Street vendors fare well in high-traffic areas. If you love Mexican food, a taco stand gets you into food service for modest start-up costs and low overhead.
Essential Steps for Opening a Taco Stand
To open a taco stand, you need a location, a business license, permits, supplies, and staff.
- Business License: allows you to operate legally.
- Permits: allow you to build and operate your stand. Obtain permits and licenses from your city or county government.
- Supplies: include a grill, utensils, bowls, and napkins.
- Staff: hire cooks and servers, requiring them to have food handler’s permits to ensure they know food safety and sanitation.
Consider factors like foot traffic, parking, and accessibility when choosing a location. Design your layout with counter space, seating, and storage in mind. Keep in mind the temperature and space needed for staff. Make your stand aesthetically appealing to attract customers.
Design and Menu Planning
When designing your taco stand layout, think about counter space, seating, and storage. Keep in mind temperature and the space needed for staff. Make your stand aesthetic to attract customers.
Before opening, prepare a menu, plan your stand, and apply for permits to sell street food. Design your stand with a flat surface to prepare tacos, a place to collect money, and a spot to sit or rest.
Our dream taco stand would offer chicken, pork, and beef meats, with options for flour or corn tortillas, and toppings like cilantro lime corn, cheeses, fresh veggies, and salsas ranging in spice levels.
Profitability and Costs
A taco stand can be a profitable venture.
- Profit: Owners report a profit in the first year, with between $112,000 and $156,000 by the third year.
- Start-Up Costs: Opening a taco stand can cost between $12 and $37,876 with an average cost of $19,815.
Tips for Home and Events
Tacos at Home:
- You’ll need basic equipment like a flat surface for preparation, serving utensils, and plates or napkins. A folding table with an umbrella works well.
Event Planning:
- Designate a taco stand area at a party to keep things organized and ensure guests enjoy tacos and have a good time.
Street Food Tips:
- Observing other diners at local taco stands might give you insight into which stands are popular or potentially questionable. Pay attention to toppings and salsa consumption to gauge the quality.