Decided to open a BBQ truck, need advice!

After 2 years of going back and forth on the decision I've finally decided to move forward with a plan to open a mobile BBQ business here in Jacksonville but have never worked in the restaurant business before.  I've cooked large amounts of BBQ for decent sized groups (30-100) before, but would definitely appreciate any advice ya'll could give me.
 
I'm in dire need of advice on:
1. Buying a used truck/doing renovations myself.
2. Licensing/restrictions
3. This "commissary" thing the state of FL says I'd have to use.
4. Where to set up shop at/parking restrictions.
5. Pricing structures.
 
I know I may sound a little naive, and know this will be more work than I've ever done before, but I have a true passion for BBQ and I know my stuff is damn good.

It's a ride and his rules may be different than the rules you may encounter but here is a guy who is doing it in Florida...
 
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-09-15/news/os-bbq-truck-20100915_1_rib-tips-barbecue-sweet-potato-pie
 
 

If you have the time this weekend make your way down to Miami. They are having a huge food truck gathering, I'd provide a link, but I'm too new here :)
 
Talk with those truck owners. Dade Co. may have some different rules their trucks have to follow, but at the same time you can hear from those who have already gotten through the process you are about to start. Another option would be to find a truck that you can volunteer to work for to see if the life of a food truck owner really is what you want to do. Learn the business and find out if it is something you want to invest the time and money into first and foremost.
 
The worst thing you could do is spend your time effort and money into a project you ultimately hate.
 
-MC

In regards to pricing, BBQ is usually priced on the high end due to the high wholesale cost of ribs, brisket, etc. I would check how the local BBQ joints are pricing.

Another thing to help sales. Include a bbq tofu menu item. This will open your truck sales up to vegetarians too.
 
-MC

red...i don't know about the rules and regulations where you are but in south florida (my area is around the ft. lauderdale area), I am having to go through alot just to get started... i was told by pompano beach, they do NOT want any kind of food vendors and if you saw all the restrictions, you'd go nuts...
can't be by any park...school of any kind, sidewalk, side of street (these are for vehicle and pedestrian use only), parking area, parking garage, proof there's a restroom on site and ample parking just be sure you'r not "in" a parking lot, near a restaurant selling any food item I might have, must be away from any government building-or any gov't anything, church or any religious institution, or any public institution and you can only serve food from 7am to 8pm ...can't be by a bus stop either and it goes on and on with the don't...not much of the can do's...so I went to fort lauderdale and and was told go to zoning first before I even get any permits or licenses or even build the damn thing...then after I go to zoning (if I get a stationary spot), I have to go to the fire department, then back to the city, then to the county but I have to go to the state first and get that license even before I build the trailer...but I have to build the trailer in order to get my plan review to the state first to show them how it's built and where everything is on the trailer...and if you are not stationary and want to be a mfdv, you can only be in one spot for no more than 10 minutes...then you have to move on where you might find someone hungry...I'm going nuts...and I have already invested 2 grand into my trailer...
 
does anyone have any advice (chopping my head off is off the list), so is jumping off a bridge...
 
I did want to go to the miami truck jaunt but never made it...and go to burgerbeast.com for the truck thing mobil was talking about...
I hope you realize what it takes in florida just to get started...
oh and like you, I can cook and really love to, but it takes ALOT more than just loving to cook... I am not going to stop even if all the cities keep telling me to...unless I "do" jump...
 
Good Luck
Bobby G

MobileCuisine


Another thing to help sales. Include a bbq tofu menu item. This will open your truck sales up to vegetarians too.

-MC

Mmmmmmm.....Tofu.....I bet it would taste pretty good once you let all that lucious pork fat drip all over it!

LOL
 
-MC

guys, 
thanks so much for the advice, it's definitely gonna help!
 
p.s. pulled pork flavored tofu might just make the menu!

Check out the Nation Barbecue News site. They have a couple of commercial forums. Not much advice on laws but a lot of good info on barbecue and pricing.