How to Choose a Catering Van That Supports Your Business

Securing clients, perfecting a mouth-watering menu, and stocking up on beverages is just the beginning of having a successful catering business. The real challenge? Ensuring that your culinary creations arrive in pristine condition. Enter the indispensable catering van. 

These cargo vans aren't just regular delivery vehicles, they’re as vital to caterers as a reliable truck is to plumbers or a limo to chauffeurs. Simply put, no van means no delivery. 

Within this article, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of selecting an ideal catering van while considering logistical necessities, financial implications, and legal requirements—all of which are essential for your catering business to get traction and succeed long-term.

Understanding the Basics 

In the catering industry, it’s not just the taste of your food that wins clients, it’s also the presentation and arrangement. Whether you’re whisking away on gourmet dishes or preparing a feast on-site, nothing beats having a trusty vehicle by your side. Your catering van is part kitchen-on-the-go, part delivery workhorse, and an all-around business ally. 

What is a Catering Van? 

Think of catering vehicles as much more than mere wheels for transit, they’re crucial to keeping your operation running like clockwork.  

These vehicles ensure that meals, equipment, and daily service materials like cleaning supplies reach patrons in the same condition they leave the kitchen, whether managing a large-scale event or handling multiple food delivery orders.  

For many catering businesses, a van is the heartbeat of their business (along with the pots and pans), keeping everything moving from kitchen to customer. 

Types of Catering Vans 

Catering vans are delivery trucks designed to transport food safely from your kitchen to each event. However, they take on many forms that are as unique as your catering business: 

• Food Trucks: Fully equipped mobile kitchens for on-site cooking and serving at events and festivals. 
• Food Carts: A portable version of what your catering restaurant has to offer with a limited menu.  
• Food Trailers: Towable units that offer more space for cooking and prepping. These require an additional vehicle for transportation. 
• Bustaurant: A bus that has been transformed into a transportable restaurant. These are complete with cooking and dining facilities.  
• Popup Vans: Flexible vehicles that are customized for both food delivery and on-site setup with high adaptability. 

The right catering vehicle becomes an extension of your catering business plan, and when combined with a digital ordering system, your whole operation becomes modernized and more efficient.  

3 Key Considerations When Choosing a Catering Van 

Choosing the right catering delivery van is a decision that impacts the efficiency, profitability, and overall success of catering businesses. So, what is the best van for your catering business? 

From delivery logistics to how far you need to drive, let's take a look at the factors to consider when picking one out. 

1. Size and Capacity 

Selecting a catering van that suits your business size is like picking the perfect pair of shoes—too small, and you'll struggle to fit everything. Too large, and resources are wasted.  

To get a realistic estimate of how much space you’ll need, practice placing equipment into the trunk of an existing vehicle. Consider which equipment, dishes, or other suppliers are heavy or unwieldy and account for these when considering catering vehicles. 

For grand-scale events, opt for a larger van with enough storage room to ferry all essentials from piping hot meals to utensils in one trip. In the end, it’s better to err on the side of more than enough space than not enough. 

2. Functionality 

The functionality of your catering van can make or break your workflow. Features like built-in refrigeration units and customized shelving are essential to keep food fresh and uncontaminated while making use of all storage space. 

For restaurants and catering businesses with online ordering, outfitting vans with cell tower and radio tech becomes especially important. Antennas and radios should be fitted to keep in touch with other company staff as necessary while on the move. 

3. Fuel Efficiency and Maintenance  

Choose a van that sips gas rather than guzzles, and you'll see significant mileage savings pile up over time. This is even more vital for catering companies that rack up miles with frequent deliveries.  

Treat your van like the valuable team member it is by conducting periodic maintenance to prevent those expensive fixes down the line. Finding a sustainable balance between what you pay at first and what it takes to keep the van on the road helps you secure a vehicle that satisfies both financial sensibility and business ambitions. 

