In the United States, it is possible to pay $75+ for a spot to park your food truck. Nonetheless, a valid rule of thumb is to try not to pay more than 10% of sales in event fees.
Aside from the normal fees that come with running a food truck, keep in mind that food trucks are most often expected to pay “rent” for their spot at events. These fees often depend on factors such as area, event, number of other trucks at the event, and many other variables.
Food trucks are no longer utilitarian vehicles meant for only those who can’t afford to put up a restaurant in the downtown region of their city.
In this modern age, trucks have grown to become a gourmet trend, especially with options for parking and vending massively available coupled with creative energy and enthusiastic community support. However, you have to understand that these businesses pay for spots, especially if the spot has good foot traffic.
While it might be true to say that food truck owners do not pay actual “rent” for their food trucks, you have to understand that there are other forms of rent that they pay. Paying for spots at events, public parking, and land owner spaces can be forms of “rent”.
Factors That Determine How It Costs to Rent a Food Truck Spot
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Percentage vs. Daily Fee
You have to understand that food truck space rental agreements tend to come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. You can locate a spot at an established food truck lot that charges a set fee based on the day or month.
You can also negotiate a custom arrangement with a specific property owner who is eager to make some little cash on the side or just wants a food truck to draw in more customers to his/her existing brick-and-mortar business.
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Type of Spot
There are different places where food trucks are known to park and cater to the nutritional needs of patrons. You have to understand that different places or events have different rates. The most common options include;
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Food truck park rental rates
These are dedicated spaces known to host a community of food trucks and carts. They are known to draw in patrons who are looking for a mass of food options and offer a spot with eating amenities such as tables, tents, and bathrooms. Rental rates for a food truck park tend to fall within $500 to $1,000 per month.
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Farmers markets and festivals
These events are known to charge either daily fees or a percentage of sales. You will also find markets that divide their lots into spaces sized for canopy tents and they charge food trucks for double stall spaces since the vehicles are twice the size of market canopies.
Nevertheless, a farmers’ market tends to bill food truck vendors a percentage of daily sales, most often in the 10 percent range.
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Smaller events
You might not have to pay for a spot at these events as the organizers usually want to work with food trucks to help draw a crowd. These events might include elementary school carnivals. It is as well possible to convince event organizers to pay you to vend by asking for a minimum sales guarantee.
Food truck operators can choose to work with individuals or groups for catering, and this will most often involve being paid by a single person or organization rather than asking each eater for payment.
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Location
This is another valid point that will determine how much you pay. No two locations are ever the same and you need to consider a whole lot when deciding the best spot for you. Nevertheless, below are location-related variables that will determine how much you pay for the spot;
- Foot traffic
- Neighborhood
- Competition
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Off-Street Parking
Aside from the cost of leasing a spot for food truck vending, in some places, you will also be expected to pay for off-street parking even when your truck is not in operation.
In the United States, they may not allow you to park a food truck on the street when it isn’t vending. You will have to either park in your driveway or garage or you can pay for an off-street parking spot from someone with adequate space such as a lot.
A good number of modern commissary kitchens possess well-designed parking lots for this purpose or you can negotiate with anyone who has an available spot in that location.
Although it might be true to say that food truck owners do not pay “rent” for their food trucks, you have to understand that they pay other forms of rent. Paying for spots at events, public parking, and land owner spaces can be all forms of “rent” for a food truck.
Nevertheless, the exact fees will vary and will most often depend on factors such as area, event, number of other trucks at the event, and many other variables. In the United States, it is possible to pay $75+ for a spot to park your food truck.