Food truck in D.R.

melberenice

New member
Jan 15, 2015
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So in about 5-7 years I plan on moving to D.R. My parents are from there and i've been going every summer since I was 3 years old. Needless to say i'm in love with my country. My family lives there and I hate being so far from them. My only issue is how i'm going to make a living out there.

I was thinking about opening up a food truck business in a touristic area. My brother suggested a Tex-Mex food style and I was thinking about BBQ style food truck. Any suggestions that you think will be best and where in the D.R. do you think this would be successful in?

Thank you :p
 

the gorgon

Platinum
Sep 16, 2010
33,997
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0
So in about 5-7 years I plan on moving to D.R. My parents are from there and i've been going every summer since I was 3 years old. Needless to say i'm in love with my country. My family lives there and I hate being so far from them. My only issue is how i'm going to make a living out there.

I was thinking about opening up a food truck business in a touristic area. My brother suggested a Tex-Mex food style and I was thinking about BBQ style food truck. Any suggestions that you think will be best and where in the D.R. do you think this would be successful in?

Thank you :p

you will last 3 months, whereupon every Dominican who is not blind will get one and set up business right beside you, selling exactly what you sell, or some close copy.
 

yacht chef

Bronze
Sep 13, 2009
1,588
17
38
It is good to see that everyone is not all about staying in the usa. I also love your country and rack my brain dayle to find a way to spend more time there. It makes me sad but I guess I must wate till I am 62 and get SS.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
Tex-Mex........

where are the Gordito knock offs? haven't seen any yet....
hook up with him for a truck

Tex mex might be better than parilla.....they're good at that here
 

RonS

Bronze
Oct 18, 2004
1,457
65
48
I have also had to face the reality that in order to relocate and live in the DR you need to be financially self-sufficient. It has become increasingly clear to me, that unless you have a unique product or service, AND, that service has a market in the DR, AND, that market is financially viable and stable over the long term, you will likely fail. There are some, few indeed, who have been able to parlay an internet opportunity and work from their computer while on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Very few! Don't give up your day job. If you really want to relocate, save and invest so that you will have the cash you need to be self-sufficient n the DR. If you need to work to make money in the DR to live, you're in trouble.
 
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Marcion

*** Sin Bin ***
Nov 22, 2014
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Pizza, wings and BBQ are essential to the gringo diet and lifestyle.

If you cook it, they will find you. Occasionally walk around the establishment to assert its uber gringoness over lesser local competitors and you will make a living, my Fren.
 

Expat13

Silver
Jun 7, 2008
3,255
50
48
Pizza, wings and BBQ are essential to the gringo diet and lifestyle.

If you cook it, they will find you. Occasionally walk around the establishment to assert its uber gringoness over lesser local competitors and you will make a living, my Fren.
Problem is, where are there enough gringo customers to feed on a daily basis? Punta Cana has AI so they eat in, SD the gringos are too sparse. The NC has Sosua and Cabarete which are filled with dying restaurants. You will definitely need amazing food that keeps them coming back, and fend off the criminals who will be all over your truck with pesos! Can be done but definitely not a surefire success. Best to wait until its closer to your arrival as things change!
 

Marcion

*** Sin Bin ***
Nov 22, 2014
839
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Problem is, where are there enough gringo customers to feed on a daily basis? Punta Cana has AI so they eat in, SD the gringos are too sparse. The NC has Sosua and Cabarete which are filled with dying restaurants. You will definitely need amazing food that keeps them coming back, and fend off the criminals who will be all over your truck with pesos! Can be done but definitely not a surefire success. Best to wait until its closer to your arrival as things change!

I have a plan that can't fail.

Inside of every Dominican is an American trying to get out and eat real food.
 

Africaida

Gold
Jun 19, 2009
7,775
1,341
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Rice and beans is more real food than pizza and wings. I will give you that the lack of variety that can be tiresome and something to explore (that is if Dominicans are ur target).
if gringos are make sure you set up in an area where North AAmericans are the majority.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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One of the Haiti charities was offering Christmas giving ideas.

