sample business plan for food cart in the philippines

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How To Start A Food Cart Business Philippines

How to start a food cart business in the Philippines? This business concept is very hot in the Philippines currently. When we look at the stock market, the economy, and small businesses, we can see that many industries have started to grow, including the food industry, which is excellent news for the Philippines.

Table of Contents

How To Start A Food Cart Business In The Philippines

You can rent a food truck, buy a new one, renovate a used model, customize it for your business or choose a van, shopping cart, or trailer for the store(if you plan to open one).

You could also find more cost-effective food preparation and storage options, such as renting kitchens at a nearby restaurant, school, church, or other location with health inspections and licenses.     

At the very least, business owners will need a business license and a hospitality permit (more on this later). In addition, most lenders and investors will ask about your business plan before taking out a loan or investing in your food truck business.     

If you need additional funds, it is best to start a crowdfunding campaign asking your family and friends for support. Then, you are more likely to get a loan interest-free from them, but this is best discussed with a financial planner.    It is best to explain your financing plan, why you need the loan, and specify the amount you need.

When you plan to finance your food truck business, it is important to determine how the funds will be used, such as buying a truck, cooking equipment, employee salaries (if needed), and repaying the borrowed funds.

Once you have a business plan in place, your financial forecasts will help you obtain an idea and estimate the amount you will need to get your food trucks off the ground.     

Once you have a complete business plan in hand, you should have a good estimate of the total startup costs of your food truck, your upfront income, your financing needs, your short-term business loan, and the working capital needed to get you operational.

A free PDF business plan can be downloaded on our business plan page.

To start a food truck business in the Philippines, you need a competitive and engaging concept, a viable business plan, a well-stocked food truck, and a solid marketing strategy to build your client base.     

Some venues and companies may host food trucks for private events requiring catering, so when looking for business growth for your food cart business in the Philippines, never be afraid to think outside the box.

Should You Start A Food Cart Business In The Philippines Or A Franchise

Franchising terms when starting a food cart business in the Philippines: Most people start a food cart business via franchising . An initial startup ranges from as low as 15,000 pesos up to 200,000 pesos depending on the food cart type. But one question remains, What about the terms of service?

Some companies will have monthly fees, while other food cart businesses in the Philippines will have a royalty fee. Some even will have a term that means they will receive a small percentage on each item sold.

However, many small food cart businesses in the Philippines have flexible terms, which is excellent news. The more growth and success a franchising business has, typically, the more terms will apply.

Please take a look at 7/11 and Jollibee , these are giants in the franchising field, and they have strict terms which are non-negotiable. These terms are to protect the brand. So, keep this in mind when looking for food cart businesses in the Philippines.

Terms when starting your own food cart business in the Philippines : On the other hand, if you start your own food cart business, then the terms are more towards the suppliers. Suppliers could include the location (i.e., landlord) or suppliers of products.

As an example, let us say that we are looking to start a burger food cart business . You have found a supplier for your meat. Do they have a minimum order which is a term that’s important to know before you start the business?

What Is Your Goal When Starting A Food Truck Business In The Philippines

The next question to ask yourself when looking at food cart businesses in the Philippines is what exactly are the goals ? Thinking about the end goal will help us at the first stage of the business. For example, if you are unsure whether to franchise a food cart business or start your own food cart business, the question is, what are you trying to achieve?

Indeed, you can make a lot of money from a franchised food cart business that is franchised, and there are many benefits to this. Still, there are also limitations to franchising, which need some careful consideration.  

On the other hand, if you want your food cart business in the Philippines to get you as much money as possible as quickly as possible, you may be better off joining a franchising company. Why? Because they will have a business plan and training available so you can start almost instantly. We will be talking about the pros and cons of different food cart models below.

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Food Cart Business In The Philippines?

The cost is the next area when we look at ‘should you start a food cart business in the Philippines?’. Some franchising advertises a minimal amount of required startup capital . Others require a capital of over 100,000 pesos.

The other option that is available to you is to start your own food cart business. Starting your own food cart business would initially be the most expensive route if you were to start your own food cart business. But when looking at this business model long-term, it could be the most profitable and the most money-saving model compared to franchising.

On average, a franchising food cart business in the Philippines requires a total investment cost of 40-60K pesos and at least 100,000 pesos to open your own food cart business in the Philippines. The total cost needed depends on your sub-niche and the area

What Are The Business Requirements For Starting A Food Cart Business In The Philippines?

When you are looking to open a food cart business in the Philippines, you will need certain things as a business owner. Some of these things will have already been taken care of if you become a franchisee. However, if this is your first business, then check out our list below of basic business needs.  

• Business Plan
• Marketing Strategies
• Financial Plan
• Suitable And Profitable Location
• A Further Understanding Of Your Products
• A Market That You Can Sell Too
• A Strong Brand
• One Or More Unique Selling Points
• A Long-Term Strategy
• Emergence Capital

Above are a few of the main areas that you will need as a business owner. Of course, as I mentioned, you may not need every one of these, and some of these may be covered by the franchising company. Nevertheless, the majority of these will put you ahead of the game.

One last thing I would mention is to spend some time looking at potential threats. In most business plans, we speak about  S.W.O.T. – SWOT stands for; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. For example, let’s say you are selling ice creams.

After six months, a new ice-cream restaurant and 7/11 opens in the same location you are in. This example shows us a potential threat to your business. This is, of course, an example for this article, but it is recommended to spend some time looking over your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

What Are The Legal Requirements For A Food Cart Business In The Philippines?

For more information on setting up a food cart business/food truck business in the Philippines, feel free to click on the hyperlinks below to be taken to the relevant pages. 

• Business  Permits
• Food Truck / Food Cart Registration
• Food  Service Permit
• Health Requirement
• Sales Tax Permit

How To Be Different When Starting A Food Truck Business In The Philippines?

What is U.S.P.? If you haven’t come across this term, all it means is a unique selling point. A unique selling point is something that you possess or your business possesses differently from the competition. For example, if you are selling ice creams, your U.S.P. could be a particular flavor. If you are selling milk tea, this could be a special promotion you are running.

A USP is something that keeps customers coming back. Remember the 80/20 law that we have spoken about before. The law states that 80% of your profits will come from 20% of your customers. So, in other words, when we are setting up a food cart business in the Philippines, we want customers to return and make more orders. Therefore, it’s essential to have a U.S.P.

What should your U.S.P. be? This is your choice. If this is your own food cart business, then you have complete freedom. If you are franchising a food cart business, then you may have specific limitations. However, the company that you are with may have already established a U.S.P. in the market. This will be an advantage in the early days.

What Is The Current Food Cart Market In The Philippines

As we all know, The Philippines differs dramatically from island to island and city to city. In order words, what products are popular in one area may not be as popular in another. This is always a hard thing to scale when looking at a business. Therefore, market research is always critical at the initial business stage.

When we look at the current market, what trends are you starting to see? For instance, a few years ago, milk tea first became popular across Asia, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and many other countries. Do you feel the current market is saturated with this business idea, or do you still feel a market gap?

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen businesses make time and again is copying another business that’s been succeeding.

Even filipinowealth.com has seen countless blogs set up in recent times that have copied certain parts of our article and added it to their website as their own. The problem that this causes is there is no originality, and there is nothing unique. Filipino Wealth

This may sustain a business for a little bit of time. But, ultimately, businesses that copy other businesses will fail, so never be afraid to be different and be a leader in your industry.

How To Start A Franchising Food Cart Business ?

Starting a food-cut business in the Philippines is very easy. Suppose you have some capital and fundamental knowledge, that is. Then, if you are looking to franchise, all you need to do is contact a franchising company. They would then register your details and invite you down for an information session. Most often, you will find this business advertised on Facebook.

How To Start A Solo Food Cart Business ?

On the other hand, if you are looking to start your own food cart business, then there are certain things you will need to do. The most obvious is registering the company and gaining any permits or licenses required for the products you are selling.

Once you have done this, the rest of the business is something many people enjoy doing. You can start building your plans, finding a location, buying your machinery, and of course, the actual food cart itself.

Tips For Starting A Food Cart Business In The Philippines?

What guide would this be without some tips for a food cart business in the Philippines!

Right Location: The right location can make or break your business. Try to look at potential businesses nearby. For instance, is there a call center or corporation nearby where the staff could benefit from your selling product?

Right Network: Are you able to network with different companies or people? Perhaps you can agree with a company to offer its workers 20% off all drinks on Saturday and Sunday.

Right Products: There are millions of products you could sell! Okay, probably not millions, but you get the point. When you are out and about and see a food cart business, what do you want? In other words, what can you not walk past without buying?

Right Team : You may decide to run this business on your own, or you may decide to hire someone to run this for you. Whatever you choose, make sure you have the right team behind you. This is critical when building the foundations of your business.

