On quiet days, a food truck can be run by one person. As soon as there’s a queue, you need two people – one at the hob, one at the till. That’s the point at which a sole trader becomes an employer, with all that entails.
The mistake that will cost the most
Register before your first day at work – not afterwards. Anyone who employs someone before their registration has been processed risks being accused of employing someone illegally if they are inspected. Customs regularly inspect food trucks at festivals, and the burden of proof lies with you.
This also applies to temporary staff who are ‘just popping in’ to help out on Saturdays, and to family members as soon as they start working on a regular basis.
Registration of staff
DE Germany
AT Austria
CH Switzerland
Types of employment
Minor employment
DE Germany
AT Austria
CH Switzerland
For a food truck, the short-term employment Often the more appropriate form: Anyone who only helps out during the festival season isn’t working year-round anyway. Whether it applies depends, amongst other things, on the time limits and whether the work is carried out on a professional basis. Even if you’re exempt from social security contributions, you may still be liable for levies, accident insurance and taxes. Have your specific situation checked before you start work.
Minimum wage
Minimum thresholds
DE Germany
AT Austria
CH Switzerland
Record working hours. In the hospitality industry in Germany, there is a specific record-keeping obligation: the start, end and duration of each shift must be recorded no later than seven days afterwards and retained for two years. During a customs inspection, this is the first thing that will be asked for.
How much it costs to staff a single day’s operation
An invoice for a ten-hour festival day with a temporary staff member:
| Posts | Amount |
|---|---|
| 10 hours’ temporary work | 139 – 180 € |
| Employer’s contributions (flat rate) | 0 – 55 € |
| Catering | 10 – 15 € |
| Travel expenses, if covered | 0 – 30 € |
| Together | 149 – 280 € |
Anyone who Cost calculator If you budget 160 euros for staff per day of work, that’s realistic for one temporary worker – but not for two.
Who you’re looking for
Working in a food truck is different from working in a kitchen: it’s cramped, noisy, you’re under time pressure, you have to stand all the time, and it can be hot or cold. Anyone who isn’t used to this will realise by the second day that it’s not for them.
- Reliability over experience. You can teach someone to cook, but you can’t teach them to be punctual.
- Anyone who has worked in the catering industry, knows what goes on on a Saturday night.
- Two permanent temporary staff are better than five occasional ones. Training takes up half a day’s output each time.
Show the workplace before accepting the role. Getting to know each other in the truck benefits both sides. As soon as someone actually starts working with you, clarify pay, registration and insurance in advance. A trial day does not automatically mean unpaid work.
What every employee needs
- Information pursuant to Section 43 of the IfSG (Germany) or hygiene training (Austria, Switzerland) – pre on your first day at work
- A Briefing in gas system, deep fat fryer and emergency shut-off
- Workwear and headgear
- Access to the hand basin, not just the sink
The briefing in accordance with Section 43 of the IfSG must be provided by the employer upon commencement of employment and every two years thereafter. Document the content, date and attendance. Other hygiene and health and safety briefings may have additional or shorter deadlines.
Family members
Spouses and children who regularly help out are not treated as exceptions under employment law. Anyone who employs them without registering them faces the same issues as with any other temporary worker.
Occasional help from close family members is not a problem. The line is crossed when helping out becomes a permanent role in the business – anyone who works at the till every weekend is an employee.
A final thought. Arrange registration, the contract, remuneration, working hours and induction training before the first assignment. Seek professional advice on special cases such as short-term employment, minors or family members.