Food trucks are a great way to start a small food business that can either grow to expand to additional food trucks or to a traditional brick and mortar restaurant at a later date. Once a business owner decides to operate a food truck, he should make sure he chooses something he knows from extensive research will be successful in his proposed market and then set out to develop his brand, hopefully attracting some loyal customers. However, if a small business owner seeking to run a food truck at a great location in North Miami wants to succeed, he has to pay as much attention to the regulations as he does to the food served.
Food trucks, also referred to as Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles, are regulated by state and local laws and ordinances relating to issues such as food safety and zoning for commercial purposes. Some food trucks can be self-sufficient, which means they have equipment on board for refrigeration and storage, cleaning utensils and equipment, a separate hand wash sink, a liquid waste disposal system, power, and potable water. Since the primary concern is food safety, food trucks that are not self-sufficient are required to have access to another licensed physical site at which tasks such as washing and sanitizing utensils and equipment can take place. If you plan on selling only prepackaged foods you may not need to comply with all the regulations that would otherwise apply to a food truck.
Food trucks also need to be properly licensed in order to do business legally. In addition, the employees cooking and serving inside the food truck need to be properly trained and licensed to handle food. If four or more employees are preparing food, there must be a certified food manager on site to supervise the food preparation. Improper food handling and poor sanitation can mean more than losing a license if a customer gets sick from the food served and files a lawsuit against the business.
When applying for a city business license to operate the food truck within a certain geographical area, the business owner needs to provide information regarding the kind of business he is running and the hours of operation. In terms of a geographic location in which to operate, the food truck may be permitted to operate in a general area, and prohibited from operating in locations such as residential areas. Alternatively, the truck may be allowed to operate in some places for only part of the day. Food truck operators should also be aware that if they park and operate on private property without the owner’s permission, they may face criminal trespass issues.
Contact Us For Legal Assistance
If you are thinking of starting or operating a hospitality business in North Miami, you need an experienced business attorney to ensure that you are in compliance with the law and that you have internal policies and procedures in place for the success of your business. Contact an experienced business attorney in North Miami, at the Charlip Law Group, L.C. for a consultation.
