Photo by James Guerrero on Unsplash

Statisticians estimate that there are over 25,000 food trucks in the United States currently.

As is the case for any business, there are many different costs you’ll need to attend to when you’re running a food truck. The entire amount will depend on the scale of your business and the area where you’re based.

If you want your food truck business to succeed, you have to manage your expenses properly. The first step toward doing this is learning about what your costs will be and where they’re likely to come from.

Read on to learn more about food truck expenses and how they’re likely to affect your business.

The Basic Food Truck Expenses

There are many different expenses you might incur while running a food truck. We’ve looked at some of the main categories below.

Start-Up Costs

Food truck businesses have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their low start-up costs. While it’s true that in many parts of the country buying a food truck will cost less than the property needed for a brick-and-mortar restaurant, you’ll still need to figure out how to cover your startup costs, either from cash or financing.

The cost of your food truck will include the vehicle itself, as well as any onboard kitchen equipment. You’ll want to carefully consider the layout of your truck, as incorporating additional appliances later on will be difficult in such a small space.

Stock

Like any other restaurant, food trucks have to buy the ingredients for the food they cook. If you want to build your reputation as an outstanding food vendor, investing in quality ingredients is especially important.

Aside from food, you should consider other kitchen necessities, such as pots, pans, cooking implements, utensils, and serveware. You might be able to start off with minimal cooking accessories and continue to build up your kitchen over time, as you see the need for additional items. 

Fuel

There are a couple types of fuel you will need to consider: the gasoline or diesel you’ll use to transport your truck from place to place, and the generator fuel you will need to run your kitchen once you’ve set up shop.

Deciding how much money to put in your vehicle fuel budget will depend how much driving you plan to do. Will your food truck spend most of its time being stationed in one spot? Or do you plan travel a lot for food fairs and other events? This will make a huge difference in how much you spend on fuel costs.

Vehicle Maintenance

This is another cost that will likely vary with how much time you spend actually driving your truck around. Based on usage, you’ll need to come up with a plan for how often your truck will need oil changes, new tires, and other replenishments. Plus, you should be sure and schedule your truck for regular maintenance to keep it in top working condition.

Tax & Insurance

Like any other vehicle, your food truck will need to be insured before it can take to the road. And you’ll need to pay registration fees to keep your vehicle legal! These costs vary considerably from one state to the next, so be sure to find out specifics from your local transportation department.

Succeeding as a Food Truck Owner in 2020

Managing your food truck expenses properly is one of the most important things you’ll have to do if you want your business to succeed. Many businesses that start from a great concept have failed because of an inability to keep costs under control.

Knowing your way around the expense categories we’ve listed here will have you well on your way to making a success of your food truck enterprise.

Looking to get started? Contact us today to discuss your food truck needs.

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post Food Truck Expenses: What Are the Costs to Buy and Run a Food Truck? appeared first on Custom Concessions.

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The startup costs for a food truck may seem intimidating. However, if you create a practical budget and business plan, a food truck can be very profitable. 

When creating a budget, you’ll have to consider all the business needs of your food truck.  If you’re new to the game, you might not know where to begin.

We’ve got you covered! Below is a comprehensive list of food truck supplies to get you started!

Supplies for Food Prep

Most food truck owners will prep in a commercial kitchen, but chances are you’ll still need a fully-stocked prep station. Some of this equipment is stuff you might already be familiar with from your own kitchen, while other items are more complex.

No matter what you’re serving, you’ll need basic cookware to help you prep in your truck. This includes things such as pots, fry pans, food processors, cutting boards, knives, and other cooking instruments. Your collection of cookware should also include thermometers to ensure all the food you’re preparing is safe and up-to-code.

Selecting the right workstation is also important. Depending on how much space you have, you may have to choose between a full prep counter and stainless steel prep tables.

Cooking Supplies

Many food trucks serve hot foods and require larger pieces of kitchen equipment that will be mounted inside your truck. A grill is perfect for just about any truck selling hot foods. A range is great for anything that needs to be boiled or sautéed.

A fryer is necessary for selling products like fries or onion rings. Charbroilers deliver a grilled flavor to meats but are perfect for veggies as well.

You may choose to install all or just a few of these pieces of cooking equipment depending on the size of your truck and the types of food you plan to serve.

Supplies for Holding Food

If your products require a lot of prep before assembly and selling, you’ll want to have ways to keep them fresh and safe to eat. This is a necessity whether you’re selling hot or cold products.

Refrigerators and freezers are essential for practically every food truck. Many people opt for under-the-counter fridge units to save space. Most of these types of units double as countertop space as well.

Which warming units you choose for your truck will depend on your product. Some people will find that countertop warmers suit their needs, while others will have better luck with heated proofing cabinets that have shelving inside. Other options include soup kettles, food heat lamps, and display warmers.

Additional Food Truck Features

While your customer’s focus will be on your food, as the owner, you need to focus on more than just the product you serve. When designing your food truck supplies list, you’ll have to consider safety and sanitation as well.

Sinks

Washing hands to prevent cross-contamination is a must for all food-centered businesses. You’re required to have a hand-washing sink in your food truck by the health department.

