From Food Truck To Restaurant Chain: Scaling Up Your Culinary Concept

Food trucks and food halls have become success incubators for many restaurants. But how can you transition from a small food service point to a thriving brand or even a restaurant chain? Discover our recipe for scaling up your culinary concept.

In this article, you will learn:

How to turn a single food truck into a chain of restaurants
How food trucks help premium restaurants reach a wider audience
Why food trucks or food hall stalls are ideal starting points for a restaurant chain
Where to begin scaling your food business and what to keep in mind
How to accelerate the growth of your concept

Food trucks and food halls offer a convenient, diverse and affordable alternative to traditional dining for guests. For restaurateurs, they are great incubators of culinary creativity. Operating from a truck or booth allows young chefs and entrepreneurs to experiment while keeping costs lower than those of a full-scale restaurant. This makes them an ideal foundation for growing a food business.

Food Truck Fleet, Or Bust: The Journey Of A Culinary Dream

Can aspiring chefs or restaurateurs dream of owning a full-fledged restaurant? Absolutely! It all begins with an idea and passion, much like Taco Bell’s story in the 1960s. Inspired by Mexican cuisine, founder Glenn Bell began experimenting, aiming to introduce Americans to flavors from south of the border. He eventually launched a fast-food restaurant, a familiar format to Americans, serving Mexican dishes.

Whenever there is a need to introduce new cuisine or a novel way of serving food, it often starts with a mobile setup. This was true for the French chain Le Camion Qui Fume, which began in 2011 as a single food truck serving American classics in France. It quickly gained recognition for its unique burger preparation and commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients.

However, sometimes growth requires a shift in concept. The Halal Guys, for example, started as a hot dog cart in New York City. After realizing the demand for halal food among Muslim taxi drivers, they pivoted to dishes like gyros with pita or rice. This change led to massive success.

Though the journey from food truck to restaurant chain can vary, one thing is certain: you should only consider a permanent location once you have built a base of returning customers and a stable income stream. If you can serve 75-85 guests per day during peak hours, managing a restaurant may be within reach.

Food Stalls As Premium Restaurant Incubators

In 2008, Roy Choi’s Kogi Korean BBQ food truck in Los Angeles revolutionized the industry by combining Korean BBQ with Mexican burritos and tacos. This shift challenged traditional fine dining norms, proving that gourmet food could be enjoyed as much from a paper plate as in a chic setting.

Today, it is no surprise when a concept that began in a food truck or food court stall evolves into a fine dining experience. Momofuku Noodle Bar, founded by David Chang, started with a simple, high-quality concept that quickly gained popularity, leading to multiple locations across the US. Despite the chain's upscale interiors and exclusive menu items, the essence of the food remains unchanged, still reminiscent of the flavors once served from a food truck window.

Premium restaurants can also use food trucks and stalls to engage younger customers who may not be ready for extravagant dining. For example, New York City's Eleven Madison Park, which has three Michelin stars, launched a food truck called EMP Summer House, offering affordable seasonal dishes in a casual setting. This allowed a younger, less affluent audience to experience luxury cuisine, potentially leading them to visit the main restaurant in the future.

A Culinary Laboratory On A Budget

Food trucks, stalls, and pop-ups provide the perfect testing grounds for a new business. They allow entrepreneurs to test concepts in real time, keeping costs much lower than those of a full-scale restaurant. The limited working space and lower operating costs of these setups make them a practical choice for building a brand and a loyal customer base.

Food trucks, in particular, benefit from the absence of regular rent payments, only incurring one-time fees for festival parking and utilities. While food hall stalls do pay rent, it is significantly lower than that of a traditional restaurant, especially when located in prestigious areas.

Another advantage of mobile setups is flexibility. Food trucks can relocate depending on demand, even multiple times a day. This mobility is beneficial if sales are lower than expected at one location. Food hall stalls, meanwhile, often come equipped with essential kitchen equipment, lowering the financial burden on new restaurateurs. Additionally, food hall owners usually offer marketing support, allowing newcomers to focus on growing their business without worrying as much about customer acquisition.

Exploring Franchising: A Low-Risk Path To Restaurant Ownership

Starting a food business, be it a restaurant or a mobile setup, requires a significant effort. Often, it takes years of perseverance, along with personal investment, before achieving success. According to the National Restaurant Association, 30% of new restaurants close within the first year. To mitigate risk, consider becoming a franchisee. This is especially suitable for those new to the food industry or without prior entrepreneurial experience. While franchise owners still bear responsibility, they benefit from an easier market entry.

