Opening a Concession Stand, Looking for Some Advice

Hello, 
 
I hope I'm not bothering anyone with all my questions, It's just been really difficult to find concrete answers, even though I've called dept. of Health, Business, and Agriculture. The mobile vendor regulations I've gotten have no real answers for what I'm looking for. All I really want to know, is what do I need in my stand to meet regulations for a stand that will only sell pre-made food and won't have stoves, ovens, etc. So far I think I need a floor that will not absorb, like alluminum, something like vinyl for the walls, (or do I need aluminum) and what do I need for the roof? I also know that I need a three compartment sink and a hand-washing sink + counters and cabinets, but I do not know how many counters or cabinets. Also, I know that I'll need water and waste water tank and hot water. Am I missing anything that I need to meet all regulations? Sorry about so many questions. 
 
Regards, 
 
Max

First off welcome. Next where you are at, have you contacted your county code dept. to see if this is allowed in the county, then city too.

What is premade food ????????? remember you are a mobil restaurant, the HD looks for easy to clean counters, walls and floors. The cabinets are up to you, What are your needs ?????????  If you do prep, you need a prep sink, 3 sinks for dish washing, hand washing sink. You need to keep cleaning separate from food items. All shelving have to be 4" off the floor. you need to make a diagram of the trailer and fit all your counter, refers, freezers, steamtables to scale. The HD has to have your plan and menu for approval........... Take two aspirin, call me in the morning...................pnwc...........P.S. Welcome to Roadfood, you have your work cut out for you........

What kind of Pre-made Fod are you talking about?

Foodbme


What kind of Pre-made Fod are you talking about?

I ran into the same thing here. There's very little to comply with when you sell only "pre-made" foods. i.e Hot dogs, sausages, soups from a can, chili from a can etc...
 
The big problem with that approach is, that it limits you to selling a product that is made by someone else and you are not allowed to improve on that. So if you wanted to add your version of dog chili, sauerkraut, BBQ chicken - you cant. You cant even add spices! (at least this is the word I got from my HD on the issue) So the other option is to sell under a "Mobile Kitchen, Cart, Concession trailer ect".
 
If you dont want to be bothered with the extra work at compliance, (and im not saying this is the case) I would suggest saving yourself some time and find another way make some money. Selling pre-packaged food without the ability to "season" it and make it your own special presentation will not get you many sales and even less repeat customers.
 
I would follow the advice of those in your state and apply for the particularly titled license, that will allow you to have a grill and other foods. The biggest issue will be getting access to a commissary.
 
If your not getting the right answers from the office that your asking at,.......I tend to think that you havent gotten in touch with the right person yet. Those people that run the departments have all the info on hand and "usually" have a packet all put together to hand to you.
 
 

I can see why your not getting concrete answers from the h/d... theycant tell you what you want to know without more info...as far as cabinets there is no rule as to how many, but as pnwc has said easy clean and etc. there is and e-mail addy for them too try that ut with out them knowing what your going to sell they will be very vage on answers.

Thanks for the responses. I had planned to sell just coffee, espresso, etc along with pastries that would be made at a commissary, so nothing would really be made at the stand. To do that would I need to be a mobile kitchen? Would that be considered pre made or would I have to buy pastries to sell them as pre made?

I think pre-made means no raw meat. Read to heat and serve - no real prep like raw chicken or beef. Already cooked but stored frozen.