Consulting Services
The WSFTA has a very unique perspective and understanding of all aspects of the mobile food industry in WA. We are a member of the WA State Department of Health - Retail Food Safety Advisory Council, and we have actively worked on reviewing and updating every section of the WA State Food Code. We are also a voting-member of the WA State L&I Factory Assembled Structures Board. We have assisted almost a thousand new food truck operators as they were getting started in the industry, and we have helped hundreds of existing food truck operators resolve regulatory issues and other problems. We offer consulting to new and existing mobile food vendors, state & local governments, event planners, property owners, property managers, and others.
All consultations are done by phone. Below are some common topics:
New Vendors (non-WSFTA members) - If you are new to the food truck industry, and would like some help getting started, we can offer you guidance regarding the entire start-up process, including information about L&I requirements, permits, licenses, and state & local laws for mobile food vending. We can help you navigate the often complicated start-up process, and help you avoid making some costly mistakes.
We can help new vendors complete their health department application, line by line. We’ve helped hundreds of vendors complete this paperwork, and we can help you too.
*This information and support is always available to WSFTA members, without the need to pay for consulting.
Established Vendors (non-WSFTA members) - If you are a current mobile food vendor and would like some advice on how to improve and grow your business, we can offer consulting on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to: establishing the best locations, branding, menu selection, pricing, event participation, and optimal use of social media.
*This information and support is always available to WSFTA members, without the need to pay for consulting.
Vendors with Regulatory Problems (non-WSFTA members) - We can assist and advise vendors regarding a wide range of issues with state or local regulators.
*This information and support is always available to WSFTA members, without the need to pay for consulting.
Large Event Planners - There are many unique logistical concerns when hosting food trucks at your event (e.g. state & local fire regulations, city regulations, county regulations, permits, licenses, insurance, etc…). Learn how to find and book the most reliable and reputable food trucks, understand how to properly compensate or charge mobile vendors, and learn how to navigate the often complicated event coordinating process and avoid jeopardizing the success of your event. If your event will have over 300-attendees, AND you are planning to charge the food trucks a vending fee, your event should meet the WSFTA Large Event Guidelines.
City Government: We can provide feedback and guidance regarding current or newly-proposed regulations for mobile food vending. We can share experiences learned from working with other jurisdictions and can advise in the creation of vending codes that are fair, reasonable, and well-suited to meet the specific needs and challenges of each individual city or county. We can offer consultation, and/or partnership, regarding establishing and managing food truck pilot programs. We can provide consultation on the design, establishment, and ongoing management of food truck parks and commissary kitchens for mobile food vendors. We can advise cities on ways to successfully incorporate food trucks into large city events and ways to utilize food trucks to revitalize specific parts of the city. Also see our Guidance for cities page here.
Property Managers, Developers & Owners: If you’re interested in establishing a new vending location for one food truck, or a food truck park for multiple food trucks, we can provide you with information regarding logistics, minimum site requirements, and the optimal layout/design to accommodate food trucks, trailers, and carts. Consultation can also include information regarding state & local health code requirements, state & local fire regulations, license & permits, insurance, tips on attracting high-quality and reliable mobile food vendors, lot management, marketing & promotion, vetting vendors, sales data reporting & analysis, and much more….
Commissary Kitchen Builders & Operators: If you’re planning to build a new commissary kitchen, or remodel an existing kitchen, to meet the unique needs of mobile food vendors we can help. We can provide consulting regarding location, layout/design, state & local regulations, pricing, and the specific needs and preferences of mobile food vendors.
State Food Truck Associations: If you are planning to start a food truck association in your state, or your existing state-level organization needs some advice or guidance, we can help. We offer consultation regarding, but not limited to: establish a new association, building membership, funding the association, successful lobbying & advocacy, establishing food truck pilot programs, managing daily vending locations, hosting large events, and much more…. We have assisted the Food Truck Association of Georgia, North Texas Food Truck Association, Oregon Mobile Food Vendors Association, and others….
Scheduling Your Consulting Session:
If you would like to schedule a consulting session please include plenty of information on the form below regarding your current situation and any specific questions or concerns that you would like to discuss during your consultation. Providing us with this information will help us better prepare for your consulting session.
Consulting sessions are paid in advance at a rate of $160.00/hour. There is a 1-hour minimum.
Both the completed form below, and the payment, must be received prior to an appointment being scheduled.
STEP 1: Payment
STEP 2: Complete the form below
