KUCHING: If you want to find out more about the mobile food truck industry here, visit the car park under the Satok flyover every weekend.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Satok Youyh, Satok Economy Bureau and Sarawak Bumiputera Food Truck Association applied for the space from Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and approval was given this year.
Last Sunday, PBB Satok’s deputy chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki declared open Satok Street Fest 2019 at the car park; the fest was a programme by PBB Satok Youth to support youth in the local food truck industry.
One of the reasons why the mobile food truck industry is on the rise is because of Malaysians’ love of street food.
But running a food truck business is not easy.
Razif Mohd Yunus, a food truck trader who is selling home-made burgers, said, “I always tell the young entrepreneurs that if they want to start a food truck business, they need to study the market and have a proper plan to grow their own food brand.
“Don’t just open food truck because of the trend,” he said.
The 34-year-old proud owner of Burger ‘O’ Myy began by opening a small burger stall in Kampung Gersik way back in 2013.
“I had to do everything myself when I first started. There was little time for me to rest. The operation of a food truck is like that of a stall burger but more advanced in terms of mobility.
“Initially, I wanted to set up a restaurant branch but found that a food truck would be the best for me. Apart from the low start-up costs, flexibility was a great asset specially in attracting more customers.
“I thank the state government for organising many big events in Sarawak this year which allowed small and medium entrepreneurs to promote their business brands and products.
“I also discovered that taking part in these events helped me to generate more revenue in my business,” said Razif.
Another food truck operator, Nur Shafiqa Abdullah, said operating in busy places could help to draw more customers.
“Visitors can increase our sales and interesting events and programmes are more likely to attract more people.
“But sometimes I could not keep up with the events because I did not have enough food trucks,” she said.
The 36-year old mother from Sri Aman advised young people who were interested in the food truck industry to apply for financial schemes under the state government.
“Running a food truck business is not easy. But I believe government agencies will help new entrepreneurs,” she added.