Donate 'whatever amount it was' (I forget) and the charity would give a Start-up Kit for a rabbit farm to a needy Haitian.

Rabbits proliferate quickly and are a good source of much needed protein in the diet.
Same applies in RD... need more protein in the basic citizen's diet.

Why not start a rabbit farm, somebody
check out the breeding and fertility cycles.... rapido !!
 

Marcion

*** Sin Bin ***
Nov 22, 2014
839
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0
Rice and beans is more real food than pizza and wings. I will give you that the lack of variety that can be tiresome and something to explore (that is if Dominicans are ur target).
if gringos are make sure you set up in an area where North AAmericans are the majority.

You're obviously some kind of commie trying to nationalize my non-existent assets and redistribute my winning ideas.

I was born at night but it wasn't last night, I know you're all trying to draw out the details of my Master Plan through casual banter and chit-chat but it won't work.

I will only say that we have decided on the name "Screaming Gringo" for the franchise.
 

Africaida

Gold
Jun 19, 2009
7,775
1,341
113
You're obviously some kind of commie trying to nationalize my non-existent assets and redistribute my winning ideas.

I was born at night but it wasn't last night, I know you're all trying to draw out the details of my Master Plan through casual banter and chit-chat but it won't work.

I will only say that we have decided on the name "Screaming Gringo" for the franchise.

Screaming gringo I like it, but Dominicans will pronounce creamy gringo. Next thing u know, they will think it is an ice cream franchise , competitor to Helado Bon.
here goes ur master plan :)
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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Food Trucks can be a costly start-up...

I hate giving away my best ideas - but.........

Easy entry, low capital requirement... proven track record

A Wet T-Shirt Car Wash
Worked well in Toronto creating 'after bar' traffic jams

Low/no cost to enter.... willing employees her in RD who will retire off their 'tips'

Rent cars for a drive thru if want .... like an adult Disneyland ride...

Car washes are big deals here --- they'd be BIGGER with my idea

Watch for me on Shark Tank next month
 

tommeyers

On Vacation!
Jan 2, 2012
1,599
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I live in Santiago
The way I have evaluated business ideas for myself is to first consider the Barriers To Entry:

What are they: money, time, professional certifications/licenses, ...

Then can I overcome those barriers.

Then can others?

The answers to those questions explain the failure of some businesses because of copy-cats.

Tom
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
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I'm still thinking.........

we'll need a 'den mother' ---------- 'Frica gets the nod

Its a good , clean business,
legitimizes the girls who can advance their careers by 'branching out'
a natural adjunct to hooking...

Seriously, I have never mentioned that to any woman who was offended or blew the idea off the table
most see the possibilities

I almost did it in Camden NJ.....had a girl ready to run it
the girl who ran my check cashing businesses

Cheap rent, cheap / free water

you could have 'Geezer Nights'........... noooo, maybe not

Tambo, you make sure the girls are properly hosed down and have lots of soap on hand
tough job, but important and somebody needs to do it

Me? I'll be in the back watching the surveillance cameras and counting the money

Look at that !!!!!
we have spawned our first offshoot....

a soft porn channel to feed to the Cabanas...

Honestly, this engine runs itself....

endless possibilities.......... if you just let your mind run free
outside the box........
 

tommeyers

On Vacation!
Jan 2, 2012
1,599
0
36
I live in Santiago
I'm still thinking.........

we'll need a 'den mother' ---------- 'Frica gets the nod

Its a good , clean business,
legitimizes the girls who can advance their careers by 'branching out'
a natural adjunct to hooking...

Seriously, I have never mentioned that to any woman who was offended or blew the idea off the table
most see the possibilitie....

You may have preselected your advisors only from an unrepresentastive sample of the population.

This also fails my Barriers to Entry test.