Food Truck Basics
A food truck is a large motorized vehicle or trailer equipped to cook, prepare, serve, and/or sell food.
- Also known as a mobile kitchen, mobile canteen, or food trailer.
- Popular in the UK for the past 10 years.
- Can make $5,000 to $16,000 a month depending on location.
Starting a Food Van Business
- Obtain a trading licence from your local council.
- Need a food business registration, licences, and permits.
- Acquire essential equipment like a prep station, fridge, and oven.
- Vans are ideal for selling pre-packaged foods due to limited space.
Equipment and Costs
- Ford Transit van is suitable for a small food van.
- Cargo vans can be converted into a food truck with storage and kitchenette.
- Trucks offer more space and ventilation for full commercial equipment.
- Food trucks cost less to open compared to restaurants, main expense being the truck purchase ($15,000 to $100,000).
Additional Information
- High expenses and lack of accounting knowledge contribute to food truck failures.
- Operating hours usually during lunchtime, with busy periods from 12:00 to 2:00 pm.
- Effective storage solutions in truck and van designs for equipment and inventory.
- Many food trucks achieve an annual turnover of around £100,000.
Common Terminology
What is another name for food truck?
- Food trucks can be referred to as mobile kitchens or food trailers.
What is another name for a food booth?
- A food booth is another term for a food truck.