Blue Corn & Co.

Research Report

Kaela Chavez

English 2210: Professional and Technical Communications

Sandra Rouke

December 8th, 2019

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Abstract

“Blue Corn & Co.”

Kaela Chavez

Food trucks have been growing in popularity every single year, in the last five years

alone the mobile food business has increased by 7%. As the industry increases, it is smart to take

advantage of that popularity and start one of my own. Many women in my family have

successfully started and run their restaurants from the ground up. I have worked in the food

industry for years, working in different positions too, where I was able to see what made the

restaurant run smoothly or not. I have taken culinary courses before, I like to claim to be more of

a self-taught chef. I know how to run a kitchen successfully from home and work. I have also

witnessed first-hand businesses getting started from nothing. If anyone were to be able to take

this idea off the ground it is me. New Mexico encourages small business owners to create their

ideas and make them into reality. The mobile food business is flourishing, the registration and

permit process is very simple. With my prior knowledge and research, I have the right materials

to create my idea and turn it into a successful food truck.

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Table of Contents

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...……1

Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………...3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………....4

Research Methods………………………………………………………………………………..5

Task 1: Research food truck business models to successfully create my own………...…5

Task 2: Research target markets…………………………………………………………..5

Task 3: Research the necessary Permits, Registration, and Financing for starting a local

business…………………………………………………………………....………………5

Task 4: Create a menu and find suppliers…………………………………………………6

Task 5: Create an accurate and complete budget ………………………………………....6

Task 6: Report all of my findings in a detailed research report…………………………...6

Tasks……………………………………………………………………………………………...7

Task 1: Target market……………………………………………………………………..7

Task 2: Necessary Permit, Registration, and Financing…………………...……………..8

Task 3: Menu and local suppliers……………../…………………………………………8

Task 4: Budget…………………...……….……………………………………………….8

Conclusion…………..…………………………………………………………………………..10

References/Works Cited………………………………………………………………………..11
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Executive Summary

Food trucks gain popularity every year. I propose to research the requirements to start a

mobile food business in New Mexico. Research is going to require gaining knowledge on

starting a business and running a restaurant while taking into account the lowest cost. I will also

research businesses that have successfully managed to run a quality-food truck to see what I can

learn from them. After thorough research, New Mexico is the perfect environment to begin a

food truck business. New Mexico provides many grants for women starting a business every

month. Also, New Mexico makes it much easier to begin serving food from a vehicle versus a

restaurant. Food trucks are a good business to get started in to get your name, and food, out in the

world.
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Introduction

Food trucks have become the newest phase of fast eating, by being able to move to where

your customers are, food trucks gain advantages over standard restaurants. Mobility and

convenience are often associated with food trucks, unlike the food being “gourmet”. I want to

focus my research on the untapped market of quality food that is affordable and convenient.

After years of working in the food industry, I feel like the best next step for my brand is a food

truck. Between 2014-2019 the food truck industry has grown 6.8%, according to

thebalancesmb.com, and will only continue to grow.

A lot goes into making any restaurant a reality, I plan to take these steps to get myself started:

● Research

● Similar successful business models

● Target markets

● Permits, Registration, and Financing

● Create a menu

● find suppliers

● Create a budget

● Report my business plan and findings in a research report format

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Research Methods

Creating a business from the ground up is no easy task. These are the research methods

that I completed to get started with my food truck business model.

Task 1: Research food truck business models to successfully create my own

Every successful business has a successful business plan and the best way to learn is by

learning from the people who have been prosperous in that field already. After researching what

works and what doesn’t from looking at other businesses, I will be able to get a complete idea of

what I need to do to make it off the ground.

Task 2: Research target markets

Research on target markets has already been started. After surveying locals, I decided on

the theme for my truck as the most iconic New Mexican brunch truck for a delicious, and fast,

bite to eat.

Task 3: Research the necessary Permits, Registration, and Financing for starting a local

business

A restaurant has to meet many standards of cleanliness, especially a food truck. After

working in food for years, health and cleanliness are extremely important to me. I want to ensure

I have all the required permits for food and drink so there are no health issues. Registration for

the vehicle as well as business registrations are going to be unavoidable so planing that will be

essential for a positive result. Financing will also have to be mapped out and included in the

budget as well.
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Task 4: Create a menu and find suppliers

After prior research on the target market, I have already created a menu the incorporates

my truck’s theme. Next, I plan on researching local suppliers to find the lowest prices on all the

required ingredients. I will take into account all the prices for menu items after calculating my

budget.

