Food Truck Must-Have Tips and Tricks

Running a prosperous food truck business is reliant on customers knowing your location. While your ease of mobility helps you to stand out and try different neighborhoods, it can also be a disadvantage when potential customers can’t find you.

There are three ways to put the word out there:

 

1. GPS Tracking

In some cities, like Boston, GPS tracking devices are required for all food trucks. But for all intents and purposes, GPS tracking is something all food truck operators should consider. If you rely on your guests to check Twitter and Facebook, you might be missing out on a host of potential customers. That’s because many companies and firms are blocking social media sites from work computers.

Since shouting through a megaphone isn’t very effective, try a mobile website with GPS tracking. Some Tech like GPS Trackit, Samsara and Fleetup have a unique system that allows food trucks to update their location at all times. Customers simply have to visit the food truck’s website for an accurate location.

 

2. Aggregate Food Truck Location Apps and Sites

Another option is to sign up with local, regional, and national sites that aggregate food truck locations. For instance, Food Network developed the app Eat St. to allow users to search for food trucks by location or cuisine. Being present on these apps helps new and old customers find you. Joining these networks takes the pressure away from informing customers of your whereabouts and attracts new diners.

Check out the list below and check with locals to see what apps and sites they are visiting to find the nearest food trucks and make sure you are listed with local food truck apps and sites to grow your reach.

 

Popular Apps to get listed in

•  Truckster

•  StreetFoodFinder

• US Foods

• Mobile Nom

• Best Food Trucks

• TruckFindr

• FoodPops

• WTF (Where’s The FoodTruck)

• FoodEaze

• Zomato

 

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3. SMS Texting

What better way is there to update the happy customers of your ever-changing location but through their smartphones. SMS marketing is an easy and cost-effective way of notifying customers of your whereabouts and specials.

Consumers today use their smartphones more often than any other way to find a place to eat. They nearly never put the device down and will see notifications from your SMS messages instantly.

First, they must opt in to receiving text messages from you. This is easier than you might think—simply offer an incentive, like a free portion of French Fries or dim sum. Then, update customers on your location, menu changes, daily specials, and limited-time offers as you like. It’s recommended that you avoid sending too many texts at once. Otherwise, you will turn off your base.

Choose a reliable text messaging service that specializes in sending bulk SMSs for businesses.

 

4. Loyalty Programs with Push Notifications

Through a loyalty program, you can send notifications and emails to your customers. Most restaurants use this to send sales information and discount offers to loyal customers. For your food truck loyalty members, try sending a notification when you move locations to keep them up-to-date and always able to find you.

 

5. Online Food Ordering

Online food ordering is one of the hottest restaurant technologies right now; food trucks can take advantage of its capabilities.

It’s known that the lines for food trucks can be excruciatingly long, and to many people, it’s a turn-off. Having the option to order food online is a huge incentive for today’s customers to choose your food truck over others. A pre-ordering online system is especially ideal for professionals during lunchtime. Customers with limited free time will appreciate having their food waiting for them, instead of the other way around.

 

6. Digital Menu Displays

As a restauranteur, you’re continually searching for approaches to draw in your clients. Grasp the future with Digital Menu Boards for your eatery or bar, and make an enduring impression with your visitors.​

 

7. Tips for Creating a Digital Menu Display

When creating a digital menu display, you want to entice visitors walking by to come to try your food. Make images large enough to be seen while passing by.

If you offer multiple menus, using our Digital Menu Boards makes it easy to switch entire menu selections with the switch of a button, no more manually selecting items or flipping boards.

 

8. Automated Scheduling

Try using an automated scheduler for your food truck and save on labor costs. This will help ensure that you are always properly staffed and able to serve your customers. With an automated scheduler, you will create a master schedule, fill in information for your current employees, and have all of your scheduling needs taken care of with the push of a button.

9. Food Safety Technology

New applications are available that allow you to monitor the safety of your food through one simple application. Monitor temperatures, cooking time, and eliminate the need for manual reports.

These applications are great for any foodservice business but are even more crucial in a food truck due to the increased chance of FDA and health inspections coming without prior notice. Use these apps to make sure your food truck is always up to code and keep your business from the risk of being shut down by a failed health inspection.

 

10. Bluetooth temperature monitoring

Keep your food at safe temperatures throughout to cooking and storage process with the use of Bluetooth temperature sensors. They work for hot and cold temperature settings and can send you an alert when something isn’t right.

 

11. Modern Website

A beautiful website is easier than ever in today’s world. Coding is made so easy that anyone can create a beautiful website that meets their customer’s needs and directs them to visit their location. Make sure they can find you no matter where you are, and that your website is eye-pleasing and informative as to what you have to offer.

Make sure you include these key elements on your site to drive your customers to find you.

 

12. Shareable content

Create content that can be shared on social media. Use eye-catching photos and share relevant stories that users will want to share. Create share buttons that can be used to instantly share and follow you on all social media sites you are listed on.

 

13. Local SEO targeting

Use local SEO targeting to make sure locals find your site when searching for local food trucks. Get listed on review sites, and be sure to fill out your Google My Business profile information to stay in the top search results.

When you will be visiting local events, create new articles and content that links to the event pages to get locals excited about seeing you there.

Use the names of local and nearby towns, festivals, and events as keywords for your website when creating new content.

 

14. GPS information

Keep customers up-to-date with your location with GPS monitoring integrated with your website for your food truck.

 

15. Online menu and ordering options

Aside from having an app to order from, make the option available to order online through your website as well. Make sure your menu stays up-to-date and that all photography is displayed optimally.

When creating a menu online, it is also important that it is usable for all devices. Most users find your website through mobile searches and will want your website to be optimized for mobile users. 

Take advantage of these technologies at your food truck. They minimize common aches and pains and can help drive your business towards success. The more digital adoption you utilize in creating a plan for your business to be integrated with the latest technology, the less paperwork and stress you will have as a food truck operator.

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