Is a Medium Size Town Food Truck Viable?

Hi Guys,
 
Like many people I have been dreaming about buying a food truck.  However, I do not live in a large Urban area.  I live in a suburban area where people tend to rely heavily on their own cars for transportation. 
 
The suburban area that I live in has a collection of medium sized cities clustered together totaling ~350,000 people.  Though none of the cities are above 70,000 each. 
 
I think there are enough people in the area to theoretically support a food truck, but with it being a suburban setting, is that feasible? 
 
Have any of you had success with a food truck in a non-major city setting?  If so, what strategies should I focus on?
 
Added info: I would probably have a cheeseburger and gourmet hotdog focused food truck, but I would also do breakfast foods (egg & hash brown style dishes) as well in the morning.  Needless to say, currently there are not any competing food trucks in my area.
 
Thanks for any input!

Octang


Hi Guys,

The suburban area that I live in has a collection of medium sized cities clustered together totaling ~350,000 people.  Though none of the cities are above 70,000 each. 

I think there are enough people in the area to theoretically support a food truck, but with it being a suburban setting, is that feasible?.............. 
 
How good is your product?

Have any of you had success with a food truck in a non-major city setting?  If so, what strategies should I focus on?.........  
 
To serve the Best Burger in 30 miles in any direction, if you do that forget breakfast you can't compete with the fast food joints. Besides if you serve the Best Burger in 30 miles in any direction you'll be to busy doing prep work to fool with breakfast.

Added info: I would probably have a cheeseburger and gourmet hotdog focused food truck, but I would also do breakfast foods (egg & hash brown style dishes) as well in the morning.  Needless to say, currently there are not any competing food trucks in my area.  
 
Then you have the edge but if your successful you'll have ten other copycat trucks working the streets in 2 years. But it still goes back to how good is your food, people will drive into the worst neighborhoods, stand in line outside in all kinds of weather and pay outragious sums for really good food. Why? Because most resturant food sucks. So it goes back to "How good is your food?" Don't build a food service trailer or buy a truck until you have a food product that is KILLER GOOD everytime you prepare it. And I mean OMG good.


Good Luck

Jack
And don't trust your friends to be the judges get people you don't know to sample it not you mother and your 2nd cousin who will lie to you, (lol) but total strangers.

<message edited by Dr of BBQ on Thu, 04/21/11 11:51 PM>

In addition to what the good Dr. has said, It's not a matter of population, it's a matter of location and proximity to people who could use the convenience of your food trucks location. Flea Markets, Farmers markets,  Outdoor concerts, Car Auctions, Outdoor Recreation areas, sporting events, and other places where people congregate in significant numbers works. Office parks, Industrial parks, shopping areas, places like that work. You need a concentration of people in a relatively small geographical area to make it work. Here in Phoenix, there's a downtown Farmers Market every Fri & Sat. Covers 1/2 a city block. There are 6 to 8 food trucks there every week and they're all busy. And there's not an over abundence of people there every week. Location and Concentration are the keys. Not population. The beauty of a Food truck is you can move every day. Follow the crowds. Farmers Market of Friday, Flea Market on Saturday, etc. You'll need to use Facebook & Twitter and let people know where you're going to be every day. The most successful are super-social-media savvy, with a loyal following that will meet them at any urban curb.
The price of entry is high. Bring Cash, (Credit's not available) and do your Homework:
http://foodtruckmarketing.com/
http://marketingfoodtruck.com/
http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/05/opening-a-successful-food-truck.html

If ya got good food and decent prices, you could make a business out of a campfire and a stick. People will come once the word gets out.  I am biker/motorcyclist, and for most who ride beleive in this saying. "Eat to Ride, Ride to Eat" check out the local biker scene in the area. Bikers love food, boobs, bikes, and beer

BlackOak

I am biker/motorcyclist, and for most who ride beleive in this saying. "Eat to Ride, Ride to Eat" check out the local biker scene in the area. Bikers love food, boobs, bikes, and beer

Not necessarily in that order!