Safety Features

Every food truck owner has to undergo an inspection before they can get a license or permit. You’ll need a functioning exhaust hood and fire suppression system to pass.

Service Window

A service window provides the easiest way to interact with your customers. Make sure to consider its size, as it could affect your available prep space. Furthermore, you should decide whether you’d like to invest in a concession door to cover your windows during bad weather or when you’re not operating. 

Taking It to the Streets

A food truck is perfect for people who want to run their own business and prefer a unique work environment. This list of food truck supplies will help novices get their food truck business up off the ground!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post The Complete List of Food Truck Supplies and Equipment appeared first on Custom Concessions.

Looks like food trucks are getting the green light. According to this report, more people are electing to expand the industry by adding new food truck-based businesses to the menu.

Thinking about starting your own food truck? Before you hit the road and chow down on new business ideas, it helps to consider your options. First of all, are you buying a new, customized food truck, or going with a used one?

For most people, a customized truck is the better bet. 

Here are seven reasons to consider getting a customized food truck. Take a bite out of these benefits!

1. Equipment & Layout

Purchasing a customized food truck instead of a used one puts you in the driver’s seat. With a new truck, you get to decide the equipment you use, the layout, the bells and whistles—everything. Otherwise, you’re left with the existing layout, which can limit your equipment choices. 

Every type of cuisine requires different pieces of equipment. Depending on the type of food you’re serving, you’ll need to choose specific equipment. Otherwise, you might find yourself making changes to the menu. 

Removing old commercial cooking equipment and replacing it with new stock isn’t cheap. It’s also not as easy as buying a new blender or microwave. Instead, you have to find equipment that’s suited for your truck’s outlets and plumbing. 

By purchasing a customized food truck, you decide the layout first. 

Instead of getting stuck with equipment that’s already installed, you can determine what equipment you need based on your cuisine. 

You can even search through different brands of commercial cooking equipment. Don’t get stuck with cheap options in a previously owned food truck. Purchasing a brand new food truck means you can make it your own!

2. Minimize Potential Issues

It’s important to choose a vehicle that’s reliable and safe for you and your team. After all, this is your place of business! You don’t want to take a used food truck on the open road and have it breakdown on a busy intersection. 

If the vehicle breaks down, you can’t just operate elsewhere.

Instead, you have to pay for repairs. In addition to the cost of getting the truck fixed, you’re also losing money for each day you’re out of business.

Don’t leave yourself with the stress of dealing with mechanical issues and costs. 

If this happens often, your customers will start to take notice. They might elect to grab a bite to eat elsewhere after your truck repeatedly breaks down. 

For some people, buying a used food truck that breaks down breaks their business, too. 

Instead, keep your food truck up and running! Purchasing a brand new food truck can help you get the peace of mind you need.

You’ll know you and your team are safe and that you can stay open for business. Plus, your customers will know they can rely on you for a good meal, too.

3. Easy Warranties

For any business, it’s important to have a backup plan. That’s where your warranties come in.

When you purchase an old, previously used food truck, warranties probably won’t come along with it. If anything happens to the food truck, you’re straight out of luck! You could end up paying an exorbitant amount of money to deal with the damages. 

Often when purchasing a new truck, you’ll find that a number of warranties are available to you to protect the various pieces of equipment in your truck.

Some food truck builders even offer warranties on their custom manufacturing work.

By choosing to purchase a custom food truck, you’ll have the peace of mind that these warranties are there to protect you in case an accident occurs. 

4. Health Codes

Whether you buy a used food truck or a new one, you’re going to need to make sure you’re meeting all the health codes.

If you purchase a previously owned food truck that operated in a different location, however, it’s probably not up to code for use in your city. Health codes can vary widely depending on the location. 

Why bother purchasing a food truck that you can’t use in your own city? Instead of hitting that roadblock, skip the stress. Buy a customized food truck that’s built with your city’s health codes in mind. 

That way, you’ll have a guarantee that you can operate where you intend to run your truck. 

5. Nice & Clean

Over the years, food trucks experience a lot of wear and tear.

Imagine the grease build-up, mildew, or other potential health-risk issues that could be lurking under the surface in a used truck.

When you purchase a customized food truck, you start with a clean slate—literally. You won’t have to worry about the previous owners or what they left growing in the fridge. Instead, you can start your food truck business with a clean place to work. 

6. Big Picture Costs

The food truck industry is expected to reach $985 million in 2019. Many people choose to buy a used food truck because it seems cheaper—at a glance. However, you have to consider the big picture.

When you purchase a used food truck, you still have to pay for updated equipment, possible changes, and potential repairs. If the truck keeps breaking down, those costs will add up over time.

You might end up paying more for a used food truck than a brand new one.

7. Larger Selection

When you search for a food truck, buying a used truck limits your options. You can only select sizes, equipment, and layouts you can find.

Why waste time searching when you know exactly what you’re looking for?

By purchasing a customized food truck, you make the decisions. You’re not limited to what’s for sale. Instead, you can design the truck to match exactly what you have in mind.

Meals on New Wheels

Ready to hit the road? Discover our food truck options and request a quote for your food truck today.

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post 7 Benefits of Buying a New Customized Food Truck appeared first on Custom Concessions.