At a market in London a couple of years ago I bought a cup of coffee from a mobile vendor. His coffee machine was integrated into a small 3 wheeled vehicle, probably Italian in origin. I've been wanting to find out more about the truck and the business ever since. Contact me if you have any info. Thanks

-- David James (dj@tpg.com.au), September 18, 2000

Answers

I too have been investigating the coffee business, although I'm unfamilar with the 3 wheeled vehical your seeking their are many viable options you can take to get the same results and ultimately the same profits you seek without having to complicate your search and still set yourself apart from the rest. You would have to describe to me what exactly was the reasoning behind the vehical you described as opposed to other options. I might be able to help take you out of the thinking stage and into the doing stage.

-- JOE DOMINGO (RENREA1949@AOL.COM), December 10, 2000.

the machines for the coffe are astra 2 grouplever gas machines, similarly rancilio make a gas 2 group.ive got one in the workshop. the machines are filled with a manual waterpump.the 3 wheelers are made by vespa and are available usually from a scooter shop.ive yet to master a 12volt coffee grinder that spins at 800rpm, i think he uses pre ground. i sort of know the set up in london . he is called caffe mobile and based in the islington/camden area but ive been told hes a bit of a dickhead

-- roger baker (urbanesp@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.

I run a mobile espresso bar in Hampshire - see http://www.gaggia-espresso.com, based in a small trailer. The usual setup for the 3 wheeler is a Piaggio. These are sold by Towability amongst others http://www.towability.co.uk. Although it contributes to the weight, it is easy to set up a system with a van battery (24v) and an inverter that will provide sufficient 240v for a grinder as well as supplying 24v for the espresso machine auto level and a 24v whale pump in the case of a lever machine, or the internal pump on a semi auto. A colleague of mine has a small van with the above setup.

Regards, Danny

-- Danny McNulty (danny@midlife.demon.co.uk), June 03, 2002.

The Piaggio 3 wheelers with espresso machine are available from www.towability.co.uk

-- Roger Marshall (rmarshall@ukf.net), June 19, 2002.

Caffe Mobile is at Belgravia Village (near Motcomb Street) SW1, every weekday. He seems to do very good trade!

-- john (jsoot@yahoo.com), June 27, 2002.

Hi I own and run Caffe mobile in cambridge. Our site is www.caffemobile.co.uk

Or email with any questions

-- Ben Jones (pelham@pigout.co.uk), July 02, 2002.

Im interested to buy a coffe machines and grinders.New or old.

-- Ivan Grbinicek (grbinicek@vip.hr), September 06, 2002.

if any one still cares i know every thing you would wont to about this

-- alex inch (inchx2@hotmail.com), September 08, 2002.

www.caffe-mobile.co.uk

-- ben (ben@caffe-mobile.co.uk), January 20, 2003.

My family runs their own Mobile Coffee Bar called Espresso On The Run -we have a Mercedes Van fitted with stainless steel and we operate in Brisbane, Australia. Our website is www.freewebs.com/espressoontherun

-- katie gilmour (espressoontherun@ourbrisbane.com), February 15, 2003.

Hi, I am the founder of Caffe Mobile. We operate 6 stalls in London, UK as well as 6 licencees throughout the UK. Our web site is www.caffemobile.co.uk. Caffe Mobile is constantly on the look out for fellow licencees/franchisees as well as new sites and especially highly motivated staff (well paid and interesting work).

n.b Hi David, we have never met so it is a little unfortunate that your well researched info should also be insulting. Perhaps it would be better to quote Time Out's Guide to London's restaurants and bars 1995/6/7/8/9, 2000/1/2/3 which is entirely complimentary.

-- Guy Llewellyn (guy@caffemobile.co.uk), March 28, 2003.

Hi, I am the founder of Caffe Mobile. We operate 6 stalls in London, UK as well as 6 licencees throughout the UK. Our web site is www.caffemobile.co.uk. Caffe Mobile is constantly on the look out for fellow licencees/franchisees as well as new sites and especially highly motivated staff (well paid and interesting work).

n.b Hi Roger, we have never met so it is a little unfortunate that your well researched info should also be insulting. Perhaps it would be better to quote Time Out's Guide to London's restaurants and bars 1995/6/7/8/9, 2000/1/2/3 which is entirely complimentary.

