If you have a regular food truck, then you should budget between $1,000 to $1,800 for the maintenance cost of your food truck. Please note that this cost can be less and at the same time, it could be more.
The fact that food trucks move from one location to another makes maintaining the food truck a compulsory aspect of the business.
But it will be difficult to categorically state how much a food truck business can spend on the maintenance and repair of the food truck.
There are certain factors that can determine the amount a food truck business can spend in maintaining and repairing the food truck, and that is what we will be discussing in this article before we finally state the estimated cost of maintaining and repairing a single food truck.
Factors That Influence the Overall Cost of Maintaining a Food Truck
1. The Size of the Food Truck
One of the factors that you should consider if you want to estimate the overall maintenance cost of a food truck is the size of the food truck. It is as simple as this – the bigger the food truck the more you will spend in maintaining the truck and vice versa.
This is so because the liters of engine oil and other lubricants you are expected to use when servicing a 40-foot food truck will be far less when compared to the number of liters of lubricants you will need to service and maintain a 16 by 16 food truck.
2. How Often is the Food Truck Used?
Another factor that will affect the cost of maintaining and repairing a food truck is how often the food truck is used. This is so because the frequency at which a food truck is used increases the chances of wear and tear of the food truck hence the frequency of maintenance and repairs. Trust me, the more frequently you visit a mechanical shop, the more money you are going to spend on maintenance.
3. The Distance the Food Truck Covers Daily or Monthly
The distance a food truck covers daily or monthly is yet another factor that will determine the amount a food truck will spend on maintenance. The fact that food trucks cover different distances weekly or monthly means that you cannot pinpoint the exact amount a food truck is expected to spend on maintenance and repair.
4. The Type or Brand of Food Truck
This is so because it is the norm for manufacturers of vehicles including food trucks to clearly state the maintenance routine of their vehicles or trucks. You can actually find a manual as part of the document you will receive when you purchase the vehicle or food truck.
Some manufacturers will require that you service the vehicle or food truck after covering certain distances or after steadily using the vehicle or food truck for a certain period of time. With is, it will be difficult to determine the cost of maintaining two different types or brands of food trucks.
5. Additional Appliances and Gadgets in the Food Truck
Lastly, another factor that will determine the overall cost of maintaining a food truck is the additional appliances and gadgets that are fitted into the food truck. Trust me, the more appliances and gadgets in a food truck, the more work the food truck will be subjected to.
Basically, a food truck that is equipped with appliances and gadgets such as cooking equipment, refrigerator (freezer), food storage containers, sinks and water system, food processor, blenders, and generator et al will definitely be subjected to regular maintenance and repairs.
In conclusion,
It is important to note that aside from the amount you spend when you take your food truck to a mechanic shop for routine maintenance and repair, the money you spend in fueling the food truck, and on other miscellaneous expenses are part of the overall cost that contributes to the cost of maintaining a food truck.