Building Sales

Each food concession trailer is custom designed and built to meet individual needs for product and promotion.  Consequently no two trailers are alike.  Often there are multiple approaches to producing an item, and several ways to display and promote the items you are selling.  The optimum approach for your trailer is determined by where and how the trailer is to be used.

The end goal is always the same – to maximize sales.  Accomplishing this goal requires careful design of the production process so that you can produce the desired volume of product, and careful design of the visual components so that both your operation and your product are visually attractive and appealing to customers walking by.  To develop new customers, you must sell them twice.  You must initially attract them and draw them to your stand for a closer look.  Then you must make the operation and the product appealing so that they will decide to make a purchase.

As you have read previously at this site, Century’s philosophy for the design and construction of food concession trailers is to build using high quality, low maintenance materials in such a manner that it is easy for you to always keep them clean and attractive.  Building upon this design foundation, we focus on the specifics of your product and operation, to determine how to best promote your operation.

Design Approach – Step 1

What are the items that will be sold (menu)?
To what types of locations or events will the trailer go?
What volume is anticipated, and will sales come all at once or be spread out evenly during the day?
What power source(s) will be available to operate the equipment and trailer systems?
Are there any special requirements that must be addressed?

Design Step 2 – Trailer Configuration

Body size selection
Door and hitch location
Line-up or center-style serving arrangement
Display requirements
Raw material, serving material and product storage – cabinets, porch, etc.

Design Step 3 - Equipment selection

Determine equipment required to store, produce and display menu items
Determine relative equipment placement for smooth production flow
Special requirements or specific brands and models
Money handling

Design Step 4 - System requirements

Plumbing package to meet production and health requirements
Electric system requirements
Gas system if applicable
Air conditioning or heat
Local health or fire code requirements – automatic fire suppression
Special interior finish requirements
Retractable or fixed height suspension system

Design Step 5 – Exterior Appearance

Design theme - colors, text, photos, graphics
Signage and lighting requirements
Awning and marquee styles
Special requirements – inflatable, rotating sign, flags, etc.

Beginning the design process

Think about each of the above design areas and note your thoughts and requirements for each.

Next call us to discuss your objectives.  This is the easiest method of covering a lot of ground quickly.  In addition we can use E-mail, FAX, and the mail to exchange ideas and information on what is needed for your project.

This is a team effort.  We work together, combining our ideas and experience to design and build a trailer that is uniquely suited to your operation.

Summary

1. Develop the Menu to be Offered

2. Determine the Types of Events

3. List Desired Systems and Features

4. Consider Exterior Appearance

5. Contact Century to Begin Design