Expanding Your Food-Based Business: Food Trucks

Opening a Food Truck There inevitably comes a time when every restauranteur or catering owner considers expanding their business. Food trucks are not only an increasingly trending way to sell food, but a smart way to expand an existing restaurant or catering business. Choosing to open a food truck instead of a more traditional path to expand your business has several advantages, such as less overhead costs. Presently, 30-40% of existing food trucks are owned and operated by established restaurants. Food trucks can also broaden your customer base, increase profits, and allow for more creative flexibility. However, navigating this path can be confusing even for the most seasoned restauranteur. I have compiled a list of resources and guidelines for opening a food truck in Pennsylvania to assist you on this path. While it is not a comprehensive list, it is a great starting point for you and your potential new food truck.

The good news? 

Already having your own established restaurant or catering business gives you an edge. You already understand the industry, food safety and health guidelines, and have an established reputation. Your food truck will require separate licensure, but similar–if not the same–safety standard requirements. For example, adhering to fire codes and waste disposal requirements. Licensing and registering your food truck in Pennsylvania will be significantly easier with your experience, although, not without its challenges. 

Licensing and Permits:

Pennsylvania requires food trucks to have the following licenses and permits: a business license, public health license, food handlers license, and mobile food facility permit. You will need a separate business license for your food truck from your already established business. You will also need to comply with all Department of Motor Vehicle requirements, such as a valid driver's license and insurance for your vehicle. Hopefully, you are already familiar with Pennsylvania’s food handlers license (employee health permit) which is the necessary food safety certification that all employees handling food must obtain.

Unfortunately, there is currently no state standardization for local health department licensing, which will require specific and individual registration in each jurisdiction’s local health department where you want to sell food. Notably, Philadelphia and Berks County do not operate under the Department of Agriculture and have their own specific set of requirements for licensing and permits to operate a food truck in their jurisdiction. 

While your restaurant or catering business needs a retail food facility license, food trucks require a Mobile Food Facility Permit (MFF). A MFF permit is required for any mobile food facility that will be selling any food that isn’t commercially prepackaged. An MFF permit is also issued through the Department of Agriculture, which classifies MFFs into four types. An MFF permit ranges from $103-$241. Your food truck is probably going to be classified as a Type 3 or Type 4, although it will largely depend on the food you want to sell. Type 4 is any complex food preparation or ‘a kitchen on wheels’, whereas Type 3 involves more simple cooking procedures. For example, reheating a commercially processed food item to be sold, like hot dogs, would be Type 3. A Type 3 MFF might be required to have a commissary depending on the approval of your application and inspection, whereas a Type 4 will need a commissary.

“Do I need a commissary for my food truck?” 

More than likely. In PA, the commissary requirement is dependent on the classification of your food truck or mobile food facility (MFF). What is a commissary? It’s a permanent and fixed operating base location to which your MFF or transportation vehicle returns regularly to help or maintain the operation of the MFF. This can include: discharging liquid or solid wastes, vehicle and equipment cleaning, refilling water tanks and ice bins, and boarding food. A commercial commissary can’t be a residential, personal-use kitchen. It must be separate from private residential use areas. 

This is where having a pre-established restaurant or catering business will give you an edge: you do not have to worry about the separate costs of a commissary. Instead, you can register your commercial-grade kitchen as a commissary for your MFF. However, this will require a floor plan and all relevant information about your kitchen--now commissary--to be submitted with your application. There might be an additional food establishment application required. The Department of Agriculture has a lot of discretion in approving your MFF permit, including potentially restricting the proposed menu based on the limitations of your food truck.

Important considerations:

There are several benefits to opening a food truck to expand your business, such as increased flexibility and lower operating costs. However, there are several important considerations to keep in mind while planning your food truck, such as where you hope to operate your MFF and for how long.

As I mentioned earlier, several counties in Pennsylvania have their own separate process for licensing and registering your mobile food business. Some jurisdictions, like Bucks County, require a permanent commissary for any MFF to operate regardless of the classification type.  Therefore, it is important to consider where you potentially want to run your food truck, as it could mean several different licensing and permit requirements. If you want to set up your food truck in a permanent lot or in fixed places for long periods of time, it may require separate licensure as it may no longer be classified as 'mobile'. Currently, an MFF is limited to less than 14 days in one fixed location. Additionally, operating your food truck at a special event or fair may require a temporary event license. 

Opening a food truck is a great way to expand your restaurant or catering business. It can be significantly cheaper while providing more flexibility than your standard brick-and-mortar restaurant. It can allow more creativity in the kitchen, with the opportunity to expand and change your menu or ‘test’ new recipes more frequently. Operating a mobile restaurant can allow you to broaden your current customer base, such as reaching new customers who might never have had the opportunity to try or experience your food. While a food truck can have its separate challenges, diligence, planning, and an adaptable mindset will help you and your food truck thrive.

Sources:

https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/consumer_protection/FoodSafety/Retail%20Food/Documents/MOBILE%20FOOD%20FACILITIES%20Application.pdf

https://mrsc.org/stay-informed/mrsc-insight/june-2018/food-truck-laws-and-regulations

https://trucklandia.com/park-up-in-pa-your-ultimate-guide-to-food-trucks-in-pennsylvania/

https://deliveryconcepts.com/supplemental-income-how-to-expand-your-restaurant-with-a-food-truck-and-why-you-should/

https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/food-truck-licenses-and-permits-in-pennsylvania#Public-Health-Permit

https://cloudkitchens.com/blog/how-much-does-a-food-truck-cost/#:~:text=With%20fewer%20overhead%20costs%2C%20minimal,at%20a%20sizable%20price%20tag.

https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/consumer_protection/FoodSafety/Retail%20Food/Pages/Fair-and-Other-Temporary-License-Facilities-.aspx

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=03&div=0&chpt=57&sctn=3&subsctn=0

https://www.revenue.pa.gov/OnlineServices/mypath/BusinessTaxes/Pages/Business-Registration.aspx

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/pennsylvania-business-license/

https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/consumer_protection/FoodSafety/Retail%20Food/Pages/Food-Employee-Certification-.aspx

Photo Sources:

https://www.greenfieldreporter.com/2022/09/09/food-safety-reports-16/

https://www.libertyharbor.com/event/lh-food-truck-mondays-june-2/

https://www.thekitchendoor.com/kitchen-rental/pennsylvania/harrisburg/miles/100