Right Plan : At the start of any business, a plan or a strategy will be needed. Unfortunately, some businesses are ‘winged,’ which means they start without any plan. This is not recommended for a food cart business in the Philippines.

Right Vision : Finally, you must have the right vision for your company. Where is your company going? Do you want to make food so good that others will want to franchise your company?

I wouldn’t suggest spending days looking at each of these points but at least a few hours with a pen and paper. Of course, you can always change your plan and strategy as you grow, but having a necessary foundation will help you in the early days of business.

Food Truck Business Philippines: Summary & TakeAway

Is a food cart business a good idea? If you can find the right market, customer, and product, then yes, a food cart business in the Philippines can be very profitable.

It is recommended you thoroughly research this business and assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

What I’ve always noticed around the Philippines is that Word of mouth is powerful. In other words, you will have to bring your A-game when serving customers. It’s effortless to set up a business without the correct requirements.

However, this will always catch up to you, so it is best to obtain the correct permits before opening a business.

If you have the capital, a healthy entrepreneur mindset, and a robust product while teaming this together with a solid business plan, my opinion would be to start your own food cart business. Why? Because you will have much more control over the growth of your business, and it’s your brand. You will also have the opportunity to franchise your business in the future too.

If you do not have the resources to fund your own food cart business in the Philippines, another route could be to franchise. When you franchise another company, you are given certain benefits that are very helpful in the early stages of business.

For example, an established food cart business always has its own U.S.P., Idea customer, suppliers, etc. This will help your business run smoother in the early days.

Many believe starting a food cart business in the Philippines is a great way to earn quick money. But, unfortunately, even though this can be true, it’s not always easy.

Food Cart Truck Tips

• It’s often wise to slightly overestimate expenses and underestimate profits if you are not 100% of the outcome and financial matter of business in the early days
• Always investigate the terms and conditions of food cart suppliers in the Philippines. Price, rules, and regulations can differ from business to business
• Start small and build rather than starting big and reducing. It is always possible to add more and grow your business as you scale

Warnings Starting Food Business

• Choose a suitable location. Accessibility is a big factor for the customer. If your business is in the wrong location, then your business could suffer
• Put the customers first. The biggest mistake is forgetting to put your customer first. What do they want, and what would they pay extra money for?
• Don’t open a food cart business in the Philippines without comprehensive research. Research can tell you all the demand, supply, and whether your business idea is a good idea or not

Future Reading & References

• Food carts for sale https://www.carousell.ph/food-cart-for-sale/q/?searchId=DTNi6Z
• Basic business registration https://www.foodcartlink.com/business-registration-steps/
• Food business law https://resourcehub.bakermckenzie.com/en/resources/asia-pacific-food-law-guide/asia-pacific/philippines/topics/food-product-and-safety-regulation#:~:text=The%20Food%20Safety%20Act%20of,or%20reduce%20risks%20to%20consumers
• Philippines food safety act https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/02/20/implementing-rules-and-regulations-of-republic-act-no-10611/

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Food Cart Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Food Sector » Food Truck & Cart

Are you about starting a food cart business ? If YES, here is a complete sample food cart business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Starting a food cart might be one of the nicest moves to make. This is hinged on the fact that there are a whole lot of people who are into the consumption of food. In fact it is very essential to human health. Look around you and you will find that there are an avalanche of restaurants that are saddled with catering to the food needs of people.

However, the food cart business is also gaining ore grounds as more and more people are making money from this trade. One thing is however sure, and that is that if you are able to draft a great business plan, you can be sure to work and run with it whilst building your business. Here below is a sample plan to work with;

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A Sample Food Cart Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The Food Trucks industry has skilled people and van be said to have witnesses a remarkable rise over the past five years, as consumers have increasingly favored unique, gourmet cuisine at budget-conscious prices.

Despite the efforts which the entrepreneurs in this field put into the trade, there is still a high competition and an unfavorable regulatory conditions in some cities in the united states of America that have limited the growth of industry vendors.

Nonetheless, the industry has overtaken the broader food-service sector over the period in terms of revenue growth. Research has shown that soon in 2023, favorable consumer trends will continue to support moderate revenue growth. However, the industry will need to work with community governments to resolve the numerous legal challenges to food cart operations.

The Food Carts industry is in the increasing phase of its life cycle. Nonetheless, growth has increased slightly over the past few years and revenue is still growing at a much faster rate than the larger food-service sector. In the past food carts have progressed better than their food-service counterparts, primarily due to the budget-friendly features of their products and the expanding style of consumers seeking new food concepts.

Besides, the industry continues to progress and new creations are still entering the industry with new concepts. Figures have it that by 2022, industry value added (IVA), which has its measure an industry’s contribution to GDP, is predictable and is likely to grow at an average annual rate of 6.4%.

2. Executive Summary

Buena Foods ® is a leading and standard food cart Company that will be based in Boston – Massachusetts, USA that covers a wide range of clients both individual and corporate clients.

We have been able to lease a standard corner piece facility that is centrally located in the heart of Boston and few minutes drive to Harvard University Community. We have put plans in place to also sell our franchise and offer consultancy services in line with our area of business.

Buena Foods® is established by the Massachusetts awarding winning food nutritionist and caterer – Andrew Hago – Hugo who has B.Sc. in Food Science Technology and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School.

He also has a robust experience in the food business having worked both in the public sector and the private sector prior to starting his own business.

We are in the food cart Industry to favorably compete with other leading and brands in the industry. Our corporate business goal is to be among the top 10 food cart chain brand in the United States of America.

As a company, we are willing to go the extra mile to invest in some of the finest professionals we can find and also we have set plans in place to acquire the best of equipment when it comes to setting up a standard and first class food cart business.

When it comes to hygiene and proper packaging, we have put plans, process and structures in place that will ensure that we are always at the top of game when it comes to that. We have been able to secure permits from all relevant departments in Massachusetts.

Beyond every reasonable doubt, the demand for goo food isn’t going to plummet any time soon, which is why we have put plans in place to continue to explore all available market around the cities where we are going to be located and ensure that we create a wide range of distribution channels via franchising. With that, we know that we will be able to maximize profits in our business.

Our strongest selling point at Buena Foods ® is the unique taste of the different types of delicacies that we will make and sell. There is hardly any customer that will taste any of our meals who would not want to come back and make more purchase or order more– we take great delight in welcoming repeat customers over and over again.

Buena Foods ® will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our customers need precisely and completely whenever they patronize our products.

We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our customers.

Our plan is to position Buena Foods ® to become the leading brand in mobile food industry in the whole of Massachusetts, and also to be amongst the top 10 food cart brand in the United States of America within the first 10 years of starting our business.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Boston – Massachusetts is the right place to launch this type of business before spreading to other cities all across The United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

At Buena Foods ® we make a wide range of pizzas in terms of sizes and flavors et al; we prepare and serve our meals and other related items. We will also adopt full-service restaurants and quick-service style. As part our strategy to create multiple sources of income in line with our core business concept, we will run a consultancy service and trainings.

Our intention of starting Buena Foods ® is to make profits from the industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and ambition. Here are some of our products and services;

• sell lunch (assorted meals)
• sell snacks
• sell assorted drinks (Soft Drinks, Wines, smoothie, and punch, Fruit Juice, amongst others)
• Sell franchise
• Training and consultancy services on mobile truck food business

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• To become the leading brand in mobile food cart business in Boston and the whole of United States of America.
• We are in the mobile food truck industry with the aim of constructing a brand that can readily meet the needs of our valued clients in places where they can hardly access standard cafeterias.
• And also to offer entrepreneurs the opportunity and training needed to successfully lunch their own mobile food truck business in other cities in the US.

Our Business Structure

Most people who go into the mobile foods business usually choose the business over the conventional restaurant business; this is because it is perhaps less expensive to manage especially when it comes to taking care of overhead and operational cost.

