Rocket Van. A68 Scottish Borders.
Just started up and I need some driver feedback.
What you like and don’t like about food vans ,how can I improve my service?
Thanks in advance
The Rocket
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The Rocket Van:
Rocket Van. A68 Scottish Borders.Just started up and I need some driver feedback.
What you like and don’t like about food vans ,how can I improve my service?
Thanks in advance
The Rocket
Start by not giving us Sam and Ella.
There are more drivers that have been made ill from dodgy food vans than anything else. Many of them you would wipe your feet on the way out and I would be somewhat reluctant to purchase any food from them.
Problem with most is that they are just far too small to cook food in a hygienic manner, unlike ‘proper’ eating places that have separate staff washrooms, freezers, fridges and dedicated food preparation areas away from the serving counters.
Food van operator takes dirty coins and notes off customer then starts making sandwiches without first washing their hands… See it all the time…
Has no one asked for clean showers & toilets at the side yet
All free of course including the food 
LIBERTY_GUY:
There are more drivers that have been made ill from dodgy food vans than anything else. Many of them you would wipe your feet on the way out and I would be somewhat reluctant to purchase any food from them.Problem with most is that they are just far too small to cook food in a hygienic manner, unlike ‘proper’ eating places that have separate staff washrooms, freezers, fridges and dedicated food preparation areas away from the serving counters.
Food van operator takes dirty coins and notes off customer then starts making sandwiches without first washing their hands… See it all the time…
Washing hands after handling coins is a realy good point. Ways of working are key. Sticking to the routine and repeating the method is way to do it. I trained for a year at a good hotel Restaurant under a head chef and it tought me so much in how to handle food and yourself in a kitchen . Thanks for your input.
I aim to slowly build a good reputation and trust .
Good luck with it mate.
There’s lots of us non shrinking violets still use good vans regularly.
Fair value, tasty food and enough of it, not greasy spoon, proper mugs for use of but take away stuff for those on a mission.
One i use when i can get parked splits the french sticks and lightly toasts the surfaces on the griddle before filling with what seems to be half a pound of good bacon and about 3 eggs, lovely taste that toasting gives.
Proper sauces, eg HP or Daddies, catering tat just doesn’t cut it.
Equally important though, a bit of common courtesy, a welcome and a please and thankyou go a long way, far too many van owners/staff are sullen discourteous and miserable as sin.
Fresh pasta salad, make two flavours big batches every morning, don’t make it too funky either. Easiest hing in the world to make and I bet there is a good mark up on it. Never came across a van that does pasta except yown boring macaroni.
Have some fresh fruit on display no saying go mental couple eh bannanas and oranges.
I only know 3 decent snack bars in the whole eh Scotland mind I’ve no tried them all but the ones I have.
Guy in at newbridge opposite dpd, awesome selection especially around lunch time.
Guy outside sher bros in southside eh Glasgow cleaner than a 5 star restaurant so it is.
Terrys in Bellshill outside arco looks a tip fae a distance but it’s good grub, always watch them making good and if they do summit dodgy hygiene wise never use it again.
Snack bars become successful when drivers pass it and it’s mobbed and cana get parked you hink to yourself that must be decent stop there next time.
Juddian:
Good luck with it mate.There’s lots of us non shrinking violets still use good vans regularly.
Fair value, tasty food and enough of it, not greasy spoon, proper mugs for use of but take away stuff for those on a mission.
One i use when i can get parked splits the french sticks and lightly toasts the surfaces on the griddle before filling with what seems to be half a pound of good bacon and about 3 eggs, lovely taste that toasting gives.
Proper sauces, eg HP or Daddies, catering tat just doesn’t cut it.
Equally important though, a bit of common courtesy, a welcome and a please and thankyou go a long way, far too many van owners/staff are sullen discourteous and miserable as sin.
Thanks for the feedback and the good luck message. I will be taking up the French Stick idea. Sounds a good un to me that. Thanks again.
merc0447:
Fresh pasta salad, make two flavours big batches every morning, don’t make it too funky either. Easiest hing in the world to make and I bet there is a good mark up on it. Never came across a van that does pasta except yown boring macaroni.Have some fresh fruit on display no saying go mental couple eh bannanas and oranges.
I only know 3 decent snack bars in the whole eh Scotland mind I’ve no tried them all but the ones I have.
Guy in at newbridge opposite dpd, awesome selection especially around lunch time.
Guy outside sher bros in southside eh Glasgow cleaner than a 5 star restaurant so it is.
