KUALA LUMPUR: Food trucks are fast gaining popularity among street food lovers. However, for the truck operator, buying a unit is an expensive affair, costing them anywhere from RM35,000 to more than RM100,000, excluding equipment.
Local company KW Foodwagon came up with a solution by offering trailer wagons to customers who want to start a mobile business with a low budget.
The mobile wagon allows the owner to move to better locations for business. Besides this, they can also be used for transporting goods, and comes with a bed for those who wish to spend the night at campsites.
KW Foodwagon started its business in April last year, with a mission to “help others, particularly the hawkers in Malaysia”.
“The main issue facing hawkers is that they need time to set up their business, such as putting up their umbrellas or canopies, as well as setting up the cooking area,” said KW Foodwagon founder Khairil Arief Muhammud.
It is time consuming, and it gets worse if the vendor forgets to bring any equipment, which puts them in a position where they can’t operate their businesses. The wagon solves this problem as it is equipped with most equipment.
It also eliminates the issue of cleanliness around the hawker’s operation area as preparation and cooking activities will be done inside the wagon. Furthermore , it is cheap and easy to maintain as there is no engine attached to it.
“The owner needs to only maintain their vehicles and the wagon’s tyres. The wagons are made of fibreglass and weighs about 400kg under the basic specification. It can be customised as an office, boutique, mobile grocery shop and a handphone accessories shop,” said Khairil.
He said owners did not have to manoeuvre the wagon accurately into the parking spot as it was light, which allows a person to push it by hand.
According to the country’s road and transport law, vehicles of 1,000cc and above can pull a wagon. Owners only need to get a trader’s licence and a “mobile licence”.
However, to tow the wagon, owners must get a license from the Road Transport Department (RTD) to drive a truck weighing less than a tonne.
Khairil said for wagon owners who wanted to use it for business, they have to obtain a business licence.
Each KW Foodwagon unit comes with complete documentation for the wagon, which includes a chassis number to enable it to undergo Puspakom inspection and to be registered with RTD.
The wagon is spacious. The smallest unit, which is 8ft long, can fit two adults comfortably, even with kitchen cabinets and cooking equipment installed. Each wagon comes with indicator and brake lights for road safety purposes and to comply with regulations. The wiring connection between the wagon and towing car can be installed at workshops.
Electrical source will be from the socket from any premises or using a suitable generator based on the kitchen appliances chosen.
KW Foodwagon also offers static wagons. These are not for towing and are more suitable for owners who have a permanent operation site, such as a location in a mall.
The company offers a wide range of wagon sizes and kitchen appliances. The configuration of the wagon depends on the business needs. The wagon’s comes in three sizes — 8ft, 10ft and 13ft — with standard width of 6ft.
Khairil said a 7.5ft — width wagon would be available soon.
The KW Foodwagon price starts at RM12,000 and goes up to RM25,000. This price does not include kitchen equipment.
“Most customers are often excited when purchasing the wagon and tend to include unnecessary appliances. We will advise them, as well as offer the best prices for the appliances they choose,” said Khairil.