By Researcher and reporter: Tanzil Fuad Isfaqul Kabir
Though it has been around for a while, street food is not very popular in Bangladesh.
The history of street cuisine dates back to ancient Greece. Subsequently, it expanded globally. However, street food was only developed at that time to give low-wage workers access to inexpensive meals. There they sold fried fish for food. But things have altered in recent years. In many regions of the world today, the street food industry is booming. 250 million people worldwide consume street food daily, according to a 2007 UN survey.
The most popular street foods in Bangladesh include Jhalmuri, Chatopti, and Fuska. Nonetheless, a lot of people’s lists of preferred street food now include items from other cuisines. Along with pizza, burgers, fried rice, coffee, and fish and meat, local cuisine also sells rice.
The fact that people can now get tasty food at affordable costs from roadside stands instead of having to spend more money at restaurants is one of the factors contributing to the current boom in the street food industry in our nation. These recipes offer a taste, scent, and affordability that are representative of a local tradition. Foodies are frequently packed inside roadside stores. In this industry, so many young people perceive their future.
The world saw the adoption of regulations governing the street food industry for the first time in the time of the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s street food industry is not specifically covered by any national laws. Therefore, there are no more legal issues for those who are interested in this industry.
This is a business that anyone can start and succeed if they are prepared to take on the task. Let’s see how to launch this enterprise-
Build a food cart or truck
Investment-wise, it’s far cheaper than opening a restaurant. A high-quality food cart is the first item you’ll need. For 20,000–25,000 Taka, a food cart or van can be constructed. Starting this business can be done for as little as thirty to forty thousand rupees, provided you have a few chairs, some cooking supplies, food containers, packaging materials, raw ingredients for food preparation, and other items, as well as one or two employees.
Place selection
Selecting the perfect location for your street food business. | Photo: Collected
In this situation, you should consider your ideal clientele. Regardless of the institution you are at, college students will be your primary clientele if you have any goals for your street food. You can assemble your food cart close to the university. However, picking such a good location where customers from many vocations visit your store in addition to students.
As a result, your business will continue even if the educational institution closes.
Items to include on the menu
One or two products are all you need to start a business in the beginning.
However, you need to continually enhance the menu. There are burgers on the menu, for instance, and cold coffee. additionally has the option to expand the menu by adding new items in response to patron input. But food should be reasonably priced throughout.
Quality food
Quality food is essential for street food success. Photo: Collected
The food that is sold on our cities’ streets and alleys cannot be covered. The dishes are constantly covered in dust, cloths and water used for cleaning are soiled, and the same oil is used to prepare food every day. Roadside food frequently causes stomach issues in a lot of folks.
Thus, each item in your food cart ought to be delicious and of high quality. From the time food is prepared until it is served, cleanliness should always be maintained. You need to bring with you drinkable water. Never cook with the same edible oil twice. Customers cannot be provided food cooked in oil after six hours because of potential health risks. Take particular note of the appearance of the meal.
Marketing initiative
Promotion is expansion, as the saying goes. The social media era has arrived, and your company is too.
Promotional films can be posted on Facebook and YouTube if you’d like to grow.
In our nation, festivals significantly drive up the cost of goods. Under these circumstances,
by giving different price breaks on special occasions, you can win over your customers’ trust.
Solving various problems
The first issue you’ll encounter if you decide to enter this industry is cooking. Getting one to two months of training in a food cart is your best option in this situation. Or you could pay someone to take care of the cooking. If someone would like to help manage the shop, they should get in touch with the local police station. Bring some drinkable water with you. Food carts are not allowed to be parked in areas with inadequate lighting. Food vendors ought to move away from odorous canals, dustbins, and sewers.
Customer retention to grow your business
To keep clients, gradually alter your menu. To make clients feel at ease carrying the food home, presentable packaging should be created. When preparing and serving food, plastic gloves can be worn. To keep their hands and clothes clean during eating, plastic gloves can also be provided to consumers.
This is how, in a small-scale street food business, you can influence not only your own but also the destiny of others.
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