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How have food trucks been operating throughout lockdown?
Food trucks have continued to stay open throughout the duration of the November lockdown which is scheduled to end on the 2nd of December. The tiered system put in place by the government at the beginning of the lockdown stated that any venues not serving a ‘substantial meal’ would have to close. This left wet-lead bars and pubs in a bit of a tricky situation. Many food trucks came to their aid by setting up camp at their venues and offering their services to provide meals, allowing them to operate within the guidelines. Orders had to be taken and processed through the venue. Now, however, bars and pubs are allowed to sell alcoholic drinks, but only in a takeaway capacity. If you are licensed to offer alcohol through your mobile business, then you can do so under these new changes.
Food trucks are the future of the dining
The world as we knew it changed the day that coronavirus spread globally. As a result, our futures start to look a little different. As people turned to takeaway to fill their needs for food, the reliance on food ordering has increased. It is looking likely that people may even choose to order in takeaway as an alternative to eating out going forward. This may be a worry for the hospitality industry, but adapting to these changes will keep your businesses open. SPARK has the perfect hardware and software to help you operate as a takeaway - click here to contact a member of the SPARK team and learn more. Mobile businesses can offer both delivery and collection, some are even incorporating an ‘order ahead’ system that allows you to order largely in advance. Giving the customers the choice of when and where the truck delivers is an impressive touch that some businesses are implementing to bring in customers during the pandemic. The mobility of the trucks gives them a good advantage over static restaurants and is a drawing point for health-conscious customers who don’t wish to wait in crowded lines or in a store for their food.
Here’s some advice for mobile business owners...
What can you do to protect your staff?
It’s going to get pretty hot and sticky inside a cramped mobile kitchen, but unfortunately wearing masks and gloves is essential. Do not have more than two people working at one time within the truck. Physically distancing these staff within the confines of the truck will be difficult, and in reality, impossible. So, ensure that staff wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitiser, clean up after themselves and wear their PPE. You can also take temperature checks to confirm that they are well enough to go on shift and encourage them to stay home if they feel unwell.
What can you do to protect your guests?
It’s time to stock up on hand sanitiser - you’ll be shocked how much customers will get through! Place the sanitiser somewhere accessible and signpost it to encourage them to use it before you take their order in case they touch any items within your truck. It also helps to give customers peace of mind that you are looking out for their safety! Remove all condiments, napkins and cutlery options from the ledge of your truck and offer sealed packets instead to cut down on contact points. Customers must stay at least two meters apart from each other - grab the measuring tape and define these social distance parameters with a tape line, spray paint or chalk. Encourage guests to utilise contactless payment and carry out transactions with a minimum level of person-to-person contact.
Where should you locate your mobile business?
Give your business space to operate and make sure you’re not parked right next to another busy food truck. You need to ensure that you have the room to impose strict social distancing rules for customers who are queuing in a line. In contrast, you don’t want to be isolated in an unprofitable area! The great thing about being mobile is that you can go to the customers, so establish where the local hotspots are and set up there. Just stay cautious of covid guidelines!
What can customers do to support mobile business?
Usually around this time of year food trucks set up camp in city Christmas fairs and food festivals, but Covid-19 has prevented these events from happening. With the cancellation of events such as these, small mobile businesses will struggle to keep afloat. You can show your support for these businesses by purchasing their products, writing positive reviews and promoting them online. Surprisingly enough, mobile businesses are actually more covid friendly than you think! When collecting from a restaurant you will have to enter the premises to pay and pick up your food, whereas food trucks allow you to stay outdoors and socially distance more effectively.
How SPARK can help small mobile businesses during the pandemic?
SPARK’s software comes equipped with an offline mode as standard, which allows operators to process orders off the grid. It is an ideal solution for mobile businesses that are located in an area where there may be limited or no network coverage. Alternatively, if you do have a good network coverage whilst you’re out on the road, both our terminal and handheld devices can accept sim cards allowing you to take contactless payments. Using the battery pack available in our store, SPARK terminals will have an all day battery ensuring you never miss a sales opportunity. You can keep serving on a smart terminal, allowing you to continue work without having to compromise on any operational features. Say goodbye to old technology or the intrusive noise of archaic generators! SPARK’s modern mobile epos systems will get you running more efficiently and effectively.
