The Cost of Starting a Food Truck Business
Food trucks are booming in popularity across the United States. While many people believe this is an “easier” way to start a food business, this may not be the case. It is important to do your research before deciding whether or not a food truck business is right for you.
So, what does it cost to start a food truck business? The exact amount of money it takes to open a food truck business varies. However, research has shown that the average is around 60,000 dollars upfront. To decide if you want to start a food truck, it is best to know a little about it first.
Keep reading to learn more about the process and cost of starting a food truck business.
History of Food Trucks
Food trucks are a relatively new phenomenon in the world of food. The first truck would have been built by Thomas Stuart in 1826.
Trucks were used to sell bread, pies, and pasties from a wooden food cart fitted with a counter and they became popular throughout the 19th century. They were also used to sell goods on construction sites and at factory gates.
It was in the 20th century that food trucks came into their own. Mobile canteens were used to feed people on the go during times of war or on dangerous job sites. During World War 1 mobile canteens run by the Salvation Army and YMCA fed troops on the front line.
Recovery of The Food Truck Industry
With increased urbanization in the mid-20th-century restaurant chains became popular across America. This forced many street vendors out of business. The food truck industry didn’t begin to recover until the 1990s.
Today, food trucks are used by many different kinds of people in many different ways. Some people run their own food truck business doing what they love and providing tasty treats for hundreds of customers every day. Others use their cars with attached kitchens to start cooking up a life on the road that is different from their life in a home or office.
Some food trucks are run by franchisees, some by individuals, and some by groups of friends who band together to spread the word about what they love to do – cook wonderful meals for a crowd.
Food trucks offer many people the chance to get involved with something different from anything else they have tried – from managing their own mobile catering business to cooking, marketing, and everything in between.
What to Know Before Opening a Food Truck
The food truck industry is growing, so you might want to consider starting your own. A food truck can be a great business opportunity if you’re willing to work hard and deal with the daily struggles of running a mobile kitchen.
Food trucks are a great way to have flexibility when owning your own “restaurant”. Restaurants can be a huge time commitment and extremely taxing. Owning a food truck allows for a little more flexibility and autonomy. This appeals to many as food trucks are becoming popular.
What’s it Like?
Many people imagine that life on the road is exciting and carefree, but the reality is often less glamorous. Food truck owners have to deal with difficult working conditions, finding a place to park, and constant food preparation.
The Pros of Starting a Food Truck
- You can generate revenue faster than opening a traditional restaurant (and avoid some substantial costs).
- Food trucks are mobile, so they can be set up in areas that are not zoned for restaurants.
- Food trucks can get into unique locations that traditional restaurants can’t; like music festivals!
- Food trucks are very flexible, and you get to choose your hours of operation.
The Cons of Starting a Food Truck
- There is no way to hold large parties or banquets out of a food truck.
- You have to be very good at navigating social media and online marketing, otherwise, no one will know about your food!
- Food trucks are more expensive than opening a fast-casual restaurant. However, they still aren’t as expensive as opening a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant!
How Much Do Food Trucks Cost to Start?
Food trucks have been known to be a cheaper alternative and can help launch your food business. As you probably already know, the cost of opening a restaurant is extremely high! If you can’t afford it, or if you just want to start small and test the market first, then starting a food truck is worth considering.
Typically, food trucks cost less than pop-up restaurants and other low-budget food businesses. Food trucks provide a unique opportunity to make quality food and can help you get your name out there before you open your brick-and-mortar restaurant (if that’s what you plan on doing).
For about $60,000 or even less, [with our help] you can get a great food truck to start your business. Food trucks are essentially rolling restaurants that are constructed out of an old cargo van or trailer, enclosed in metal, and designed to be used as a kitchen on wheels!
Some food trucks provide seating for customers, and others do not. When the weather is nice, you can take your food truck to festivals or fairs. Food trucks are also great at catering exclusive events that other restaurants cannot reach such as sporting events, weddings, and corporate gatherings.
Talk to Someone Experienced
To stay away from such issues and to cut down on your expenses, it would be advisable for you to consult with an experienced food truck operator or with someone who has an idea about how much a food truck costs and who knows what it takes to come up with the best dishes.
You need to know that there is no fixed price when it comes to purchasing or leasing a food truck. This is why it would be best for you to do some research before you strike a deal with any company that claims to sell or lease their food trucks.
A lot of things need to be considered before you come up with the correct food truck cost. It would also help if you consider doing some research on how much does it cost for a food truck owner to operate the vehicle. This way, at least you will have an idea about your daily expenses.
It is also a good idea for you to talk with an experienced food truck owner or operator so they will be able to help you figure out the total cost of a food truck. The price of a food truck depends on many factors such as its size, condition, and accessories.
Factors That May Affect the Cost of a Food Truck
Several factors may affect the cost of your food truck. These include the following:
Size & Condition
The size and condition of the food truck play a big part in coming up with the right food truck cost. A new food truck that is in tip-top shape will be more expensive than a used one. As for the size, it would also help if you take some time to set some price ranges.
Location
It also pays if you consider the location of the food truck before you come up with the right cost. A food truck that is located in a busy and highly commercial region will be more expensive than one that is located in a remote area.
Type of Food
It also pays if you will take the time to compare the cost of different food trucks that serve the same type of menu. The volume of sales is another important factor in coming up with an estimate of how much does it cost to operate a food truck. You need to make sure that you include this issue when figuring out the total cost of a food truck
Employees
Hiring employees will affect the salary expenses that you have to deal with each month. This is why it also pays if you put in some time into coming up with an estimate of how much does it take to operate a food truck in an hour.
Appliances & Tools
This is very important because if you will not factor this into your budget, you may end up purchasing too many appliances only to realize that they are way too much for your small food truck. The more appliances you buy, the higher the rate of operating a food truck.
In Conclusion
Even if a lot of people out there consider this as a small-time business that can be started on a shoestring budget, you need to keep in mind that you will have some expenses from the very start. As mentioned earlier, no two food trucks are alike – each is built to satisfy the needs of its owners.
This means that you will need an expert opinion before you decide on how much does it cost for a used or new Food truck. After all, this is probably one of the biggest investments that you can make if you are planning to start your own food truck business.