Task 5: Create an accurate and complete budget

To start a profitable food truck, I need a realistic budget to keep myself on track. To

create this I need to first research how much I can get from a bank for a small business loan.

Next, and registration, then, the truck. I will organize my budget by importance after that down

to every last napkin.

Task 6: Report all of my findings in a detailed research report

My final task will be to organize all of my data and research into this research report.
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Tasks

Listed are the task results that lead to my conclusion after thorough research according to

Albuquerque’s local market.

Task 1: Target market

After surveying, I decided on the theme for my truck as the most iconic New Mexican

brunch truck for a delicious, and fast, bite to eat. One of the most iconic New Mexican dishes is

blue corn pancakes. This dish is unique to New Mexico and captures the tastes of ingredients of

popular “New Mexican Style” food. The main menu item will be blue corn pancakes, either

sweet or spicy, with add ons to customize your meal to your liking. Also, we will offer the New

Mexican staple, pinon coffee.

Task 2: Necessary Permit, Registration, and Financing

The first step to starting a mobile food business in the city of Albuquerque is to complete

a commissary agreement. This agreement ensures that your facility has appropriate health

standards. You then need to apply for a CRS number, this registers your business with the IRS.

Next is registering the business (see the budget for the registration fee). The Fire Marshal must

then inspect the mobile business, however, the Fire Marshal will not complete the inspection

until the business is officially registered. The health inspection is next, this is completed by the

Environmental Health Department. After the health inspection is completed, you must pay the

Health Permit fee (see the budget).

Task 3: Menu and local suppliers

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The Menu is going to consist of 2 major menu items and variations of each to customize

your experience. Blue corn pancakes are going to be offered one of two was, either spicy or

sweet. The spicy option comes with your choice of traditional red, green, or Christmas chile.

Sweet comes with syrup, plain is always an option as well. Add-ons include egg (your way),

bacon, sausage, queso (cheese), and traditional papas (potatoes). Pinon coffee will be offered

black with your choice to keep it plain or add-in items such as cream and sugar, vanilla, or

caramel. Keeping the menu as simplistic as possible will help with efficiency in the kitchen,

especially since we will not have as much space as traditional restaurants. The pancakes are

vegan and gluten-free, as well as the pinon coffee.

Task 4: Budget

My budget begins with a $25,000 grant offered by New Mexico for women starting a

business which also offers an additional $2,000 as well. My budget will be $27,000.

Permits:

Business Registration fee: $35

Health Permit fee: $120

Business Necessities:

Purchase of truck (fully equipped): $16,000

One month of ingredients: $450

*Utensils and containers: $720

*Coffee cups/sleeves: $54

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(*All plastics and disposable items are biodegradable and made from recycled materials)

Employees: (month/employee) $1,932

Miscellaneous Purchases:

Chairs and Table(2): $120

Menu Sign: $40

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Conclusions

Based on my research, I concluded to create a food truck business for the local New

Mexican market. The popularity of creating a local mobile food business while incorporating

New Mexico’s most iconic dishes will draw in many customers. The registration and permits to

start a food truck in New Mexico are much easier to accomplish than starting a restaurant and

receiving the appropriate permits. Local supply companies carry New Mexican food unlike other

companies, New Mexican chile especially, is exclusive to New Mexico. With my starting budget

of $27,000, after expenses, I am left with a $7,689 surplus to invest in the company to keep it

alive. After my research, I have concluded that starting a mobile food business in New Mexico is

a great investment since New Mexico provides many business opportunities.

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References/Works Cited

“Business Registration FAQs.” City of Albuquerque, https://www.cabq.gov/planning/planning-

faqs/business-registration-faqs.

“Food Trucks, Carts, and Trailers For Sale.” Food Trucks for Sale (Carts & Trailers) - Roaming

Hunger, https://roaminghunger.com/marketplace/buy-a-food-truck/.

“Industry Market Research, Reports, and Statistics.” IBISWorld,

https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/food-trucks-industry/.

Mealey, Lorri. “The Evolution of Street Food.” The Balance Small Business, The Balance Small

Business, 6 Dec. 2019, https://www.thebalancesmb.com/a-history-of-food-trucks-

2888314##targetText=As of March of 2019,in some areas than others.

“Online Services.” Register Your Business - NM Taxation and Revenue Department,

http://www.tax.newmexico.gov/Businesses/register-your-business.aspx.

“Small Business Grants for Women in New Mexico: Womensnet.” Grants for Women in

Business | Small Business Grants, https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-

women-new-mexico/.