Watch the video.

The Beginning: How It All Started

One of our coffee partners at the time was also in the coffee van business, renting out vans to aspiring coffee entrepreneurs. We were offered the chance to trial a coffee van ourselves, and after much consideration, we decided to take the plunge.

The timing could not have been better. We were at a point where we were exploring the next step in growing and diversifying our coffee roastery business. In today’s competitive market, focusing solely on one product is risky. We knew we had to diversify by offering more products and services. Some options we considered included setting up a café or an espresso bar. Then, the opportunity for a mobile coffee van came along, and it piqued our interest.

Weighing the Options: Cafe, Espresso Bar or Coffee Van? 

Before jumping into anything, we took time to evaluate all our options carefully. We had to think about the “whats,” “whys,” “hows,” and “whens” of each option. We also considered capital investment, manpower capacity, and potential risks.

After listing the pros and cons, the mobile coffee van option stood out as the most viable for us. The costs of renting a space for a café or espresso bar were skyrocketing, especially with inflation driving up rental rates, wages, supply costs and utility bills. In contrast, renting a coffee van was a lower-cost, lower-risk was for us to test the waters without committing to a large-scale setup.

Taking the Leap: Renting a Coffee Van

Starting by renting a coffee van was the perfect first step. It allowed us to get a feel for the business without the high capital investment of buying a van outright. Renting also gave us the flexibility to experiment, grow and figure out if this mobile coffee business was sustainable in the long term.

That said, starting a business- any business- comes with its challenges. One of the early struggles we faced was finding regular locations or events where we could serve coffee. While the van’s mobility, is one of its greatest assets, it also meant we had to go out and find business. In the first few months, we knocked on doors, made phone calls, and hustled to secure venues and events that needed our coffee services.

Learning the Ropes: Challenges and Successes

As we learned the ins and outs of the coffee van business, we gained valuable experience that helped us shaped our business model we operate today. It has been a rewarding journey of growth and discovery, and we have learned enough to know what works and what does not.

For those of you considering starting a coffee van business, here is a tip from us: if you do not have any experience in food and beverage (F&B) industry or lack connections in the coffee scene, do not rush into buying a coffee van. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement, but proper planning is essential. We recommend starting by renting a van, just like we did, so you can test the waters without a significant financial commitment.

A Word of Caution: Plan Before You Leap

We have seen others in the coffee van business jump in too quickly. One of our former coffee partners bought a van without much forethought, and unfortunately, after just a few months, the business could not sustain itself. Without a solid plan and the right market research, even a great idea can struggle to thrive.

If you are curious about the coffee van business but unsure where to start, feel free to contact us! We also offer coffee van rentals for those wanting to try it out before diving it fully. We would be happy to chat about our experiences and how we can help.

Stay Tuned: More to Come! 

This is just the beginning of our coffee van story, and we are excited to share more of our journey with you. Stay tuned for future blog posts where we will share more insights on what it takes to run a coffee van business, the lessons we have learned, and the adventures we have had along the way.

If you are as passionate about coffee as we are and want to learn more about our mobile coffee adventures, follow us for updates. And of course, if you are looking for a coffee van for your event, we would love to serve up some coffee-licious goodness for you!