NEGOSENTRO.COM | 5 Tips for Making Your Food Truck Business Stand Out | Although food trucks have wheels instead of wings, it seems like this mobile restaurant trend has nowhere else to go but up.
Each city already has dozens of food trucks, but this hasn’t stopped restaurateurs and foodpreneurs from joining the bandwagon. As a result, competition in the mobile restaurant industry can be quite stiff.
But whether you are introducing a new concept or buying a franchise for your own food truck, there are ways for you to stand out from the competition and get a bigger slice of the market.
Below are five tips that will help your food truck get a piece of the action and enable you to find success in this particular area of foodservice:
- Focus on providing customers exceptional service
Fast service, serving the correct orders, and delectable dishes are the three things customers expect to get from food trucks. As such, you have to prioritize excelling in these aspects.
A POS system for food trucks can help you stay at par with and even outshine your competitors in terms of these elements.
This program can help you manage orders and process payments more efficiently. Additionally, you can use it to monitor your inventory and replenish your supplies. As a result, you will never run the risk of running out of ingredients and dishes to serve, which will impact both your reputation and sales.
Additionally, a POS system designed specifically for food trucks can give you information on employee attendance and performance and sales in real-time. Moreover, you can access them wherever you are if you choose a cloud-based program
Lastly, a POS with an order-taking feature allows your customers to input their orders on an iPad or tablet. Because of this, you don’t have to keep bringing out your whiteboard that displays your menu. The chances of serving the wrong dishes or overlooking requests based on the patron’s dietary restrictions will be lower as well.
A POS system can make a huge difference in how you satisfy your customers, so consider investing in one for your food truck.
- Brand your food truck
Ambiance is one of the most important elements diners look for in a restaurant. Since you don’t have a place where your customers can sit down and take in the atmosphere you want to exude, you need to let your truck do this for you.
Invest in a professional paint job or vehicle wrap for your truck that sports a design that catches the eye of people and lets them know the delicious fare you offer. Ensure it has enough visual elements that convey what your concept is all about and what they can expect when they order from you.
However, make sure your food truck represents your brand. It should have your logo and other visual elements that highlight your cuisine and most popular dishes.
Ensure the colors and typefaces you choose are in line with your official brand style guidelines, too.
- Put your own spin on a classic favorite
Adding something different on your menu can make your food truck stand out in the right way.
Think of a way to innovate a popular dish. For instance, use savory ingredients to make a new ice cream flavor or add to a dessert. Experiment with different styles of serving your menu items to make these easier and more convenient to eat, whether your customers are standing or sitting down.
By offering something that customers can’t get anywhere else, you will be sure you will have a menu item that people will buy. As such, experiment with flavors and dishes in your free time and create something unique and delectable.
- Use social media to the fullest
Owners of the most popular food trucks credit their longevity and success to one important aspect: social media marketing.
Most first-time customers learn about food trucks on social media, through the posts of previous and loyal patrons. Additionally, foodies always use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other sites or apps to look for new places to try. Because of this, you have to be active on these channels.
Publish posts about your dishes, events, and other things about your food truck that people may find interesting. You can upload photos and videos and share links to your new blog post.
If you are serving a new dish, share posts about this. Update your published menu, as well.
More importantly, engage with your followers and anyone who interacts with you on your accounts. Answer their questions and acknowledge their comments, whether positive or negative.
When you go through the process of social media marketing correctly and employ the right strategies, your food truck will remain popular. You will stand out from the competition, too.
- Take on some catering work
An excellent way of earning income on the side and standing out from your competitors is by offering catering services.
Offer to cater in events, including birthdays and casual corporate gatherings or parties, such as team-building activities and company picnics. Aside from supplementing your income, you will be able to introduce your brand to more people.
These events are great opportunities to give people your flyers and other printed advertising materials. As such, be ready to do some serious marketing while serving your delectable dishes.
When you follow these tips, you will steer your food truck on the route to success. There is a high chance you will leave your competitors in the dust, too.
AUTHOR BIO:
Ahmad Alzaini is the co-founder and CEO of Foodics, a fast-growing foodtech startup. A businessman by nature, Alzaini is an app aficionado, developing businesses in Saudi Arabia within several industries. Today, Foodics has extended to new markets across the MENA region, processing over 1 billion transactions, and offering the latest technology in POS and restaurant management.
