Food trucks are one of the most profitable ventures that you can start. They operate with little overhead and have a reputation for having excellent food. Plus, you don't have to worry about owning a restaurant and the high costs that come with it. In fact, if you're not making good profits where you are, you can move to a new location and set up a shop to reach even more customers.
While starting a food truck business is a great idea, if you want to start one in Virginia, you'll likely need a license to sell food. Plus, you might have to make deals with local businesses or obtain parking permits. Thankfully, we're here to help, so read on to learn more about how to start a food truck in Virginia.
How to Start a Food Truck Business In Virginia
How to Start a Business in Virginia
Choose a Registered Agent in Virginia
What You Need to Start a Food Truck Business in Virginia
Starting a Food Truck Business in Virginia FAQ
Contents
Thinking about starting an LLC in Virginia? We’ve got all the details you need.
Begin by selecting a unique business name, appointing a registered agent, and filing your Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which includes a $100 processing fee.
You can do this independently, consult with a business attorney for specialized legal guidance, or join the other 75% of our readers and hire a specialized Virginia LLC formation service (recommended).
Zenbusiness (Starting at $0 Plus State Fees)
How to Start a Business in Virginia
Starting a food truck business is an exciting way to get some of your meals out there and could be the business that takes your life to the next level. However, it’s important to avoid jumping right in without learning about how to start a business in Virginia first. You’ll need a license to sell food in the state, and it might be smart to form an LLC as well. Learn more about what you need to start a food truck business in Virginia down below.
A Business License
When you want to open up any type of business in Virginia you’ll need a license. Thankfully, getting a license is one of the simpler parts of the process. To get your license, you need to apply to the organization in your jurisdiction that’s in charge of handling the business licenses. Every county has different rules and regulations, so it’s a good idea to check before submitting any paperwork.
To get a business license in VA, you’ll usually need the following information:
- EIN
- Business classification: LLC, sole proprietorships, partnership, or DBA
- The name of your business
- Address and phone number
- A business plan for your food truck
- COI for your business insurance
Once you submit this information, you can apply for your business license and get started with your food truck business.
How Much Does a Business License Cost in Virginia?
Business licenses cost anywhere from $15 to $50 in Virginia. Ultimately, it comes down to where your business is located because different counties and jurisdictions have different rules. Also, if you’re projected to make more than $100,000, it might cost upwards of 30 cents for every $100 of profit, so keep this in mind.
Consider an LLC
When it comes to a food truck, there will be liability because you’re serving food. Therefore, make sure you consider forming an LLC. An LLC, or limited liability company, protects you from getting personally sued – instead of people suing you for your own money, they can only sue the company’s assets. Whenever you plan on doing business, even if it’s small, starting an LLC is a good idea.
Choose a Registered Agent in Virginia
If you’ve opted to set up your business as an LLC or corporation in Virginia, the next step is to appoint a registered agent. This is a necessary requirement when drafting your Articles of Organization, the document needed to officially file and register your LLC or corporation with the State Corporation Commission.
But what does a registered agent do? A registered agent is an individual or business entity tasked with receiving important documents on behalf of your business, including tax forms, legal notices, lawsuits, and official government correspondence. In essence, the registered agent serves as the primary point of contact between your business and the state.
Who can be a registered agent? The registered agent must either be a Virginia resident or a corporation authorized to conduct business in the state, such as a registered agent service. If you choose to act as your own registered agent, you’ll need to designate an individual within your company, as Virginia law prohibits business entities from serving as their own registered agents.
For more detailed information on the requirements for registered agents in Virginia, refer to Chapter 12, Article 3 of the Code of Virginia.
Don’t forget that to run a business, you need to: register a business entity (LLC is the most suitable option, more details here), obtain an EIN (you can apply online here), open a business bank account (more details here), understand accounting and taxes (more details here), and register a domain and create a website (this is optional, you can do it here).
Alternatively, you can delegate all of this to a registered agent starting from $0 + State Fees and get everything done in 1 day. This can save you time and ensure everything is done correctly, leaving you to focus on growing your business.
What You Need to Start a Food Truck Business in Virginia
Once you form an LLC and get your business license, it’s time to focus on starting the food truck business. You’ll need a handful of permits and additional licenses to start a business that sells food in Virginia, especially out of a truck, so learn more below.
Food Seller’s Permit
First and foremost, you need a permit that allows you to sell food in Virginia. This is known as a Food Seller’s Permit, and it’s similar to other sellers’ permits in the state. The biggest difference is that this one is specific to food. You need this permit because it helps you pay taxes in your area of operation. Therefore, you need this permit to remain compliant.
