Here are some useful questions our clients have asked us in the past. If this doesn't answer your question, feel free to e-mail us. We'll gladly help you out.

I am new to this exciting business and have no idea where to begin. What type of equipment should I purchase?

First, you need to decide what sector of the industry you are targeting. For instance, a Catering Truck is designed to run a route. Usually that route includes construction sites and industrial parks.

A Mobile Kitchen can be the vehicle of choice for a route with minimal but very large stops. However, the best location for a Mobile Kitchen is on the street in front of colleges, universities, hospitals and office buildings.

If you prefer to target the fair and carnival circuit, a Concession Trailer is the ticket. Sidewalk vending is also a very profitable venture. We offer a complete line of Street Carts for that. Maybe, a Fancy Cart/Kiosk, which can merchandise anything from specialty coffee to tacos and anything in between, is perfect for you.

Some locations for a Fancy Cart / Kiosk are hotel lobbies, food courts, theaters, arenas, convention centers, amusement parks and anywhere else that people congregate. If you would like to do off-site catering from your establishment, a Delivery Vehicle with hot and cold holding capabilities will provide perfectly maintained temperatures for your meals. Custom also offers a diversified line of “Merchandising Scooters” that are ideal for golf courses, parks, stadiums, college campuses or in-plant feeding.

Once I know the type of unit I want what do I do next?

Research the Health Codes and Zoning Laws in the area(s) that you plan on operating. Either submit the literature that we provided you on that unit to the appropriate authorities or forward a copy of the applicable codes to Custom Mobile Food Equipment.

How do I design a custom unit?

Our engineering department will design a unit specific to your needs. There is a design fee for that service. However, the fee is credited to the invoice price of the unit if purchased within 90 days.

What's the difference between a Catering Truck and a Mobile Kitchen?

A Catering Truck is designed to work from the outside with lift-up doors for access. A Mobile Kitchen is a custom–designed unit that is usually built on a step-van chassis. The operator can prepare a diversified menu in the unit and passes through the serving window to their customers.

What is a commissary?

A commissary is a certified kitchen. It acts as a “home base” to Mobile Caterers. They load and clean up at the commissary.

How much can I make?

There is no straight answer to this question. Obviously, there are so many variables…food cost, labor cost, hours of operation, overhead, etc. However, One thing that we can say for certain is that the industry is certainly growing. To quote the owner of Custom Mobile Food Equipment, “people eat till they die.” Give them good food at a fair price in a clean environment and you will succeed.

Does Custom Mobile Food Equipment provide financing?

Yes. We can provide financing upon credit approval on most units. Terms and conditions will vary.

Do you have any units in stock that I can see?

Yes. Most of the units in fabrication are orders and are shipped as soon as completed. However, we welcome you to see the fabrication process. Our goal is to educate our clients. We are a FACTORY, not a middleman.

Do you help me find a location?

No. We focus in on providing you state-of-the-art and quality mobile food equipment. That’s our business. However, locations contact us all the time looking for a food service provider. When, that occurs we direct them to our client directly.

About how long does it take to build a unit?

Catering Trucks and standard Street Carts take about 3 weeks. All other fabrication times will be quoted on a “unit by unit” basis.

Do I pick the unit up or do you ship it to me?

We recommend that all of our customers review the unit at the factory before it leaves. Our shipping department can quote you on delivering the unit or you are more than welcome to pick up the unit.

Does your equipment have a warranty?

Yes. The warranty is one year. This includes parts and labor. The exceptions are the burners that carry a 90-day warranty and the actual chassis that carries the manufacturer’s warranty.