Based on our conversation with Morgan Perry of the Mid-Continent Public Library System, I’m excited to share expanded insights on organizing a successful food truck business workshop. The library’s 6-week food truck business course in Kansas City provides an excellent blueprint that communities across the country can adapt to their local needs. Here’s a comprehensive guide with practical examples to help you create your own impactful program.
Main Steps for Setting Up Your Workshop
1. Partner with Local Resources
Libraries aren’t just for books anymore—they’ve evolved into community hubs for education and entrepreneurship. The Mid-Continent Public Library exemplifies this by offering business services alongside traditional library resources.
Real-world example: When Morgan Perry initiated the food truck workshop, she leveraged the library’s Square One Small Business Services department, which already had connections with local business experts and entrepreneurs. They provided free meeting spaces equipped with presentation technology, promotional support through their established communication channels, and access to their business reference materials.
How to implement: Begin by researching local institutions with business development programs. Beyond libraries, consider community colleges, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE chapters, and economic development agencies. Schedule initial meetings to discuss partnership possibilities, emphasizing the mutual benefits of supporting local entrepreneurship.
Pro tip: “We discovered that our local SBDC was eager to co-sponsor the workshop because it helped them reach a new audience of potential clients,” Perry noted. “This partnership doubled our expert resources without adding costs.”
2. Design a Structured Curriculum
A well-planned curriculum ensures participants receive comprehensive knowledge while maintaining engagement throughout the program.
Real-world example: The Mid-Continent workshop divided its 6-week course into distinct modules:
- Week 1: Food Truck Industry Overview & Business Basics
- Week 2: Regulations, Permits & Health Department Requirements
- Week 3: Truck Design & Equipment Specifications
- Week 4: Menu Development & Food Costing
- Week 5: Marketing & Social Media Strategies
- Week 6: Financing Options & Business Plan Finalization
How to implement: Start by identifying the most critical knowledge gaps for food truck entrepreneurs in your area. Research local regulations and common pitfalls specific to your region. Create a logical progression of topics that builds from foundational concepts to specialized knowledge.
Pro tip: Morgan emphasized the importance of homework between sessions: “We asked participants to complete specific tasks between meetings—like researching three possible truck builders or calculating food costs for five menu items. This maintained momentum and ensured they were actively building their business while learning.”
Studying the food truck business.
3. Bring in Industry Experts
Nothing compares to learning from those who have already traveled the entrepreneurial path you’re considering.
Real-world example: The Kansas City workshop featured Bochi Truck owner Ana Manzano, who shared her journey from concept to profitable business. She brought her actual initial business plan, photos documenting her truck build-out process, and transparent financial information showing her first year of operations. Participants could see realistic startup costs and revenue projections based on her experience.
How to implement: Identify successful food truck owners in your region who represent different cuisine types and business models. Consider including:
- A food truck owner who transitioned from a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
- A first-time entrepreneur who built their business from scratch.
- A food truck that expanded into multiple units or other business models.
Pro tip: “We made sure to include Jazzy B’s Food Truck because they had only been operating for 18 months—their startup challenges were still fresh, making their advice particularly relevant to our participants,” Perry explained.
4. Provide Hands-On Learning
Theoretical knowledge must be balanced with practical application for maximum impact.
Real-world example: Workshop participants visited a local commissary kitchen where several food trucks prepared their offerings. They observed morning prep routines, discussed efficient workflow in limited spaces, and learned about shared resource opportunities. The health department inspector who participated demonstrated actual inspection procedures on a truck, highlighting common compliance issues.
How to implement: Arrange for:
- Tours of commissary kitchens or food truck hubs.
- Equipment demonstrations from truck builders or outfitters.
- Sample business plan templates and financial spreadsheets customized for mobile food businesses.
- Taste-testing sessions where participants can practice describing their concept and gathering feedback.
Pro tip: “We created a simplified ‘Food Truck Financial Forecast’ spreadsheet that included categories specific to mobile food operations—like generator maintenance, propane costs, and event application fees—that traditional restaurant budgets might overlook,” shared Perry.
Do you sell during the winter?
5. Build Community Connections
A supportive network significantly increases the chances of entrepreneurial success.
Real-world example: The Mid-Continent workshop created a private social media group for participants to share resources and ask questions between sessions. They also organized a “Food Truck Showcase” where graduates could present their concepts to potential investors, commissary kitchen representatives, and event coordinators looking for vendors.
How to implement:
- Create forums for ongoing communication among participants.
- Develop a mentor matching program pairing new entrepreneurs with established operators.
- Compile a resource directory of service providers familiar with the food truck industry.
- Organize networking events where food truck owners can connect with event planners and potential corporate clients.
Pro tip: “Several participants formed informal partnerships after the program—one focused on breakfast items would work morning events, then sublease their spot to another graduate who specialized in lunch offerings. These collaborative relationships helped both businesses maximize revenues while reducing individual costs,” noted Perry.
6. Measure and Sustain Impact
Creating mechanisms for feedback and continued support extends the workshop’s value long after the formal sessions end.
Real-world example: The library implemented a three-part evaluation system: immediate post-workshop surveys, six-month follow-up interviews, and tracking of actual business launches. This data helped refine future workshops and demonstrated the program’s economic impact to stakeholders and funders.
How to implement:
- Develop evaluation tools that capture both satisfaction and outcomes.
- Create advanced or topic-specific follow-up sessions based on participant feedback.
- Establish an alumni network that supports new cohorts.
- Document success stories for promotional materials and funding requests.
Pro tip: “We found that 40% of our participants ultimately decided a food truck wasn’t right for them—but we consider that a success too. Better to discover that during a workshop than after investing thousands in equipment,” Perry explained.
Remember Morgan Perry’s powerful advice: “Whatever you’re doing in life it’s all about asking someone. Talk it out with somebody. Every community has free resources for business education. You just need to start looking and when you get those no’s, because they will be there, you just have to ask again.”
By thoughtfully combining local resources, expert knowledge, and hands-on learning opportunities, you can create a workshop that transforms culinary dreams into sustainable mobile food businesses that enrich your community’s economic and cultural landscape.
Key Quote
Whatever you’re doing in life it’s all about asking someone. Talk it out with somebody. Every community has free resources for business education. You just need to start looking and when you get those no’s, because they will be there, you just have to ask again. – Morgan Perry of Mid-Continent Public Library
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