Terrys in Bellshill outside arco looks a tip fae a distance but it’s good grub, always watch them making good and if they do summit dodgy hygiene wise never use it again.Snack bars become successful when drivers pass it and it’s mobbed and cana get parked you hink to yourself that must be decent stop there next time.
Fruit, of course. Simple to eat on the go ,apples and Bannanas especially . Thanks for your time and imput.
Stock up on top brand energy drinks.And low value brands so the customer has a choice in prices.
Have good quality coffee.Not the ditchwater served in other tea vans.
Steak sells well as a baguette or sandwhich.
One van did exotic meats at Morrisons Bridgwater Somerset.
They sold vennison,wild boar,ostrich and zebra burgers.Not a wind up.
Hunters Chicken would sell well.Cubed chicken with bacon and cheese.
Pulled pork,you will get them queuing up for that.
Mexican food is popular.Burritos to tacos.
Pizza is a winner.
Croissants for breakfast or pain au chocalate.
Homemade cakes such as coffee and walnut and lemon cake.
A bottle of hand gel to sterilise the hands of customers if they want to.
Id like to think that truckers are eating more healthy these days, the selection at these road side vans can be pretty limited,its difficult if there are no toilet facilities but if you can offer variety both hot and cold then your on to a winner…
First impressions count, quality clean van and food prep area, staff working with clean aprons and wash there hands … if your serious about drumming up a good trade, might be an idea to get your local environmental health to have a look over ya van and get you a overall hygiene rating…
Freshly cooked food at a decent price, to order with none of the pre cooked crap, food that isn’t swimming in more grease than whats on my axles… beverages that have flavour, none value tea and coffee…
If the quality is there, then you’ll get drivers come back and they also spread the word… 
The Rocket Van:
Rocket Van. A68 Scottish Borders.Just started up and I need some driver feedback.
What you like and don’t like about food vans ,how can I improve my service?
Thanks in advance
The Rocket
do you have separate toilet and washing facilities for staff away from the main van 
or is it a case of in the bushes when no customers about
Juddian:
Good luck with it mate.There’s lots of us non shrinking violets still use good vans regularly.
Fair value, tasty food and enough of it, not greasy spoon, proper mugs for use of but take away stuff for those on a mission.
One i use when i can get parked splits the french sticks and lightly toasts the surfaces on the griddle before filling with what seems to be half a pound of good bacon and about 3 eggs, lovely taste that toasting gives.
Proper sauces, eg HP or Daddies, catering tat just doesn’t cut it.
Equally important though, a bit of common courtesy, a welcome and a please and thankyou go a long way, far too many van owners/staff are sullen discourteous and miserable as sin.
I was with you all the way until you said or daddy’s!
Only brown sauce HAS to be HP anything else is rubbish!
If I saw a sign offering locally sourced farm bacon/eggs/sausages then i’d stop for a bite. I can’t stand the cheap crap that’s currently on offer at most snack vans so I avoid them. There’s one that I stop at only because they do jacket potatoes, as a healthier option. Hope it helps
The Rocket Van:
Rocket Van. A68 Scottish Borders.Just started up and I need some driver feedback.
What you like and don’t like about food vans ,how can I improve my service?
Thanks in advance
The Rocket
Go and have a word with a local butcher. Most are struggling, and would welcome a chance for the extra business. I would happily pay a little extra for nice, home made sausages and burgers and decent dry cured bacon. But, whatever you do, avoid the £10 per ton, paste filled sausages and the 80% water, 10% salt bacon from the bargain basement bin at the local cash and carry. I Use the A68 often, and I’ll stop and give you a try, but you only get one chance.
Swampey2418:
Id like to think that truckers are eating more healthy these days
I think truckers are better informed nowadays and realise that sitting on their butts for long periods combined with constant unhealthy eating can pay them back with interest later on in life… 
OK I had chips yesterday, but am just having a cheese and salad sandwich now… 
Rocket man, don’t fall into the usual trap of thinking drivers only want sausage or bacon sandwiches if they pull up. Places that offer little choice, seldom get repeat business.
Love spam
Don’t smoke near my food
Don’t give me c.diff
Don’t give me salmonella
Don’t wash your dishes in the same sink after you had a toilet vacation.
Don’t use the same water you use to provide tea and coffee to clean your hands in.
Don’t buy a budget trailer.
Hygiene & quality ingredients.
The Rocket Van:
… how can I improve my service?
Hi,
I’ve no idea whether you’ve considered this, but have a look at your hours of business… far too many vans close at around 2-3pm.
The traditional early start and early finish are a thing of the past for drivers, so if you’ve not considered the above, then you’re possibly losing some trade.