It’s not extremely complicated, and I live right next to downtown Minneapolis. There are also several lakes around there. I would like to do a crepe stand, but that might require too much work. I’m now considering a refreshment stand on the lake. I will look for a loan once the idea is complete.
Do you think that this would be a good small business venture?
I’m really uncertain about it, because it seems really risky and requires lots of skill to make the food well. I am only 17 and figure that whatever happens, it will be a good experience.
Anyone tried something like this?
I’ve never done a food cart, but I believe it may be a potential money maker. Here are some things to consider.
1) Make sure it’s legal. I have seen food vendors driven off the street because the food was brought in from somewhere else and not cooked on the stand.
2) Make sure you’re safe. If you start bringing in wads of cash, well, you get the picture.
3) Make sure it’s something people want. If people don’t like the crepes, or if they’re too hard to eat while out playing in the park, you’ll be stuck with a bunch of uneaten crepes.
I would really do a bit of research before you start. Go out and ask people frequenting the parks and lakes what kind of refreshments they would like, and what price they would pay. It’s good old fashioned marketing research. Then, give the people what they want.
A good hot cup of coffee is always a welcome treat, especially in colder weather. Your idea is sound, you just need to work out your business plan. Check out www.sba.gov for some of the "nuts and bolts" of how to put together a business plan that will actually get you a loan!
Good luck!
YES
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I’ve never done a food cart, but I believe it may be a potential money maker. Here are some things to consider.
1) Make sure it’s legal. I have seen food vendors driven off the street because the food was brought in from somewhere else and not cooked on the stand.
2) Make sure you’re safe. If you start bringing in wads of cash, well, you get the picture.
3) Make sure it’s something people want. If people don’t like the crepes, or if they’re too hard to eat while out playing in the park, you’ll be stuck with a bunch of uneaten crepes.
I would really do a bit of research before you start. Go out and ask people frequenting the parks and lakes what kind of refreshments they would like, and what price they would pay. It’s good old fashioned marketing research. Then, give the people what they want.
A good hot cup of coffee is always a welcome treat, especially in colder weather. Your idea is sound, you just need to work out your business plan. Check out http://www.sba.gov for some of the "nuts and bolts" of how to put together a business plan that will actually get you a loan!
Good luck!
References :
For almost ten years, my family ran a similar business with a hot dog cart. We made a lot of money selling hot dogs outside of a bar in a college town, from about 10PM-3AM. But eventually because of local politics, we couldn’t sell there anymore. It became increasingly difficult to make money at different places – a lot of cities have regulations about who has "dibbs" on the hot spots to put food carts. Eventually we switched over to using the cart to cater small parties – we made a lot more money, and it took a lot less time and effort.
Basically, if you can find a great spot (like our original spot), you can do really, really well.
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Last time I checked a person could only operate a vending cart in a certain section of downtown. and if I remember correctly the regulations were pretty strict concerning what you may sell. Prepackaged franks, buns, chips, and canned soda only.
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