Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions
related to our mobile food service products and services as well as the
industry as a whole. Please visit our
Getting Started
page for more information or questions left unanswered and we will be
happy to assist you.
Why should I choose your company?
How much are your catering trucks?
How much are your hot dog carts/vending carts?
Your prices exclude taxes and fees. What are fees?
I don't live in California. Can I still buy a truck, trailer or cart from you?
Do you sell used catering trucks, trailers or carts?
Do you rent catering trucks, trailers or carts?
I found a used truck/trailer/cart for sale, should I buy it?
I regularly see old trucks operating. How can they be permitted?
Do you provide repairs or service?
How do I start a catering business?
What are your hours of operation?
Do you have units I can see in person?
Why should I choose your company?
In a word - quality. You cannot find better built trucks anywhere. Where others use galvanized steel or aluminum, we forego skimping and use stainless steel. Where others use vinyl flooring, we utilize seam-welded aluminum tread plate with coved corners. We reinforce all of the framing of our trucks, trailers and carts; use the finest materials and custom build each and every unit from the ground up. We work with each customer every step of the way to ensure ease of use, efficiency and value. We could use a production line like other manufacturers, but we believe that each client deserves to have equipment ideally suited to their concept and menu, not a cookie-cutter design held to the lowest common denominator of standards. When you have individuals working hands-on on a unit, building it to your specs, your vision is realized and our quality-control never falters. No detail is too small to be considered and reconsidered in the scheme of the total design. We consider your operation and build the most efficient, durable truck, trailer, cart or kiosk possible...and we guarantee health department approval of each and every unit we manufacture! 99% of the units we repair are from other manufacturers while our's are out in the field working. That says it all.
How much are your catering trucks?
Pricing of gourmet food
trucks, catering trucks, motion picture location catering
trucks/trailers, carts and kiosks can vary significantly based upon
equipment and specifications chosen, options included and differing
health department requirements which entail changes in design and
construction, as pricing is provided on an individual basis.
Please call or
email us for a quote.
How much are your hot dog carts/vending carts?
Pricing and specifications of our
mobile food carts will also vary based upon design, specifications and
health department requirements. You will find pricing of some
common models below:
Hot Dog Cart Price Sheet (Adobe® Acrobat Reader™ Required).
Additionally, we can custom design and manufacture carts based on the
needs of our customers and according to their health department
requirements; please visit our Getting
Started section for more information.
Are your carts UL-listed?
In 2008 we discontinued UL listings of several of our carts due to changes in local State codes which prevented the use of existing steam-table-based hot dog carts within the State of California. Although such carts were reinstated as being acceptable in 2009, the lack of demand for the same has resulted in individual certification of each unit. Nevertheless, pertinent certification of each cart can and will be obtained on an as-needed and per order basis until such time that the sales volume justifies reinstatement of across the board certifications. In other words, any unit ordered through our company will be furnished with the pertinent certifications for approval in the given state and county of operation.
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery rates are based on
several factors: The dimensions, weight and value of the goods to be
delivered; the delivery destination; time of year; etc. At the time of
this writing, the average cost of delivery for most of our trucks,
trailers and carts can be estimated at approximately $1.50 to $3.50 per
mile, depending on the mode of transport (i.e., driven or flat bed
delivery), for domestic orders.
Therefore, to calculate the rate which would apply to you, simply click
"view larger map" link, click on "driving directions" and type in your
delivery address to find the exact mileage. Multiply the mileage by the
figures above and you should have a good approximation of the cost. To
obtain an exact quote, please contact us and advise us of the product
you are interested in and your delivery address; we can often provide
you with an exact quote within a few days.
We work with several freight carriers, forwarders and brokers to provide
you with the fastest delivery and lowest cost possible. Overseas and
international deliveries may incur additional costs such as
export/import duties, tariffs and port fees. If seeking a rate for
delivery abroad, please advise us of your destination port as well.
We regret that we cannot provide our products and services to customers
residing in nations with whom trade restrictions or sanctions apply. For
more information about this topic or to determine if any restrictions
apply to your country, please visit:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx
Your prices exclude taxes and fees. What are fees?
Our pricing excludes Health
Department plan check and annual permit fees as well as Building &
Safety Plan Check/Insignia fees (when required); these are not included
in the purchase price. Pricing does, however, include plan composition,
design and in-house engineering fees.
Other costs not included in our pricing are city business license fees
and Department of Motor Vehicle registration, renewal and smog check fees. These costs
are the responsibility of the owner-operator and vary from state to
state and vehicle to vehicle. Various factors determine the costs of
these fees, such as location of operation, gross vehicle weight and city
tax and licensing fee schedules.