On the average, mobile food companies usually have 4 or 5 employees under their payroll. Because of the type of mobile food business brand that we intend building, we have been able to make provision for the following employees;

• Chief Operating Officer (Owner)
• Chef / Caterer
• Assistant Caterer

Office Administrator

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Operating Officer (owner)

• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for the day to day running of the business
• Responsible for fixing prices
• Responsible for recruitment
• Responsible for payment of salaries
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Chef / Caterer /Cooks

• Responsible for preparing delicacies
• Makes lists and budget for kitchen supplies
• Oversees the entire kitchen staff
• Responsible for training new cooks
• Makes sure that the meals being whipped up tastes really good
• Kitchen Assistant / Utility Staff

Assistant the chef/ cook in the kitchen

• Ensures that all the needed cooking ingredients are in supply
• Runs errand for the chef / cook and every member of the workforce
• Ensures that the kitchen area of the truck is clean and hygienic at all times
• Responsible for washing cooking pots, utensil and dishes when necessary
• Assists in packaging food and snacks
• Responsible for moving packed foods from the kitchen to the cubicle / point of sale
• Ensures that various types of drinks are present in the fridge per time (get them replaced as soon as they are sold)
• Any other duty as assigned by the line manager
• Interfaces with our highly esteem customers
• Collects orders and issues foods as demanded by customers after payment
• Keeps proper records of daily sales and then reconcile with the cashier
• Responsible for manning the fridge and every stuffs that are up for sale
• Any other duty as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer
• Receives payments on behalf of the company (POS, cash, mobile money et al)
• Issues receipt to customers
• Prepares financial report at the end of every working week
• Handles all financial transaction on behalf of the company
• Responsible for driving the cart to sales venues and back to base
• Ensures that the cart is in top shape at all times
• Ensures that maintenance schedules for the cart are strictly followed
• Responsible for renewing the vehicle license, insurance and any other documentation for the vehicle as at when due
• Any other duty as assigned by the food cart manager
• Responsible for managing the daily activities of the back end office
• Prepares payroll for the organization
• Prepare monthly financial report for the organization
• Interfaces with vendors and third party suppliers ( drink suppliers, raw food suppliers and maintenance team et al)
• Responds to enquiries on behalf of the company
• Handles phone calls for the company
• Manage the company’s e-mail and website
• Interfaces with our bankers (lodgment of cash, checks and bank drafts et al)
• Responsible for payment of tax, levies and utility bills

6. SWOT Analysis

As a team together with our paid business consultants, we have been able to look both inward and outward, as well as critically assess ourselves and business ideas to know if we are truly ready to launch our mobile food truck business in Boston.

No doubt, we have a lot of factors working in our favor but at the same time we have some factors that we must contend with if we intend becoming the number one brand when it comes to mobile food cart business in Boston and the whole of North America. Below is a summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Buena Foods® Mobile Food Company;

Aside from the trainings that have been acquired, as well as the hands on experience attained over the years prior to starting Buena Foods ® Company, our strength lies in our financial capacity and determination to succeed in the business at all cost. We have been able to acquire a brand new mobile food preparation vehicle (MFPV).

It has the capacity to meet the needs of well over 500 customers per day. Our strength also lies in the fact that we have relationship with brand experts who are working almost for free for us. With that, will be able to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises and offer trainings and consultancy services on mobile food Cart business.

The fact that we are planning to roll out our mobile cart business alongside other similar business offerings like training, consultancy services and sale of franchise could distract us from concentrating and channeling our energy in one direction. We are quite aware of that and we are working towards blocking any area that will sap our energy and make us under performed in our core business area – sale of foods and drinks from a mobile cart.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities that we stand to leverage on are much. The fact that we are not tied down to a location is indeed a good opportunity for us to grow our business to the level we want to grow it to. For example; we can afford to trade foods, snacks and drinks in more than two locations within a day. It is all about knowing when to arrive and leave for another location.

There is hardly any business venture that doesn’t face its own threat. Regarding mobile food cart business, one of the threat that we may likely face is; vehicular traffic in key cities.

Traffic can delay one and as a result of that one may get to the location where one intend selling the foods and drinks late- this could be when the lunch break is over (basically for organized events). Yet another threat is; the government policies, which could also pose a great threat to the mobile food cart industry.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

In this dispensation more than ever before, people no longer have sufficient time to do all they would want to do within the available 24 hours. Hence, the rise of fast food restaurants all over the cities. As such, mobile food cart business is another business that is designed to fit into a dispensation like ours. Part of the marketing and sales strategies that we shall adopt include but not limited to the following;

Submit proposals to event management companies to become their official mobile food vendor. Submit proposals to management of public facility (sport centers, beach and schools, et al) to become their official mobile food vendor. Send proposals to schools and corporate organizations to become their official mobile food vendor. Sponsor relevant events, such as cooking competitions, and cultural events, et al.

8. Our Target Market

When it comes to mobile food cart business, there are no restrictions to the market you can explore, as long as you are operating within the law of the state where you are conducting your business. We do not intend to place any limit to the scope of our target market and these are the places / locations where we intend operating our mobile food cart business with the aim of maximizing sales;

• Construction sites
• Tourism locations
• University Campuses
• Carnival ground
• Stadiums and sport centers
• Community Outdoor Events
• Blue Collar work locations
• Farmers Markets
• Industrial Parks
• Movie Recording Location
• Farmers Market
• Military Bases
• Office Complexes
• Mechanic Villages
• Open air shows and programs

When it comes to foods, there is indeed a wide range of available customers. In essence, our target market can’t be restricted to just a group of people, but all those who eating out and of course those who would want to try it out. In view of that, we have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. These are the groups of people we intend marketing our pizzas to;

• Corporate Executives
• Government Officials
• Business People
• Celebrities
• Military Men and Women
• Sports Men and Women
• Everyone who resides in our target locations.

Our Competitive Advantage

Loads of factors count towards our advantage as a mobile food cart business operator. The fact that we have the ability to determine where we want to sell our foods and drinks per time gives us the leverage to make as much sales as we can make in a day.

It has been observed that any organization that offers training and consultancy services is always amongst the leaders in their industry and we at Buena Foods Company are set to tow along this part because we want to become experts and amongst the leading mobile food truck company in the whole of the US.

We have put plans in place to facilitate continuous improvement on what we do, because we know that is one of the factors that will be give us competitive advantage in the market place. Another competitive advantage that we have as a company is the size and condition of or food truck.

We have been able to purchase a brand new retrofitted food cart with the entire required gadget. It is big enough to accommodate all that we would need for the business, we are going to spend less on maintenance and we can easily obtain approval from the appropriate authorities.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Businesses that do pretty well are businesses that have more than one source where they generate revenue. It is risky to run a business where you can only generate income from just one source. The truth is that if anything goes wrong with the source of income, the business might likely collapse.

This is why we worked hard to provide you with a sample food truck marketing plan template to help you through the process. The big picture we have for Buena Foods ® Mobile Food Company is to generate income from the following sources;

• Sales of launch (meals)
• Sales of Snacks
• Offering training services
• Offering consultancy services in line with our business goal
• Sales of drinks
• Sales of our franchise

10. Sales Forecast

It is important to state that our sales forecast is based on the data gathered during our feasibility studies and also assumptions. This is for sales projections based on what we saw.

• 1000 lunches per day (on average), 12 months per year
• $20 per person on the average
• 1500 snacks per day, 12 months per year
• $5 per person on the average
• Sales of Drinks and Water et al:

On the average over 80% of people who purchase lunch (meal) and snacks would normally consume drinks as well.

• $1.5 for a bottle of coke

This equates to 2000 drinks in a day when you multiply 2000 by 1.5 we will make an estimate of $3000 daily from the sale of drinks alone

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Before choosing a location to launch Buena Foods® and also the types and the types of foods we prepare, we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market in the cities where we intend positioning our business.

We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time and also for our products to favorable compete with other leading food cart brands in Boston – Massachusetts and the whole of the United States of America.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market Boston – Massachusetts and throughout the United States of America where we intend selling our franchise.

In other to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to sell our products to the available market which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver our corporate sales goals. In summary, Buena Foods ® will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to sell our pizzas and soft drinks;

• Introduce our food brand by sending introductory letters to residence, merchants and other stakeholders both in Boston – Massachusetts and in other cities in the United States of America
• Open our food cart business with a party and free meals so as to capture the attention of residence who are our first targets
• Engage in road show in targeted communities from time to time to sell our products
• Advertise our products in community based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
• List our business and products on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Leverage on the internet to promote our mobile food brands
• Engage in direct marketing and sales
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our food cart company is a standard one with a wide range of flavors and products that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the United States, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for all our products and brand. We are going to explore all available means to promote our services ®

Buena Foods ® has a long term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around the United States of America and also to sell our franchise which is why we will purposefully build our brand to be well accepted in Boston – Massachusetts before venturing out to other cities in the United States of America.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for selling our products but to also effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Buena Foods

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around major cities in the United States of America
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted communities
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Position our Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where we intend getting customers to start patronizing our products.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our customized clothes, and all our official cars and distribution vans are customized and well branded.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Generally food cart business sells meals, and snacks at a cheaper rate when compared to the conventional fixed – restaurant. We don’t have any plans to sell our foods, snacks and drinks beyond the prices that is obtainable in the industry.

That does not mean that we will fall below standard when it comes to the quality of our food. As a matter of fact, one of our strongest selling points will be the taste and perhaps the quantity of our foods when compared to our competitors.

From our market survey and feasibility studies, we are sure going to make reasonable profits even when we sell a little below the average price for package foods and snacks in the food cart industry, especially if the location we intend selling our foods and drinks is not far away from our base.

• Payment Options

At Biena Foods ®, our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our outlets;

• Payment by cash
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
• Payment via Mobile money

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to starting a standard food cart business, one is expected to spend the bulk of the start – up capital on equipping for the business. Aside from that, you are not expected to spend much except for purchasing distribution vans, paying of your employees and utility bills.

