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Start Your Own Sandwich Van Business

A cheaper alternative to a sandwich shop or coffee bar

OR : How to make a living selling sandwiches and other food from a mobile vehicle.

 

If you are thinking about starting your own mobile sandwich delivery business, then this is the book you need. Basic research, sandwich making, buying a van and much more are covered in this very detailed book by experienced sandwich van operator, Andrew Johnson.

About the author

 

After nearly fourteen years spent repairing and installing IT equipment, Andrew Johnson gave up the day job and started his own business. Dabbling with ideas as diverse as picture framing and tyre fitting, he eventually decided to buy a van and start a sandwich round. Two shops and three sandwich vans later, he has written this book to guide anyone else thinking of following the same path.  

Table of contents

 

 

 

Preface

  

1.

The Sandwich Trade Revealed

3
  Definition of a sandwich round 3
  The outlook for a sandwich based business 3
  Why a Sandwich round and not retail shop? 5
  It’s not all a bed of roses 7
  The state of the UK sandwich market 8

2.

Sandwich Round Research

11
  Does the sandwich trade suit you? 11
  The viability of the business 16
  Getting to know the sandwich market 17
  Research before you start the business 21

3.

A Look At Your Business Options

27
  A few points to consider 27
  Buying an existing sandwich round 27
  Minimize the danger 29
  Taking on a franchise 30
  Starting your business from scratch 33
  Sources of advice and information 35
  Your business format 36
  Your name and image 37
  Choosing a business name is a priority 37
  The right image is crucial 38
  Your logo and look 40
  Establishing your identity 42

4.

The Sandwich Van In Detail

44
  Fridge vans 44
  Professionally manufactured vans 45
  Features of a typical sandwich van 46
  Buying a van 49
  Buying new 50
  Ways of paying for the vehicle 51
  Buying a used sandwich van 54
  What to look out for when buying a used van 55
  Testing the onboard systems 55
  The refrigeration system 55
  The hot food cabinet 57
  Diesel heat exchanger safeguard 58
  Testing the heated food display 58
  Other vehicle systems 59
  Used vehicle sources 59
  The cheapest option 63
  Sandwich van insurance 64
  Sandwich van maintenance 64
  Diesel or petrol? 66
  Reversing a sandwich van 66

5.

Sandwiches - Make Or Buy

67
  Buying sandwiches ready made 67
  Pros and cons of ready made 69
  Strike a deal with an independent 71
  Making and selling your own sandwiches 71
  Pros and cons of making your own sandwiches 73
  My take on the matter 75

6.

The Kitchen Preparation Area

76
  Working from your own kitchen 76
  Making sure your kitchen passes the inspection 78
  Basic guidelines floors, walls and ceilings 80
  Windows and doors 84
  Wash basins, sinks and toilet facilities 85
  Ventilation and extraction 86
  Alternatives to the home kitchen 88
  Locating your own unit and creating a kitchen 88
  Expert advisors you will need 90
  How to find a unit 93
  What to look for in the unit itself 94
  A few final thoughts 98

7.

Equipping The Kitchen

99
  New versus used 99
  Domestic versus commercial 99
  Equipment sources 100
  What you are likely to need 101
  Refrigeration 101
  The oven 103
  Heated food warmers 104
  Microwave ovens 106
  Meat cutters 106
  Preparation tables 106
  Sandwich heat sealers 108
  Sinks 108
  Miscellaneous small items 109
  Don't buy what you don't need 110
  Keep the costs down 111

8.

Deciding On A Menu

112
  Sandwich varieties 112
  Compulsory offerings 113
  How many sandwiches should be on the menu? 115
  What breads to offer 117
  Twenty ingredients – one hundred sandwiches 118
  Sandwich making 120
  The shelf life of a sandwich 120
  Adding to the menu 122
  Keeping the menu in motion 125

9.

Packaging And Labelling

126
  Your packaging is your image 126
  Sandwich wedges 127
  Film fronted bags 130
  Packaging for other products 130
  Labelling 131
  Getting the right look 132
  Label production - the choices open to you 133

10.

Purchasing Your Supplies

139
  The creation of a sandwich 139
  Dealing with suppliers 140
  Buying bread 146
  Cheese - more than just mild cheddar 149
  Meat, fish and poultry 150
  What about all those exotic sandwich fillings 151
  Some final points on suppliers 153

11.

Hygiene Regulations

154
  The rules of hygiene 154
  Food temperatures 155
  Hot food 156
  Preventing food contamination 157
  The five points of a hazard analysis plan 157
  Dealing with the environmental health officer 159
  Hygiene training for your employees 160

12.

General Issues

163
  Setting your trading hours 163
  Keeping the van clean 163
  Taking payment by card and cheque 164
  Running a tab 165
  Dealing with the float 165
  Working out your banking routine 165
  Coping with price changes 166
  Planning a break 167
  Outside factors affecting your business 168
  Employing a driver 172

13.

Pre - Launch Day And Beyond

173
  Preparing a pre - launch checklist 173
  Announcing your presence 174
  Surviving the first day 177
  The do's and dont's on your first trading day 178
  After the first few weeks 181

14.

Expanding The Business

183
  Alternatives to fleet building 184
  Supplying sandwiches on a wholesale basis 184
  Setting up a specialized food delivery service 186
  Online ordering – a potential goldmine 186
  Specialising in home baked confectionaries 188
  Outside catering 188
  Imagination is the key 190
 

INDEX

 191

From the author

 

I have been involved in the sandwich trade for a long time now, and I have seen the business from both sides of the fence, first with sandwich rounds, and then with shops. I aim to share my experiences, good and bad, with the intention of making your journey easier, hopefully showing you the advantages of starting a sandwich round in preference to another business type.


A good living

My own expertise comes from owning two sandwich shops and operating three sandwich vans. I have earned a good living, but I am not a millionaire just yet, and I am not claiming that you will make a million running a sandwich round either. I do believe that if you have the determination and the right mindset, you can make a very comfortable living and have fun (most days!) in this business.

That’s not to say you can’t build up an empire from running a sandwich round. A lot of famous people started small, but didn’t stay that way. You may start with a sandwich round and go on to open a full retail shop, and establish an empire, or perhaps buy more sandwich vans and develop more sandwich rounds.


No padding

The book concerns the specifics of starting a sandwich round business using a sandwich van. The only references to bookkeeping, accountants or tax law that you will see are where those matters directly apply to the business itself. For example hygiene law is covered because it’s specific to the food industry.

You won’t find 50 pages on writing a business plan, or finding a lawyer. There are umpteen books on Amazon concerning general business issues. It’s not my intention to pad out the book on those topics. What you will find, is the gritty detail of starting or buying a sandwich van business.

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

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