Food waste is a global problem amounting to immense financial and environmental costs. If you operate a food truck or restaurant this waste can cut in your bottom line in a big way. Annually, the total value of food wasted globally is $1 trillion. In the US alone, 103 million tons of food waste were generated last 2018. It is also estimated that about 30% - 40% of the food supply goes to waste. These statistics can even go higher as the growing problem of food waste in America seems to have no end. The effects of food waste can [...]

As with any good business, food trucks need to do marketing too, and it can be a godsend for any business that has a good marketing slogan to get it right. Marketing is not just about the slogan or tagline, but it does play a major role in the process, and can bring in new customers that you might not expect. Your slogan is part and parcel of your branding, and you need to know exactly how to get it right. The food truck industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States today, with more than [...]

With more than 23,000 food trucks operating in the US throughout 2020, this unique industry is reported to produce revenues exceeding $2 billion a year. And only a small percentage of that is for dessert trucks, which are the less popular option for food truck operators. But with the growth of the food truck industry only getting stronger, the need for more dessert-based food trucks is now in demand, to cater to the market segment that are looking for mobile desserts on their lunch breaks. Starting up your own dessert food truck could be the best new line in this [...]

The revolution in street foods, food stalls, food trucks, and carts is now in full swing, and has grown exponentially over the last ten years or so. Now, there is so much to choose from in this wild array of eclectic and diverse industry that customers are really spoiled for choice. And street foods have evolved into the healthier options as well, to match the growing trend in health-conscious eating. Instead of hitting the fast-food joints for that working lunch, people are tending more towards trying healthy foods, to keep the body fit and energized for the rest of the [...]

Most people recognize that the food truck craze started just right after the economic recession in 2008, but did you know it started way back almost one and a half centuries ago? The idea was conceptualized by Walter Scott in 1872 when he sold pies, sandwiches, and coffee through a "lunch wagon" near a local newspaper office in Providence, Rhode Island. Fast forward to the 21st century, this basic concept has since evolved into a more dynamic way of offering grub to foodies. Today, the food truck concept brings restaurant-style food closer to consumers. Whether through catering events or while [...]

Before people taste your food, they see it with their eyes. They smell it. Here's some tips you can use to improve the appearance of your food to encourage more people to give your truck, trailer, or food stall a shot. Retailers are more likely to carry your product if they know they can move it quickly off the shelves. Shelf space is always at a premium and no retailer wants to carry a line that will simply sit and sit and sit. When you’re selling-in to a retailer or vending at an event, you need to build confidence that: [...]

COVID-19 (AKA the coronavirus) has disrupted the food truck industry. Concerts, events, and food truck festivals around the nation have been canceled as the public is strongly encouraged to stay inside their homes in an effort to minimize the spread of this nasty disease. But you already knew this. The goal of this post is to remind you that this too shall pass and to keep this health crisis in perspective. We'll also offer some practical ideas to keep your food business operating during these difficult times. Do we know how long the current situation will last? Nope.  No one [...]

One of the unfortunate aspects of operating a food truck is that the units are targets for theft or vandalism. While you can't control the actions of bad guys, you can take measures to improve the security of the unit. While good insurance coverage can make getting back on the road easier, if your food truck is stolen you'll still be out of business for months as you wait for the insurance check to clear and a replacement vehicle to be manufactured. Fortunately, there are proven actions you can take to prevent this disruptive event from happening all together. Here are [...]

Consumer preferences are constantly changing. Fortunately changes in behavior and taste happen gradually over a period of years so if you're paying attention, you can adapt. Here are four specific food trends that will almost certainly play a bigger role in food trucks businesses in 2020. Even if you've got a winning formula already, we recommend choosing one of the following trends to test out in your business. You never know which of these trends will positively impact your bottom line. Built by M&R Specialty Trailers and Trucks Animal-Free Meats Animal-free protein has been one of the biggest [...]

During our nearly 20 years in business M&R Specialty Trailers and Trucks has shipped all sorts of custom-built food trucks and concession trailer from our manufacturing center located about 15 minutes west of Jacksonville, Florida. Some final destinations for these mobile food units include Washington, California, Georgia, New York and Colorado to name a few. Over the years, we've learned some key tips to safely transporting a food truck long distances that we'd like to share in this post. Tony's Clam Chowder - Built By M&R Specialty Trailers and Trucks. Tips for Shipping a Food Truck Safely Get [...]