This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Boston – Massachusetts – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $1,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Buena Food Cart Business Company®; in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of – $3,580.
• Cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
• Cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
• Cost for construction of a standard bakery – $100,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory (raw materials and packaging materials et al) – $80,000
• Storage hardware (bins, rack, shelves, food case) – $3,720
• The cost for counter area equipment (counter top, sink, ice machine, etc.) – $9,500
• Cost for yogurt making equipment – $20,000
• Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• Cost of purchase of distribution vans – $50,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
• The cost of Launching a Website – $600
• The cost for our opening party – $10,000
• Miscellaneous – $10,000

We would need an estimate of $500,000 to successfully set up our Food Cart delivery company in Boston – Massachusetts. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of the entire staff member for the first month of operation.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Buena Food Cart Business®

Buena Food Cart® is a family business that is owned and financed by Mr. Andrew Hago – and Family. They do not intend to welcome any external business partner which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sell of stocks
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $400,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If any of these factors is missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

Buena Foods ® will ensure that all the factors listed above are reinforced on a regular basis, we will continue to improvise with our products, come up with pleasant and acceptable flavors and also we will engage in continuous capacity building of our workforce. As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more.

We will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner. We have the plans of

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of facility and construction of standard Bakery: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
• Purchase of delivery vans: Completed

• Mon. Dec 2nd, 2024

Business Diary Philippines

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How to Start Your Own Food Cart Business

You’re in a bustling Filipino market. A gentle aroma of sizzling meat and frying dough fills the air, while people line up for a taste of affordable, freshly cooked snacks. It’s busy, it’s fast-paced, and everyone is drawn to food carts. That’s because food is more than just a necessity here – it’s an experience. Starting a food cart business isn’t just about selling food; it’s about being part of the culture, building something people want to be part of.

Table of Contents

In this step-by-step guide, let’s walk through what it takes to launch your own food cart business in the Philippines – a journey that’s a mix of passion, strategy, and a bit of creativity.

1. Define Your Purpose

Why a food cart? Let’s be real – not every business is right for everyone. Are you passionate about food? Do you love the fast-paced vibe of street food markets? Maybe you’re excited about giving people a slice of something homemade, or you’ve noticed a trend and think you can fill a gap.

Ask yourself these questions and let your purpose guide the decisions you make. A strong “why” will fuel you through the tough days, and believe me, every entrepreneur has those days.

2. Initial Investment for Starting a foodcart business

The initial capital for starting a food cart business in the Philippines can vary widely, depending on the type of food, equipment, and the overall look you want for your cart. Here’s a general breakdown to give you a sense of what you might expect to spend:

1. Food Cart or Stall Setup

• Custom-designed cart : PHP 30,000 – PHP 50,000 (depending on materials and design)
• Secondhand cart : PHP 10,000 – PHP 20,000

2. Cooking Equipment and Utensils

• Small fryer, stove, or grill : PHP 5,000 – PHP 15,000
• Cooler or mini-refrigerator (for ingredients): PHP 5,000 – PHP 10,000
• Basic utensils and storage containers : PHP 1,000 – PHP 3,000

3. Initial Inventory of Ingredients

• Starter stock of ingredients : PHP 5,000 – PHP 15,000, depending on what you’re selling and volume
• Packaging materials (cups, wrappers, napkins, etc.) : PHP 1,000 – PHP 3,000

4. Permits and Licenses

• Business permit and Barangay clearance : PHP 1,000 – PHP 3,000 (depending on your location)
• Food Handler’s Permit : PHP 500 – PHP 1,000

5. Marketing and Launch Costs

• Signage or banners : PHP 1,000 – PHP 3,000
• Flyers or opening promotions : PHP 500 – PHP 1,000

Estimated Total Cost

Based on the above breakdown, starting a basic food cart business in the Philippines typically requires between PHP 30,000 to PHP 100,000 .

If you’re starting on a tighter budget, opting for a simpler cart, buying secondhand equipment, and keeping your initial menu small can help lower costs. But if you want to stand out with a custom cart design, specialized equipment, and extra promotions, you might aim for the upper range of this estimate.

2. Find Your Unique Flavor

Standing out is non-negotiable. Think about all the food carts you see on any given street corner. What will make yours different? Unique flavors, a new twist on a popular item, or a signature sauce that no one else has.

For instance, if everyone’s selling pork BBQ, could you offer a veggie skewer option for a health-conscious crowd? Or maybe your food cart serves regional treats – something nostalgic, like Bicol Express with a spicy twist. Identify what you want to offer that feels truly “you,” and make it a signature that draws people in.

3. Understand Your Market and Location

Your location dictates your clientele. You’re likely targeting quick snackers – students, office workers, and passersby who want something affordable and convenient. Spend some time in the places you want to set up shop. Who’s there? What are they eating?

If you’re setting up near a university, budget-friendly comfort foods are a win. Meanwhile, near a business district, maybe you need a fast, filling option like rice bowls or sandwiches that people can take back to the office.

4. Create a Business Plan (Yes, It Matters!)

A business plan may sound like a chore, but it’s your roadmap. Write down everything, from initial costs and expected sales to the suppliers you’ll need and the marketing strategies you’ll use.

This plan doesn’t have to be elaborate, just actionable. Outline your startup costs, operating expenses, and your anticipated profit. A food cart might have relatively low setup costs, but you’ll still need to account for things like permits, initial stock, and maybe even a custom cart. Plus, write out a few marketing ideas – ways to get people talking about your food.

5. Get the Necessary Permits and Licenses

Here’s a not-so-glamorous part of starting a food cart: the paperwork. In the Philippines, you’ll need to go through several steps to operate legally. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• Barangay Clearance : Register with the barangay where you’ll be operating.
• Mayor’s Permit : Get a business permit from the city or municipality.
• Food Handler’s Permit : If you’re handling food directly, you’ll need this to ensure safety and cleanliness.
• DTI Business Name Registration : Register your trade name for legality and branding purposes.

Yes, it takes time, but skipping these steps isn’t an option. Think of this process as setting up a foundation – get it right from the start.

6. Source Your Ingredients and Supplies

The quality of your food depends on what you put in it. Look for suppliers who can deliver consistent quality, and don’t hesitate to haggle – it’s part of doing business here. Most food cart vendors go for wholesale or wet markets, but you might want to check local farms, too.

7. Invest in the Right Equipment and Design Your Cart

When people see your food cart, they should feel drawn to it. You want your setup to feel welcoming and clean. For equipment, keep it simple but functional: a portable stove or fryer, a small fridge for perishables, and storage for utensils and ingredients. You don’t need to over-invest, but make sure you’ve got the essentials.

For design, think color, logo, and overall vibe. Bright colors and a unique cart shape can attract eyes. If your food is family-friendly, go for playful designs; if it’s a bit more peculiar, maybe something sleek and cool. Your cart is more than just a stall – it’s your brand on wheels.

8. Perfect Your Menu and Pricing

This is the heart of your business. Test your recipes and get feedback. Do people like it? Do they think it’s worth the price? Start small with three to five items. Make sure each item is a “must-have,” something people will crave enough to keep coming back.

Keep your prices competitive yet profitable. Think about costs and consider your market’s budget. Pricing each item well ensures you stay afloat while also being accessible to your customers.

9. Market and Build Hype – Don’t Just Wait for Foot Traffic

A food cart business thrives on word of mouth, but these days, social media is just as essential. Take pictures of your food, make fun captions, and post on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. You don’t need fancy photography skills – just show your food in all its mouth-watering glory.

Consider offering a freebie or discount on opening day. People love deals, and a strong launch can build momentum.

10. Embrace Flexibility and Customer Feedback

The best food cart vendors adapt. If you see that people aren’t biting on a particular dish, try something new. Listen to feedback, keep an eye on trends, and adjust your menu to keep things fresh.

Remember, your business isn’t a static thing – it’s a journey. Customers often give helpful feedback, so welcome their thoughts. What matters is that you’re constantly iterating, making it better day by day.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Cart

Starting a food cart business in the Philippines isn’t only about selling food. It’s about community, creativity, and hustle. It’s waking up early to prepare fresh ingredients, greeting every customer like a friend, and maybe even creating a go-to snack that becomes part of your customers’ daily lives.

Food carts are an exciting way to bring your culinary vision to life without needing a massive budget. You’ll be right there, in the middle of the action, seeing the smiles on people’s faces after they’ve had a taste of what you’ve crafted. And that? That’s what makes the journey worth it.

Originally posted 2017-04-30 06:34:51.

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Ways your restaurant can save money on equipment, food truck business essentials: rolling toward success, creating a food business plan: your blueprint for success, 22 thoughts on “how to start your own food cart business”.

