Concession Trailer Appliances a Growing Niche

As reported by Appliance Magazine, link to full article follows;

Consumers are increasingly interested in mobile foodservice, making food trucks a hot trend in the restaurant industry, according to new research from the National Restaurant Association.

Data from consumer surveying shows:
• 59% of consumers would likely to visit a food truck if their favorite restaurant offered one, up from 47% in 2010
• 18% saw a food truck in their community this summer
• 28% of those who saw a food truck made a mobile foodservice purchase

Food truck’s commercial appliance equipment list can vary greatly depending on the intended usage of the truck. Some trucks are equipped for complete, gourmet food preparation, with equipment including:

• refrigeration and freezers
• on-board electrical generators
• air-conditioning
• grills
• char-broilers
• fryers
• microwave ovens
• stovetops
• convection ovens
• cold beverage dispensers
• coffee and other hot beverage-making equipment
• cooking ventilation

Food trucks are viewed as a rising trend, not a passing fad, according to separate research performed by Technomic. It shows that 91% of consumers polled who are familiar with food trucks view the trend as having staying power and not a passing fad. Only 7% say they expect their frequency of visits to food trucks to decrease over the next year.

Technomic also pointed out that 70% of non-users are still hesitant to purchase food from mobile vehicles, which is probably the biggest current growth challenge. Once consumers gain exposure, the firm’s research shows, they seem to have very positive impressions of the experience.

Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association, points out that convenience is one of the big drivers of restaurant growth.

He said food trucks are often equated with chefs and entrepreneurs, but also offer the opportunity for operators of established restaurants to expand operations and enhance their presence.

Consumers living in the West (29%) and Northeast (24%) were much more likely than those in the South (15%) and Midwest (9%) to see a food truck parked in their community this summer, according to the restaurant association survey.

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