From $50 to $1,750 a Day with a Food Truck Business

Watch Part 1 here ► • HOW TO START And GROW ...
Are you wondering how to start a food truck business-and earn six figures in you first year? Sacramento-based Onit Coffee accomplished that feat, and we’re collaborating with Reyes the Entrepreneur to find out how they did it.
Founder Shadi Khattab started Onit Coffee in January 2020 with a mission: to keep things local and give back to the community. Shadi is a non-profit manager, as well, running 4 non-profit campaigns at the same time he was starting a food truck business.
Since a portion of the food truck profits are donated to local organizations, customers can feel good knowing they’re helping their community when they get coffee from Onit.
In part 2 of our interview, we’ll learn the secrets to Shadi’s food truck business success and hear his advice of how you can follow his lead.
We’ll talk about the initial expenses of starting a food truck or food trailer business and how he recouped that investment and grew his profits, even during a pandemic that’s forced many restaurants to close their doors for good.
We’ll also see what day to day life is like for a food truck owner and hear his tips for choosing smart locations and building a following.
Anyone who wants to start a food truck can gain invaluable insights from this video.
Resources:
bit.ly/3WCaw2U - Start or Grow Your Business with UpFlip Academy
www.onitcoffee.com - Reyes the Entrepreneur’s Coffee Business
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:08 Budget and Costs To Get Started
2:52 Food Truck and Facility Walkthrough
4:04 Revenue
5:05 Truck Design
7:05 Breaking Even
9:13 Trying A Mexican Hot Chocolate
10:43 Advertising
12:50 Reviews and Feedback
14:30 Blitz
15:34 The Logo
17:02 Ingredients and Equipment Names
18:17 What You Would Have Done Different
19:53 Employees
21:59 Team Members
23:37 Lessons From Mistakes
25:09 Outro
#foodtruck #foodtruckbusiness #howtostartafoodtruckbusiness

[@UpFlip]

Watch Part 1 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJu5oHRrg8mCpdU Do you feel inspired by Onit Coffee’s story? How long do you think it would take you to reach $1,750/day revenue? Let’s chat about it in the comments!

[@raulnavejar474]

What is the food truck called that is being used? Is it called a step van?

[@MacDaddysDawgz]

I started with a used hot dog cart back in April I bought for $1600 ..cost me about another 2k for equipment and licensing to get started ... I wish I'd bought a cart 30 years ago instead of busting my ass at my old job! I'm 52 years old and making more money than I ever have!

[@UpFlip]

Thats awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@preciousmonique9076]

How much do you make a week, I am in the process of buying a trailer and converting it

[@MacDaddysDawgz]

@@preciousmonique9076 I gross about $2,000/week, but you should do better in a trailer with an expanded menu. I'm restricted to hot dogs and smoked sausages.

[@conversationswithadrianne]

@@MacDaddysDawgz I struggle some days to make $50. Any tips on how I can get my numbers up? I sell vegan burgers.

[@elisscaliving4776]

@@conversationswithadrianne expand the menu

[@breitlingsteel2359]

He spent $120k of his family's money, parked the truck outside their plastic surgery clinic, and probably can't even boil water.

[@GrimKiLLzGaming]

Love this comment

[@Buddha_Approved]

Yea haha nice to have a boost.....

[@bluemelon7818]

They also shut down a few days ago. He owes half a million or more In back taxes. And his dad was known as the butcher. His name is also Shaddi so lol

[@gtownmonarch]

Too bad, he didn’t show as much passion for paying employees and managing money as he did for helping non-profits.

[@bluemelon7818]

@@gtownmonarch if he even helped them

[@ReyesTheEntrepreneur]

Thanks for this collab. Had a great time

[@UpFlip]

We had a blast! Thank you :)

[@Ride-With-Me-69]

Reyes why no one ask about the GASSSS.. ?

[@Eastbayraider]

Reyes brought me here. Good work!

[@UpFlip]

Awesome! Great to hear :)

[@bretmelton7116]

Yo. That brand owner is a great salesperson. Great speaker. He's going places.

