Atlanta Street Food

Georgia has a standardize set of rule and regulations for food service facilities in Georgia. Most of the Georgia counties have adapted these rules and abide by them. There are some exceptions but the base requirements stay the same. The complete set of rules and the interruption guide is available on line for downloads. If you plan on trying to be a roadside food vendor then please read the rules. The sections on mobile food vending are in addition to the requirement for a brick and mortar establishment.
 
In Georgia you can operate a mobile food unit provided that it has a base of operation to store, restock and service the unit. Depending on you trailer you can be permitted to cook from raw to finish or reheat and serve. Your base of operation can be as minimal as a service area for the trailer, dry storage and refrigerated storage for perishables. It must meet the state requirements for what it is used for. (If you are washing cookware then the sinks must meet code / if you are preparing fresh veggies or meat then the work area must meet code.) Basically what ever your mobile unit can not do the base of operation must be able to provide. Also your base of operation must be able to be inspected twice a year.
 
The State of Georgia does not allow mobile food units to operate a route or just move from location to location as in other states. You can only have two locations per county and must list times and dates that you will be at these locations. (Georgia requires two unannounced visits from the local HD’s per year.) In the city of Atlanta you can not operate on any public right of ways of any city properties. The City of Atlanta has a contract with Limited Growth Partners to manage all street vending on this properties. However, there are still ample locations to operate from located on private properties.
 
The Atlanta Street Food Coalition, Commissioner Garner and Councilman Hall have been working hard to make life a little easier for aspiring food vendors. There are still many hoops to jump through but they have been holding street food summits in order for you to meet the officials you have to deal with. Fulton County is now allowing you to partner up with or contract with an existing restaurant to use them as your base of operation. The owners of the Yumbii Food Truck (Atlanta’s premier food truck.) are considering a shared base of operation and are also fighting for the right to operate a multi location food route. If you plan on being a mobile food vendor in Atlanta you need to join The Atlanta Street Food Coalition.
 
Unfortunately the present rules make it almost impossible for a single unit operation to exist. Unless you have a cash cow location that can support your location and a base of operation it is not economically feasible to pursue. However, this is going to change in the near future because of the hard work by elected Atlanta Officials and the ASFC.
 
The rules are tough and the road is hard, but it can be done. My advice is to read and reread the rules, don’t purchase anything until you have a plan, join the ASFC and be part of the group, and keep focused on your goals. (Most of the ASTC members operate their units at festivals throughout the year and presently only a couple of them are serving street side.)

Just the gubberment, as usual, pissing on the American spirit of entrepreneurism!

I used to feel the same way. Bottom line is that they require the same rules for mobile vendors as as they do for the brick and mortar establishments. Nothing is going to change, you just have to adapt to the rules.