Burger Van Advice
Discussion
I genuinely believe I can make a small fortune off a burger van, I have a top class butcher as a mate and know where the local vans get their quality rolls/bread from at very good rates. This means I should be able to put together a top class bacon roll for approx 75p and sell for upwards of £2.30.
I have been told that in this trade the key to success is “Location, Location, Location” well luckily I have found what I believe to be an absolute gold mine of a location, the trouble is getting permission to use the site as it’s a lay-by on a dual carriage way. I have written to the land owners (Crown Estate) expressing my interest, I have yet to receive a reply after about 14 days.
My main line of work is Grounds Maintenance, therefore I have also offered to maintain the lay-by to an exceptional standard including litter picking after every pitch and strimming/pruning grass and brambles that build up in the area when ever necessary. Can anyone advise me on how to get a response from the Crown Estate? If I am declined is there anything I can state that may influence their decision? I would of course be prepared to negotiate any fees they may want for using their land. I cant help but think a brown envelope filled with cash would be the best solution (if only).
Any other advice would be much appreciated in regards to this prospective venture.
I have been told that in this trade the key to success is “Location, Location, Location” well luckily I have found what I believe to be an absolute gold mine of a location, the trouble is getting permission to use the site as it’s a lay-by on a dual carriage way. I have written to the land owners (Crown Estate) expressing my interest, I have yet to receive a reply after about 14 days.
My main line of work is Grounds Maintenance, therefore I have also offered to maintain the lay-by to an exceptional standard including litter picking after every pitch and strimming/pruning grass and brambles that build up in the area when ever necessary. Can anyone advise me on how to get a response from the Crown Estate? If I am declined is there anything I can state that may influence their decision? I would of course be prepared to negotiate any fees they may want for using their land. I cant help but think a brown envelope filled with cash would be the best solution (if only).
Any other advice would be much appreciated in regards to this prospective venture.
Tuvra said:
I have written to the land owners (Crown Estate) expressing my interest, I have yet to receive a reply after about 14 days.
Always easier to do nothing when they are not sure what to do. How would it be if you just set up and started, then waited to see who complained, if anybody, then do what you can to mollify them? Would the investment required be too much to take the chance on being able to sort something out with whoever was in a postion to stop you? Are there any alternative sites in case that one was NFG?I know a guy who owns 4, he only works in them occasionally (weekend events etc). Makes good money at it but he reckons the biggest problem is getting trustworthy employees.
3 of them are on privtae property but one is on a public road, he applied to the local council and got permission (a licence?) within a month with little or no mucking about.
3 of them are on privtae property but one is on a public road, he applied to the local council and got permission (a licence?) within a month with little or no mucking about.
Edited by Lefty on Wednesday 1st June 11:44
singlecoil said:
Tuvra said:
I have written to the land owners (Crown Estate) expressing my interest, I have yet to receive a reply after about 14 days.
Always easier to do nothing when they are not sure what to do. How would it be if you just set up and started, then waited to see who complained, if anybody, then do what you can to mollify them? Would the investment required be too much to take the chance on being able to sort something out with whoever was in a postion to stop you? Are there any alternative sites in case that one was NFG?TBH I had not thought about just setting up, I was going to do all the research i.e. Insurances, qualified employee, licensing fees etc and then buy the van last of all. It doesnt sound a bad idea, but as you rightly say, there may be some severe consequences in what I assume would be classed as Illegal street trading?
Most things I have read say that I should contact my Local Authority and seek permission? This seems pointless if I know for a fact its not their land. Same goes for the Highways Agency etc. I would be prepared to make it very worthwhile for who ever it is I need to get permission off, its just finding a definitive answer thats proving difficult.
I have also found this on a forum "The biggest issues will be with Envirnmental health, and also getting a street traders licence from the local authority. I would ring them up and find out what you need. A couple of yearsd back in our area it was £1500 a year for the licence, and then you need to get them to agree a pitch, as you can't just buy a van, park it up, and sell food. For example, 2 miles away from us is a MCd's the dual carriageway for 4 miles in each direction is not allowed to have anyone selling food, as they bought an exclusive franchise. A guy in a van parked in a layby 400yds away and they threw the book at him."There is a McDonalds 9 miles one way and 3 miles the other.
Again, any pointers, tips or suggestions much appreciated
Referring to your good site in a lay-by, Just a thought, check out the adjoining land eg fields etc. I saw a very good burger van sited in a farmers field next to a busy lay-by.
As I understand it, you will require a 'hawkers licence' from your local council and a basic food hygiene certificate for yourself, via a one day course at your local collage.
Good luck with your venture.
As I understand it, you will require a 'hawkers licence' from your local council and a basic food hygiene certificate for yourself, via a one day course at your local collage.
Good luck with your venture.
Tuvra said:
I have also found this on a forum "The biggest issues will be with Envirnmental health, and also getting a street traders licence from the local authority. I would ring them up and find out what you need. A couple of yearsd back in our area it was £1500 a year for the licence, and then you need to get them to agree a pitch, as you can't just buy a van, park it up, and sell food. For example, 2 miles away from us is a MCd's the dual carriageway for 4 miles in each direction is not allowed to have anyone selling food, as they bought an exclusive franchise. A guy in a van parked in a layby 400yds away and they threw the book at him."There is a McDonalds 9 miles one way and 3 miles the other.
