The food truck industry is gaining momentum with each passing day, and owing to that, aspiring chefs and restaurant-industry entrepreneurs have moved towards food trucks since it affords them that lower-cost, lower-risk alternative than traditional restaurants.
One of the perks that has drawn people to this industry is the fact that it is a relative bargain. However, the expenses that come with starting and operating a food truck might be greater than you expect.
As such, you need to take your time to understand the equipment and supplies required to execute that menu. A food truck functions much like a restaurant kitchen, as such it requires the same components, just on a smaller scale.
Nevertheless, to point you in the right direction, below are the supplies you need to start and run this business, as well as their cost.
How Much Do Food Truck Supplies Cost
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Gas: Too varied to estimate
This is one of the most vital supplies needed for the everyday activities of a food truck. Note that a good number of trucks are relatively stationary, only moving from their parking spots for necessary city inspections or the occasional private party.
Howbeit, others tend to move with the crowd and can be found at festivals and public events around the city or even the state. Owing to that, the amount you spend here will most definitely vary.
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Internet & POS System: $150 – $500+ per month (plus hardware and installation costs).
A food truck will need to possess a point-of-sale system where staff can input orders and take payment. You can choose to work with POS companies that charge a monthly fee for their service, or you can align with those that only charge a credit card processing fee (usually a small percentage of the charge.)
Howbeit, owing to the small space the food truck provides you, you might have to make do with one or two terminals to cover the truck’s needs.
You’ll also need to make sure the truck has sustainable internet to handle the system and take online orders, especially if you are looking to cater to netizens.
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Labor Costs: 25% – 35% of operating costs.
Food trucks are known to work with a smaller workforce especially when compared to an average restaurant. Howbeit, also entails that they tend to serve less food in the same amount of time as a restaurant with a larger kitchen and larger staff. As such, the labor cost percentage for a food truck may not be the same as that of a restaurant.
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Food Cost: 25% – 35% of the menu price
One thing is certain, you need to buy food before you can sell it! Food service establishments usually aim for a food cost of around 28% and 35% of their menu item price. You also need startup inventory, and this would require around $2,000 and $5,000, depending on your menu.
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Paper Goods: $200 – $300 per month
Owing to the fact that food truck fare is more or less consumed outside or carried away, it is served in disposable containers or paper plates.
In this line of business, it is absolutely necessary to be stocked up on napkins, disposable silverware, to-go containers, and bags.
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Commissary Kitchen Rental: $400 – $1,500 per month
In a good number of cities and states, food truck operators are restricted from prepping food inside their trucks. It simply entails that all chopping, par cooking, portioning, making sauces or soups, or other prep work will have to be done in a commercial kitchen, with the final dishes being served from the truck.
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Space Rental: $250 – $1,000 per month
In this line of business, your truck will have to be parked somewhere which simply entails that you have to pay rent for that space.
Keep in mind that this could be in a food truck park or behind a bar, or it could be on a public street. Spots that are ideal and with the right foot traffic will most definitely cost more.
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Marketing: $0 – $1,500 per month
Food trucks are known to enjoy a whole lot of foot traffic, but they cannot survive without investing in paid marketing. A good number of trucks these days pay a social media consultant ($500+ per month) or make deals with influencers and bloggers to help spread the word.
Regardless of whether you would want to do it yourself or pay, food truck marketing could be valuable in increasing your daily sales.