How to start a street food business without a hitch

Starting a street food business can be scary due to the bureaucratic marathon, but the path is less uphill with the right means. Let us walk you through the licences, permits and requirements for a successful mobile post.

Why street food?

Street food is a well-established business format that has conquered Italian restaurants in recent years. According to the latest data, in fact, street food businesses increased from 1,717 in 2013 to 2,729 in 2018 . The secret of this success? People like the idea and also a lot because it responds to the new needs of consumers. An itinerant activity makes it possible to meet the needs of young people, has lower costs than traditional establishments and allows you to offer customers excellent products, but at reasonable prices.

The most common stations in street commerce are carts and trucks, to differentiate the proposal you can focus on the ecological originality of the Techfood e-bike , awarded at the 2017 Barawards as the best tool and service accessory. Street Food E-Bike is the electric bicycle to be combined with customer-attracting solutions such as Ice N Roll for the summer season or Rondò Unika and Bubble Waffle for a winter offer.

It is perfect for an on the road venue because it allows you to reach every area of ​​the city , exceeding the limits of the restricted traffic area in full compliance with European standards . And speaking of limitations, let's look at some of the licenses you need to have for a traveling business.

What licenses are needed?

The legislation has been greatly simplified in recent years and provides for only two categories of authorisations.

Type A license

The type A license provides for a ten-year concession of a fixed parking space in a pre-established area . It is designed above all for itinerant activities on fixed squares and is issued by the reference Region. It is valid throughout the region and provides for the possibility of participating in trade fairs throughout Italy. It can be lost if the trade is not exercised regularly and too many absences accumulate.

Type B license

The type B licence, on the other hand, satisfies the needs of on-the-road commerce . It is therefore the most suitable for those who want to open a food trucker business. Compared to type A authorisation, the procedure is much simpler and free. The license is issued by the Municipality of residence by registered mail and allows itinerant sales and participation in fairs throughout the national territory.

What bureaucratic procedure to follow?

The bureaucratic process does not end with the possession of the licence. The next steps to take are:

1. Opening of the VAT number at the Revenue Agency;

2. Registration with INPS and INAIL;

3. Registration in the Chamber of Commerce Register of Companies.

License and bureaucratic process are, however, two of the five fundamental points for opening a street food business. Download our e-book guide to completing the start-up journey and starting a new business .