Eh? McDonalds sell franchises to their "restaurant" owners as an independent business. I'd be astonished if the councils/planners let them dictate what other businesses could do.Happy to be proved wrong, but sounds like the poster on the other forum might have the wrong end of the stick?
Tuvra said:
Can anyone advise me on how to get a response from the Crown Estate?
Work from the premise that all Government departments are incompetent. I've never been disappointed yet.Telephone them and be nice. That'll scare them into activity.
Or set up and pretend to be Polish. They can't touch you then.
Lord Candleford said:
Referring to your good site in a lay-by, Just a thought, check out the adjoining land eg fields etc. I saw a very good burger van sited in a farmers field next to a busy lay-by.
As I understand it, you will require a 'hawkers licence' from your local council and a basic food hygiene certificate for yourself, via a one day course at your local collage.
Good luck with your venture.
AFAIK hawkers' licences have vanished, and a pedlar's licence entitles you to sell only goods you can carry from place to place on foot. You may not stop or pitch a stall, or operate using or from a vehicle.As I understand it, you will require a 'hawkers licence' from your local council and a basic food hygiene certificate for yourself, via a one day course at your local collage.
Good luck with your venture.
A bit O/T but something you might want to consider. Get a decent espresso machine and do a barista course. People will stop for burgers when they're hungry, but if you are advertising and giving a genuinely great coffee, it will become a daily habit for some folk on their way to work.
There's one started on my daily commute as a 'drive-through' coffee van thing and they seem to be doing swimmingly.
There's one started on my daily commute as a 'drive-through' coffee van thing and they seem to be doing swimmingly.
Thanks for all the help.
Ironically, when I returned to my office yesterday afternoon, I had received a response from the Welsh Assembly Govt. They simply said "There is a no trading act implied along this section of road, please find attached the Act details."
The Act details explained that no trading, food or other, may be undertaken along the section of road (approx 18-20 miles), this act was taken out in 1997, around the time I am sure McDonalds moved in to their first location, thinking of it, their second location along this strip of road is not directly attached to the dual (like the other), it is in fact attached to the side road approx 20m from the dual carriageway link roundabout. I can only assume McD have put this in place as suggested.
Either way I am very disappointed, I guess the local traders would have been on on these numerous lay-bys had there been no acts. Shame as I think it would make an absolute fortune
Ironically, when I returned to my office yesterday afternoon, I had received a response from the Welsh Assembly Govt. They simply said "There is a no trading act implied along this section of road, please find attached the Act details."
The Act details explained that no trading, food or other, may be undertaken along the section of road (approx 18-20 miles), this act was taken out in 1997, around the time I am sure McDonalds moved in to their first location, thinking of it, their second location along this strip of road is not directly attached to the dual (like the other), it is in fact attached to the side road approx 20m from the dual carriageway link roundabout. I can only assume McD have put this in place as suggested.
Either way I am very disappointed, I guess the local traders would have been on on these numerous lay-bys had there been no acts. Shame as I think it would make an absolute fortune
Just up from the Coldra coming southbound? Can't believe Maccy D's can get exclusivity causes if that's the case, bloody corporate giants! 
O/T, I had the best bacon bap from a services I'd ever had on Tuesday - from a small van outside the door of Chievley services north of Newbury. Real thick cut bacon and a nice crusty roll
O/T, I had the best bacon bap from a services I'd ever had on Tuesday - from a small van outside the door of Chievley services north of Newbury. Real thick cut bacon and a nice crusty roll
TheD said:
£2.30!!!!!!!!! The most expensive round our way is £1.50 with most around the £1.30 mark.
I should have added, this would be for large overflowing 12" Baguettes. Rolls would probably be around £1.80. The market at this price, in this area is very strong & is the going rate.
If this is McDonald's doing, then its incredible they can have this much control over such a large area. I would have imagined most of my trade would have been truckers that cant enter McDonald's anyway so it seems a bit odd, swear their struggling for profits lol.
Tuvra said:
MOTORVATOR said:
So a foot long. How much would you charge if I just wanted a 6" one and my wife behind me in the queue wanted the same?
Id tell you its £2.30 and offer you a knife...http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
LooneyTunes said:
Tuvra said:
I have also found this on a forum "The biggest issues will be with Envirnmental health, and also getting a street traders licence from the local authority. I would ring them up and find out what you need. A couple of yearsd back in our area it was £1500 a year for the licence, and then you need to get them to agree a pitch, as you can't just buy a van, park it up, and sell food. For example, 2 miles away from us is a MCd's the dual carriageway for 4 miles in each direction is not allowed to have anyone selling food, as they bought an exclusive franchise. A guy in a van parked in a layby 400yds away and they threw the book at him."There is a McDonalds 9 miles one way and 3 miles the other.
Eh? McDonalds sell franchises to their "restaurant" owners as an independent business. I'd be astonished if the councils/planners let them dictate what other businesses could do.Happy to be proved wrong, but sounds like the poster on the other forum might have the wrong end of the stick?
Tuvra said:
They simply said "There is a no trading act implied along this section of road, please find attached the Act details."
And if you breach an implied no trading act, do you get an implied penalty?Seriously, I'd check whether it needs to be explicitly applied in some way. If it does, you may have a window of opportunity?
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