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Permalink Reply by Bryan Wray on February 15, 2010 at 1:18am

Not to sound like the biggest jerk, but I suggest you type mobile cart (and things like it) into the search feature on this site (or into a search engine) and uncover a plethora of very recent threads on the subject.

Really and truly not trying to put you off of the folks here at bX or anything, it's just been brought up a ton lately, that's all.

oh... and since no details regarding budget, market, needs, requirements, space, plumbing etc were brought up... I'd say rock a Speedster :)

-bry

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Cabezas on February 15, 2010 at 6:36am

Thanks for answering. I did spend more than five hours already researching. I figured that since I was in a specifically orientated community I would acquire more assistance than the generic information I've found online.

Bryan Wray said:

Not to sound like the biggest jerk, but I suggest you type mobile cart (and things like it) into the search feature on this site (or into a search engine) and uncover a plethora of very recent threads on the subject.

Really and truly not trying to put you off of the folks here at bX or anything, it's just been brought up a ton lately, that's all.

oh... and since no details regarding budget, market, needs, requirements, space, plumbing etc were brought up... I'd say rock a Speedster :)

-bry

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Permalink Reply by Moto-Espresso Coffee Carts on February 15, 2010 at 7:10am

Hi Claudia,

My own experience has shown me that the:

1. Cart itself is the marketing device and strategy. Have a Cart that is attractive to the general public.
2. People also love clean along with cute.
3. My selective market and success (believe it or not...) is not in the morning. My sales days begin afternoon and go until about 6 to 7PM.
4. Go to were the people are walking or sightseeing in their cars. Go to were you will be noticed by the public, but NOT upsetting to merchants. Merchants are your biggest caution flag.
5. Do not be perceived as a threat by other businesses or civic minded people, but be perceived as an attraction to the community.
6. The two biggest comments I get are, "Oh, how cute! and Oh, what a great idea"!
7. I COULD deliver to office buildings etc and that is an entire open market. Since I live in Monterey Ca. the beaches and wharf areas are the traffic draw...so that's where I built my business.
8. here is also events, car shows, air shows, motorcycle clubs, events, and private parties.
9. Be Mobile and have a trailer to trailer your cart to events if you will be full time.
10. Meet and have all the Health Department and city permits in order. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Moto-Espresso Coffee Carts on February 15, 2010 at 7:12am

Moto-Espresso Coffee Cart said:

Hi Claudia,

My own experience has shown me that the:

1. Cart itself is the marketing device and strategy. Have a Cart that is attractive to the general public.
2. People also love clean along with cute.
3. My selective market and success (believe it or not...) is not in the morning. My sales days begin afternoon and go until about 6 to 7PM.
4. Go to were the people are walking or sightseeing in their cars. Go to were you will be noticed by the public, but NOT upsetting to merchants. Merchants are your biggest caution flag.
5. Do not be perceived as a threat by other businesses or civic minded people, but be perceived as an attraction to the community.
6. The two biggest comments I get are, "Oh, how cute! and Oh, what a great idea"!
7. I COULD deliver to office buildings etc and that is an entire open market. Since I live in Monterey Ca. the beaches and wharf areas are the traffic draw...so that's where I built my business.
8. There are also events, car shows, air shows, motorcycle clubs, charity events, and private parties.
9. Be Mobile and have a trailer to trailer your cart to events if you will be full time.
10. Meet and have all the Health Department and city permits in order. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Wray on February 15, 2010 at 7:53am

Quickly typing "mobile" and "catering" into bX's search feature brought up these links that I think should probably at least get you pointed in the right direction:

http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/espresso-carts?commentI...
http://www.baristaexchange.com/group/specialtycoffeecatering
http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/thinking-about-starting-a
http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/espresso-catering-1

HTH
-bry

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Permalink Reply by Mitch Buckner - Bella Caffe on February 15, 2010 at 8:28am

I have an Astra Gourmet SemiAutomatic. Its a 1 group machine 110V that can handle about 100-120 drinks an hour (single shot 8-12oz cappuccinos). The machine isnt too big (I can easily pick it up if need be) so it makes for easy moving. Its mounted on a cart thats about 3x3 wide with about 18" fold up wings on each side so it ends up being about a 6' wide cart by 3' deep. Perfect for most locations. The cart has a pump inside that goes down to the 5 gallon water jug & the drain is the same way, jug in the cart takes all the drain water (not too much drain water from an espresso machine). Astra does have a slightly larger machine (the Mega 1) that can handle a little more & is a little larger but I've been happy with the Gourmet line. I mainly do weddings & parties so power isnt usually an issue (again, the Gourmet is only about 15Amps so it plugs into most regular plugs) & can go into small areas. Memphis doesnt allow street vendors sadly so I cant just go out & setup on a street corner somewhere unless its a special event (I also have a full coffee concessions trailers for festivals & fairs).

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Permalink Reply by Micah Metheny on February 15, 2010 at 9:29am

I am the lead barista for Cafe Evoke Coffee Catering, and we do consulting for people that are wanting to start coffee catering. Email me if you are intereseted micah@cafeevoke.com.

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