Fairs, carnivals and festivals abound across the United States offering opportunities for all types of food vendors to showcase their wares. A fully-equipped food concession trailer could cost a new start up as much as $80,000 and more for specially customized models. However, converting a used motor home into a concession trailer might be a more cost effective way to start a new food-concession business, outfitting the vehicle to suit your individual business needs.
1. Obtain a food concession manual from the health department. Review the manual to familiarize yourself with all concession health codes, equipment specifications and rules for operating a mobile food concession. Awareness of current health, safety and food handling codes is also helpful as you develop a plan for the motor home conversion.
2. Draw a detailed plan of the interior of the motor home as is, noting areas to be deconstructed such as sleeping areas. Draw a second plan that denotes proposed changes, equipment additions, electrical, water and waste disposal changes and additions. Add any other cosmetic changes that are planned for the motor home. Assess existing fixtures, such as sinks and cabinetry that are anchored to the floor and can be re-purposed to save conversion costs.
3. Remove any existing carpeting. Remove any built in furnishings per the conversion plan. Install flooring that is washable and made for high-traffic areas throughout the interior.
4. Order a concession window from a concession window retailer and set an appointment to have the window professionally installed. A professionally installed window will be up to health codes, and will provide proper screens to keep insects from entering.
5. Order and install cooking and refrigeration appliances. You may need to contract an electrician to properly wire the vehicle to accommodate the voltage necessary for the equipment.
6. Assess plumbing and dish washing equipment. If necessary install any extra sinks, sanitizing and garbage disposal equipment.
7. Sanitize any existing cabinetry that will be used for food storage. Install a customer counter top on the exterior of the vehicle, below the service window.
8. Fill out necessary licensing and set up an appointment with the health department for inspection of the concession vehicle. The inspector will make notification of any issues that must be addressed prior to opening for business.
- Motor home in good condition
- Tools (manual and power)
- Measuring tape
- Sketch pad
- Pencils / pens
- Heavy-duty flooring
- Appliances, such as grills/fryers
- Range hood (if desired)
- Counter top
- Adding colorful, decorative signage to the exterior of the concession vehicle makes it attractive to customers and helps it stand out at busy events.
- Do not attempt electrical or plumbing projects if you are unfamiliar with safety procedures and codes. Contract a professional to ensure all mechanical aspects of the concession vehicle work properly and safely.
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