Planning a Business: Food Industry

Needs Assessment

• What have you thought about so far?
• Do you have a business plan? If so, next question. If not, general starting a business resources.

Question Index

Marketing

Questions related to marketing in general and applicable across contexts.

• How do I find out who my potential customers are?
• How might I reach my potential customers?
• What kinds of marketing activities are possible?

Here are some industry-specific additional pointers:

Competition

Questions related to understanding competitors in a market

• How do I find out who my (potential) competitors are?

Here are some industry-specific additional pointers:

Revenue/Sales

• How can I estimate how much I could earn from my business?
• How might my potential customers pay for my goods and services?
• What kinds of sales channels are possible?
• What kinds of revenue streams are possible?

Expenses/Operations

Here are some general questions/resources

• What might it cost to run my business?
• How do I find out who my potential partners are?
• How can I find or choose a location for my business?
• How do I get medical benefits for myself and my employees?
• Where can I get funding?

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

• This website has some good resources for estimating startup costs for a food truck (which can range from ~$30,000 to $114,100, depending on the nature of the food truck, and local regulations: https://foodtruckempire.com/how-to/costs/ (talk to Resource:(Librarian) Yassin for more details)

• Used Mobile Food Trucks

Legal

Here are some general questions to consider

• How do I get official?
• What do I need to do to comply with tax laws?

And here are some industry-specific pointers:

• Special note on food trucks: food truck permitting is very controversial in Maryland, and in PG County in particular (was not allowed in general for many years, and only recently began to be allowed back with significant restrictions: for example, PG has health and fire inspections from PG as well and they are only allowed in a small number of Food Truck Hubs to be legal. Tara Roberts has more information on this.
  • That said, this website has a good collection of general links to appropriate forms and processes, including food manager license, plan reviews, food service facility permits, and fire inspection: https://dmvfta.org/princegeorge
  • Prince George's County Food Truck Hub - 5 step process to "apply for a Mobile Food Service Facility Permit or a Special Food Service Facility Mobile Unit License"

• Guide for Food Trucks 08-31-20

• Food Service Facility Permits

• Food Vendors at PG Parks

Business Plan

Here are some general questions to consider

• How do I write a business plan?

If a business plan draft is ready and it may be time to look to local resources for registering and Launching a Business.

And here are some industry-specific pointers: