It’s true that careless use of credit cards can put your food truck out of business faster than you can swipe your card. When used effectively, business credit cards can simplify your financial record keeping for your mobile food business. Not only that, they can even earn you a little something extra.

How business credit cards can help your food truck

Here are advantages that a business credit card can offer your food truck to help it grow and be profitable.

Separation of personal and business finances

Food truck owners know how important it is to keep personal finances separate from their food business finances. A simple way to do this is to obtain a business credit card that’s used only for business related purchases. When the statement comes, you’ll know without a doubt that every transaction listed is associated with your food truck business.

Track employee spending

Some food trucks have an employee who’s responsible for paying small bills or making purchases on behalf of the business. It can be time-consuming to require that every transaction get your approval before making the payment, especially if vendors come looking for payments when you’re out in the truck. An easier way to keep track of employee spending is to issue designated employees credit cards in their names, linked to your business account.

Most credit cards let you set monthly spending limits per card, so you’ll know your employees aren’t charging excessively.

When your billing statement arrives, the transactions will be itemized and divided based on which employee made the purchase. If an employee abuses their card, you’ll know before it gets out of hand.

Reduce time balancing your checkbook

When you get into the habit of using business credit cards to pay for all of your monthly expenses and purchases, you’ll benefit from the reduced time required to balance your checkbook. Instead of having numerous transactions in your checkbook each month, you’ll be able to write a single check to the credit card company.

If you get into the habit of paying the credit card in full each time the statement arrives, you can eliminate the need to pay interest on your purchases by using the grace period.

food truck credit card

Image by Chet Strange (https://cstrangephotography.blogspot.com)

Useful financial statements

In an effort to serve their customers better, many credit card companies offer a range of reports. In addition to monthly statements, you can also receive quarterly and annual reports to categorize your spending. These financial reports can make tax time a breeze. Instead of searching through boxes for statements, you’ll have just about everything you need on a single printout, categorized by the type of expense (gasoline, food, office supplies, miscellaneous, etc.).

Some credit card companies also allow you to generate custom reports as needed. If you need a list of all payments made to a specific vendor over a certain time period–enter in the details and print out your report!

Extra benefits of business credit cards

In addition to making your financial record keeping easier, using business credit cards to handle the majority of your business expenses and purchases allows you to accumulate rewards faster.

Choose a card with rewards you can use. If you actually have time to travel, go with a card that offers benefits. Airline miles, hotel stays, car rental discounts or free trips are common benefit options. If you don’t travel much (like most food truck owners), choose from one of the many other types of rewards cards, and save on office supplies or gasoline, or get cash back.

RELATED: Credit Card Financing Your Food Truck Business

The Bottom Line

Using business credit cards allows food truck vendors to increase productivity. How? That’s simple, because they help you save on time spent managing your financial records.

Do you have a seperate credit card for your food truck? Have you had any problems with it? Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section or social media. Facebook | Twitter