-- Guy Llewellyn (guy@caffemobile.co.uk), March 28, 2003.

Hi,

I was just doing some research and came across this interesting site. I'm toying with the idea of a mobile coffee dock(type thing) I had the Piaggo in mind but as I'm starting from scratch would appreciate any help. Thanks ann

-- ann (ann.daly@ireland.com), April 04, 2003.

this got nothing to do with the subject directly, but went to a coffee mobile in Cambridge (belated birthday trip)on march 29th - the coffee was great and the guy who worked there really friendly - therefore a hello and thanks to goldfish and don't swim in circles! ;-)

-- annusch (annusch71@yahoo.de), April 09, 2003.

Glad you enjoyed the superior Italian Coffee! See Caffe Mobile people are nice people!!!(even at 8:15am on a sunday!)

-- Ben Jones (ben@caffe-mobile.co.uk), April 09, 2003.

Hi all, I operate a Gourmet Mobile Espresso/Smoothie Bar called, "CURBSIDE CAFE'" in and around Los Angeles, California. I have a 1 ton Chevrolet pickup truck that has been converted. If you would like to see pictures of the truck and the company that built it, the web site is "www.seattlecoffeetrucks.com"

Jason Belsky

-- Jason Belsky (Movietrucks@aol.com), May 20, 2003.

have a suzuki jeep and would like to put gas espresso machine in the back of it I,m stoney broke!! can any one help?

-- shan aston (shanaston@hotmail.com), June 07, 2003.

Hi I am the founder of COFFEE KARZ NZ LTD a mobile Espresso bar in NEW ZEALAND and have two seen the PIAGGO setup but ITALY. I have NISSAN SCARO runing and are always on the look out for franchises www.coffeekartz.co.nz have look in a month.

-- Jason bell (coffeekartz@hotmail.com), June 20, 2003.

Hi there, another KIWI from New Zealand. My husband and I are living in England at the moment but are looking at returning home in another year or so. We would also like to do something similar in New Zealand. We have seen lots of three wheel mobile carts and were also intrigued as New Zealand has a great coffee culture and KIWI's spend most of the summer outdoors. If anyone has any info to offer it would be much appreciated.

-- MelanieMcClimont (melanieandfrancis@hotmail.com), June 29, 2003.

If you are in Cambridge you have to come track down caffe mobile. Serving the best coffee in cambridge as voted by a local magazine and now using Fairtrade coffee beans, have a look at the website www.caffe-mobile.co.uk

If you are interested in caffe mobile doing a local event we are allways interested.All contact details are on www.caffe-mobile.co.uk

-- Ben Jones (caffe_mobile@hotmail.com), July 26, 2003.

i have a complete piaggio 3-wheeler coffee vending unit for sale. It is fitted with the following :- ranchilio twin outlet coffee machine, ranchilio coffee grinder,dual voltage electrics eg 12v/240v, sockets and lighting, pressure sensitive water pump,working sink,drainage for sink and coffee machine. The van is 3years old and has covered 160 miles The whole set-up is in vgc and ready to trade

-- scott simpson (ssim574948@aol.com), July 29, 2003.

I would like to find out information about any franchises and their costs or where to buy a coffee van and how to get set up (In London).

Many thanks

-- Eamon george (asya4ever@hotmail.com), August 01, 2003.

I'm interested in a mobile coffee business after seeing caffeine Rush " www.caffeinerush.co.uk " though at over £20,000 it looks like setting it up myself is a better option. Any advice from anyone that has or is doing it would be very much appreciated.

-- Steve Leeds (stephenleeds@tiscali.co.uk), August 12, 2003.

Wow! What a rip off!! Sod that for a laugh, they are worth 10k max!!

-- cat (ceb60@cam.ac.uk), August 14, 2003.

I am currently sourcing a coofee cart I saw a Piaggio Ape in Soho, cam anyone let me know the pros and cons of these carts?

Do you need to hook up electric?

Do you need a water line or do they have water storage tanks.

Any information grtefully recieved.

Chris

-- chris b (chris.b@btinternet.com), August 20, 2003.