Mobile Food Facility Permit
The most important permit that you need to start a food truck business in Virginia is the Mobile Food Facility Permit. Essentially, it’s the permit that allows you to sell food from a truck. To get this permit, you need to let the county know what type of food you plan on selling, how it’s cooked, what it’s cooked with, and how much preparation goes into making the meal. Overall, the town wants to learn and understand your whole business.
From there, you have to get approved. This entails having someone look over the truck, your cooking utensils, and the food itself. You must pass this inspection to get licensed to sell food from a truck in VA.
Public Health and Employee Health Permit
Most counties in Virginia require a Public Health Permit if you plan on selling any type of food. This permit is there to ensure that a business’s facilities and food are up to public health standards. Therefore, you might have to have someone inspect your truck and the food you plan on selling.
Aside from keeping the public healthy, you’ll also need to keep your employees healthy. To do so, you’ll need a ServSafe permit, also known as an Employee Health Permit. The purpose of this permit is to ensure that every employee knows how to do their job properly.
Zoning Permits
Permits are something that every food truck owner will need, whether it’s to sell food or park your truck somewhere. That said, the types of permits you need for a food truck vary based on how the truck operates. For example, in London County, Virginia if the food truck remains on wheels, doesn’t have plumbing, and remains mobile, you won’t need a zoning permit. Additionally, all food preparation needs to be done on the truck and can’t extend beyond the truck, even if you just have a table.
On the other hand, if your food truck is connected to an establishment’s water and electricity, you’ll need to get a zoning permit. Based on regulations in other counties, this seems to be the norm across the state of Virginia, so keep this in mind when you want to open a food truck.
There are also some exceptions for events, parking at bars or breweries, and setting up in parks. That said, it’s important to check with your local town’s regulations to determine if you need a permit.
Business Insurance
When it comes to food trucks, insurance is key. While having an LLC will provide some liability for you, insurance for your business will keep your company even more protected. Plus, with a food truck, your insurance needs are two-fold. You’ll need insurance for the vehicle to legally drive it on roads in Virginia, and you’ll also need small business insurance to protect your company.
In Virginia, you can customize the type of insurance you have to cover anything you need. For example, you can cover ovens, stoves, and other properties within the vehicle or the trailer itself if it’s not something with an engine.
Other Food Truck Requirements to Consider
When it comes to food truck regulations, you’ll also need to comply with several other rules that apply to food trucks. Some food truck requirements to consider include:
- Food safety ordinances
- OSHA regulations and location requirements
- Tax laws and additional permits for specific food items
- Temperature control regulations
- Parking regulations
- Liquor laws and partnering with local establishments to help your customers have access to liquor
- Public health laws
Depending on your jurisdiction, there may also be other rules that you need to consider.
Starting a Food Truck Business in Virginia FAQ
Have questions about getting started? Find answers to some of the most common food truck questions down below.
Can You Sell Food Without a License in Virginia?
Yes and no. If you want to sell food from a food truck in Virginia, you’ll have to get a license and a permit for your food truck. This is because food is considered a tangible good, and it’s subject to sales tax. Additionally, local governments take measures to ensure that the food is safe to eat and serve to the public. Therefore, if you plan on opening a food truck and selling food out of it, you’ll need a permit.
That said, it is possible to sell food from a home kitchen without a permit. According to the Institute for Justice, the state doesn’t have any registration requirements or fees. While you can do this, it’s not something you can do with a food truck, so we don’t recommend going around that.
How Much Does Starting a Food Truck Business Cost in Virginia?
You’ll also need to find a food truck or create your own if you want to start a food truck business. You can either look for food trucks for sale or convert a van or truck into a truck that can cook or sell food. Additionally, you can get a trailer that attaches to the back of your truck. From there, you can use the trailer to cook. While it’s not exactly a food truck, it’s the same concept.
How Much Is a Food Truck Permit in Virginia?
In Virginia, the permit for food trucks will cost you about $40. You need to send the fee to your jurisdiction’s health department to be approved, and you might need an inspection. From there, you have to renew the permit each year. Also, some jurisdictions might have different fees and rules surrounding food truck permits.
Can Food Trucks Sell Alcohol in Virginia?
No, food trucks can’t sell alcohol in Virginia. They can’t sell alcohol because the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABCA) doesn’t have a license available for mobile bartending operations or mobile restaurants. Unfortunately, this also includes food trucks.
You could work around the issue by opening a food truck that only remains in one place, but that would defeat the purpose. Therefore, it might be challenging to sell liquor and other types of alcohol from a food truck – if you want to have your truck near a place that sells alcohol, we recommend parking near a bar or working out a deal with a local, licensed establishment.
Get Your Food Business Rolling Today!
Food trucks will always be a viable option because you can take your delicious cooking on the go. While starting one isn’t challenging, it’s important to go through the right process to avoid violating any policies in your jurisdictions. Also, make sure you follow the appropriate steps to start or form your company as well as any steps you need to take to start a food truck company.