How much of a down payment is required?
If financing through a third
party lending institution, 20% to 50% of the total price will often be
required as a down-payment with the amount determined by the lending
institution based upon risk assessment. Of course, the larger your down
payment, the lower your monthly payments, interest and overall cost.
Finance companies are less likely to have prepayment penalties when
compared to commercial lease brokers. In rare instances, 100% financing
may be available, in which case no down payment is necessary -
subsequently your monthly payments will likely be higher.
Lastly, if paying cash: we require an initial down payment of $5,500.00
to cover plan composition costs. You must also pay the full purchase
price of the step-van (this amount varies depending upon whether a new
or used step-van is chosen). The next deposit required is 25% of the
kitchen purchase price. Finally, the remaining balance must be paid in
full upon completion of the truck, trailer or cart and prior to release
for delivery.
Please note: the information provided is for convenience only and is no
substitute for thorough research and investigation on your part; Armenco
is not liable for any omission, errors or inconsistencies in information
provided herein. For the most current and accurate information please
contact finance/leasing companies directly.
Do you offer financing?
At present we do not offer
in-house financing.
Given the tight lending practices of banks following the recent economic
crises, finance and lease options have become scarce and limited.
Nevertheless, Financing and leasing services may be available through
third-party financial institutions and you are welcome to seek funding
through such sources at your discretion.
Approval, interest rates, finance charges and terms are determined by
the third-party financial institutions. Armenco Cater Truck Mfg. Co.,
Inc. does not participate in the review of applications nor determines
approval, rate, payment structure or terms and conditions associated
with the financing of carts, trailers, kiosks, vehicles and/or any other
equipment or service provided by Armenco but financed through other
companies or institutions. Questions, comments, appeals and disputes
should be directed and addressed to the pertinent financing company
using the contact information provided on the applications.
Do you have distributors or showrooms in my area?
We do not have any showrooms per
se. All of our work and service is provided from our North Hollywood,
California headquarters and you are welcome to stop by and see units
under various stages of manufacture.
We fully understand the concerns of out of state customers.
Nevertheless, we work with each and every customer to ensure their peace
of mind and to make their purchase as easy as possible. Furthermore, all
of our trucks, trailers, carts and kiosks are designed to allow just
about anyone to repair or replace components easily. We further our
commitment to service by providing full warranty coverage for out of
state units via overnight part fulfillment whenever possible and
reimbursement of labor costs (certain restrictions apply).
To date our customer base has come to include almost every state in the
union, seven countries and countless cities and counties -- attesting to
the fact that our unsurpassed individualized attention and service works
both locally and abroad.
I don't live in California. Can I still buy a truck, trailer or cart from you?
Yes, we provide our products and
services throughout the United States, Canada and abroad, with the
exception of customers residing in countries with whom trade is
restricted (for more information on this topic please visit:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx
All of our work is based out of our North Hollywood, California facility and
items are shipped via traditional carriers, freight or cargo. Our
warranty work is also performed on-site at our California plant;
however, as we understand that it is not feasible for our out of state
and international customers to come to us for such warranty service or
repairs, we design and manufacture all of trucks, trailers and carts in
such a fashion as to allow our customers to perform routine maintenance
and repairs with little or no technical experience and without the need
for special tools or equipment. Many of our international and out of
state customers rarely experience significant downtime as they know that
parts, service and support are simply a telephone call away even
after-hours, weekends and holidays when all calls are forwarded to our
personal telephones. Parts are usually shipped out and received within
one or two business days and the trucks, trailers or carts are often
serviced and back to work just as quickly. We take great care to be
available to each and every customer long after their purchase. Our
relationship with our customers is actively maintained for as long as
our assistance is needed... year after year.
Do you sell used catering trucks, trailers or carts?
No, we do not sell used units.
Used catering trucks, trailers are carts are listed within our site's
Used Section and sold by third parties. Again, to reiterate, ALL Used
Trucks, Used Carts and Used Trailers available for sale are listed in
our Used Section and sold by their respective owners - we do not stock
the used trucks listed on our site unless otherwise noted within the
listing.
IMPORTANT: Used mobile food units may be ineligible for health
permitting once sold. The cost of refurbishment when added to the
purchase price will often be far greater than the purchase price of a
brand new unit with guaranteed approval. Always perform due
diligence prior to purchase. Just because a unit is presently
permitted does not mean it will be transferrable.
