Need advice from bigger operations/stepvan folks

While heading to a friends house today, I ran into his neighbor coming home from work. He has a stepvan and appears to sell food out of it. My buddy says he has 3 trucks but doesn't know him too well.

I am a noob with a hot dog cart and am enjoying it. I'm curious about how these stepvan businesses operate. I would love to meet this fellow and talk a little shop. I would even like to ride with him one day and give him a hand just to see how things operate. One day I might like to expand my business and seeing how one works for a day would be a great education.

I live 60 miles away from him so I would not be any competition. So, how would you guys in this business feel about somebody approaching you? I'm genuinely interested in this business and would love to find out more, especially from somebody actually walking the walk. I don't want to step on his toes though. I figure I'll just hang out at my buddys house one afternoon and then catch him when he pulls in. Introduce myself, offer him a beer, ask him about his stepvan. Go from there.......

If someone asked me about my hotdog cart I would be happy to show them and share a little info. Especially if they weren't looking to compete for turf.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Arnie

Yeah that's what I would do. As long as your not in direct competition don't see why it would be a problem.

Arnie,

I work from a step van and am soon to expand to 2nd one. I wouldnt give up my truck for anything. I have made a fortune from this thing with a tiny investment in the past 2 years.

I hope I dont offend anyone, carts are great but they are so restrictive compared to what you can do from a truck. Please check most of my previous posts for info. I can add or subtract items any time I want. It is literaly a full service kitchen on wheels.

Im a cheapskate and just cant manage to spend the money on a camera so I have no pix.

If you like feel free to e-mail me and I should be able to answer alot of your questions.

We are preparing for tropical storm right now and will lose tomorrow but even if power in town is out (good chance), I will still be able to set up and sell wednesday.

Spud - Email on the way. Thanks

Arnie

Cross the state line.Stop at likely looking units at 10 in the morning and at three in the afternoon when they're slow or empty. Buy food. Then tell the operator you're interested in a van operation and show him the out of state license . I'm betting most will be receptive...

Not to offend, catnhatnh, however, I prefer the idea of approaching him from the neighbors house with a cool one at the end of the day. Better yet, have the neighbor approach him with a cool one and an invitation to come shoot the breeze for a few minutes. Being straightforward with interest in the business also probably would go over better in that situation. There would be a connection between them with the neighbor, it would be much more relaxed and the conversation most likely wouldn't be interrupted by someone else approaching the vendor for a purchase.