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how to apply end how much it cost.

what is the maximum number of employees will we hire in a food cart franchise business? Do you have a basis on this number?

hi im interested, but im 46 yo already

Having small capital should not discourage the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos. Food is an essential and food carts attract foot traffic everywhere. Juan just need to look for a good location and a trustworthy franchising company to partner with.

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thank you for the helpful tips and I have a foodcart bussiness for more detail visit this link http://www.foodcartbusiness.net/

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how to apply?

I would recommend starting your online business at home, even while you have your employment. There are tons of ideas out there, which one can capitalize. Everything is actually going online. I am expecting that Philippines will also follow the trend of 1st world countries, wherein most shopping is now done via online. I do have an online e-commerce website myself and leverages through online free classified ads such as www.mybenta.com, OLX and AYOS.

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im interested..how to apply?

Junna Otayde Reyna i messaged you on facebook. please check "other folders" in your inbox. 🙂

food cart business is a good source income of many filipinos here in our country. . .it’s a good business

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Connecting your passion with your purpose

How to Start a Food Cart Business in the Philippines

Table of Contents

Food-based businesses are one of the most lucrative ventures that you can undertake.

In the Philippine market specifically, food cart businesses have emerged to be an extremely profitable segment due to increasing demand for on-the go and cheap food. Its popularity is evident. Just go to malls and foodcourts in Manila and you’d see hundreds of food carts lined up in every floor. You’d also see variety of them in LRT or MRT stations, school kiosks and even in the streets! With its popularity as an “evergreen” niche, comes with a fiercely competitive market. It’s definitely not a walk in the park if you do not have prior experience in running a food business or if you’re starting out with a limited capital. Not to scare you off or anything, but the real truth is that it’s an extremely cut-throat business. Becoming a franchisee of a well-established food-cart brand can also be very risky. But while it’s also true that the market is also very saturated, there is still a massive opportunity for entrepreneurs in this category. To help you out, here are some tips on how to start a food cart business in the Philippines.

1. Make a business plan

Every business should have a business plan, and I can’t stress the importance of this enough. Most “wantrepreneurs” just dive in straight ahead without proper planning. Thinking of a product or food offering simply isn’t enough. You’d have to take in consideration the following factors:

• Feasibility of the business plan Feasibility takes into consideration all variables, resources and constraints needed to start your business. These include factors like budget, cash flow, deadlines, suppliers, and ability to scale. List down your costs (which includes initial inventory and equipment). Check your starting capital and liquidity and see if it’s enough to cover your costs. How fast will you be able to recuperate your initial capital? What is the return on investment? What are your deadlines? Will you be able execute all those tasks alone or do you need to hire staff for daily operations of your business? Do you have a capital to pay for the salaries of your team? etc. To take the franchising route? or to build a brand? If you’re planning on becoming a FRANCHISEE of an already established food-cart brand or business, take into account all the possible risks associated with it. Initially, the franchisor will guide you along the way and give you a blueprint of how to run the food cart business. But, it comes with a relatively high cost. Some franchisors take a percentage of your monthly profit. Do a cost-benefit analysis for a one (1) year period, two (2) year period, and so on. Will it be more profitable in the long-term? What is the ROI for the franchising model?
• Scaleability of the business Is your food cart business scaleable? And by scaleability we mean opportunities for expansion. Will your budget, cash flow and liquidity be able to handle an increase in demand? Can you replicate the business to other locations as well?
• Mission and Vision What is the purpose of starting a food cart business? How do see your food cart business in the next 5 years? What will be the steps that you’d have to undertake in order to achieve that vision?

2. Conduct a proper market research

Conducting a proper market research ensures that your product offering is fit for your target demographic. It should be according to their tastes, preference, and budget point. After all, the business is not about you- it’s about your customers. Segment the population according to demographics like age, education, income and mobility. Doing this will help you target your customers more accurately. For example, if you’re planning to set-up your food-cart business along the LRT Recto 2 station. Think of the possible target demographic in that area. This demographic could be ages 18-65, middle income earners, students along the university belt (U.E, CEU, UST, Arellano) going to the Divisoria area to Quiapo Manila. They’re on the go and would like a cheap and quick fix for their hunger. They have limited disposable incomes and probably won’t spend more than 100 pesos in kiosks. Determine how fast they want their food to be served. If your customers are on-the go, they wouldn’t want to stand there in minutes just to wait. Even if your food-cart business is supposedly a miniature fast-food style of business on steroids, you’d still have to take into account the overall ease and experience of your customers.

3. Pick your food offering according to your demographic’s tastes

Once you’ve determined your target demographic’s tastes, preferences and budget. Make a list of potential food offerings that you’d want to include in your food-cart. With the process of elimination, choose the products that are the most feasible, least costly to procure, easiest to make, and the most delicious for your customers. Remember, food-carts have one (1) specialty. You have to be the to-go to place or the “first-in mind” brand for a quick fix. As an example, the most popular food cart businesses out there are siomai kiosks, shawarma food-carts, hong-kong noodle kiosks, etc. They’re known for one specific food. The more products you offer, the more complicated and more time consuming it will be to operate as well. Instead of offering different varieties of food, you can just opt to offer complimentary food and beverages. Think of budget meals, or buy one take one offerings.

4. Choose a high-traffic location

In the food-cart business (and as with most brick and mortar) stores, location is everything! Even if you make the most delicious food offerings out there, still, the primary factor that can make or break your food-cart business is location. You’ll only succeed when your food-cart is located in a highly visible , easily accessibly and high foot traffic area . You are not a restaurant where your customers will opt for a full-dining experience. Instead, your demographic is most likely seeking for a quick-fix for their hunger, so they won’t spend minutes of their waking life looking for your kiosk. Food-cart businesses also leverage on their customer’s impulsivity. And being located in a highly visible and accessible area will help you gain more customers that had just seen your cart in first glance.

5. Get a business permit

Before you’d be allowed to operate your food-cart business, you are required to register your business with the DTI and you’d have to get a permit from the mayor’s office in the city hall where your business will be located. You’ll also need a TIN from the BIR and you’ll have to show a lease contract. Pooling all the necessary requirements and documents aside from the actual application process can take a while. Expect long lines when going to government offices. Bring patience. You’d need it the most.

6. Make sure that your food-cart stands out

If you didn’t choose the franchising route, you’ll have more flexibility when it comes to the design and branding of your food-cart business. It’ll take a more considerable time of planning, however, because you’d have to take into account the “brand image” that you want your customers to perceive. It’s always best to choose bright and colorful logos, slogans and color schemes for your food cart business. Colors like yellow and red conjure up excitement and impulsivity from your customers and I think it’s ideal for a food-cart business.

You want your food-cart to stand out amongst the competition, and your menu should be very visible as well. Placing a huge tarpaulin that lists all your products in front of your food cart also helps because your customers will be able to see it even from meters away.

7. Market your food-cart business

If you’re just starting out, it’s incredibly important to do marketing for your business (or for any business, really). Treat your food-cart business as a brand. A brand that is valuable and grows in popularity in the long-term. You don’t want to be just a “siomai house”, you’d want it to become an identifiable brand that you can scale and replicate in other locations as well. Some marketing strategies to help get the word out about your business are:

• distributing flyers if you’re starting out helps.
• making social media fan pages like facebook fanpage, instagram fan page, or even a youtube account
• join trade fairs and distribute samples of your products
• make your product offerings available in online delivery platforms like Grab and Foodpanda

8. Be a hands-on entrepreneur

The success of your food-cart relies heavily on your personnel. They’d be the main point of contact with your customer and your staff’s work ethic will greatly affect your customer’s experience with your brand. If your staff isn’t motivated, they’d work slowly, causing your customers to wait. I’ve seen in happen to a lot of food-cart businesses. The food is good but the staff isn’t approachable, the waiting time is long, and there’s a ridiculously long line. Yikes. It’s a recipe for disaster. Be a hands-on entrepreneur to solve this problem. And by hands-on, I didn’t mean that you should run your business 24/7. By hands-on, I meant, you should actively train and educate your staff about customer experience, food preparation, proper handling of food, hygiene and sanitation. Always visit your store and monitor the inventory levels yourself. Check for customer reviews in your facebook pages. Incentivize employees that work well in order to motivate them to work harder.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to write a comment down below! Thank you.

thriftyhobbyadmin

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How to Launch a Food Cart Business in the Philippines: With Materials and Tips for Building a Food Cart

November 10, 2024 Mara delos Reyes Business & Finance 0

Starting a food cart business is an accessible, profitable venture for entrepreneurs in the Philippines, where high foot traffic in busy urban areas provides a steady stream of potential customers. But how do you transform this opportunity into a successful business, especially on a budget? Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting started with your own food cart, complete with essential steps, tips, and marketing strategies tailored to the local market.