Hi, any info free on request. Full brochure available, so just e- mail your postal address. Good luck

-- Guy Llewellyn (guy@caffemobile.co.uk), September 10, 2003.

not sure david but i am in west australia and i am wanting to purchase or have custom built, a mobile coffee cart. any local or national leeds regarding this would be much appreciated! thanks ! regards annie

-- annie ramsay (annieramsay111@hotmail.com), October 01, 2003.

I had the pleasure of having a stall opposite "coffee karz nz ltd at a market in Tauranga,NZ,last weekend.Jason and his wife were the nicest people you could hope to have make coffee for you.The coffee was supberb and their service was topps.I noticed they were offering franchises for their 'coffee kars'.I'd recodmend anyone wanting to get into a mobile coffee business should contact them at coffeekartz@hotmail.com. Thanks CK for all the delicious coffee you made over the weekend.CHEERS.STEVE.

-- Steve Atkins (valley_oils@hotmail.com), October 21, 2003.

I am very interested in this mobile coffee business, but I'm unsure of where or how to get started. If anyone has any information that can assist me I'd be grateful. where can I get hold of a unit, how much are they likely to cost, how are they ran i.e.: electrify or gas?

Any advice would be a help. Thank-you!

-- Sharron Clark (DanielElle@aol.com), October 24, 2003.

HI ALL I AM TRYING TO START UP A MOBILE COFFEE BUSINESS, I AM LOOKING FOR A SMALL TRAILER TYPE STALL, DONT KNOW WHERE TO START ANY IDEAS. DONT KNOW IF ANYONE KNOWS BUT I WENT TO A MARKET IN WALES THE TIR PRINCE AND SEEN THE PERFECT MACHINE ANY ONE HAVE ANY CLUE WHERE TO GET ONE PLEASE!!!!!!!

-- martin mooney (martinmooney700@hotmail.com), November 05, 2003.

If anyone would like to purchase mobile cafes in Australia/NZ feel free to contact us and visit our website www.cafemobile.com.au

-- Grant (coffee@cafemobile.com.au), November 13, 2003.

If anyone in the Rep. of Ireland is interested in buying a Piaggio Ape Coffee vehicle then please contact me at the e-mail address provided. Lagland Hldgs ltd. is the official distributor of the Piaggio Ape in Ireland. We can provide you with a fully converted vehicle so you can start to trade yourself or we can provide you with a franchise like the machine in Eyre Sq., Galway so you can start to trade immediatly... also we can provide you with a comprehensive guide to potential earnings from these machines.

Look forward to hearing from you.

-- Gavin McGrath (info@lagland.ie), December 10, 2003.

I to am looking in a mobile Coffee Café. I notice that everyone uses small vehicles with no cover for customers in the rain. What happens in the winter? Guess large umbrellas.

-- Brett (brettmassey@clear.net.nz), January 03, 2004.

I am looking for a mobile coffee business/franchise called "Central Perk". I saw a unit at the Great Dorset Steam Fair and would love to know about running a similar business. Can anyone help?

-- Pauline Roberts (Jederoti@aol.com), January 13, 2004.

I am also looking to start a venture in South London. I need to know about licences and such like. I'm also looking int othe cheapest way of buying a unit. Please help. Cheers Scott

-- Scott Bates (paulaandscott@aol.com), January 26, 2004.

HELLO, I AM LOOKING INTO STARTING A MOBILE ESPRESSO/SMOOTHIE TRUCK OR VAN IF ANYONE CAN GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION OR HAS A USED ONE FOR SALE. I CURRENTLY LIVE IN SACRAMENTO CA. BUT I WILL BE RELOCATING TO PHOENIX AZ. AREA WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS. I WOULD REALLY APPREACIATE ANY HELP THANKYOU!!

-- CESAR GARCIA (CYNJV@AOL.COM), March 17, 2004.

hi ihave a complete rig for sale, an ape50 with a ranchilo twin handle coffee machine with grinder the van is 2000reg and has done 180mls it has small pressure fed sink and water tank ready to trade £3500.00 the lot

-- scott simpson (ssim574948@aol.com), May 24, 2004.

See our website www.streetcarts.co.uk for details on our excellent new product. Based on a piagio Ape, our all stainless steel unit allows trading from both the rear and one side. It comes complete with an Astoria two group machine + too much to list.