Before deciding on a food truck, food hall stall, or franchise, ask yourself these questions:

Are you prepared for the investment? Franchises usually provide detailed guidance on setting up, and some offer financial support.
Do you want to develop your own concept, or leverage an existing brand? Franchising benefits from brand recognition but limits creative control.
Do you prioritize freedom or structure? Running your own restaurant allows for autonomy, while franchising requires adherence to the brand’s principles.
How much more do you need to learn? Independent entrepreneurs learn on their own, while franchisees receive training and support from the brand.

From Stall To Restaurant: Key Considerations When Scaling Your Business

Once your first location proves to be a culinary success and remains profitable, the temptation to open another one can be strong. But how do you decide if it’s better to stick with smaller outlets or scale up to a full-fledged restaurant? And can you be sure that new locations will also succeed? After all, the success of a small stall doesn’t guarantee that a brick-and-mortar spot will thrive.

First and foremost, timing is crucial. Alec Fernandez, founder of Dos Croquetas, started with a pop-up in a Miami brewery. He recalls, “When we saw how popular the combination of beer and croquetas was, we knew it was time to scale.” Alongside his aunt, chef Vicky Carballo, he emphasizes that building capital and experimenting until you find what works takes time. “It all comes down to perseverance... The moment you stop or give up means the end. Perseverance really pushed us forward,” he says.

Here’s a mini checklist to help ensure successful scaling:

Make sure you’re ready: Beyond a gut feeling, evaluate whether there is sustained demand for your food. Do you have loyal, regular customers? Are new customers consistently coming in? The next step is building brand awareness. What sets your offerings or location apart from competitors?
Gather customer feedback: Engage with your customers and local community to understand their expectations and preferences, either in person or via social media. This can guide you in choosing a location or refining your offerings. Erik Metzdorf, founder of Metzy's Taqueria in Newport, took this approach by asking his followers on Facebook if opening a permanent location where his mobile unit operated was a good idea. He only committed after receiving positive feedback from regulars.
Focus on location: While gathering feedback, ask customers where they’d like to see a new location. Irene Li, co-founder of Boston’s Mei Mei food truck, did just that. She inquired about where her guests lived and worked to identify potential sites for a permanent location. If you have access to market research, use it to make informed decisions on size and financials. It’s safer to expand gradually than to risk serious debt.
Prepare a business plan: A solid business plan outlines the entire vision for the restaurant and may be more essential than you think. It not only serves as a guide but is also critical for securing investors. A clear plan reassures them that you’ve thoroughly thought through your concept.
Raise capital: Opening a single food point is costly, and opening multiple locations is even more so. Instead of relying solely on your funds, consider seeking investors or targeted loans. It’s crucial to have more capital than you think you’ll need, as there will likely be unforeseen expenses and potential costly mistakes.
Don’t forget about permits and licenses: If you’re already running a food truck or stall, you know how time-consuming paperwork can be. Research which permits are required for each new location and which can be obtained just once for the entire brand.
Maintain equipment and interior appearance: A stationary location introduces new challenges, from infrastructure to equipment maintenance. Cleanliness and organization are also key. Irene Li shared in an interview with Toasttab, “The biggest challenge was learning how to manage the back of the house and all that space, and translating the very casual vibe of the food truck into a stationary location.”
Build a team: Hiring, training, and retaining the right staff is one of the biggest challenges for restaurateurs. Beyond kitchen staff, you’ll also need managers and administrative personnel as you grow.
Leverage technology: Basic tech solutions might suffice for one or two mobile units, but as you expand, you’ll need a robust POS system. It should handle table service, online orders, and inventory management. Without it, you risk operational inefficiencies and added stress.

How To Foster Scaling?

Marketing is crucial at every stage of scaling. A solid marketing strategy can help maintain revenues and address any sales issues efficiently. While social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook often replace traditional websites, investing in a professional website is still worthwhile. It enhances your brand's image and attracts a broader range of customers.

Before launching a new location, many businesses build anticipation on social media by sharing behind-the-scenes updates. For example, Ggiata in Los Angeles used Instagram to generate buzz about menu development and staff training before their 2022 opening.

Growing with authenticity

Expansion requires a strategic plan, but as you grow, remember the elements that made your business successful. Balancing growth with staying true to your brand's core values is essential for sustainable success. Authenticity will lay the foundation for a thriving restaurant chain.

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