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10 Getting Started with a Food Truck

When you start a food truck business, you will need to do research to make sure it will be successful. It is recommended to work on a variety of food trucks before buying one. Make sure this business is right for you. Food trucks can be used as a food truck business or to run your off-site catering business. There is a lot of potential. But like any business,  research the pros and cons before jumping in.

Check with your city or towns that you plan on going to for permit and license requirements.

Common requirements:

  • Food handler’s permit (ServSafe or similar)
  • Business license
  • Vehicle license
  • Health department approval
  • Fire and safety inspection
  • Insurance requirements

Catering clients are increasingly hiring food trucks for a variety of reasons.

Guests often enjoy watching their food being prepared on-site.

  • Trendy Appeal: Food trucks offer a modern, Instagram-worthy vibe, especially for weddings, corporate events, and festivals.
  • Customization: Many food trucks allow for customized menus and branding, which can be tailored to match event themes.

Convenience and Mobility

  • On-Site Cooking: No need for full kitchen setups—food trucks come fully equipped.
  • Flexible Locations: Ideal for outdoor events or venues without kitchen facilities.
  • Quick Setup and Teardown: Compared to traditional caterers, food trucks can be faster and less logistically intensive.

Cost-Effective Options

  • Streamlined offerings can, in some cases,  reduce overall food costs.
  • Many trucks offer per-person pricing that’s competitive with or cheaper than traditional catering.
  • Fewer servers or kitchen staff required may end up with lower costs.

Diverse Cuisine Choices

  • Specialty Foods: From tacos to Korean BBQ to vegan desserts, food trucks often focus on one type of cuisine and do it very well.
  • For large events, Clients can book multiple trucks to offer a food court-style variety without hiring several caterers.

Fast and Efficient Service

  • High Turnover Capability: Designed for speed, food trucks can typically serve large groups quickly, depending on the menu.

Appeal to Younger Demographics

  • Millennials and Gen Z tend to value casual, authentic, and unique food experiences, making food trucks a hit for weddings, college events, and corporate functions.

Starting and running a food truck business can be an exciting and profitable venture if done right. For many reasons, food trucks go hand in hand. They an be used to cater events, or a free standing business. The food truck business is very similar to regular restaurants and catering, just mobile. There are, of course, many things that a mobile food truck must consider that are not needed in a brick-and-mortar restaurant setting.

Research and Planning

  • Do market research and explore the local food truck scene. What cuisines are popular? What’s missing?
  • Identify Your Niche and choose a unique concept and be true to your concept.
  • Determine who is your target audience. Is it office workers, late-night crowds, or event-goers? Are you using your truck primarily for catering events
  • Scout spots: Business districts, breweries, events, college campuses.
  • Get permissions: Some spots require agreements or permits.

Create a Business Plan

As with any business, you must first complete a business plan. You have to know who you are and who you will be to be successful. Putting in both time and doing the research are essential to your success.

Outline key elements:

  • Summary of your business venture
  • Plan your Menu and Concept
  • Accurately predict your Startup and Operating Costs
  • Define your Pricing Strategy
  • Create a Marketing Plan
  • Determine licensing needs
  • Determine laws in various cities pertaining to food trucks. Health codes, licensing, and zoning laws can vary greatly by city.
  • Complete Financial Projections
  • Growth Plan (event catering, multiple trucks, etc.)

Find and Equip Your Truck

There are many options and considerations when purchasing your food truck or trailer.

  • Buy or Lease a Food Truck or Trailer: New can be $35K–$150K, used $30K–$70K.
  • Outfit the Kitchen: Grills, fryers, fridges, sinks, storage—all compliant with local health codes.
  • Brand It: Eye-catching wrap, logo, and signage.

Design Your Menu

  • Keep It Simple and Efficient: Focus on 5–8 core items that are fast to prep.
  • Test Recipes: Host tastings or pop-ups for feedback.
  • Offer a concise, high-quality menu that’s easy to prepare and serve quickly
  • Be creative and realistic
  • Adapt for Volume: Design dishes for consistent quality during rushes or large events.

Build Your Brand & Online Presence

  • Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok—share your food and truck locations.
  • Website: Menu, schedule, and booking information for catering events.
  • Location Apps: Register on food truck trackers in your area. (e.g., Roaming Hunger, StreetFoodFinder).

Start Operating

  • Plan Routes & Events: Lunch spots, breweries, concerts, farmers markets or events.
  • Stay Consistent: A Regular schedule builds a loyal following.
  • Engage Customers: Friendly service, loyalty cards, giveaways, Instagram shout-outs.

Monitor & Grow Your Business

  • Track Sales and Inventory: Use a POS system to manage everything.
  • Collect Feedback: Adjust the menu or prices based on what sells. Know your costs and accurately compute item costs.
  • When ready, add catering, private events, or even a second truck.
  • Track your sales:
    • Use point-of-sale (POS) systems to track:

      • Sales trends

      • Inventory

      • Customer data

    • Regularly assess profitability and adjust your locations, menu, or pricing as needed.

 

License

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Catering Copyright © 2025 by Nicolet College and Vicki Mendham is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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