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[dcflamf77]

Food trucks have gotten a lot of publicity lately, with television shows and people updating the concept of a mobile restaurant. I have a few questions regarding current perspective on marketing these trucks:

1.) Oldschool or Newschool? -- Does Old fashioned truck design have a more universal appeal, or is it the new trendy trucks that generate more interest?

2.) Location -- Target Baseball Games and Events? or Nightlife bar scene?

3.) Vegetarian and Allergy Conscience -- Is it worth having vegetarian/vegan alternatives on menu? Gluten Free?

4.) Any links that would be helpful, please post.

Thank you!

[RestaurantDoctors]

A food truck is like any other restaurant - its all all about making people aware you are there and what you are serving, providing quality product for your price point, and wowing the customer.

That being said, I think much of what your truck offers and what you want to sell is dependent on where you are located ( though not 100% accurate of course. Remember that veggie eating vegetarian promoting Whole Foods was started in meat loving Texas! ). But you may not want to sell ice cream in Alaska, ya know?

The trucks that do the best in the very heavily competed LA scene are the ones who offer something special ( think Kogi for instance - you know, the ones that mix mexican quesedillas and korean bbq ) and are not ubiquitous ( they can actually be hard to find! So thousands of people follow them on twitter ). The trucks themselves aren't necessarily overly flashy - granted, a few do have flashing neon lights or provocative imaging stenciled on, but by-and-large they are simply freshly painted.

Many of the most successful trucks follow the following trend:

1) They offer a uniquely prepared quality product
2) They work both the business lunch crowd and the late night bar crowd
3) Their trucks are meticulously upkept and the exteriors look sharp
4) They create a following and incentivize customers to engage them ( a little reverse, isnt it?! ) by using Twitter to tell their followers where they will be

What are your plans? Are you planning on opening your own truck?