Font Size:
Customer Satisfaction and Food Hygiene Practice of Food Truck Business: The Myth and Reality on Physical Cleanliness
Last modified: 2023-10-23
Abstract
Food trucks have grown in popularity worldwide, providing convenient and unique dining options to consumers. However, food safety remains a concern with mobile food businesses. This study examined how physical cleanliness impacts customer satisfaction for the Tapak Urban Street Food Truck in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A quantitative approach was used, with 218 patrons of the food truck completing a questionnaire. The sample was predominantly young Malay adults who were not regular customers. Physical cleanliness was found to have a very weak uphill linear relationship with satisfaction that was not statistically significant. The weak correlation suggests cleanliness is not a priority for satisfaction among these occasional young patrons, though basic hygiene standards are still essential. For enhancing satisfaction, factors like novelty, taste, and affordability may prove more influential than cleanliness alone based on this demographic profile. While this study provides initial evidence on satisfaction drivers, further research should investigate a broader, more diverse consumer sample. Additionally, qualitative data could offer deeper insights into relative importance of satisfaction attributes. Food truck operators must balance creative offerings and value with fundamental health requirements in order to optimize the consumer experience. This study indicates cleanliness itself has minimal impact on satisfaction, though appropriate hygiene remains imperative.
Keywords
Food Hygiene, Physical cleanliness, customer satisfaction