Food trucks, food trailers, food carts—what’s the difference? And which one is best?

Actually, each one is the best at something. It all depends on where you are in your specific type of food service business.

So which one is right for you? Read on to find out. 

Food Trucks

Food trucks are the most convenient and versatile of the three mobile food service options we’re comparing today. Just like it sounds, a food truck is a motor vehicle that hosts a full-service restaurant kitchen. 

The kitchen is most commonly between 16 and 18 feet long, but it could be anywhere between 10 and 26 feet.

Since the combination kitchen/truck is a single unit, it’s easier to transport than the other 2 options. There’s no towing or packing up involved so you can hop from location to location quickly and easily. It’s also more compact than a food trailer, which makes for an easier driving experience, and it’s much more mobile and easy to transport than a food cart.

However, this also means that automotive problems will affect your whole business. If the engine breaks down, you’ve no choice but to close up shop until it’s fixed.

Food trucks are the most expensive option on the list, but they are a serious investment for those who are serious about their mobile food business.

When it comes to food trucks, buying new is often the best option. That way, your investment will come with a warranty and you can be sure that everything will be in perfect working order. Buying new also allows you to customize the food truck to the specific needs of your particular mobile restaurant business.

Food Trailers

Unlike the food truck, the food trailer is not mobile on its own. It must be hitched to a separate truck or another vehicle powerful enough to tow it.

The typical kitchen of a food trailer is comparable to that of a food truck in size and function. However, they can be much longer—up to 53 feet!

Bigger may be better for the venue of your particular business. But a food trailer is bulkier than a food truck and not as easy to move around. There are many streets food trucks can serve that aren’t large enough to accommodate food trailers.

For all these reasons, food trailers are best suited for big events like state fairs. They’re also cheaper than food trucks. And you can switch to another towing vehicle if your primary vehicle breaks down.

Food Carts 

Food carts are the mobile food service entrepreneur’s cheapest option. They do not attach to vehicles and are only mobile when pushed by hand. They also lack full-service kitchen.

As such they are best suited for a much smaller and more focused mobile food business. They can be outfitted with refrigeration and/or a cooking device, such as a deep fryer, but do not provide the convenience of having a full kitchen.

Since food carts are pushed by hand, the distance you can travel is entirely dependent upon your own foot power. Usually they can only be pushed around a single area, so they don’t have the same mobility as a food truck or food trailer.

Food carts are mostly useful for lunch rushes along busy footpaths. They can serve a simple menu of one type of meal or snack.

If you’re just starting out, a food cart could be a stepping stone to a more sophisticated vehicle later on. A well-managed hot dog, pretzel, or homemade ice cream cart can earn you enough to work your way up.

Take Your Business to Go!

So what’ll it be? Now that you know your options, may we take your order?

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.

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One of the main things to consider is the warranty. When you get a brand new mobile kitchen, you may spend more money upfront. But you’ll have peace of mind in those first 3 years or 36,000 miles. Why? Because your entire custom mobile kitchen will be covered under warranty bumper to bumper.

Want more food truck advice? Check out our entire blog here!

If you are looking to break into this industry, make sure to request a custom quote!

To stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post Brand New Food Truck Vehicle Vs Pre-Owned Vehicle appeared first on Custom Concessions.

Want more food truck advice? Check out our entire blog here!

If you are looking to break into this industry, make sure to request a custom quote!

To stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post Food Trucks vs. Concession Trailers Infographic appeared first on Custom Concessions.

In today’s blog we are going to discuss the pros and cons of food trucks versus food trailers.

So you’ve finally decided to quit your day job, buy a mobile kitchen, and hit the road selling your specialty burritos. What comes next? The great debate; should you purchase a food truck or a food trailer?

Food Trucks

In this type of mobile kitchen, the kitchen and vehicle are one unit. The kitchen is built out in the “box” space of a step-van. Kitchen space size can vary anywhere from 10’ to 26’. The most common size is 16’ or 18’ of kitchen space.

The biggest advantage to choosing a food truck over a food trailer is that it is one unit. Therefore, it is ideal for making multiple location stops. You needn’t worry about towing anything, and your overall size will be smaller making it easier to navigate through tight city streets and sharp turns.

Food trucks are generally allowed on more city streets than trailers. Allowing for a wider range of serving locations. Without having to tow anything, it makes it less of a hassle to switch serving locations throughout the day.

Food trucks are generally more expensive than their competition, the food trailer.  However, with a food trailer you will need a vehicle with the towing capacity to tow your trailer. This can be a hefty added expense which sometimes can exceed the cost of a food truck.

Since food trucks are one unit, if your truck has mechanical issues and needs to be in the shop, you’re business will be in the shop too.  This usually is a nonissue when you purchase a new step-van.

If you purchase a used step-van to build out your mobile kitchen, it is very important to have a mechanic look it over first to avoid costly repairs and time off the road. If you have a food trailer and your vehicle is in the shop, you can always rent or borrow a vehicle so you don’t miss any time on the road.

Food Trailers

Food Trailers are generally more affordable, allowing for a lower entry cost into the world of mobile kitchens.

The greatest advantage to the food trailer is the various size options. Food trailers can be anywhere from 8’ to 53’ long. The width of food trailers is commonly 8.5’ wide unlike the food truck which is usually only 7’ wide. In a tight kitchen space any extra width is much appreciated.

Food trailers generally carry more storage space. In a food truck the generator is almost always built inside the kitchen space, on a food trailer the generator is place on the tongue, allowing for more interior space inside the food trailer.

On the flip side, trailers are generally always larger when you factor in the vehicle towing the trailer. This makes it difficult for novice drivers to navigate in tight spaces.  

Food trailers are best for stationary or longer-term parking locations, versus a food truck with that may have a route with multiple stops.

Conclusion

• Food trucks are ideal for routes, and having the capability to make multiple stops throughout the day.
• The initial cost of a food truck may be more expensive than the food trailer, however you must have a reliable vehicle with the proper towing capacity for a food trailer.
• Food trailers are ideal for events or areas where they can be stationary for long periods of time.
• Food trucks are more compact. This makes them easier to navigate on city streets.
• Food trailers have various size options and will offer more storage and cooking space than food trucks.
• Thanks for tuning into our blog this week! We look forward to seeing you next Monday, and remember if you dream it, we build it. If you have any questions about this article please contact Stephanie Jarrell at sales@customconcessions.com

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 Trucks vs. Food Trailers appeared first on Custom Concessions.