WASHME TV — Enterprise, Alabama

Food Truck
Entrepreneurship
Training Course

A 9-Module online course and hands-on workbook program teaching low-income individuals and minority entrepreneurs how a food truck business works, how to plan for launch, and how to build financial confidence through real-world entrepreneurship training.

"You do not have to start big to start smart. This program equips you with the mindset, the plan, the permits knowledge, and the launch checklist to turn a food idea into a mobile business."
Enroll Now — Free View Modules
9
Course Modules
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Program
100%
Free to Participants
Enterprise
Alabama

About This Program

A WASHME TV 501(c)(3) Food Truck Entrepreneurship Training Initiative

WASHME TV (Work and Save Human Minority Entrepreneurs TV) is an innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Enterprise, Alabama community. This online course delivers the full Food Truck Entrepreneurship Training workbook curriculum in an interactive, self-paced digital format.

You will move through nine modules covering entrepreneur mindset, the food truck business model, menu planning, pricing and profit, Alabama startup requirements and permits, food safety, branding, money management, and a complete launch readiness plan — every step designed to move you from idea to opening day.

The permits and food-safety modules are aligned with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) regulatory requirements for mobile food establishments — specifically Chapter 420-3-22, Food Establishment Sanitation, and its mobile-unit rule 420-3-22-.09 — so the path you learn here mirrors what a county health officer actually expects on the road to a permit.

Complete each module alongside the interactive worksheets below, then download your printable FoodTruck Workbook to keep for your business records.

Program Goals

  • ✦ Explain the basics of a food truck business model
  • ✦ Identify a target customer and a simple brand concept
  • ✦ Estimate startup costs and operating expenses
  • ✦ Understand Alabama mobile food requirements and commissary expectations under ADPH Chapter 420-3-22-.09
  • ✦ Create a simple menu, pricing plan, and launch checklist
  • ✦ Develop a next-step action plan for business readiness

Regulatory Alignment — ADPH Chapter 420-3-22

This curriculum is built to align with the Alabama Administrative Code, Title 420 (State Board of Health), Chapter 420-3-22 — Food Establishment Sanitation, which adopts the federal Food Code by reference and governs how food trucks and pushcarts operate in Alabama. The mobile-unit provisions in Rule 420-3-22-.09 are taught directly in Modules 5 and 6: county-by-county Health Officer approval, the commissary base of operation and daily reporting, on-unit handwashing facilities, unit identification lettering, single-service articles, and servicing-area standards.

Alignment means the training teaches the requirements of Chapter 420-3-22; it does not grant a permit or certify compliance. The rules were repealed and replaced effective February 14, 2025, and a county Health Officer may impose additional requirements. Every participant must confirm current requirements with their local county health department before operating. Official text: Alabama Administrative Code 420-3-22-.09.


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Your 9 modules, downloadable FoodTruck Workbook, and key resources unlock instantly the moment you enroll — it's free.

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Enroll to Unlock the FoodTruck Workbook

The Food Truck Training modules, printable workbook PDF, and key resources are reserved for enrolled participants. Complete the free enrollment below — the moment you do, all 9 modules, your workbook download, and essential resources unlock instantly.

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100% free for participants. No payment, ever.

Course Modules

9 practical modules — from mindset to launch day. Work them in order for the full path to opening your food truck.

1

Entrepreneur Mindset

Confidence, strengths, and practical goal setting for a new business owner.

  • A business starts with a need you can meet
  • Personal strengths inventory
  • Business vision in one sentence
  • 30-day / 90-day / 6-month goals
Start Module →
2

Food Truck Business Basics

The mobile food business model, customer focus, and concept development.

  • How a mobile food unit operates
  • Concept worksheet
  • Customer profile
  • Community opportunity scan
Start Module →
3

Menu Planning

Build a focused, consistent, and profitable menu that fits truck operations.

  • Menu planning principles
  • Menu draft worksheet
  • Signature item exercise
  • Speed & consistency check
Start Module →
4

Pricing and Profit

Estimate costs, set prices, and find the sales you need to make a profit.

