3 Tips for Hiring Your First Food Truck Employee

If you have big ambitions for your mobile food business, eventually (perhaps even at start up) you’re going to have so much to do that you can’t do it all yourself. Eventually, all successful mobile food businesses will have to start taking on employees. This is when the fun begins. When that day comes, it’s time to hire your first food truck employee.

3 tips to help hiring your first food truck employee:

Hiring your first food truck employee is going to be a little different than the hiring you do down the road. Your first employees help set the tone for your business, including company culture.

Knowledge First

You can’t just hire people, pay them with a wad of cash every two weeks and then lather, rinse, repeat. Start by learning everything you need to know about becoming an employer.

The Small Business Administration outlines the steps you need to take and everything you need to consider. They include getting an employer identification number (EIN), tax withholding, wage and tax reporting, employee eligibility verification, workers’ compensation insurance, quarterly federal taxes and record keeping requirements.

There’s a lot to think about, but it’s manageable. Now that you have the government’s blessing, it’s time to work on a hiring strategy.

Define Roles

When making your first official hires, it’s better to go with clearly defined roles. That means taking stock of the tasks that you need a hand with and creating a position in support of those needs. Are you going to be working in the kitchen or working directly with your customers?

The answer to this question will help you to determine what type of skill set you are looking for in your first food truck employee(s). Remember that a little flexibility doesn’t hurt. Help your employees spread their wings and can help them help you grow your food truck business.

Food Truck Business Culture

Another important factor to consider before making your first hire is your food truck’s culture. What values, traditions and practices do you want to shape your mobile food business? Once you’ve figured out what kind of workplace and culture you want, the better your chances of finding someone who shares that vision.

Once you’ve determined what defines your food truck as a workplace, look for hires that fit the bill. If your employee’s share your vision, they’re more likely to excel in their jobs. They will also stick around long enough to help you succeed.

The Bottom Line

Beyond all of the standard issues that come with hiring your first food truck employee remember that their are additional costs to your truck’s bottom line and reputation.

This article was developed to show you some of the steps and precautions you should follow to ensure you make informed decisions. Ultimately, we want you to find the right people for your food truck. So start by following these 3 easy steps to finding your first food truck employee.

If you are an old hat at hiring, what tips would share with vendors looking to hire their first food truck employee? Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section, our food truck forum or social media. Twitter | Facebook