The good news is that since we specialize in custom work and
refurbishment, a brand new kitchen can easily be manufactured onto an
older or used truck chassis with considerable savings. Many customers
use this as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new truck,
often saving many thousands of dollars without sacrificing the quality,
workmanship, specifications and warranty furnished with our new
truck/kitchen combinations. We can find the vehicle for you or you may
provide the same.
When viewing used trucks on our site, please
contact the sellers directly with questions. Armenco is not involved in
the sale of used trucks listed on our site nor do we have access to the
listed vehicles.
Please Note: Armenco Cater Truck Mfg. Co., Inc. assumes no
responsibility for claims made by third parties advertising used
vehicles, carts, trailers or other equipment via CateringTruck.com.
Armenco further assumes no liability for any sales, offers or
transactions, financial or otherwise, resulting from third-party
advertisements and/or any consequences, direct or indirect, thereof.
Armenco does not make any claims nor representations on behalf of
advertisers; does not endorse reliability or guarantee performance of
vehicles or equipment advertised herein; does not warrant fitness of
items listed within the Used Section for a specific purpose; and does
not provide any warranties for used trucks, trailers, carts or other
such units or equipment unless otherwise explicitly stated in writing of
a non-digital format, on official company letterhead. Pricing and
specifications subject to change without notification. Additional costs
not listed may apply. Inquiries related to specifications, pricing and
details of listed items should be made to the individual(s) listing the
item(s) in question and whose contact information is typically provided
within the given listing. All other inquiries may be forwarded to
Armenco Cater Truck Mfg. Co., Inc. via telephone, email or postal mail.
Please view our Cost-Saving Option Page to
learn how you can save up to $20,000.00 off the price of a 2011 catering
truck...complete with a brand new kitchen, guaranteed health department
approval and a limited one-year kitchen warranty!
Do you rent catering trucks, trailers or carts?
At present we do not offer rentals. The best way to find a rental is to contact your nearest commissary (commissaries are the facilities where catering trucks and mobile food carts and trailers are stored over-night, cleaned and stocked) and ask them if they or anyone they know rents or leases mobile food units. Please keep in mind that most rentals are minimally equipped and prone to significant downtime due to mechanical and equipment failures; additionally, monthly rental fees are often higher than those associated with an outright purchase.
I found a used truck/trailer/cart for sale, should I buy it?
Used trucks in suitable, operable condition are a rare find these days. As with all used vehicles, common sense and caution should be exercised before purchasing a used catering truck or trailer. If you find one for sale at a surprisingly low price, there are a few things you should determine before making a purchase. Please read carefully because some of the information provided below is not common knowledge and may not only surprise you but save you thousands of dollars:
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Ensure that the truck is operable, in good working condition, and that routine maintenance has been performed regularly.
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If any repairs are necessary, try to determine if they can be performed at a reasonable cost.
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Always have a competent mechanic look over the truck before making a purchase.
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Ask if a warranty is furnished with the truck or if it is sold As-Is. If a warranty is provided, ask what is and is not covered. More importantly, ask if having a catering kitchen manufactured onto the step-van will void or alter the vehicular warranty.
Many states do not allow a "cooling off" period during which a vehicle
(new or used) can be returned for a refund or exchange. Most sales are
final and care must be taken to ensure a wise investment. In lieu of
this, some states have enacted protective measures for consumers,
commonly referred to as Lemon Laws. Lemon Laws protect consumers in the
event that an irreparably defective vehicle is purchased and a fair and
reasonable number of attempts at repair or resolution have proved
ineffective.
IMPORTANT: If you
purchase a used truck you must determine if it is up to current
standards, both mechanically (weight classification, appropriate title
registration, state emission requirements, etc.) as well as in terms of
the catering kitchen. Just because a truck is currently permitted does
NOT mean it will be permitted for use after it is sold!
Determine if the truck will meet and pass your local health department
requirements and inspection for approval and issuance of a license to
operate without the need for further refurbishment, repair or
customization. If additional work is required, get an estimate to
calculate your final cost so that you do not end up paying more for the
refurnished catering truck than you would for a brand new one.
If a truck is not up to current codes it will NOT
receive health department approval for operation and will be practically
worthless since it cannot be operated.