  • What your price must cover
  • Cost-per-serving worksheet
  • Desired profit & selling price
  • Break-even thinking
Start Module →
5

Startup Requirements & Permits

Alabama mobile food compliance, commissary use, and the startup checklist.

  • Key ADPH Chapter 420-3-22-.09 points
  • 12-step startup checklist
  • EIN, structure & bank account
  • Compliance notes
Start Module →
6

Food Safety & Daily Operations

A practical routine for opening, serving, and closing — inspection ready.

  • Food Code habits (per Chapter 420-3-22)
  • Opening & closing checklists
  • During-service checklist
  • Temperature & sanitation habits
Start Module →
7

Branding and Marketing

Develop a name, visual identity, customer message, and launch marketing plan.

  • Brand identity worksheet
  • My business story
  • Marketing channels
  • Launch promotion idea
Start Module →
8

Money Management & Records

Daily sales tracking, weekly review, and strong recordkeeping habits.

  • What to track
  • Daily sales log
  • Weekly money check-in
  • Separating business & personal money
Start Module →
9

Launch Readiness Plan

Turn learning into action with a timeline, readiness check, and commitment.

  • 7 / 30 / 60-day timeline
  • Launch readiness checklist
  • Mentor feedback
  • Commitment statement
Start Module →

Online Workbook & Activities

Work through each module's lessons and worksheets below, then download your complete printable FoodTruck Workbook to keep.

📘 Download the FoodTruck Workbook

Your complete printable workbook — every module, worksheet, and checklist in one PDF. Now that you are enrolled, it is yours to keep.

Download FoodTruck Workbook (PDF) ↓

Module Lessons & Worksheets

🧭 Module 1 — Entrepreneur Mindset

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Key ideas:

  • A business starts with a need you can meet.
  • You do not have to start big to start smart.
  • Growth comes from planning, practice, and consistent service.
  • Setbacks are part of learning — good owners keep learning.

My business idea in one sentence:

Who do I want to serve, and what problem will my business solve?

My strengths (Leadership, Creativity, Cooking, Organization, Talking with people, Budgeting, Social media, Problem-solving, Teamwork, Dependability, Customer service) and how they help my business:

My 30-day goal, 90-day goal, and 6-month goal:

🚚 Module 2 — Food Truck Business Basics

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What a food truck business is:

  • A mobile food unit is designed to move and generally return to a commissary.
  • The menu affects the equipment, layout, and approval process.
  • A strong concept depends on speed, consistency, and customer appeal.

Business name idea and type of food or service:

My best-selling item idea and what makes my truck different:

My main customer is, and the food they usually want is:

Three places or events where they are most likely to buy:

🍽️ Module 3 — Menu Planning

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Menu planning principles: keep it focused · reuse ingredients across items · choose items that travel well · avoid complicated rush-period prep · design for profit, not just popularity.

My menu draft

#ItemDescriptionMain ingredientsEst. costPrice
1
2
3
4

My signature menu item is — and why will customers remember it?

Can it be made quickly and consistently during a rush? How?

💵 Module 4 — Pricing and Profit

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What your price must cover: ingredients · packaging · labor · fuel · commissary costs · permits and licenses · marketing · maintenance · profit.

Simple cost worksheet (per serving)

Menu item:

Ingredient cost + packaging cost + other cost = total cost per serving:

Desired profit per serving and my suggested selling price:

Break-even thinking — my fixed daily/weekly costs, and how many items I must sell:

📋 Module 5 — Startup Requirements and Permits

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Key Alabama mobile food points — drawn from ADPH Chapter 420-3-22-.09, Mobile Food Establishments:

  • A mobile food unit must be approved by the Health Officer in each county before operating there — approval in one county does not carry over to another.
  • The unit must operate from a commissary and report there at least once a day for supplies, cleaning, and servicing.
  • An on-unit handwashing facility is required wherever food is prepared or unpackaged food is handled: a sink, soap and towels in dispensers, and hot and cold water through a mixing-valve faucet, with water-heating capability onboard. Gloves do not substitute for a handwashing sink.
  • The commissary must provide, at minimum, employee toilet facilities, a handwashing sink, a warewashing sink, and a servicing area (Appendix "A").
  • The commissary's business name, address, and phone number must be permanent on at least two sides of the unit — the name in letters at least three inches high (3/8-inch strokes), the address and phone at least one inch high, in a contrasting color.
  • Provide only single-service articles that are individually wrapped or in sanitary containers or approved dispensers.
  • The menu, sinks, tanks, and equipment must match the approved operation, and the permit and inspection score must be posted in public view.