[@cheezers1385]

definitely!

[@UpFlip]

Agreed!

[@Loud_Thinker]

Agreed. Funny how "influencers" let themselves used for someone else's cause/business for freebies lol

[@brantleybyjohnbrantley9024]

Love this guy! I live about an hour away from Sacramento & I'm going to hop in the car and support their business.

[@UpFlip]

He’s a hustler! You’ll love their drinks!

[@johntron3849]

I live in Sacramento and am mad I never heard of him but will definitely go find him today .

[@stevenburger5855]

You guys nailed it. You deserve what you worked this hard for.

[@UpFlip]

Hey Steven! Yes! They are killing it! What was your favorite part of the interview?

[@jarrenaudette171]

This is a literal businessman in the best way. Great vision that serves the people of his community as well as serving himself (great business = great returns) and his employees. This guy is dialed. I am not only impressed but inspired!

[@colordboyradshad2896]

Just found your videos I'm planning on starting my food truck but I was unsure if I could afford it til now thank you I subbed and plan to learn more from you

[@AshaneShabree]

Love all the great information 🙏🏾

[@UpFlip]

Glad we could help.

[@NurseNekesCoconutCakes]

I love this interview

[@UpFlip]

We're glad to hear that. Thank you.

[@domi757ify]

Owner seems down to earth and honest. I really wish I could taste that Mexican Chocolate, but I'm not in the area. Would love to learn more from him.

[@UpFlip]

Awesome guy. If you have questions it never hurts to try and reach out to him!

[@thecreamywheels1484]

Very good interview, very smart questions... Direct to the point! This content is gold. thank you Guys!

[@UpFlip]

Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it.

[@rochiellebevans1783]

Awesome. Proud of you guys. All the best.

[@UpFlip]

Thanks!

[@circusboy90210]

24:59 I take that back , the statement about relentless people is the smartest thing. lol really though pretty good information.

[@onyebuchiihejirikauche9213]

Great content. Enjoyed alot

[@UpFlip]

Thank you David! We really appreciate it!

[@LiveLaughLoveLau]

I am looking to do something similar. This is inspirational

[@UpFlip]

You should do it!

[@farmerjeffmays9858]

Always Valuable Content 💰

[@MrGalaxypiano]

Thank you for your time to share this with us But I have some questions 1- he started with 120000$ Is it was a loan 2- about the water . Gas . Electricity in the truck How do you manage it 3- do he have another place to prepare all the meals and drinks Thanks

[@paulinatelleria6760]

amazing interview!

[@UpFlip]

We're glad you enjoyed!

[@angelligomez]

This is great, hoping to start my own mobile food business soon!

[@UpFlip]

What type of food Angelli? Which city?

[@johntron3849]

This is amazing and inspiring especially being from Sacramento.

[@UpFlip]

Super Cool John Tron. We love to hear things like this. 😀Have you had any experience with this food truck?

[@fazalhazh3511]

Great content bro , keep it up 👍

[@UpFlip]

Thanks, will do!

[@johndelahaye]

Really interesting video. Obviously very focused guy and nice job on the food truck. Be good to see a further break down of the numbers. The example of the gaming event with 85 gamers making 4-5k revenue equates to over $50 spend per head unless the event organiser paid them a pretty hefty up front fee for them to be there?

[@UpFlip]

Thank you John, yeah we might go back and interview him again because his business is doing really well.

[@bravodude6175]

Wasn't just the gamers there, events bring other people in who want to watch or just general people curious on what's going on.

[@Dynasty19]

I like how this guy just seems really enthusiastic about just building something that people want to engage with at first I thought he was just over selling himself but as I listened more you can tell he just enjoys being creative and having creative people around driving something positive

[@miatikac]

I’m thinking of starting a food truck too. This inspirational

[@UpFlip]

What type of food truck?

[@hamzanyc5985]

Very interesting thanks for the video 👍

[@UpFlip]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Pureinfinity]

Love this guy!

