I want to open a burger van..?

i am thinking about opening a burger van but i am not sure where to start. i need to know which licenses, certificates etc i will need? also any information on how to obtain these would be really appreciated. i live in south east northumberland, UK, about 10 miles from Newcastle. i know location has something to do with getting everything..?? thanks :)I want to open a burger van..?
My suggestions would be....................



Find someone who is all ready in that business, and talk to them , about how THEY got started, Be sure to tell them that you won't be setting up in THEIR area. No one wants to help a direct competitor, do they ?



The three most important things that you will need are MONEY to buy a van, MONEY to get it properly equipped, and MONEY to have it inspected and passed by the local public health and food inspectors. Notice how many times I wrote that word MONEY ? That is because the single biggest reason why MOST small business ventures fail is a LACK of actual cash to get it up and running and then "daily cash " to buy supplies and pay for all of the things that you have to have to feed the public.



Daily cash is needed to buy food, and drink cups, napkins, plastic forks and spoons, and of course top quality "fixings " to go on the burgers. Don't skimp on the actual food that you sell. If it is crap noone will come back a second time, will they ?



I live in Canada and here we have very strict rules about "safe food handling practices" and one of the most enforced rules is being able to wash YOUR hands, each time you handle money, or after you go to the toliet. HOT water and soap for at least 30 seconds, and dry your hands afterwards. A second point is that the customer should be able to put their own amounts of condiments on the food, not you, so that requires a outside shelf that holds the mustard, onions, pickles, ketchup, horseradish, olives, mayonaise, and salt and pepper shakers. The condiment containers must have lids that are hinged so that the flies don't get at the food. Squeeze bottles for the liquids are a good idea.



Garbage cans ( 45 gallon oil drums are good ) are important, so that the customers have a easy place to put their trash. The garbage bags are another of those "daily cost items ". Night lighting on the roof line of the van, to illuminate the area around it.



In my experience here , it is MUCH better to have a permanent fixed location for your food van, on a private property. Here we have a large number of closedup gasoline stations, usually at a intersection. This works well, as the owner ( whoever it is ) is looking to get some income from the land. By parking in one place, you are easy to find and you will develop a steady business from the locals, plus car traffic going by on the street. Driving a van around is costly with the price of petrol in the UK now. Having it in on place may also mean that you don't have to have it licensed and insured for the road. I know that here some of the operators have chip and burger trucks that haven't been moved for years. They simply close them up for the dead part of the winter and reopen in the spring when it gets warmer again.



Being on a private lot can also mean parking for the customers cars, and you could put out some wooden picnic tables for people to sit at. Remember that you WILL need liability insurance, to protect your self , and yourbusiness, in the advent of injury or accident on your pitch.



I can't tell you exactly what the license requirements for the local authority will be, but that can be found out by going in and having a talk with the local Police station, who can direct you to the correct office to make a application for a business license, and how to get a health and food safety inspection done, once you have found a van.



The van.........I'd try to find one that is all ready in use, rather than trying to convert a cargo van. That route will cost you a lot. One that is all ready to go will cost some money, BUT you will know that it will be able to be passed and approved, based on the fact that it has been used for the trade in the past.



Another way to go may be to lease a van that is being used, for a period of six months, to "get your feet wet " and see if you really are cut out to to this, day after day. It is a grind you know, with long hours and snotty customers coming out of the pubs, loaded to the gills.



It you are going to hire any one to work for you, don't hire kids, they will steal you blind. Look for mum who has her kids in school, who can work mornings and half the afternoon, to let you sleep in abit, and to run to your suppliers to get fresh meat and other items for the day. Pay well but insist on clean hands and work surfaces, and prep of the tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and of course the grill. Cleaning is what you do when there isn't a customer in front of you.



OK lots to absorb , right ? If you want , send me a private email to jimbunting@rogers.com and I'll try to help you get started.



Jim B. Toronto.I want to open a burger van..?
There are internet sites which sell these vans. You would need permission from your local Council as to where you can trade. You cannot park up anywhere. Your van will have to be inspected by the Environmental Health Officer to make sure it comes up to regulations. they should also help you with what ongoing paperwork you need. You will need Public Liability and Fire Insurance. Contact a Broker in your area. You will need to register with HMRC as a sole trader and open a business bank account.

Good Luck.



EDIT: You do not need an NVQ but you do need a Health %26amp; Safety certificate.I want to open a burger van..?
You need a licence from the council. An NVQ various other certificates If you go to the job centre you can get all the information needed to set up. Roughly a licence costs 拢10,000.00 year. Hope this is helpful.