Startup checklist

  • ☐ Choose a business name   ☐ Decide on a business structure   ☐ Apply for an EIN
  • ☐ Open a business bank account   ☐ Develop a proposed menu   ☐ Secure a commissary relationship
  • ☐ Prepare a plan of operation   ☐ Gather equipment specification sheets
  • ☐ Contact the county health department   ☐ Learn local business license requirements
  • ☐ Plan insurance needs   ☐ Create a launch budget

Which county or city will I operate in, and who do I need to contact first?

What approvals might apply to my business?

🧼 Module 6 — Food Safety and Daily Operations

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These daily routines follow the food-safety practices of the FDA Food Code adopted by ADPH Chapter 420-3-22 — handwashing, separating raw and ready-to-eat foods, time/temperature control, and sanitizing food-contact surfaces — so your everyday habits match what an inspector checks for.

Opening checklist: wash hands & stock the hand sink · check water supply and wastewater capacity · verify hot and cold holding temperatures · sanitize food-contact surfaces · confirm permits and postings are visible.

During service: wash hands often · keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate · use thermometers · monitor flow and cleanliness · record issues to follow up.

Closing checklist: discard food that cannot be safely kept · clean and sanitize surfaces · dispose of wastewater properly · return to commissary as required · record sales and notes.

My biggest food-safety risk and how I will manage it daily:

📣 Module 7 — Branding and Marketing

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Marketing channels: Facebook · Instagram · flyers · church and community events · school events · vendor fairs · word of mouth · pop-up partnerships.

My brand identity — business name, tagline, brand colors, and style words:

Why did I choose this business, and why does it matter to my community?

My top 3 marketing channels and my launch promotion idea:

My flyer or post message:

💰 Module 8 — Money Management and Records

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What to track: daily sales · best-selling items · food purchases · fuel · packaging · commissary fees · event fees · repairs · taxes set aside.

Daily sales log

DateLocationSalesExpensesNotes

Weekly check-in — what came in, what went out, and did I separate business and personal money?

My highest expense this week and what I should change next week:

🚀 Module 9 — Launch Readiness Plan

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Turn learning into action. Organize tasks, assess readiness, and commit to your next steps.

Next 7 days — tasks I will complete:

Next 30 days — tasks I will complete:

Next 60 days — tasks I will complete:

Launch readiness checklist

AreaNot startedIn progressReady
Business concept
Menu
Pricing
Branding
Startup budget
Permits and approvals
Food safety knowledge
Marketing plan
Recordkeeping system

My commitment statement — I commit to taking the next step by:


Key Resources

Essential tools and websites for every Food Truck Entrepreneurship Training Course participant.

FoodTruck Workbook (PDF)

Your complete printable course workbook. Enrollment is required before download.

ADPH Chapter 420-3-22-.09

Alabama mobile food unit sanitation rules (official text)

Alabama Dept. of Public Health

Mobile food unit rules and plan review

IRS EIN Application

Free EIN application for your business

Alabama Sec. of State

Business registration and entity records

SBA Resources

Loans, mentoring, and business development

SCORE Mentorship

Free mentorship from business professionals

WASHME TV Facebook

Community updates and announcements

Promise to Prosper Course

Our companion financial-literacy program


Certificate of Participation

Awarded upon completion of the WASHME TV Food Truck Entrepreneurship Training Program.

WASHME TV

Certificate of Participation

This certifies that

Your Name Here

has completed the

Food Truck Entrepreneurship Training Program

Work and Save Human Minority Entrepreneurs TV | Enterprise, Alabama

Participant Signature Instructor Date

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