[@akiraink4953]

Awesome content!

[@UpFlip]

Thank you!

[@noobERNS_it]

This dude answered questions so well, he explains himself that I think anyone can understand.

[@UpFlip]

He's a very smart guy!

[@siamimam2109]

I loved everything about the Owner! Except I don't agree with the 24/7 drive-thru idea, esp if they're specialized in Coffee. Maybe changing to a Lunch / dinner menu would be a good idea.

[@UpFlip]

Maybe they'll implement that someday into their business. Thank you for your comment Akhyar!

[@strad683]

Reyes im in the wrong Business!!

[@abbietheoreo]

These men are very inspiring

[@UpFlip]

They sure are 🙏

[@samaitamutasa3837]

I'm inspired!

[@UpFlip]

We're glad to hear this Samaita! Are you looking to start your own business?

[@Duske3000]

Hi Upflip, great coverage but I have some questions as I'm setting up a truck and the numbers don't seem to tally: At 1:34, he states that the initial cost was 120K. At 7:12, he states that the breakeven on investment took about 6 to 7 months, let's say 7. So average revenue ( between good days and bad) come out to $2000/day. $2000x 30 days assuming daily work = $ 60,000. Operating margin before int/tax on average is about 8-10%, but let's say they get 15% which is exceptional so : $ 60,000 X 15% = $ 9000 in pocket. 7 months X $ 9000 = $63,0000. That's only half of $120,0000, a huge gap. By their average earnings, they would have to take 12 months instead of 6 to 7 to breakeven. Am I missing something?

[@UpFlip]

Sometimes the numbers do not completely add up on camera. We would try reaching out to the food truck to get exact specifics!

[@Yerbivore1]

haha :) thats funny..

[@demetriusmorales2388]

Can't you tell by the way he talks and explains things that he equivocates rather a large amount of the interview. Example: the man asked him for a brekdown of the $120k; he gave no numbers. Be careful about these kind of ppl..

[@petekreamer4492]

Be aware, this is a complete one-off and in no way resembles the real world of food trucks. Run. GL

[@beatlesroad2694]

I just made a Mexican hot chocolate pizza recipe about two weeks ago. It's gotten the second-best reaction. The first being the vegan chocolate strawberry. Basically, make chocolate gravy as the "sauce".

[@UpFlip]

Sounds like a very interesting meal😂

[@mohamedaissat1910]

This entrepreneur is a marketing genuis

[@rastachandolo9766]

Host - let me try the Mexican Hot chocolate Host receives drink - what is this again? Bro are you even trying lol

[@UpFlip]

Memory is a fascinating subject.

[@petekreamer4492]

99.9% of those watching heard $120,000 cash down and 'dedicated parking and bar codes' and went to the next video. Nobody has that. Also, if that truck is maxxed out under $2,000/day I'm personally totally not interested. If they've spent that much money on the truck and are invested in that kind of location and are not selling items that are 3-4X the cost of a cup of coffee then they are losing tons of money....presumeably because they don't want to work any harder than $2000/day, making coffee. And I do get that and the low-overhead 'stay in my lane' concept. All good. Not for me, but solid. Thanks for the vid & GL!

[@muhammadsheraz4487]

Yeah, Great Super Informative video. Thanks Indeed for sharing. Stay blessed. 🌍🌹

[@UpFlip]

Glad you liked it!

[@circusboy90210]

21:54 building a solid team , smartest and only smart thing on this whole video.

[@SantinoP619]

Watch out Starbucks, there’s a new sheriff in town.

[@junior-py7zc]

My mom makes around $500 or $800 in good days but when they not that much people she makes &150

[@ShoppingwithRina]

Thank nice to see

[@UpFlip]

Thank you too Rina!

[@darioxbrow9223]

I would like to see an update on this guy's business

[@UpFlip]

Thanks Dario. We'll see what we can do.😀

[@josemadera8925]

Reys the king

[@tahajeffy7427]

god bless this guy

[@josephellis8722]

The question for me is how to get money to start a food truck business? Loans seem stressful with a bunch of interest you have to pay. Is there another way to get a small loan with no interest?

