Feasibility of a living and operating out of a coffee cart?
- hipporun
- Posts: 192
- Joined: 9 years ago
This has always been a fantasy of mine, and today AM classes were cancelled, so I am sitting here, drinking coffee, reading and daydreaming the future of my coffee operations.
Logistically, how feasible would it be to run a coffee business out of a medium sized vehicle, such as an Airstream or VW van, sell coffee (maybe have on board a single group spro machine, two V60s, a tower or electric kettles my Huky 500 and a generator plus necessary equipment) and have a small sleeping quarter. I'm not talking long term- just spend a few years on the road, traveling around the country, rock climbing, and selling coffee to support cost of living. (Which should be cheap- food and gas are the biggest expenditures).
Again, just daydreaming, but I could see myself living like this for awhile. I am a minimalistic kind of guy, and not a huge fan of roots or consolidation.
Logistically, how feasible would it be to run a coffee business out of a medium sized vehicle, such as an Airstream or VW van, sell coffee (maybe have on board a single group spro machine, two V60s, a tower or electric kettles my Huky 500 and a generator plus necessary equipment) and have a small sleeping quarter. I'm not talking long term- just spend a few years on the road, traveling around the country, rock climbing, and selling coffee to support cost of living. (Which should be cheap- food and gas are the biggest expenditures).
Again, just daydreaming, but I could see myself living like this for awhile. I am a minimalistic kind of guy, and not a huge fan of roots or consolidation.
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- Joined: 10 years ago
With the popularity of food trucks everywhere, local health departments are cracking down. Gone are the days of "asking forgiveness is easier then asking permission". Without proper permits the truck could be seized. Living in the truck wouldn't be allow if you're selling food out of truck. You could have a pull behind coffee trailer that's self contained and live out of the tow vehicle. Being on the road selling coffee does sound wonderful! Best to you!
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In Greece you could make a living like this. Even though in crisis we appreciate good coffee and don't lose any chance to get it
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- Joined: 9 years ago
+1cafe102 wrote:With the popularity of food trucks everywhere, local health departments are cracking down. Gone are the days of "asking forgiveness is easier then asking permission". Without proper permits the truck could be seized. Living in the truck wouldn't be allow if you're selling food out of truck. You could have a pull behind coffee trailer that's self contained and live out of the tow vehicle. Being on the road selling coffee does sound wonderful! Best to you!
As a person actually building and starting a mobile coffe cart from the ground up, the interactions with the health department in my state/county have been disastrous. The problem with doing mobile coffee is milk. It's deemed a hazardous material and they take the waste and use of milk in an open environment very seriously. Not to mention that I have to register with each and every county I want to do business in. It's going to be A LOT of work to do this cross country and will take A LOT of money in local business license fees, health department fees, sales tax everywhere you go, income tax in some places and I'm sure lots of other things I'm forgetting. I don't know if you've ever owned a business but it's not as easy as just setting up and selling stuff. There's a lot of behind the scenes "red tape." Fees and licensing would be your biggest expense, not gas. I pay $425 a year just to be registered with the health department in my county; imagine doing that in every different county you plan on being in. I'm not trying to bust your bubble or shoot down your dreams; just being realistic with you and hoping you've thought about these things before you start this journey. If you ever need advice on the mobile thing, shoot me a PM!
LMWDP #544
- hipporun (original poster)
- Posts: 192
- Joined: 9 years ago
This is definitely on the table. Born and raised in the States, I am actually Greek and have some family in the country still. Do you have any idea what the regulations in Greece would be like? Sounds like they are very strict in the states making it not feasible.greekbarista wrote:In Greece you could make a living like this. Even though in crisis we appreciate good coffee and don't lose any chance to get it
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Since you re raised in the states you 'll get a little cultural shock if you try to do this in Greece because of all the beaurocracy.
Now about licensing, i don't know how it is exactly because laws change every year. I don't thing that the regulations are strict BUT be prepared to pay a lot of taxes.
You have to keep in mind that you have VAT 24% (Value added tax, sth like a sales tax) Income tax 29% and manadatory health and pension insurance (sth like almost 20-30% of your gross win) and of course you need greek (or any other EU) citizenship. Otherwise there will be more paper work for a work permit
Now about licensing, i don't know how it is exactly because laws change every year. I don't thing that the regulations are strict BUT be prepared to pay a lot of taxes.
You have to keep in mind that you have VAT 24% (Value added tax, sth like a sales tax) Income tax 29% and manadatory health and pension insurance (sth like almost 20-30% of your gross win) and of course you need greek (or any other EU) citizenship. Otherwise there will be more paper work for a work permit
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...sounds like your best option for avoiding regulation and bureaucracy is a coffee rowboat in international waters
- hipporun (original poster)
- Posts: 192
- Joined: 9 years ago
A coffee pirate sailed the ocean blue...
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- Joined: 8 years ago
hey hipporun i found a link about licensing in Greece. Hope you understand greek since you are greek
http://www.ermis.gov.gr/portal/pls/port ... d=11126321
Hope this helps
http://www.ermis.gov.gr/portal/pls/port ... d=11126321
Hope this helps