Comments on: What Do I Need To Do To Start Selling Food From A Vending Cart In California?

By: Blu

Blu — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:40:24 +0000

I buy businesses for a living. This is what I know:
The person selling the vending business must tell you everything about the business (I know it seems basic). Who are the suppliers, how do they handle inventory, what tax forms do they file, etc? You are entitled to this information in any buy/sell situation.
The licensing of vending carts and vending trucks, in general, is handled by cities. You will need a “business license” from the city (probable cost: $75-300 per year). You will need a permit to have a vending cart on city streets or in city parks. You will need a “resellers permit” so you don’t have to pay sales tax on your purchases. If you had a vending truck that drove around, you would also need stickers for each truck for each city you do business in. The stickers are in place of a city business license. Don’t forget you will have to report “sales tax” each quarter and make deposits of same. You may sell a hot dog for $2.50, but you will still have to report sales tax unless a hot dog is exempt. So, there are several things to look into. The seller should be helpful.

By: Jack C

Jack C — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:40:24 +0000

not all cities in California allow street food vendors. Check with the city business license office.
After you get the city business permit, check with the county department of health. A county inspector might have to issue you a permit, to assure the public that you are not selling rotten hot dogs, or serving spoiled mayonnaise.
Once you cover those two items, you are good to go. Oh, and don’t forget to file quarterly income statements with the California Franchise Tax Board.

By: mark r

mark r — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:40:24 +0000

go to a gym and tone up and look sexy, and buy some sexy clothes, and get a good radio,maybe even a good cd player and show videos while you sell hot dogs, no not of yourself, but you could do that too, and have alot of tips for people, like businesses like where to call a cab and find a nice hotel and good twenty four hour cleaners, things like that, and your business should zoom, oh, go to city hall and get a peddler’s license, or permit,