[@UpFlip]

Interest free loans really don't exist. Friends and family are usually some of the only options for IFL's.

[@circusboy90210]

save daily and purchase equipment as you can and put it in storage , stop making excuses.

[@ahmedabdellah7575]

That owner is a mad genius

[@ADVANCEDTECHTIPS]

Thumbnail says part 1? Also some timestamps would be nice

[@UpFlip]

Fixed! Thanks for pointing that out!

[@garondeangelispearce3017]

very cool

[@UpFlip]

Thank you!

[@darioxbrow9223]

Grinder To franchise Break even

[@naomimazila7568]

Wow🙏🏾

[@bonginkosikhohliso8204]

That left hand says it all.

[@Envy13376]

Averaging $1700 a day for 15 hours really isn’t great at all. I do see how they can be more consistent than others doing this and how the marketing worked! Good tips

[@UpFlip]

Sooo 51K a month isn't that good for a business that isn't even a year old isn't good in your books?

[@Envy13376]

​@@UpFlip It's just economics, he said it himself. He has about 10 employees, based on Sacramento min wage that's over 50% of his revenue right there. Then you have packaging, COGS, marketing and etc. If he wanted to run this leaner he could. But he has money behind him and that's why he chose this business model. It's in his interest to burn through money and get big enough to go to a drive thru. Investors love growth as long as it can be profitable long term. However for small business owners that do not have capital.... I would not suggest all the ideas he put out there because they wouldn't last.

[@Envy13376]

@i i Revenue number is there because his end goal is to attract investors. Based on my numbers and costs going up he might actually be losing or breaking even on it. But he wants investment to open that drive thru. My point still stands. You can run a lean business or you can be like silicon valley and go for growth. I would interview other trucks that are successful and get other takes on how to run a food truck.

[@olevictorcorral6445]

Right.

[@jjrealestateg]

The only think I don’t like about these interviews is that you talk about revenue but not profit. Profit is what really matters not revenue

[@UpFlip]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Hope you watch our other content and find value in them. Any business you want to see next? ☺️

[@IronmanSidekickwithDaBlammer]

I’m going to meet the owner of on-it coffee and the interviewer when my truck becomes famous

[@UpFlip]

Where is your coffee truck locate Joe?

[@IronmanSidekickwithDaBlammer]

@@UpFlip I don’t have any truck at all currently, but I have money saved up to start an operation but I’m currently in the research and development phase of what type of goods I’m going to sell and marketing. I’m thinking going to lean towards savory dishes. I appreciate the insight and sharing the ups and downs of your business. I think a lot of your information that you shared with us can apply to a lot of different types of food truck start ups.

[@chadlerch73]

I love the cause-behind-the-business concept, so cool. $1,750/day seems high for a coffee truck. If his average transaction value is $12 (and that's probably high), he needs 145 customers a day. I didn't see lines during what looks like prime coffee time. Good for him if he's pulling that.

[@UpFlip]

He does a lot of events which I assume help a ton.

[@conversationswithadrianne]

Hmmm. Interesting. True.

[@conversationswithadrianne]

Maybe it's a day that they are closed.

[@circusboy90210]

I can do 250 customers a day in my ice cream truck in a 10 hour shift that's roughly a person every 45 seconds but if they come in bursts of 5 to 10 and the line is cut down quickly you never will see a line. that's not huge. don't confuse a lack of a line with not having great comeout. don't forget about add on and up sales either. a coffee customer can leave easily with a $30 order to take back home or to the office within a few minutes or less than a minute. hell even $500 in a 3 hour shift for a coffee truck isn't inconceivable

[@Pajtim2023]

Does the truck has ac

[@UpFlip]

It will all depend on the food truck Tim.

[@JomaroTV]

this guy is talking a lot we will see if he can fullfill this kind of potential.

