Mobile Coffee Vans

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V

venderer

Free Member
Jun 16, 2011
15
1
  • #1
    Hi

    I'm contemplating getting a van to sell coffee & snacks from - I'll be targetting local events, boot sales, markets etc.

    If there is any one here running one of these I'd be very grateful for any info or advice they could give me.

    I've seen a couple of fanchises - Cafe2U and the BigCoffeeCo. Big difference in the statup costs, £20000+ (with no van) for cafe2u compared with £10000 with the BigCoffeeCo (includes a vehicle as well) - anyone with any experience of these?

    Thanks
     
    9

    90DC

  • #3
    Wouldn't buy into a franchise for something like this. Infact, I don't understand anyone who wants to buy into a franchise.

    Do it all yourself, sounds like a good idea actually. You could be selling franchises to numpties yourself in three years time.

    ...Ohh, but get a decent van please.
     
    Upvote 0
    M

    Mike tells it like it is

  • #5
    90DC said:
    Wouldn't buy into a franchise for something like this. Infact, I don't understand anyone who wants to buy into a franchise.

    Do it all yourself, sounds like a good idea actually. You could be selling franchises to numpties yourself in three years time.

    ...Ohh, but get a decent van please.
    Click to expand...

    Yeah I don't like people buying franchises either. i have looked at a few over the years.

    The franchisee nearly always finds it very hard to make money whilst the franchisor is laughing all the way to the bank.

    I have even had people try to sell me a franchise where I would make a loss in the first year base don their figures.

    M8 even if you turned up with an old transit connect and a perit with two tehrmos in teh back and a box of jaffa cakes you'd get some sales.

    Just try on your own
     
    Upvote 0
    9

    90DC

  • #6
    Decent van, good advertising on the van, market your product well, set up on or near a park full of kids and yummy mummies and... Boom.

    Don't go for no cheap tat in polystyrene cups though, do the whole Caffé Nero or Starbucks (I don't endorse either) with fresh cakes and treats for the kiddies and you'll be laughing.

    I think this is one of the better ideas I've read on here recently, on the face of it.
     
    Upvote 0
    M

    Mike tells it like it is

  • #7
    A lot of van rental place scan organise the branding for you.

    But if you ain't got much money to start with go for a cheap rental on a transit connect set stuff up in the back doors-I know its not ideal but to get started

    use magnetics for the branding.

    I'm guessing you need to start this on a shoestring budget?

    Id guess the coffee machines are not cheap.

    what do you run them off in the van by the way?

    Wouldn't mind doing something like this myself -I like being outdoors -I have had my fill of offices etc.
     
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  • #8
    I would stear clear of generic 'never buy a franchise' advice - amongst my established customers are some who have built very healthy franchise-based businesses., and who would swear by them.

    I would stress, however, that it is vitally important that you understand exactly what the franchise offers and what is expected of you. A franchise should compliment your skill sets, not replicate the,

    What you won't be buying - ever - is business success, but you might be buying a useful partner.

    Franchising is a sound and established business model marred often by mis-selling but more often by mis-buying.
     
    Upvote 0
    A

    AplseyTom

    Free Member
    Nov 15, 2011
    2
    0
    Hemel Hempstead
  • #9
    Hi Venderer,

    I have just stumbled on to you June post whilst thinking about a similar venture. Have you had any success? Are there any further pit-falls you have come across?

    I have - what I believe to be - a decent site lined up that would provide a lot of morning traffic, however, I have never been involved in a business like this and need a little more confidence before I make the initial investment.

    Cheers
    Tom
     
    Upvote 0
    C

    Chris Ashdown

    Free Member
    • Dec 7, 2003
    13,382
    3,002
    Norfolk
  • #10
    In great Yarmouth there are two companies who have heated display racks in their purpose made vans and go from company to company sellingsandwiches, Bacon Rolls, Hot Pitza and coffee at breakfast and lunch times, nipping back to base for refills as required, all run presumambly by a larger alternator to power the hot area's. They do not cook just sell the hot and cold items

    Both seem to do well with fixed time locations around the bigger company area's
     
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    Psl

    Psl

    Free Member
    May 4, 2010
    2,543
    621
    63
    Manchester
  • #11
    Mike tells it like it is said:
    Yeah I don't like people buying franchises either. i have looked at a few over the years.

    The franchisee nearly always finds it very hard to make money whilst the franchisor is laughing all the way to the bank.

    I have even had people try to sell me a franchise where I would make a loss in the first year base don their figures.

    M8 even if you turned up with an old transit connect and a perit with two tehrmos in teh back and a box of jaffa cakes you'd get some sales.

    Just try on your own
    Click to expand...

    Or more to the point some franchisee's are completely bone idol, pay their money and then go home and log into their online banking and wait for the money to drop. And when they are not doing this they are invariably on the phone telling you how to change the business!

    On the other hand the franchisee's that actually go out and work the business very rarely moan and make a good return and in some cases actually help improve the overall business.
     
    Upvote 0
    Psl

    Psl

    Free Member
    May 4, 2010
    2,543
    621
    63
    Manchester
  • #12
    venderer said:
    Hi

    I'm contemplating getting a van to sell coffee & snacks from - I'll be targetting local events, boot sales, markets etc.

    If there is any one here running one of these I'd be very grateful for any info or advice they could give me.

    I've seen a couple of fanchises - Cafe2U and the BigCoffeeCo. Big difference in the statup costs, £20000+ (with no van) for cafe2u compared with £10000 with the BigCoffeeCo (includes a vehicle as well) - anyone with any experience of these?

    Thanks
    Click to expand...

    Great idea. A nicely liveried van with quality coffee and cakes etc served in nice cups as suggested would work a treat. Football and rugby matches should generate good business but obviously away from the licensed pitches.

    What are the licensing requirements for a business like this?
     
    Upvote 0
    Psl

    Psl

    Free Member
    May 4, 2010
    2,543
    621
    63
    Manchester
  • #13
    90DC said:
    Wouldn't buy into a franchise for something like this. Infact, I don't understand anyone who wants to buy into a franchise.

    Do it all yourself, sounds like a good idea actually. You could be selling franchises to numpties yourself in three years time.

    ...Ohh, but get a decent van please.
    Click to expand...


    Some people obviously don't have your business acumen so the franchise route is a viable option for them.
     
    Upvote 0
    M

    Merchant UK

  • #17
    I can make these

    a1.jpg


    £10,000 would buy you 4 of theses fully fitted :D
     
    Upvote 0
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