1. Decide on a Unique Product

Food carts that thrive usually focus on one distinct product—something simple, memorable, and popular. While franchises often dominate popular options like milk tea or siomai, creating a unique spin on a classic can set your brand apart. Think about regional favorites, health-conscious twists, or fusion flavors that locals haven’t seen before.

• Tip : Look for ingredients that are abundant locally, which can lower your costs and keep your product fresh. For example, tropical fruits for shakes or native rice treats can make your menu affordable and distinctive.

2. Start Small and Scale Up

One of the biggest advantages of a food cart business is flexibility. Start with one cart and test your concept before scaling up. This approach allows you to refine your product, branding, and pricing without the overhead of a larger setup.

• Budget-Friendly Advice : Consider using second-hand or DIY food cart equipment for your initial setup. Repurposing materials or buying pre-owned tools and stands can help you save significantly.

3. Create a Standout Brand Identity

Branding is key to attracting attention in crowded food hubs. Design a memorable logo, catchy name, and a simple, yet appealing color scheme. Choose vibrant colors and make your brand friendly and recognizable. Make sure your logo and signage are clear so that customers can spot your cart from a distance.

• Marketing Tip : Share your brand’s backstory or inspiration on social media. Telling a story about your food or how your business started can make customers more likely to support you and even spread the word.

4. Find High-Traffic Locations

Choosing the right location is crucial to success. Food carts do best in busy locations like near offices, schools, and transportation hubs. Scouting the area at different times of the day can give you a sense of peak hours and customer flow.

• Pro Tip : Negotiate short-term leases if you’re testing a new area. This way, you’re not locked into a location that doesn’t generate enough traffic. Weekend markets or events can also be great low-risk spots to try out your concept.

5. Emphasize Cleanliness and Hygiene

In the food industry, maintaining high sanitation standards is essential. Use clean, durable food containers, fresh ingredients, and proper storage methods. Train staff on food safety protocols and make sure they follow them rigorously.

• Customer Trust Tip : Display your health and sanitary permits prominently. Showing that you’re committed to quality reassures customers that they’re purchasing from a safe and clean establishment.

6. Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Social media marketing can make a huge impact on your business without a large budget. Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to showcase your food, share behind-the-scenes content, and announce promotions. Posting during meal hours or peak break times can also help you reach hungry customers.

• Budget-Friendly Marketing Idea : Collaborate with micro-influencers who focus on food or local hotspots. Offering them a free meal in exchange for a shoutout can drive traffic and help you gain a following.

7. Set Reasonable Pricing

Pricing your food cart offerings correctly is essential. Study the prices of similar businesses in your area and make sure your prices are competitive. While it can be tempting to price low to attract more customers, ensure your prices cover costs and allow a reasonable profit margin.

• Affordable Pricing Strategy : Offer bundle deals or loyalty rewards for repeat customers. Even small rewards like a free side or discount on their next purchase can encourage return visits.

8. Register and Legalize Your Business

Legally registering your business is a critical step. Register with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), secure necessary permits from the local barangay, and apply for health and sanitation permits. Not only does registration protect you legally, but it also shows customers that your business is legitimate.

• Practical Tip : Many local government units (LGUs) have support programs or assistance for small business owners. Check with your local LGU for potential resources to help streamline the registration process.

9. Provide Excellent Customer Service

Customer service is as important as food quality. A friendly, helpful demeanor goes a long way, especially in food carts where the transaction is brief. Train staff (or yourself, if you’re a one-person team) to be approachable and patient.

• Repeat Business Tip : Address any customer complaints promptly and politely. A quick response to a problem shows customers that their experience matters, which helps build loyalty.

10. Innovate and Improve Over Time

After your food cart is up and running, continue to innovate. Observe which items sell best and consider expanding your offerings based on customer demand or seasonal trends. Stay updated with the latest food trends, especially those that resonate with Filipino customers.

• Product Testing Tip : If you want to try out a new product, consider offering it as a limited-time special or asking loyal customers for feedback before adding it to the permanent menu.

Extra Tips for Marketing on a Budget

• Promotions and Giveaways : Run small giveaways for social media followers or offer discounts for customers who refer a friend. Simple giveaways can boost engagement without needing a huge budget.
• Loyalty Cards : A “buy 5, get 1 free” card is a low-cost way to encourage repeat customers. It’s easy to implement, and customers appreciate a small reward for their loyalty.
• Participate in Community Events : Events like barangay fairs or school events are excellent opportunities to showcase your food and attract new customers.

Tap into Digital Wallets : Many Filipinos prefer cashless transactions, so consider offering digital payment options. GCash, PayMaya, and other digital wallets can make transactions convenient for both you and your customers.

Essential Materials and Tips for Building a Successful Food Cart

Constructing a food cart requires careful planning and specific materials to create a durable, eye-catching, and functional space. Here’s a list of what you’ll need, along with examples to help you get started with a solid and budget-friendly setup.

1. Framework and Structure

The framework gives your cart strength and stability, which is crucial for withstanding daily wear and tear.

• Materials : Stainless steel or aluminum are ideal because they are rust-resistant, lightweight, and easy to clean. Wood can also be used for a more natural look but may need a weather-resistant finish.
• Examples : Welded steel frames with wood paneling for design or aluminum frames with acrylic panels for a modern touch.

2. Countertop Surface

The countertop is the main workspace where you’ll be preparing or displaying food, so it needs to be durable and food-safe.

• Materials : Stainless steel or granite is ideal for countertops, as they are easy to clean, non-porous, and resistant to staining.
• Example : A stainless steel countertop with a slight lip around the edge to keep items from slipping off.

3. Display Case or Food Warmer

A display case showcases your food to customers and keeps it fresh. If your food requires warmth, invest in a food warmer to maintain its quality.

• Materials : Glass or acrylic for display cases; consider temperature-controlled materials if you need a food warmer.
• Example : Glass display cases with shelves for small items like pastries or siomai steamers with clear tops for visibility.

4. Storage and Compartments

Efficient storage helps you keep ingredients, packaging, and equipment organized, especially in a compact space.

• Materials : Metal or plastic bins for dry goods, stainless steel drawers for utensils, and lockable compartments for valuables.
• Example : Metal pull-out drawers under the countertop for easy access, and stackable plastic bins with labels for inventory.

5. Wheels and Brakes

Mobility is key for a food cart, especially if you plan to move between locations or set up for events.

• Materials : Heavy-duty caster wheels, ideally with locking brakes to keep the cart stationary when needed.
• Example : Look for casters that are sturdy enough to support your entire cart but easy to lock for safety.

6. Overhead Cover or Canopy

A canopy protects your food, equipment, and customers from the elements and also acts as a branding space for your logo and signage.

• Materials : Waterproof fabric like vinyl or treated canvas, or a hard plastic or acrylic sheet for more solid protection.
• Example : A vinyl awning printed with your logo and menu to serve as an attention-grabber.

7. Signage and Branding Materials

Signage is vital for making your cart stand out. Use bright, bold designs that communicate your brand and menu at a glance.

• Materials : Vinyl for banners, LED lights for nighttime visibility, or chalkboard paint if you want an easily adjustable menu.
• Example : A vinyl banner with your business name, plus an LED light strip along the canopy edge for evening visibility.

8. Food-Handling Equipment

Depending on your menu, you’ll need specific equipment to prepare and store your food.

• Examples : For fried items, invest in a small fryer; for cold beverages, a mini fridge or cooler; for sandwiches, a grill press. Choose energy-efficient equipment to keep electricity costs manageable if using power.

9. Packaging and Disposable Supplies

Attractive and eco-friendly packaging can elevate your brand image and provide a better experience for your customers.

• Materials : Biodegradable or recyclable paper, compostable cups, and utensils to minimize environmental impact.
• Example : Custom-printed paper cups, bags, or food wrappers with your logo to reinforce your brand identity.

10. Basic Utilities (Water and Electricity)

A source of clean water and electricity is essential if you’re preparing food on-site.

• Water : Consider a portable water tank if access to running water is limited, and have a small sink for handwashing and food prep.
• Electricity : A battery pack or a nearby outlet can be useful for running small appliances, especially if you’re in a fixed location like a mall or market.

Additional Tips for a Low-Budget Setup

• Start with a Pre-Made Cart : If building from scratch isn’t feasible, consider buying a second-hand or pre-built cart and customizing it to match your brand.
• DIY Designs : Simple DIY modifications, like adding shelves or hooks, can help you organize your space efficiently without spending much.

Portable Signage Options : Invest in small whiteboards or chalkboards for daily specials. These are affordable, reusable, and can help you add some personality to your setup.

Starting a food cart business in the Philippines can be highly rewarding with the right mix of planning, creativity, and persistence. By focusing on a unique product, prioritizing cleanliness, choosing strategic locations, and embracing social media, you can build a loyal customer base and create a thriving business without a massive initial investment.

Carefully choosing your materials and focusing on durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, you can create a food cart that not only draws customers in but also makes your daily operations smooth and manageable. Setting up with these essentials can give you a head start in establishing a well-organized, standout food cart business.

Remember, consistency and a commitment to quality are essential. Starting small and continuously improving based on customer feedback will help you grow your business sustainably. With determination and a clear plan, you’re on your way to creating a successful food cart venture in the Philippines!

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Negosyong Pinoy: Starting a Street Food Business

Last Updated: Nov 23, 2018 by Editorial Staff | Business , Public Info

Filipinos are known to be very generous eaters. To add to that, a lot of our countrymen actually patronize and support street food. To cite an example, people would often stop by a corner where there’s a fish ball vendor. Fish balls are among one of the many street food that most Filipinos know and as a matter of fact, it’s one of the most lucrative businesses to start as well. We will be detailing everything you need to know about starting a street food business as complete as possible.

Table of Contents

Would a street food business really be profitable?

It might not seem enough but if you take a look at the complete cost of starting one, and how much you’re going to be selling depending on your market, you might be surprised.

Read:  Negosyong Pinoy: Starting a PisoNet Business here in the Philippines

Take it from Elvie Caligacion, a businesswoman who started her fortune through the fish ball business. Back in 1983, Elvie was retrenched from her job and said that she made a study of possible business options she can get into.

According to her story told in the  Philippine Star , Elvie has an initial startup capital of P3, 000 which she used to operate two (2) fish ball carts. Furthermore, that’s the amount she used to buy six (6) kilos of fish balls from Divisoria. Surprisingly, by her fifth (5th) month, Elvie already had five (5) fish ball carts. Imagine the growth in a short amount of time?

What you need in starting a street food business

Fish balls aren’t the only street food you can sell. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of foods you can offer; you just have to find the one that fits and suits you right. Of course, what you will be selling should be something that you love eating. How can you improve the taste of something you do not eat, eh?

Let us go over the things you need to prepare if you’re planing on starting a street food business:

• Street food cart
• Stove (gas type)
• Ingredients for cooking

Typically, the ingredients would include what you will be selling and the raw base and ingredients of the sauce you’re going to offer. By a rough estimate, you should be able to start a fish ball food cart business with only around  P5, 000.00 . NOTE: That amount would already include the materials and ingredients you need to start selling. To give you some sort of a breakdown:

• Food cart – P1, 800 – P3, 000
• Stove – P500 – P800
• Utensils – P1, 000 *already includes frying pan, barbecue skewer sticks, strainer, etc.
• Kerosene Gas – P800
• Fish ball and other street food raw materials – P200
• (Optional) Motorcycle or Bicycle – down payment for a motorcycle or a full payment of a bicycle – P5, 000

The income of this street food business

Now, the income would solely depend on the following things:

• The type of market that you have
• The price of your street food
• Other things that you’re offering

Location is key in the street food business. Whether you like it or not, your success would have higher chances if you place your food cart at a place where there are a lot of people like  near a school ,  near an establishment ,  near transport terminals , etc. However, that’s not the only factor.

Read:  Negosyong Pinoy: The Peanut Butter Business

Let’s also factor in the type of market you have. Most of the time, if you place your food cart in places where people want to eat heavy meals, your food cart will not be noticed. You need to put it in places where people are always on-the-go or in places where people will be waiting.

Often times, the price would substantially be standard, unless, of course, you have your own supplier and get your raw ingredients at a cheaper rate. The price won’t have a huge impact to your success but it could play a big and a more important role to how your business will be.

Where can I purchase a fish ball food cart

There are online websites and marketplaces you can check who offer food carts. Moreover, if you have the tools, you can make it yourself. If you’re not confident enough, you can ask a carpenter or a woodscraftsman to help you construct a food cart.

NOTE: Building a food cart would be drastically cheaper than buying one. You’d only need wood, nails, wheels, a few metal steels, and other materials for you to be able to build one.

But wait, how do you cook fish balls.

Fish balls, squid balls, chicken balls, hotdogs, kikiams , all other street foods you can think of can easily be cooked through hot cooking oil. Although there are street foods that would require coal and grilling, these types of street foods usually would just require hot cooking oil.

Read:  Tips in Successfully Starting and Running Your Food Business

What the usual sauces or  sawsawan  are would be  sweet, sweet and spicy,  and  plain spicy.  Some vendors offer vinegar with spicy vinegar but that would really just depend on you.

However, some people come back for the sauce so if you think that you shouldn’t be paying attention to the sauce, then think again. Sometimes, it’s the sauce that people come back for.

Read:  Negosyong Pinoy: Starting a Piggery Business in the Philippines

Conclusion:

Starting a street food business is not as simple as it seems. As a matter of fact, this type of business is the one that is the more lucrative if you handle and take care of it properly. So to give you a few points of knowledge before you start, try to remember these things:

• If you want to start this type of business, it’s going to be better if your business is locomotive. You want to move from and to places where there are a lot of people.
• A bicycle or a motorcycle would be required if that’s the case. That would gain additions on your cost but it’ll be a lot more profitable depending on the situation.
• Remember that the first few days to a week could give you nothing. Just try to persevere and try to understand your target market.
• You have hundreds to thousands of competitors. Make sure to give your customers something to come back for – make your products and what you offer special!
• If you’re not going to be the one to sell, make sure that the vendor you’ll hire is trustworthy and reliable. There are people who would be blinded by a few thousand pesos so beware.

You can have your profits through “boundary”

If you haven’t heard of the term, boundary is when someone will rent whatever you use for your business. In other words, other people would be the ones using your tool to earn and they have to earn a specific amount of money per day and you’d be the one to call that.

Read:  Negosyong Pinoy: The Karinderya Business

It’s somewhat like a bond. A technique you can do for a person interested in getting into the business is that you can assign a boundary to that person, say P800 – P1, 000 for the stretch of the whole day. That is what the amount he needs to pay you and whatever profit he gets after that will be his.

What the inclusions are would depend on your agreement but that’s the idea.

Are you interested in starting a business but you lack the funds to do so? Well, why not start a street food business? It has a cheap initial cost, it requires less effort, and it’s a lot lucrative. You just have to map out where you are going to put your business.

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10 Tips for Starting a Food Cart Business in the Philippines

Updated: March 13, 2024

Among all franchises in the Philippines, the food cart is probably the most popular. Aside from being affordable, finding your target market is relatively easier with a food business.

If you’re looking for a franchise, there are many food cart businesses to choose from. However, setting up your own food stall isn’t that complicated, either.

Below are ten tips to remember when starting a food cart business. I hope this quick guide will help you achieve success as a food entrepreneur.

1. To franchise or start your own?

Before anything else, you should decide whether to get a franchise or start your own food cart business. There’s no better choice, and it all depends on your skills and resources.

Franchising will save you time in planning and execution, but it will cost much more. Also, you’ll have less control over the business and will need to follow the terms of the franchisor.

It’s more affordable to start your own business, but you’ll need to do everything — think of a business name, design your logo, find suppliers, and many other tasks.

2. Write a business plan.

A business plan is your blueprint for success. Writing one allows you to run your business on paper and helps you visualize all the tasks you’ll need to execute.

Moreover, a comprehensive business plan will be useful if you need to find partners or investors for your venture. Having one gives an impression that you’re committed to succeed.

3. Build on one product.

A food cart business isn’t a restaurant that can offer a variety of meals, so don’t be one. All successful food carts focus on only one product. Just think about it — french fries, siomai, fruit shakes, nachos, waffles, etc.

You can innovate and offer something new or compete in what’s currently popular or an emerging trend. Either way, also make sure that you’ll have the resources to manufacture your product by volume.

4. Choose a good location.

Go where your target customers are. Food cart businesses are best inside malls, near office establishments, adjacent to transportation terminals, and beside colleges or universities.

Moreover, assess the area’s security and accessibility. It is recommended that you observe your planned location for several hours on different days before pursuing it.

5. Ensure proper food sanitation.

Be meticulous about your food preparation and handling. Ensure proper sanitation in all steps. Invest in quality containers and packaging. Be strict with the expiration dates of your ingredients.

In today’s age of social media, you don’t want people talking about how unclean your food is or how unsanitary your food cart is. Additionally, you can be held liable if someone gets sick from eating your products.

6. Develop eye-catching food cart design.

Colorful and well-designed food carts can easily attract customers. Use vivid hues of yellow, red, or orange. Make your logo recognizable. Make your text and menu display simple and easy to read.

Draw a mock-up of your food cart and show it to friends. Observe their first impressions, then ask for feedback and suggestions on how you can improve them.

7. Excel at customer service.

You are not only selling food but also providing a service to your customers. Teach your staff to be warm and friendly and to always serve with a smile.

People often become impatient and ill-tempered when they’re hungry. That’s why it’s important to train your crew on how to handle difficult clients.

