What Equipment Does Your Mobile Coffee Trailer Need?
The first mobile coffee trailer is a decent business-grade coffee maker, which is going to fit in the back of your rolling cart. Commercial coffee grinders come in a variety of sizes, so once again, you will have to take into account the available space within your coffee trailer. To run a mobile coffee trailer, you need: An Espresso Machine, Espresso Coffee Grinder, and Commercial Coffee Grinder, Drip coffee maker, and Airpot coffee maker, Refrigerator-freezer, a Power Generator, and a Point of Sale System.
The basic equipment that you will need to run a Mobile Coffee Shop is a dual-fuel commercial espresso machine; a commercial coffee bean grinder; refrigerator-freezer; quality coffee; and a POS system. The startup costs of running a mobile coffee cart business are relatively low--about $16,000--because, unlike a coffee shop, you do not need any physical space in which to operate. A coffee cart business will need to comply with all of the requirements once you determine where you want it to operate.
When opening up a mobile coffee trailer, you will have to get inspected by the local health department, which is likely to check the coffee trailer equipment before issuing you the license that you need. Since most coffee shops are using raw beans in order to create the freshest coffee possible, you will want to add an industrial coffee grinder to your coffee shops equipment list. You want to give your customers the best possible espresso drink, so having a quality coffee grinder is non-negotiable.
Unless you are planning on serving just ordinary, American-style coffee, you need to invest in a high-quality commercial espresso machine. You need to find a quality, commercial-grade blender that has an enclosure to make both coffee drinks and iced espresso drinks. If you are planning on adding mixed coffee drinks to your menu, you need to invest in some high-quality commercial blenders.
You will need your own coffee beans, milk, dairy substitutes, ice, cups, napkins, and whatever else it takes to make coffee. This may be an afterthought at times, but right now, to have proper gear for making coffee espresso on the go, you will want to get some quality coffee beans. While used equipment is available to be sold, it is recommended that you purchase a new espresso machine as it is going to be the workhorse of your cafe.
Finding used equipment for coffee shops for sale may be challenging, but you will spend a fraction of what you would pay for new equipment. If a coffee shop in your area usually charges $3 per shot of espresso, for instance, you will know this is a reasonable price for your customers. For events where you are going to be selling cups of coffee, look up what the competition is charging locally.
You may be able to increase profits by booking larger events, offering additional items such as food or tea drinks for an extra cost, or storing coffee and other items that are in high demand in order to generate interest. To scale up your business -- say, to a brick-and-mortar coffee shop -- using professional coffee-brewing equipment of your own, then the best options are basic coffee carts or cafe bikes.
