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Do you want to start a food cart business in Atlanta, Georgia? It can be profitable and more accessible than ever, thanks to new legislation that allows people to open mobile restaurants in multiple counties without a permit for every jurisdiction.
If you have decided to start a mobile restaurant and want to know how to start a food truck business in Georgia, this blog is perfect for you. Whether you want to sell gourmet donuts, Halal Food, burgers, hot dogs, healthy smoothies, or anything else, follow the simple steps below to start your food business.
Steps to How to Start Food Cart Business in Georgia
Step1: Research and Planning:
Before starting the mobile food business in Georgia always do research and plan your food cart business carefully. To find out the competition, you can use Google Maps, from where you can get an idea of how many food trucks are in your area. You can also use the app such as Where the Where’s the Food Truck or StreetFoodFinder
After that, visit popular food truck locations such as college campuses, markets, and officers to get an idea of menu choices and marketing strategies. Nowadays, food trucks are the most successful business.
Always estimate your startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential revenue, including costs for purchasing the cart, initial inventory, licenses, permits, and marketing. A solid financial plan will help you secure funding if needed and manage your business effectively.
Step2. Legal Requirements and Permits
Getting food truck permits in Georgia depends on where you open your food truck business, whether in a city or county. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce can help you with this problem. You can schedule an appointment with a county planner.
In most cases, you will need a business license. You can apply for a business license with the City of Atlanta. This license is required for all businesses operating within the city limits.
For Mobile Food Service, you can get a permit from the Fulton County Health Department. In this, you have to submit your menu and cart layout and undergo health inspections to ensure your cart meets health and safety standards. You must also register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to collect and pay sales tax.
Below is the document list that you need:
- Your tax ID or business Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- A valid driver’s license
- Current registration for the truck
Step3. Getting a food permit
You will also need a food permit from a Health Department Permit. It also depends on your location. You can get this from the Georgia State Department of Public Health. Below are the documents you need at the time of permit.
- Parking permit/written permission from the property owner
- Public vending permit
- Background check
- Mobile food unit permit
4. Set a budget:
Opening a food truck is cheaper than opening a traditional restaurant, but it still requires a huge investment. The new truck with all the cooking equipment installed can cost $100,000–$185,000, while a new trailer will probably cost $40,000–$90,000.
If you do not have a huge amount, then you can buy a used vehicle and install the equipment yourself.
After that, you will need an amount for the generator, website design, and more. These expenses can vary.
Step 5. Advertise your business
To run your business successfully, you will need the best recipes and marketing. The biggest thing is to ensure that people see your advertisement and come to your place to eat the food. Below are the platforms where you can advertise your business.
- website
- Social media
- Your truck.
