Here’s how to start a food truck business in Brockton
BROCKTON – Have you always had a passion for food and entrepreneurship? But you weren’t sure how to combine these two ideas? Well, maybe a mobile food truck is your next business venture.
We’ve gathered information from City Hall and local entrepreneurs to create an easy breakdown of helpful things to know when you’re starting your business.
Before you write your checkbook, when you plan a successful business as an entrepreneur, you must consider the needs of the community you serve and develop a unique concept and menu that captivates the consumer.
Whether it’s a fusion of two cultures, which is very popular in the Brockton area, or your choice of a traditional menu, you should make it your own.
Once you have the design concept, menu, and vehicle, it’s time to turn everything into code.
Are you new to Brockton?Below is a list of places to eat, drink and visit in the city
What do you need to start a food truck in Brockton?
Now, you may be wondering what are the first steps to starting a food truck business? Well, there is no right or wrong way to start the process. Some may start by determining their business name, status to serve, logo, and entity before purchasing and designing a truck, like Justin Ramos of Cheesy Cheeks, a macaroni and cheese-based food truck in Abington.
“It’s important to do your research. There are a lot of taco food trucks out there. When I started my business last year, there weren’t any mac and cheese food trucks, so I knew it would be perfect. You really have to understand what’s going on,” Ramos said. What your community misses and how your company can accommodate it.”
Ramos began her food truck journey by researching the area and looking at what her competitors were selling and offering. She had to decide whether to tow a trailer or find a truck.
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For Ramos, finding a food truck with an oven was extremely important to her business, and she suggests researching the best options for whatever type of food you’re selling.
“I looked into my food truck and bought one from Delaware. I wanted my truck to have an oven because I bake macaroni and cheese. You can find a truck that has whatever you want, or you’ll have to get rid of it and make your own,” Ramos said. “But it’s expensive.”
Finding the perfect food truck wasn’t the only difficult thing on this entrepreneur’s list.
“The hardest part of this journey for me was finding a separate kitchen that would fit well with my schedule and meet my business needs,” Ramos said. “It took me about four months to find a kitchen.”
Ramos’ biggest piece of advice is to “be patient.”
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Especially during the process of passing inspection and bringing your truck up to Brockton Health Department standards.
This process took Ramos approximately six months.
“It was a very long process, so I advise everyone to take their time and not rush, which could lead to mistakes,” Ramos said.
Food truck permit requirements
In the City of Brockton, you must have a valid food service permit from the Board of Health and a current mobile food vendor permit to operate.
The City of Brockton expects the food truck owner to familiarize themselves with and read the mobile food truck guidelines, expectations and requirements.
You must pass a health inspection, pay for and obtain a mobile food vendor license and food service permit, and provide copies of the health inspection report, menu, commissary kitchen contract, food protection manager certificate, allergy awareness certificate, vehicle registration, and a copy of your driver’s license.
Propane or open flame must be approved by the fire department if used or applied. The owner must also submit a plan for the mobile food truck, a completed application, workers’ compensation affidavits, a street vendor license, a business certificate, a complete truck inspection checklist, event information and other paperwork.
Here’s where to get help
Although we’ve summarized the process in a few short paragraphs, the process is long and will take food truck owners several weeks or months to complete everything on the menu. The city’s mobile food truck guidelines, expectations, and requirements consist of over 26 steps to ensure your success.
Starting a new business is no easy feat, but the City of Brockton is here to help every step of the way. If you have any questions about the application and permit process, please call 508-894-1480 or visit in person at 60 Crescent St., Brockton.
