Mobile Food Vendors - What Are You Paying For Rent?

Thinking of getting back into parking lot vending and curious what people are paying for rent.   My trailer is 8'x24' and I recall being asked to pay a ridiculous sum of $1,000 per month 4 years ago.  In my mind rent should be no more than 5% of projected sales after 6 months and one needs to get a discount during the first 3-6 months.
 
Please indicate:

1. Trailer or cart
2. Square feet (sf) of space rented
3. Total monthly rent or $ per sf you are paying
4. Average $ per sf per year that regular tenants are paying

 
Recently saw this interesting post on craigslist (Tampa).  Wish more property owners would solicit us.  This is ripe for a scam, so be careful and check all credentials and documents carefully to make sure the contact has the legal right to rent you space.
 

$400 / 400ft² - Hot dog cart Location (Town & Country)

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Date: 2010-01-05, 9:39AM EST
Reply to: hous-ntbej-1538158081@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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I have a Great location for your Hot dog cart location and there is over 40,000 cars a day that go by and its only 15 feet from the road and there is several business on the location. Also have a banner to help promo your business as you see below. The address is 9743 W Hillsborough Ave Tampa fl 33615 go by and check it out and then contact me at 813-361-5854.

 

In NC, we paid $0
In GA (Toccoa Speedway), we paid 10% of our take
In NM, we paid $0
In TX, so far $0

We have run into places that wanted rent with leases and others that wanted a percentage.  O'Reilly Auto Parts (thru Corporate) wanted $100/mo for any of their places. Right now, we are set up in a vacant gas station across an O'Reilly that is being built.  We do not have permission because we can't get the RE agents to call us back and they are never in.  It's right next to the police station.  We were set up in a vacant car wash out on Padre Island but we couldn't get folks to stop.  Lots of traffic but no one stopping... even the Sonic didn't do all that well.  Maybe different when it warms up. So we might do it on weekends out there.

In Arizona, you can't even get a license to operate before indicating where you are going to be set-up. Then it has to run by the Zoning Department, and they have to approve it.  Before they do, you have to show a letter, lease, etc showing that you have permission to use the property.

The Health department also requires the letter of permission and the physical address where you'd be selling so they can come do their inspections.

We don't have the liberty of setting up where there is a vacant lot somewhere.

That being said - I pay $200 a month for a 14,000SQ2 lot.  It used to be a small car sales lot and it is perfect size. Room for the trailer, room to set up a EZ-UP with tables and chairs, and parking for customers.  It is 200 ft from a busy 7-11 that has a huge gas station and people are stopping there all the time.

There was a for lease sign from a property mgmt company in front of it.  I simply called the number and asked to speak to the agent listed. I ran my idea by him, and he said he would have to talk it over with the owner.  2 weeks later I got an email saying that he agreed to my terms.

I can't complain.

I have a small 6.8x14 trailer.

My stipulations are about the same as azdog's... HD want's to know where you are at all times and proof that you have permission to be where you are.
 
During the week, my trailer (8.5'x20') is parked in front of an old restaurant that is closed. The guy that owns it just uses the kitchen in the mornings for a drop off lunch he does during the week.
I  pay $165 month for the parking lot and about 1/2 of his walk in. Had to have my own electrical service put in, have a 100 gal propane tank and 160 gal grey water tank behind the trailer. Fresh water with 100' hose from the kitchen. Smoker and a charcoal grill behind the restaurant.

I spoke with one property manager today that manages a shopping plaza with a supermarket and other stuff.  He said that they typically charge $650 per month for use of the parking lot.  I said that sounds about right for a fireworks or christmas tree vendor, but not for a mobile restaurant.  Besides that translates to $39/SF/Year for 200SF parking space and your current tenants are only paying $6-$14 (plus add ons)/SF/Year for a building.  I offered $200 or 5% of take-out sales.  Waiting to hear back.

Rootsman


I spoke with one property manager today that manages a shopping plaza with a supermarket and other stuff.  He said that they typically charge $650 per month for use of the parking lot.  I said that sounds about right for a fireworks or christmas tree vendor, but not for a mobile restaurant.  Besides that translates to $39/SF/Year for 200SF parking space and your current tenants are only paying $6-$14 (plus add ons)/SF/Year for a building.  I offered $200 or 5% of take-out sales.  Waiting to hear back.

"GREAT COUNTER OFFER AND REPLY!"

 Your the man.

Jack

Thanks Jack!

They came back with $425 minimum.  Still a little high for me for that location.  Wiating to hear back from a few more locations.

What else are people paying?

We only pay at events so far...I have called on some lots, and I never get an answer, I have been told to just set up often.

The tax man has found me, but we have never been asked to pay or leave on a private lot..

paceflchick


We only pay at events so far...I have called on some lots, and I never get an answer, I have been told to just set up often.

The tax man has found me, but we have never been asked to pay or leave on a private lot..

YET