The coronavirus pandemic has created a significant impact on the food servicing industry, resulting in massive layoffs for workers and loss of income for restaurant owners, posing a definitive threat for small and medium-sized food businesses.
The nationwide lockdown has compelled restaurants to shut down operations, with independent restaurants taking the biggest hit. Restaurant analysts estimate 75% of independent restaurants might have to close down due to business shutdown.
However, food truck services are rising to the occasion by reaching out to their local communities and bringing the ‘restaurants’ to people during the pandemic. Unlike many food places right now, food trucks are adapting to the situation with their on-the-go business model and connecting with customers on a personal level.
Food trucks with franchise ownership are standing up to the current situation, and business is thriving for franchisees who are hustling their way up and “keeping it moving.” The guidance and franchisor support are helping food truck chains expand their business, and they are, quite surprisingly, being more successful this year despite the pandemic.
Creativity at its Best
COVID-19 has skyrocketed sales for many food-truck owners. By tweaking the business dynamics, many food truck owners are finding innovative ways to reach out and help their local community. And the response has been massive too.
A Maryland food truck had to carve out a new business plan when they lost one-quarter of their income due to the lockdown restrictions. They found opportunities in fundraising events, selling essential food and hygiene items through their food truck, and introduced grab-and-go meals as takeaways.
Food trucks are gaining momentum by creating a presence in the neighborhood and building goodwill with their customers. They are finding ways to be resourceful and valuable to their customers by partnering with food delivery services and other food truck owners. By assessing their consumer’s needs, they are shifting the focus to customer relations and promoting positivity with good food.
Franchising Opportunities for Food Trucks
The franchising industry is committed to providing business ownership opportunities to stabilize the economy and helps local communities grow.
The food truck business is thriving under the franchise system, with more franchisors reaching out to independent business owners to be a part of their already-established food network. Restrictions at dine-in restaurants might also be an important reason for food trucks not losing their charm, with more people getting tired of cooking for themselves at home.
Franchise ownership is helping entrepreneurs and independent businesses to gain traction, thanks to the flexible norms of operations and engagement offered by existing brand recognition.
The truck-franchising model is engaging with new franchisees to explore business opportunities in both brick-and-mortar stores and on-the-go food trucks. With an established business model and sufficient funding, franchisors are also taking care of the various sanitation and hygiene protocols to ensure the safety of both the customers and franchisees.
By funding for mobile food truck units across the major entry points, the franchising food truck business is empowering local businesses.
Food trucks owners of the same franchising community are collaborating to get through the dire situation. The social push by the franchising industry is redefining business ownership, with food trucks surviving the brunt of the pandemic with compassion and support.
About The Author
Bill McKee has been a business owner since 1993 and built several successful businesses, he has been a franchise consultant since 2007. Contact Bill at (972) 767-8433 or Bill@TheFranchiseConsultingCompany.com.
This blog has been featured in “The Franchise Journal – August 2020 Edition”