Refrigerated cargo van delivery business

Caterers, restaurants, small grocers, farms, bakeries, specialty food makers and florists who need goods kept cold in transit.

A flat price per delivery or per load, or a regular weekly route rate. Some jobs charge by the mile plus a minimum fee. Repeat route contracts give steadier income than one-off jobs.

• Safe, reliable driving
• Route planning and punctuality
• Knowing safe food temperature handling
• Basic bookkeeping and invoicing

• Used refrigerated vans or insulated vans with a reefer unit fitted often cost well above $20,000, so check current prices and your financing or leasing options
• Commercial auto insurance and general liability insurance; check whether cargo insurance covering spoilage is available
• Whether your state or the FDA food transport rules apply to your loads; check temperature records and sanitation requirements
• Check whether your vehicle weight triggers a DOT number or commercial driver's license requirement
• Refrigeration unit breakdowns can spoil a load and cost you the customer, so plan for maintenance
• Check your city or county for a business license

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending mainly on the van and refrigeration unit. Used refrigerated or insulated vans with a reefer unit often cost well above $20,000, so check prices and financing or leasing options.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on your customers, routes and hours. Fuel, insurance and maintenance come out of that, and a refrigeration breakdown can spoil a load and lose a customer.

Check commercial auto and general liability insurance, and whether spoilage cargo cover is available. Check whether state or FDA food transport rules apply, whether your vehicle weight triggers a DOT number or CDL, and your city or county business license.