How to Start a Restaurant Cart

Sell food from a restaurant cart.

Restaurant carts are found at public parks, outdoor concerts, sporting events and fairgrounds. You can prepare food in advance or cook it on your cart by investing in a stove top, deep fryer and refrigeration unit to store food. Operate your restaurant cart business on a part-time or full-time basis depending on your availability and the need for vendors. Foods include pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and drinks.

Instructions

1. Apply for a business license by contacting the small business administration office or county clerk's office in your area. Apply for an employer identification number by contacting the Internal Revenue Service. Use your identification number on state and federal business tax forms. Register your restaurant cart business as a limited liability company, corporation or partnership by contacting your state's secretary of state's office. Apply for a sales tax identification number to collect sales tax from customers by contacting your state's department of revenue.

2. Contact your local health department to learn about the types of licenses needed to run a restaurant cart. Licenses may include a food manager, food handler or food vendor license. Complete training and pass the necessary exams to qualify for one or more of these licenses.

3. Purchase a van or truck to convert into a restaurant cart to suit your needs or purchase a used concession truck. Carefully inspect vans or trucks to ensure these vehicles are working properly before buying or leasing. Contact the health department to schedule an inspection of your restaurant cart to ensure the cart meets food vendor requirements.

4. Create a list of food items to sell. Purchase food and food preparation supplies, cleaning materials, safety gloves, hairnets, aprons and food service containers, utensils and napkins. Purchase a food-warming unit if serving hot food and small refrigeration unit to keep cold foods cold. Lease commercial kitchen space from a restaurant or prepare food in your home kitchen. Contact the health department as you may need additional licensing to prepare food at home.

5. Contact local venues, such as parks, stadiums, fairgrounds and concert halls, to find places to set up your restaurant cart. Create a menu that includes food items and prices. Decorate your restaurant cart to attract customers.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact venue managers to learn more about the rules pertaining to vendors as you may be restricted in the types of food you can serve to the public. Some venues do not want multiple vendors selling the same or similar food items.

• Purchase business insurance to protect your restaurant cart in the event of a lawsuit or settlement.

References

• "Entrepreneur": Chuck Wagon

Resources

• Internal Revenue Service: Employer Identification Numbers (EINs)