Eager to share your culinary skills with the world but there’s something stopping you from doing so. Let us take a guess, are you unsure about where to begin? Whether it’s the cost, the staff management, or the actual operation, there are many things to remember and consider beforehand, even when you are just planning to have a food truck. As Ramadan month is approaching, many Ramadan bazaars would welcome food truck operators, making it a good opportunity to start!
Here at Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner, we have summarized 8 things you should know when you join the food service industry by starting a food truck business.
Just like any other business, it is crucial to dig into and consider all the costs involved to kick start and maintain the operation. Need some good news? Starting and running a food truck business can cost less than running a brick-and-mortar restaurant or cafe.
According to SME info, the average cost breakdown to start a food truck business is as follows:
| ITEM | COST |
| Register with SSM (Compulsory) | RM 100 |
| Register with Bank (Compulsory) | RM 200 |
| Good Driving License (GDL) (Compulsory) | RM 500 |
| Local Business Permit from Local Authorities | RM 500/Year |
| Working Capital | RM 3,000 (minimum) |
| Foodtruck Deposit (minimum 10% from total price for e.g. RM55,000) | RM5,500 |
| Foodtruck Installment | RM 600/month |
| Signboards and Bunting | RM 300 |
| Foodtrucks Sticker (basic) | RM 500 |
| Equipment (kitchen,gas,freezer etc] | RM 4,000 |
| Typhoid Immunisation Injection (Compulsory) | RM 40 – RM 80 |
| Food Serving Course (Compulsory) | RM 100 – RM 200 |
| Preparation of Raw Material | RM4,000 – RM 8,000/month |
| Maintenance | RM 300 |
The first step is to get your business registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). Once this is done, you then can proceed to obtain a valid business license from the respective local council where your food truck will be operating. A Goods Driving License (GDL) is also compulsory to get your food truck business started too.
Getting a spot in Bazaar Ramadan require your to apply permits from local council too. Some areas allow online application while some still require physical presence, so do pay attention to notices and news to successfully get a space.
No, a “truck” is not always necessary. Some food truck operator utilizes lorry, bus, and van, some even used their cars! It is important to identify the capacity of vehicles that suits your business need. If you plan to rent a food truck – which cost around RM1,500 to RM2,000 monthly, be sure to check initial charges or deposits required to have them budgeted.
Observing and surveying food truck parks to see how your industry peers have done it will help. Once you have decided, use wraps, stickers, spray paint graphics, or methods you prefer to decorate the exterior of your truck and let it be visually attractive.
If you are planning to cook within the truck instead of serving pre-packed food, consider a vehicle with ample space to ensure safety. Be sure to plan and check out the equipment needed to accommodate your menu and operation. Organize your space strategically, and shop or rent equipment from reliable suppliers to save you from future hassles.
Are you targeting the buka-puasa crowd? If so, what will their preferences be? How to make them notice you amongst the sea of other operators? Understanding your target audience will help you gain a strategic advantage. Knowing their demographics and lifestyle will significantly impact and support your menu planning to even help choose your packaging type. Fret not, some businesses thrive through trial and error, so just be sure that you take the first step right and stay agile for the days to come.
From traditional kuih-muihs, Malaysian favorite Hari Raya food to even western pasta or just coffee – the options are limitless. Know your strength and design a menu that ticks the boxes below:
Keep your food truck size and storage ability in mind when you are designing your menu to avoid unnecessary wastage. As a first-time operator, it is tempting to bring all your favorite items on the table. However, the more items you list on your menu, the more challenging it gets for you to keep a high serving quality.
One of the reasons we love about running a food truck business is its flexibility. So don’t be afraid to experiment with a few-item-menu and make changes to it according to customer feedback from time to time!
Consider packaging that are appropriate for your menu items, yet is safe and convenient to be used by customers that are on-the-go. If you are interested in eco-friendly packaging, go ahead and explore the multiple options available in the market now. These heart-warming details might leave a positive impression on your customer.
As a responsible food truck operator, it is also vital to ensure that you and your staff are knowledgeable in food safety preparation. Proper vaccination for hepatitis and typhoid should be done too to reduce and prevent any kinds of infection spreading through food and drinks.
Your parking location is crucial. Before your apply your license from local council, find one or a few strategic location as a start. You can try out some crowded places, at famous food truck park such as those operated by Tapak™ near KLCC, Stadium KL, Cyberjaya, Shah Alam, Queensbay and Evo PJ City.
New locations offers plenty of opportunities too as you might face lesser competition. Just ensure that you are adhering to the guidelines and have applied for necessary permits from local authorities. Take advantage of food truck’s mobility and explore a few potential spots to find out what works for your business.
Make use of the social media to promote your business! There are many ways to excel food truck marketing, and social media is an affordable and effective way. Be it on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Xiaohongshu (小红书), share your passion about running the food truck business with your followers and don’t be shy to show off your menu items. Utilize the account to update your current parking locations for hungry diners to get their cravings fixed.
It is also a good idea to join food trucks associations such as Malaysian Food Truck Association (MAFTA) to get reliable, up-to-date insights about the industry.
There you have it! Being a food entrepreneur can be challenging yet fun. We hope these
information can help you in getting a smooth-sailing start.
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