Please Note: Armenco Cater Truck Mfg. Co.,
Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims made by third parties
advertising used vehicles, carts, trailers or other equipment via
CateringTruck.com. Armenco further assumes no liability for any sales,
offers or transactions, financial or otherwise, resulting from
third-party advertisements and/or any consequences, direct or indirect,
thereof. Armenco does not make any claims nor representations on behalf
of advertisers; does not endorse reliability or guarantee performance of
vehicles or equipment advertised herein; does not warrant fitness of
items listed within the Used Section for a specific purpose; and does
not provide any warranties for used trucks, trailers, carts or other
such units or equipment unless otherwise explicitly stated in writing of
a non-digital format, on official company letterhead. Pricing and
specifications subject to change without notification. Additional costs
not listed may apply. Inquiries related to specifications, pricing and
details of listed items should be made to the individual(s) listing the
item(s) in question and whose contact information is typically provided
within the given listing. All other inquiries may be forwarded to
Armenco Cater Truck Mfg. Co., Inc. via telephone, email or postal mail.
I regularly see old trucks operating. How can they be permitted?
Older, outdated trucks which are
not up to current codes can continue to be licensed under what is
commonly referred to as a "Grandfather Clause". Basically the first time
a truck is issued a health department permit, it MUST be up to the codes
and standards of that time. Many health departments update, revise and
add codes frequently. Since it would not be feasible for owners to
refurbish their trucks each time the codes change, the trucks can
continue to be licensed and operated as long as the original bearer of
the permit/vehicle-owner continually renews the permit every year
without any lapse in renewal.
However, once the truck is sold, the title transferred or the license
renewal lapsed, the truck will no longer be approved unless it is
refurbished and brought up to code. Additionally, the original owner may
face the same potential problem if the truck is moved to another state
(or in some cases even a different county); under such circumstances the
truck would again have to be brought up to code to be issued a permit.
It may sometimes cost more to refurbish a truck and bring it up to code
than to purchase a new truck or kitchen, depending upon the nature of
work to be performed and how extensive the refurbishment will be.
Therefore always check with your local health department before
purchasing a used catering truck or trailer.
PLEASE NOTE: We take great care to ensure that any and all information we provide is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. The advice and precautions noted are general statements and have been found to apply to most county health departments. Your health department may have different requirements not noted here or the restrictions noted may not apply to you. The statements herein are for informational purposes only and should not be misconstrued as legal advice or fully accurate in every circumstance; please contact your health department for the most current information.
What are the plans for?
Most cities/counties require
detailed plans of trucks, trailers and carts prior to issuing approval
for either construction and manufacture of a given mobile food unit or
licensing of a used or out of state truck, trailer or cart. Most county
health departments within California require a State HCD
Insignia prior to the approval and licensing of a mobile food unit.
Therefore plans must be submitted to the California Housing Authority as
well in order to be issued said insignia. Many states and counties
throughout the country have similar requirements. We determine and
handle all of these requirements for all of our customers, regardless of
location.
We provide complete plan design, composition and submission services at
affordable rates. All plans are professionally drafted using the latest
Computer Assisted Design software and include detailed floor plans,
cross sections, wiring, piping and gas line diagrams and illustrations
of the entire unit. State and county plan composition, submission and
insignia fees are not included in the prices of our catering trucks,
trailers and mobile food carts and are payable directly to the
applicable agencies. As requirements vary, the drawings required, level
of involvement, and degree of detail needed for each plan also differs
and, as such, can affect pricing. Please view our
Planning Page
learn more about this service and to obtain a quote.
To learn what current codes and regulation requirements are within your
area, contact your local health department. Most health departments have
websites listing current county codes, guidelines, pricing schedules,
health inspector directories and other helpful information.
California customers may be interested in perusing the most current
regulations at:
http://www.crfsc.org/calcode/10-calcode
Please note: while the Cal Code is a statewide set of regulations, each
county may interpret sections differently and impose more stringent
requirements as deemed appropriate.
Do your trucks meet Federal requirements?
You may come across companies claiming their units meet "Federal Requirements". This claim results in confusion as some believe that there is an overarching Federal standard which supersedes state or county requirements and may be a way to ensure compliance throughout the United States. The fact of the matter is that Federal standards, insomuch as they apply to catering trucks, deal with building and safety standards, not health requirements mandated by States and Counties. In this respect, yes, every unit we manufacture meets Federal Building and Safety requirements and is furnished with an insignia bearing a unique serial number verifying said compliance. For daily operation and retail sales, however, each unit must be permitted and up to code within each county of operation. In some cases a temporary permit may be obtained rather than an annual permit. We will discuss your needs in detail to determine which avenue to pursue for permitting and compliance and will work with you and for you every step of the way.
Do you sell parts?