8. Be strategic with pricing.

Sell at a price to make reasonable profits. Make sure that your prices are at par with competitors’. Lastly, assess whether your prices are affordable to your target customers.

There is no straightforward formula for pricing. It’s really a matter of finding the balance between affordability, competitiveness, and profit and then adjusting accordingly.

9. Register your business.

A food cart business is exposed to the public. Business inspectors will most likely visit your store regularly, so it’s important to register your business and operate legally.

Moreover, apply for all necessary permits. In addition to the usual licenses from the DTI, barangay, city hall, and BIR, you should also have BFAD approval on your products, health and sanitary permits, and many others.

10. Be your number one customer.

Don’t sell food that you’re not even a fan of. When milk tea became a craze, I knew someone who ventured into it even though he didn’t drink milk tea. That business didn’t last long.

By being your number one customer, you’ll know exactly what makes your product good. You’ll also have insights on how to sell and market it properly. And more importantly, it’ll be easier for you to innovate on the food.

Running a food cart business can be challenging. Success requires careful planning, so never rush into starting one to avoid costly mistakes.

Getting a food cart franchise is a good option for first-time entrepreneurs. It’s a great training ground that will familiarize you with the food industry.

But strive to hopefully someday start your own. By doing so, you’ll have the opportunity to offer your food cart business as a franchise and compound your income passively in the future.

What to do next: Click here to start your financial journey with IMG Wealth Academy

Very affordable food cart franchise start at 17500 complete package with e-loading biz ready to operate franchise now

i want to start a food truck restaurant in Cebu Philippines… anyone have any suggestions?

Jer Special Food Cart Franchising is going to launch soon this year 2019.

We have rent to own Food Cart Schemes… All interested with in Dasmarinas Cavite Area may call 09501111453. We also introducing supply of the series of Food Cart at your choosen Location. We are proud to be your partner in the bussiness. Jerimie B. Mosteiro

Im planning to buy a food cart and put it in Ayala Malls Cloverleaf .

Hello im planning to start a food truck in manila end of 2021, any ideas and can anyone give me advise on doing this please.

[…] Per Investopedia’s exposition on capital, it is key to the functioning of any unit, that includes your planned business. You use the capital to pay for the production of goods or services you wish to render to create profits. In this case, the Takoyaki business. […]

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Starting a Food Cart Business? This Is the Complete Steps!

Do you want to run a food cart business in the Philippines? In this article, we will discuss what is food cart business and things you need to prepare for it. Check this out!

Things You Need to Know About Food Cart Business

Are you intending to make a food cart business and confuse how to start food cart business? Don’t worry because we will discuss it here. Most food cart business is from franchising. Franchising is a faster way to have a food cart business without needing to think about food cart business ideas.

There are several types of food cart business that you can choose to franchise. There is also a food cart business worth 15k. Nowadays the leading food cart business in the Philippines is beverages and drinks. Before choosing the food cart business, you need to be selective and choose the food cart business that suits your passion. To increase your business sales, you can promote it in social media marketing .

Read also: Digital Marketing vs Social Media Management, Same or Not?

What Are the Preparations?

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Before running a business food cart, of course there will be requirements for food cart business Philippines you need to complete like your personal data but before starting a food cart business, here are the things you need to consider first.

Do Market Research

The first thing you need to consider is how the market is going. You need to make your food cart business plan before running the food cart business. In the business plan, you can use 5 W’s which are Who, What, When, Where, and Why to help you find information. You can also write your business goals and targets.

To get more complete information, you can do market research to help you. You can share a questionnaire to buyers about things they like and dislike. You can also search for information about the food card business you want to franchise before investing in it.

Prepare the Business Legal Requirements

When you are setting up a business , you will need to prepare the business legal requirements first. The requirements will be personal identity, health requirements, food services permits, tax permits, business licenses and others. These requirements will depend on what business you are going to franchise.

Start the Business

After you have done the market research and prepared your legal documents, now you can start the business. You can decide whether you want to make your own business with your own brand or buy a franchise. No matter what you choose, you still need to put in a lot of effort so that your business will grow.

Read also: 15 Small Online Business Ideas with Small Budget to Start

Steps to Start Your Own Food Cart Business

Here are the steps you need to follow to start a food cart business philippines.

Prepare the Concept

When you want to start your own food cart business, you need to prepare your business concept first. A good concept is when your business and the products match each other. So when you sell Chinese food, your food cart must be using the Chinese theme.

Focus on the Product First

Even when you have a good business concept, it will be nothing when your product is bad. That’s why you need to keep checking your product quality. If you have a good product, your customer will keep coming back and increase your sales .

Find a Good Location

Your business location also plays an important role. You need to find a place where many people pass by. You can do research on a good business location and make your business target.

Design Your Stall Attractively

To attract more customers, you need to design your food stall attractively. You can try to find food stall references on the internet but don’t ever copy other people’s designs. When you copy others’ designs, you have to be prepared to get sued by them.

Do You Want to Manage Multiple Marketplace Just by Single Person?

Of course you can! You can handle multiple stores from all marketplace just by single dashboard. Cut your Business’s cost, and Boost your Efficiency at the same time.

Use an Efficient Operating System

It is important to use an efficient operating system. This system will help you to work faster when there is an order. Besides that, it also helps to avoid any misorder.

Offer a Good Services

Besides having good food and a good stall, good service is also important. Your business will have a good reputation when having a good service. To get a good review from customers, you need to make sure that you are offering good services, food and also a good and clean stall.

Prepare All the Legal Documents

Before starting a food stall business, you need to prepare all the legal documents. The legal documents such as personal identity, health requirements, food services permits, tax permits, business licenses and others.

Examples of Well Known Food Cart Business in the Philippines

Here are some of the well known food cart businesses for your reference.

Citrus Zone

The first food cart business is Citrus Zone. Citrus Zone offers a healthy concept in their business by offering lemonade and freshly-pressed juices for a healthier diet. The investment capital you need to franchise Citrus Zone is about PHP 350,000.

Another popular food stall business in the Philippines is Happy Cup. Happy Cup offer beverages products that were established in 2017. The total investment capital might take around PHP 250,000.00 to PHP 750,000.00.

Magic Melt​

There is also a famous food stall that was established in 1999 by the Lumakang family which is called Magic Melt. The total investment capital you need to prepare if you want to franchise is around PHP 395,000.

Mister Donut

You can also choose Mister Donut for your business. Not only donut, there is also a coffee in Mister Donut. The total investment capital is around PHP 306,000 to PHP 366,000.

Franchise is really popular in millenials. When you choose to franchise a food cart business, you don’t need to think about the food cart business name ideas . You will use the business name that you franchise, menu, time as well as the risk. As long as you put effort into running the business, you will get a positive result.

Join Ginee Philippines!

Starting a food cart business in the Philippines might be hard if you don’t know how to manage it well enough. Therefore, you will need Ginee Philippines because with Ginee, you can manage products, orders, stocks, promotions, and more in only a single dashboard. Especially, if you register your business online in marketplace or e-commerce platforms. Increase your sales with Ginee Philippines now freely !

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Starting A Food Cart Business in the Philippines

For those who have limited capital, starting a food cart may be the best option. When going into the food cart business, one of your main decisions is whether to get a franchise or to start your own food cart business from scratch. If you intend to remain in your day job or present business, then it is strongly advised that you get a franchise because starting a food cart business needs your full attention.   While a franchise is also a business, you must follow the franchisor’s system. Here are some tips that should help the beginner get started:   Determine the best location for your type of food cart . Your location could make or break your business. Among the many factors that determine suitable locations are sufficient foot traffic, affordable rentals, and competitive environment.   Practice proper food safety . You must know how to implement food safety procedures not only to be legally compliant but also to inspire confidence in your product. Know about HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for better food safety control. Customers must also see that your employees are handling the food in a hygienic manner.   Have a good internal control system . Since only one or two persons will be tending your food cart, a reliable way of controlling cash and other assets must be developed to minimize the chances of theft. Having a Point of Sale (POS) system can help control both cash and assets, and it can also track many other useful data like product movement.   Develop a new and exciting product . The most important task is to develop something that is significantly new and superior in taste that would please people and get them to spread the word about your product.   Study the ideal pricing and adapt your costs to the price . Determine the ideal price point and then to adapt the product serving size and other cost factors.   Develop an operations manual . So many things must be done on an everyday basis and having them written down is the only way to remember everything. With a well-written operations manual, you can easily train your employees. There will also be consistency in taste and quality.   To know more about this business, BusinessCoach, Inc., a leading business seminar provider, conducts a seminar entitled, “Starting a Food Cart Business.” Contact (02) 727-5628, (02) 727-8860, (0915) 205-0133 or visit www.businesscoachphil.com for details.

  Click here to view details of the seminar: Starting a Food Cart Business »   *Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. C-4, Sunday, October 27, 2013. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach, Inc.) All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or copied without express written permission of the copyright holders.