What to know before going into food truck business in Delaware

Has there ever been a better time to get into the food and food truck business in Delaware than now? With all the attention and growth of the food and restaurant industry in the First State, plenty of entrepreneurs are interested. However, there’s more involved than being a good cook with a great recipe.

First, it is important to research whether a city or town allows food trucks. If so, do they restrict food trucks to certain sections of town or during certain days or hours of the day? That’s just one of the questions that must be addressed before going into business.

“The rules can be almost as complex as opening a bricks-and-mortar restaurant,” said Bill Pfaff, director of the Kent and Sussex County Small Business Development Center. “Entrepreneurs looking at a food truck start-up should have a business plan, financing, permits and training. We provide technical business assistance to new start-ups to ensure they are getting off to a successful start.

“Any mobile food truck in Delaware must submit plans to the Delaware Health and Social Services Division of Public Health for review and approval,” Pfaff said. “We also recommend lots of research, including, what is my food specialty, what is the competition offering and at what price.” At present, there are approximately 150 permitted mobile food operations or food trucks operating in Delaware.

The popularity of the food truck business is rapidly growing. Events are popping up everywhere, and food trucks are now a major part of festivals, farmers markets and brewery business. Look no further than FoodieFest at Hudson Fields, being promoted by Julie and Christian Hudson as a series of four food truck events Sundays, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, to be held at Hudson Fields north of Lewes. For more information or to apply as a food truck vendor, go to FoodieFestDE.com or call 302-645-9464.

The industry in Delaware has its own peer group called Rolling Revolution, a food truck and mobile vending association, begun in 2014 when three owner-operators worked together to defeat a proposed moratorium on food trucks in Delaware. The Rolling Revolution’s mission is "to grow fair laws for food truck and mobile vending entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the region. The members seek to sustain the well-being of the industry, foster a sense of community and work in partnership to improve vending/food truck regulations.” The organization was started by three mobile operators, and its website allows customers to book a truck. For more information, go to RollingRev.com.

“Having a great crab cake recipe is a good start,” Pfaff said, but that’s only the start. “The vehicle itself is just one of the important decisions when starting a new business. The food truck business has become so popular that there are a number of designers, manufacturers and specific appliances to research. Will you purchase or lease? Can you buy used? Are you going to do special events or team up with another business such as a winery or a brewery?” Pfaff said.

Just as in the restaurant industry, food truck operators need to be able to pass food safety requirements such as food storage and preparation, Pfaff said. “Ultimately, by having these standards in place, your customers can rest assured they are getting a good, quality product that is safe to consume,” he said. Prior to the first day of operation, mobile food operators must obtain a state permit and be inspected.

To get started, Pfaff recommends prospective operators obtain a copy of the Delaware Health and Social Services guide to regulatory requirements and applications to operate a food truck in Delaware. To download the guide, go to dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/files/mfuplanreview.pdf.

He noted that most food truck operators, except those who serve only packaged non-time/temperature control foods, must have an agreement to use facilities at a permitted food establishment for food preparation. Packaged foods are those securely bagged or wrapped, bottled or canned.

The Delaware Small Business Development Center, a unit of the University of Delaware Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and in part through the State of Delaware.