-- Harry Wiseman (info@streetcarts.co.uk), May 30, 2004.

While at the park the other day with my three year old daughter I thought How nice it would be to have someone deliver me my coffee.So, I decided I would research the idea and low and behold I came upon this posting board.I live in California, Bay Area, and I would appriciate if anyone had any Ideas or suggestions.

Thank you

-- Christine (Flipcote3@aol.com), June 18, 2004.

I am also looking at setting up a coffee business - can anyone provide me with information on average site costs at fairs, markets etc and also how you would secure a pitch at a railway/supermarket.

Plus any ideas on insurance cover, quality confectionary suppliers etc.

Thanks

-- Kate Couch (boo@kcouch.freeserve.co.uk), July 01, 2004.

At a market in romania two months ago I bought a cup of coffee from a vendor. His coffee machine was integrated into a small 3 wheeled vehicle, probably yugoslavian in origin. I've been wanting to find out more about the truck and the business ever since. Contact me if you have any information on this. Thanks

-- shikah rah (shakarah@zawllet.com), July 15, 2004.

Sorry i may upset a couple of people but coffee carts are much better than piaggios. They look much more professional, who wants to buy from a back of a van?? Sorry im saying this because we manufacturer coffee carts, anyone looking please check us out. Not just carts but machines, training, coffee, branding, basically everything you need to start up your own coffee business, even sites to trade from. www.coffeealacarte.co.uk

-- Paul Smith (paul@coffeealacarte.co.uk), July 22, 2004.

I have a coffee cart for sale. Stainless steel construction, with industrial stainless steel fridge, bulk head and light box, with plenty of storage. Suited to a permanent site. Also have a second hand La Pavoni 2 group expresso machine & coffee grinder. Located in Brisbane, Australia. Like a chef's kitchen on wheels! :). Contact me if you have any interest!. Thanks

-- Ian Thompson (ithompson@mandalaytech.com), August 01, 2004.

Hi All, We are setting up a mobile coffee business in England, currently based out of Leeds. We provide the best quality coffee to business'. We have franchise's available. If you would like any info on the business as a whole do not hesitate to contact me, happy to share info. It is a booming business and if you are looking to have your own business this is the way to do it. We have a professional marketing strategy behind us and experience from Australia. Good luck and go the coffee industry!

-- Jo Mansfield (jo.cafe2u@tesco.net), August 02, 2004.

I've been thinking about setting up a Ape Cafe businees in London myself for sometime. However there are a few things I don't understand, maybe the Guy who runs cafe mobile could respond to : It would seem that all of the locations that could accept a Mobile Cafe oulet have been taken, and if there were any left it would seem logical that someone with an existing business i.e Cafe Mobile(just for example)should have no reason to hesitate putting another Ape there immediately, which leads me to the conclusion that there are no places left that have any commercial viability.

-- Arthur (arturovanucci@yahoo.co.uk), August 05, 2004.

I am looking to purchase a coffee cart (Piaggo Ape or similar preferred) and wondered if anyone had a secondhand one for sale. Also any tips/advice would be appreciated. Many thanks, Sarah (UK).

-- Sarah Turner (david@turner6114.freeserve.co.uk), August 14, 2004.

"www.coffeealacarte.co.uk "

who wants to look at utterly boring and uninteractive website?

not me!!

-- (noname@spam.com), August 17, 2004.

Hi

It's a long time since the first posting, but I too am looking into the mobile cafe business. I would welcome any offers of second hand units, and any advice re gettting a pitch in london.

Thanks

Tori

-- Victoria Lillingston (curlytor@yahoo.com), January 09, 2005.

I have a custom built coffee van for sale, equipped with an aestoria 2 serve coffee machine. It also comes with a coffee grinder, chiller cabinet sink, display racks and generous storage compartments. It has a concealed generator and gas bottle storage and also has a seperate freezer compartment. It is a 500cc auto diesel engine, classed as a quadracycle and is this years model.

-- Lucy Simister (simisterlucy@hotmail.com), January 12, 2005.

Have a look at this Espresso machine conversion:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ViewItem&category=1271&item=3868121212&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

-- Harry Wiseman (hwiseman@streetcarts.co.uk), January 20, 2005.