[@JomaroTV]

oh i see it! all of his money came from the parents HAHAHAHAAH HE WILL ARCHIVE NOTHING I SWEAR! He will waste the money and run back to the parents ASAP xddddd

[@sutats]

7:28 A new person has entered the chat

[@UpFlip]

Who was it?

[@officialKBZ]

Truck looks like tmobile is selling latte’s

[@d.h.601]

Yeah right.

[@dylanweedherspoon5781]

WAYYYYY better than Reyes!

[@UpFlip]

We really appreciate it Dylan! We have bit different style then Reyes, his content is definitely amazing though.

[@maraimtuxtasunov3567]

what happened to business? i cant find in instagram and website is down.

[@Adam-sw8cc]

This guy is a salesman. He can pitch anything

[@UpFlip]

Very true Adam!

[@shun4155]

watching this for future purposes 🕯️

[@UpFlip]

Keep us updated Shun when you begin to start! :)

[@michaelferrari9135]

I want my own food truck selling prison inspired desserts

[@UpFlip]

This would be interesting Michael. What type of desserts would they be?

[@circusboy90210]

6:52 sounds like a pozi or pyramid scheme.

[@Ride-With-Me-69]

He should contact Mr Beast and sell his burger.

[@UpFlip]

He just might!

[@SharpiesAdventures]

there is no way that menu fits on that truck.

[@JesseCracksMTG]

Not exactly “from $50 to $1,750/day” Disappointing ending you find out this is more of a passion project from someone’s who’s already loaded, and not a person who’s had their back against the wall with only having this truck to make ends meet. Clickbait-y title, but oh well..

[@UpFlip]

Sorry to hear that you didn't like this video. We have other content from people who really had nothing. Hope you find them inspirational. ☺️

[@JesseCracksMTG]

@@UpFlip I love the other content your mentioned. Just a bummer it wasn’t the story I thought it was. All good, keep up the hustle and sharing!

[@lowbvll8969]

Bruh can’t even disclose the exact amounts for everything he was describing 💀💀💀💀

[@AlejandroJavierHernandez-si4qz]

Any investors interested in a lobster truck in the Netherlands?

[@THATSWING]

SAY IT DEN!

[@UpFlip]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel! ☺️

[@gtownmonarch]

It’s too bad this business went under. Shadi seems to be very charismatic, but, man, he’s terrible at managing money and people. Heard he owes $200k in both corporate and personal taxes, got sued for breach of contract, and employee checks kept bouncing.

[@d_ocho]

Where did you see this

[@Tisthename4476]

This guys are just promoting them selfs don't be fooled by thinking that they already made it.

[@Degen_capital]

It's so cringy to see people always wanting to do something in a way to gain support instead of just having good food or drinks

[@jjyakima3756]

Get you covid hot chocolate Onit Coffe in Sacramento. They must not wear masks when handling food in that city. Science is as real as profits.

[@amt7877]

They don’t need your business you people are the problem. I don’t where a mask and I am fine it’s all in your head let your government lie to your ass and believe it.

[@circusboy90210]

17:30 I can't take advice from someone stupid enough to have followed illegal and irrational mask mandates.

[@junkyourcarr]

Don't see it, just too much

[@SDolce-HAITI]

What do you mean

[@itsbearnshd1427]

No mask or 6feet.. 😷🤧

[@paradox5434]

And neither has COVID plus masks are horrible for interviews.

[@jjyakima3756]

They could have used two cameras and be 6ft apart. They do it all day in interviews. They could have also set an example when they sat down. People do it all day at work. The food truck owner doesn't care. Can I get a covid hot chocolate?

[@johnjohnson2172]

Plandemic by the dumocrats!

[@radranks6281]

@@jjyakima3756 jeez the probably tested

[@amt7877]

@@jjyakima3756 sheep, my customers don’t stand 6 feet apart since last year idiot they are all fine still serving them this year

[@obeewankanobee4351]

His business touched my heart...I wish you the best Onit Coffee! 💙☕

[@petekreamer4492]

🤮