The Chuck Wagon Food Truck

BUSINESS PLAN

Our Brand

The Chuck Wagon Food Truck Co. Logo

The Chuck Wagon Food Truck Co.

Owner: Bryce Thurgood

Phone: 909-786-6618

Location: Provo/Orem, Utah

Executive Summary

The Opportunity

Provo, Utah boasts a thriving food truck ecosystem with regular events like Food Truck Underground and the Provo Farmers Market. However, the market is saturated with generic offerings—basic tacos, burgers, and standard fare.

The Gap: High-quality, "steakhouse-caliber" comfort food that delivers premium taste at street food speed and pricing.

The Solution

  • Taylor's Tasty Tators: Gourmet loaded tater tot bowls and premium tri-tip sandwiches
  • Cowboy Corn & Sides: Tri-tip chili, fresh salads, and street-style elotes with our signature rubs

Competitive Advantages

  • 20-30% lower food costs (hyper-local sourcing)
  • 50-83% profit margins
  • Cross-utilized ingredients
  • Cultural resonance with Utah preferences
$15.50
Avg. Transaction ℹ️
72%
Avg. Unit Margin ℹ️
$800-1200
Daily Revenue (Peak) ℹ️
Month 3
Break-Even ℹ️

Financial Projections

Item Build Cost Sell Price Net Profit Margin Details
Cowboy Corn Elotes $1.21 $7.00 $5.79 83%
Small Tri-Tip $5.13 $13.00 $7.87 61%
OG Loaded Tots $1.57 $8.50 $6.93 82%
Gourmet Cookie $0.62 $4.00 $3.38 85%

The "$20 Bundle" Upsell

Offer: Small Sandwich + OG Tots + Main Squeeze = $20.00

Item Value: $27.50
Customer Savings: $7.50
Our Cost: $7.91
Net Profit: $12.09 (60% margin)

Monthly Revenue Projections (Based on "Meals" Vendor Type Standards)

Typical "Slow" Day

40 meals @ $540/day (2 days/wk)

$4,676/mo

Est. Profit: ~$2,800

Reasonable Target

80 meals @ $1,080/day (4 days/wk)

$18,716/mo

Est. Profit: ~$11,200

Peak/Event Day

250 meals @ $3,375/day (5 days/wk)

$73,000/mo

Est. Profit: ~$43,700

Funding Request & Repayment Strategy

We are seeking $65,000 in startup capital to launch The Chuck Wagon Food Truck Co. This conservative funding amount includes a built-in operating reserve to ensure uninterrupted debt service during the critical launch phase.

Capital Breakdown

  • Food Truck & Buildout: $45,000
  • Equipment & Permits: $8,000
  • Initial Inventory & Branding: $6,000
  • Operating Reserve: $6,000 (Covers 4+ months of loan payments)

Conservative Repayment Plan

Based on a standard 5-year commercial loan at 8% APR (approx. $1,318/month):

  • Months 1-2 (Launch): The $6,000 operating reserve will confidently cover initial loan payments while we build a dedicated local following.
  • Months 3-4 (Break-Even): Based on conservative "Slow Day" metrics (2 days/week at $4,676/mo revenue), estimated profits of ~$2,800/mo will easily cover the $1,318 debt service.
  • Month 5+ (Growth): Upon reaching our reasonable target (4 days/week), a strong Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) will allow for accelerated principal repayment to retire the loan early.

Marketing & Merchandise

Chuck Wagon T-Shirt

Chuck Wagon Tee

Viral slogan T-shirt

$25-30 retail

Chuck Wagon Hat

The Chuck Wagon Hat

Walking billboard reward

$25 or FREE with loyalty

Bible Bag

"Living the Wagon Life"

Bible bag for faith-based community

Reusable Bag

Branded Grocery Bag

Eco-friendly multi-purpose

$5 or free with $50+ order

Loyalty Punch Card

Loyalty Punch Card

Mechanic: Buy 10 Sandwiches → Get FREE Hat ($25 value)

Why This Works:

  • Higher Value: $25 hat vs. typical $10 sandwich reward
  • Walking Billboards: Hats last years vs. sandwiches consumed in minutes
  • Campus Saturation: Every reward = new marketing agent at BYU/UVU

Required Forms & Documents

Download the fillable forms needed for your food truck operation:

📋

Commissary Agreement

Required commissary partnership agreement form

Download PDF
🚛

Mobile Food Guidelines

Utah County mobile food establishment guidelines

Download PDF
🍽️

Food Safety Courses

Approved food safety manager course list

Download PDF
👨‍🍳

Food Handler Trainers

Approved food handler permit trainers

Download PDF

Compliance Checklists

Complete step-by-step checklists for launching your food truck in Utah:

✅

Utah County Official Checklist

Complete startup process: plan review, certifications, commissary, truck requirements, and final inspection

Go to Checklist
🔥

Fire Safety Checklist

Official Utah State Fire Prevention Board inspection form with all fire safety requirements

Go to Checklist
🔧

Equipment Requirements

Detailed equipment specifications for Provo/Utah County with costs and where to buy

Go to Checklist
📖

Complete Compliance Guide

17-section comprehensive compliance checklist covering all Utah mobile food regulations

View Full Checklist

What's Covered:

  • Plan Review Requirements
  • Food Safety Manager Certification
  • Employee Food Handler Permits
  • Commissary Agreement Details
  • Truck Construction Standards
  • Water Systems (Fresh & Grey)
  • Sink Requirements (3-comp & hand wash)
  • Fire Suppression Systems
  • LPG/Propane Safety
  • Electrical Requirements
  • Food Storage & Temperature Control
  • Ventilation & Hood Systems
  • Equipment Specifications (NSF approved)
  • Pre-Inspection Preparation
  • Common Violations to Avoid
  • Maintenance Schedules