Dubai is a popular hub for its amazing food experience and has gained worldwide recognition over time. The vast gastronomic experiences in Dubai aren’t only in the form of restaurants; the food trucks are also getting popular there. The Dubai restaurant industry is expected to show a significant rise in the coming years as the demand increases. Turning into a Middle gastronomic hub, international brands now want to operate here as well.
In Dubai, food trucks have gained popularity over the previous few years, thereby increasing the opportunities for food truck cuisines and themes. While local cuisines are usually sold at food trucks, you’ll also see some ex-pats selling international street foods. Starting a food truck business in Dubai is a very attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs.
Here you’ll know everything about starting your food truck business in Dubai.
Starting a Food Truck in Dubai; The Process
Here are a few steps to follow for starting your food truck in Dubai.
1. Submit an Attractive Business Plan to DED, the Department of Economic Development!
The first step to starting your food truck business is creating a solid and effective plan for your business and submitting it to the Dubai Municipality and the DED for approval. Your business plan should cover your idea and action plan, along with your budget. Your plan needs to be real and functional to convince the government that it can work.
Check out your competition and see what is unique about yours. At this step, cover all the details, including startup funds, managing, and scale-up plans. Make sure to consider the market risks and regulations that could impact your business negatively. Also, reserve some cash for any cash flow issues.
It is necessary to be realistic about your plan and give in every detail because UAE business plans need to be much more detailed.
2. Get the Approval of HACCP for Your Dubai Food Truck
To start with a food truck in Dubai, entrepreneurs need to meet the safety and health certifications and be approved officially. First, get the HACCP certification for your kitchen layout and prepare some of your items beforehand. Next, you need to get the HACCP certificate for your food truck’s design blueprint.
HACCP certification offers the confirmation of safety for consuming the products you’re selling. After getting the HACCP certification, you need to get it approved by the government.
3. Select Your Location
Make sure to research and plan well because food trucks in Dubai aren’t permitted to move and hence need to be in a pre-defined location. Look around the city for the best locations and eating spots where you can get more profit. Since private landlords often own these areas, the locations can be limited. Food trucks are now opening everywhere in Dubai. Some popular locations include Kite Beach and Palm Jumeirah.
4. Get the License, Buy a Truck, and Get Started
Your truck should be fit-out, and the authorities must approve it. The truck should have a kitchen, proper ventilation, and be able to handle the heat. Now, it’s time to get your truck license as well. Once you have the food truck license, you’re all prepared to cook and serve your food. Make sure your food is worth it!
Food Truck License Cost in Dubai
Well, how much would it cost to start a Dubai food truck business? The costs of starting a food truck business depend on several factors like the food style you’ll serve, the decided location, and your truck’s layout. Considering the cost on average, it should be around 130,000 to 140,000 AED.
This includes a cost of around 35,000 AED for a good food truck and a rental cost of around 15,000 AED to 25,000 AED every month, based on your location. Besides this, you also need to cover the approval and license costs.
While opening a food truck in Dubai is not a small project, it still costs much less than launching a restaurant.
Final Words
Hopefully, you are now fully equipped with the proper knowledge of setting up and starting your Dubai food truck business. The process isn’t too complex, yet you’ll need to have some background knowledge. If you want to get started today, you can always get some help from business consultant services!
