How To Start A Food Truck Business

Food trucks continue to grow in popularity and don’t seem like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon. The concept of a mobile food business appeals to both business owners and customers alike for their convenience and accessibility. 

Food truck businesses aren’t confined to one location and don’t have the same expenditures such as rent like a traditional restaurant. Due to this, food trucks are a great way for those interested in the food business to launch their menu with fewer expenses and increased flexibility. 

However, there are a number of legal considerations to plan for before going ahead and dominating the food business with your recipes. Keep reading to learn more. 

What Do I Need To Start A Food Truck Business?

In order to start a food truck business, you will need to gather a few important things first. 

Firstly, all your legal documents need to be attended to. This means any contracts, licences and agreements need to be drafted and tailored to your business’ requirements. All of these will ensure your business is legally compliant and protected. We’ll explore this in more depth later, so keep reading to know more. 

Next, you will need to think of the supplies for running a food truck (you may need to look into having the right Supply Agreements as well). This includes the truck itself, produce, ingredients, serving and cooking equipment. You will also need to think about hygiene standards and the items you will need to keep your truck clean. 

This can be a lot to take into consideration, so many business owners opt to have a business plan where they write these things down to allow themselves to better strategise their preparations. 

How To Start A Food Truck Business

The most important aspect of starting any business is doing the research. Assess the market, set a budget and create a business plan like we mentioned above. 

You will also need to think about a number of different aspects such as the finances, marketing, legal compliance and the creative designs that all combine to make a successful business. The best place to start is researching and creating a business plan. 

From here, you can think about your legal documents (like we mentioned above) to secure your business relationships. 

Do I Need A Food Licence For My Food Truck Business?

Yes, you will require a licence to start a food truck business. The exact licence you will need will depend on where in New Zealand you are, so be sure to check out your local regulations. For example, in Auckland, you will need to apply for a Mobile Trading Licence. 

Further local regulations will also apply such as zoning laws and local government rules around food businesses in the area. Additionally, your business will also need to comply with the New Zealand Food Safety standards. 

Prior to starting your business, it’s important to familiarise yourself with these requirements (or the relevant ones for your local area) and make a plan for compliance. Non-compliance could not only be considered illegal but may also pose a risk to the safety of your consumers due to the hygiene risks associated with handling food. 

Register My Food Truck Business In New Zealand

Food trucks also need to be registered before they can begin business. The process to register your food truck business is similar to registering any business in New Zealand. 

Once you’ve decided on the type of business structure and have all the relevant details for your business, you can then register it with the New Zealand Companies Office. 

Registering your business will require you to provide all the relevant information, apply for the taxes that apply to you and pay a fee – this can all be done online. Once the application has been successfully completed and processed, you will receive a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN).   

Registering a business in New Zealand is essential for tax purposes and reporting obligations. 

For further assistance or to ensure your food truck business is set up correctly and compliant with New Zealand law, don’t hesitate to contact us at 0800 002 184 or visit our website at sprintlaw.co.nz. Our team of experienced legal professionals is here to help you every step of the way. 

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