you testing out a new food concept sponsoring events or a build brand that talks to what your customers need? A concession trailer delivers the tools and opportunities needed to be successful. Find out your options, get connected with reliable builders, and start this journey for life on a food service journey. For more information on the trailers and services offered, visit PNW Food Trailers.