7 Specific Van Features to Look For 

When on the lookout for a catering van, there are seven core features you can’t skip when it comes to efficiency and service quality. Here are the features to look for: 

1. Onboard Kitchen Equipment: Vans should come with customization options for the placement of grills, ovens, and fridges that let you prep food on-site. 
2. Serving Windows: If you’re serving straight from the van, a window that allows interactions with your customers and a chance to make a face-to-face payment is a must. 
3. Hydraulic Lifts: If you’re transporting heavy equipment like fridges and tables, hydraulic lifts will save time and your staff’s back muscles when loading and unloading. 
4. Low Chassis: Unless you’re planning on catering off-road, a lowered van means customers can see your offerings from ground level and makes unloading easier.  
5. Durable Construction: Invest in a van that can handle daily wear and tear (this goes for both the interior and exterior). 
6. GPS Routing: A hands-free integrated GPS system is required to optimize delivery routes and save on fuel.  
7. Temperature Control: Built-in temperature control means your cooking stays at the right temperature for the journey. No more frozen food or spoiled meat at your destinations.

4 Financial Aspects of Catering Vans 

Budgeting for a catering van involves more than just the sticker price. Here are four other components to make a high priority:

1. Beyond purchasing, there's also customization costs, insurance, and fuel to consider. Adding essentials like refrigeration and shelving increases upfront expenses but is crucial for business operations. Besides these initial outlays, ongoing maintenance is necessary to keep your fleet running smoothly. 
2. Another important decision: lease or buy? Leasing offers lower initial payments and easy upgrades but may impose mileage limits and a final "balloon" payment at the end to complete ownership. Buying requires a bigger investment up front but provides full ownership without restrictions later on. 
3. Depending on financial circumstances within your catering company, exploring small business loans or grants might make buying an easier option in the long run. 
4. Finally, catering van insurance is another necessary cost as it covers both your vehicle and equipment from accidents, theft, and damage.

Legal and Compliance Considerations 

The operation of a catering van comes with the same legal requirements and regulations as a caterer (catering business license and food handling certification), but with the addition of vehicle-specific permits: 

• Mobile Food Vendor Permit: Allows you to sell and serve food from a vehicle and is required in some regions. 
• Health Department Certificate: An inspection from your local health department stating your van is up to scratch in terms of hygiene. 
• Fire Safety Permit: If your van has grills and cookers, you’ll need certification stating each of these pieces of equipment is safe. 
• Commissary Agreement: Some regions require that your catering van be registered as a licensed kitchen for food prep. 
• Zoning Permit: This relates to parking in locations reserved and approved for food trucks and catering vans. 

If your catering van is more of a catering truck, your drivers will also need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). It takes the average driver seven to eight weeks to get their CDL, so plan accordingly. 

6 Tips for Maximizing the Use of Your Catering Van 

Making the most of a catering van relies heavily on smart organization and regular upkeep. A well-maintained, efficiently organized van not only speeds up service but also cuts down on errors. Here are six wise tips to maximize your van’s potential: 

1. Space Optimization: Use shelving, hooks, and compartments to keep supplies and equipment organized and allow quick access. 
2. Temperature Zones: Separate hot and cold areas so all types of food can be transported in one trip. 
3. Online Ordering Integration: The ability to send the van’s location to customers is especially important for caterers who have a dedicated online ordering platform.  
4. Regular Maintenance: Stick with the vehicle manufacturer's maintenance schedule and keep up regular checks on all kitchen equipment. 
5. Deep Cleaning: Regular sanitation of the entire van should be performed daily to maintain health standards and ensure food safety. 
6. Secure Storage and Lockable Modules: This is important for when unscheduled stops occur along the way—like slamming on the brakes for some ducks crossing the road or maybe taking some corners a little too quickly. 

Investing in Your First or Next Van 

Your catering van isn’t just a vehicle—it’s the engine (literally and figuratively) that drives your business forward. Choosing wisely can boost your service, streamline operations, and help your catering venture flourish.  

Whether it’s your first van, or the newest member of your fleet, navigating through decisions like size and customization while staying mindful of legal and financial requirements ensures you're set for success. Your perfect van is waiting for you! 

Ready to elevate your game? Dive into the 2024 Loyalty Guide to keep your catering customers coming back for more, plus uncover ways to enhance your catering offerings by integrating online ordering and delivery.  

Need catering software to complement your catering van? Book a demo today for a firsthand overview of how Paytronix can support your business.