Yes, we stock parts for mobile food carts and trailers, motion picture and catering trucks and other mobile food related units and can ship them via ground or air delivery. These range from custom-manufactured service doors to hinges; gas-arms to diamond-plated sheet metal paneling; oven knobs to coffee handles...and much more. We carry virtually everything and anything. Certain hard to find items can also be special ordered and we carry numerous catalogs in-house which customers are free to peruse when visiting our facility. Look for our online parts database coming soon. Until then, visit our Parts and Repairs Page for more information.
Do you provide repairs or service?
Yes, we provide complete repair, maintenance and service work for all makes and models of catering trucks, motion picture trucks, hot dog carts and trailers as well as all other mobile food units such as churro carts, snow cone machines, craft service trailers, etc. Aside from our manufacturing facility we are fully equipped to provide repair and maintenance services for mobile food vehicles, carts, trailers, etc. Drive-train, chassis and automotive repairs and service are outsourced to third-parties; we specialize specifically in repairing equipment, appliances and accessories related to food preparation as well as related fixtures such as gas lines, plumbing components, electrical units, etc. Visit our Parts and Repairs page to learn more or schedule an appointment.
How do I start a catering business?
There are many steps required to
start a catering business. Like any business, you must first do a bit of
research to determine if the business is right for you, how much money
you will need to start the business, how much money you can expect to
realistically make, etc.
After your initial research is done, you will need to establish a
Fictitious Business Name (your local county recorder's/clerk's office
can help with this). You will then need to obtain a business license
under the fictitious business name (or DBA) from your city. Then comes
opening bank accounts; printing business cards and stationary;
undertaking advertising and marketing etc.
These are just a few very general and basic steps of the many you will
have to take to start a successful catering business. If you would like
a complete step by step how-to guide, then we encourage you to consider
the following e-book:
How To Start A Catering Business
This guide will provide you with detailed instructions on everything you
will need to know before, during and after you start your catering
business. As with anything, success is largely dependent upon knowledge.
You will need to make many investments - both in time and money - to
ensure your business is a success. You can take the very first step
right now by reading and exploring invaluable information which will
keep you ahead of the game in this highly profitable and competitive
field. An investment of a few dollars now can help you bring in
thousands every week!
Click Here to Learn How To Start A Catering
Business!
What are your hours of operation?
We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM, Pacific Standard Time. We are closed on major holidays of each year.
Are you open weekends?
In addition to our
regular hours of operation noted above, we are open Saturdays, by
appointment only, to accommodate out of state customers and those who
are unable to visit during our normal working hours.
If you wish to visit on a given Saturday, please call us at 800-345-0104
by the preceding Thursday (48 hours in advance), to schedule an
appointment.
Can you mail me a brochure?
Generally speaking, all of our
current literature, pricing and images are available within this
website. Since every truck, trailer and cart is manufactured to order
and most of our orders are for custom-designed units, it would be nearly
impossible to portray the unlimited number of different designs and
options available in a brochure. The literature that is available
consists of the same exact information as that contained within our
site, including images, and are made available to walk-in customers and
those who do not have internet access.
We strive to provide our customers with all the information they need to
make the best informed decision possible. Whenever possible we try to
accommodate requests for additional images and specific floor plan
images with which one may determine the design and configuration best
suited for their needs. If interested in additional materials please
call us and we will do our best to provide you with your requested
information promptly.
We frequently update our site and encourage you to check back regularly
to view the most up-to-date information, images and pricing of our
trucks, trailers and carts. With at least two updates per month, our
site continually expands with added floor plans and photos and newly
designed units. Our various produc pages are the
best places to find more information and learn how to contact us to
obtain detailed information specific to your needs.
What is your lead time?
Many factors impact lead time including plan review, third party equipment and vehicle lead times and our production schedule/workload. Generally speaking, six months is the average time it takes from order to delivery.
Do I need a special license to drive a catering truck?
No, all that is needed to drive a catering truck is a valid Class A license. A commercial or Class C license is required only if the vehicle is above a 30,000 lb. GVWR and/or equipped with air brakes or three axles. Certain location-specific restirctions may apply. You are encouraged to check with your local department of transportation for more information.
Do you offer any warranty?
Yes, all of our units are furnished with warranties covering parts and labor for defect in material or workmanship arising out of normal usage. Our warranty is concurrent with third-party warranties including, but not limited to:
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2 years/2,000 hours for certain generator models
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2 years for battery chargers
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5 years for certain refrigerator compressors
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One year for most appliances
For out of state customers we honor our warranty via shipment of parts and reimbursement of local labor at a rate of $45.00 per hour pending remittance of an estimate of work to be performed and authorization of the same by Armenco at its sole discretion. Other terms, conditions and limitations apply and are outlined in each proposal/purchase agreement.