business plans for food truck

Food Truck Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Food Truck Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your food truck business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their food trucks.

Food Truck Business Plan Example & Template

Below is a template to help you create each section of your food truck business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is a new food truck located in Portland owned by local critically acclaimed chef, Zane Benedict. The menu will consist of popular food options that consist of burgers, sandwiches, gyros, and tacos uniquely made with the creativity and uniqueness that Chef Zane can offer. Chef Zane’s eclectic style and consistency make him a favorite among Portland foodies and his food truck will garner a loyal following amongst young professionals and college students.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be located in the immensely popular food truck pod known as Cartopia. Chef Zane will receive lots of exposure by being a part of this community as there are plenty of neighboring food trucks, bars, nightlife, and entertainment options nearby. With the popular location of Cartopia and an impressive Instagram social media following, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is destined to become a local go-to dining destination for anyone craving delicious, interesting fare at an affordable price.

Products Served

The following are the products to be offered by Zesty Zane’s Food Truck:

• Sandwiches & paninis
• Assorted non-alcoholic beverages

Customer Focus

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will target customers in Portland who live, work, or socialize near Cartopia. This area is frequented by numerous young professionals, college students, and the late-night crowd who regularly eat at food trucks. Anyone seeking trendy dining options are the target customers of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck.

Management Team

Chef Zane has worked in the culinary industry for over ten years and is accustomed to the long, demanding hours of operating a kitchen. He attended culinary school in San Francisco and returned home to Portland to be a part of the world-renowned food scene that Portland has built for itself. After working under three award-winning chefs, Chef Zane is ready to venture out on his own and start his own business as a food truck.

Chef Zane Benedict will be the food truck owner and operator of his food truck. He will operate the food truck Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 am until 1:00 am. Chef Zane will also employ two part-time cooks to assist him during peak hours of operation.

Success Factors

The following success factors will set Zesty Zane’s Food Truck apart from the competition:

• Exceptional cuisine made fresh with locally sourced ingredients.
• An eclectic menu that is unlike any other in the Portland food scene.
• Convenient location: Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be located in a highly-trafficked food truck pod that is frequented by college students, young professionals, and night-life regulars.
• Delicious food at a good price. Zesty Zane’s food items will be cheaper than other food truck dishes without sacrificing quality.

Financial Highlights

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is seeking $40,000 in debt financing to open its food truck. The funding will be dedicated for the purchase of the food truck, cooking supplies and equipment, working capital, three months worth of payroll expenses and opening inventory. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Purchase of food truck – $20,000
• Food truck kitchen supplies and equipment – $10,000
• Opening inventory – $2,000
• Working capital (to include 3 months of overhead expenses) – $3,000
• Marketing (website design and management) – $5,000

The following graph outlines the pro forma financial projections for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck:

Company Overview

Who is zesty zane’s food truck.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is a startup food truck business located in Portland, Oregon. The menu offerings are eclectic, made-to-order, bistro-type dishes served fresh and fast in the entertainment district of Portland. The ingredients are locally-sourced from independent food growers and artisans in and around the Portland region. The dishes are incorporated with an ingenious twist to commonly known popular food menu items. The menu options are simple dishes commonly seen at food trucks, but Chef Zane adds his own spin to the typical fare – sandwiches, gyros, burgers, and tacos all made his way unlike any other food establishment.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is owned and operated by Zane Benedict, a local Chef classically trained in culinary school and under the most prestigious chefs in Portland. Chef Zane is known for his creativity, consistency, and quickness in the kitchen and his dishes receive multiple positive reviews in the restaurants Zane has been employed. Chef Zane specializes in fine French, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist not typically found in other restaurant establishments.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck History

After graduating from culinary school in 2008, Chef Zane Benedict worked as a sous chef in three different restaurants in Portland. All of the chefs Zane worked under were award-winning, locally-acclaimed chefs that frequently trained their apprentices to prepare dishes up to their expectation and standards.

Chef Zane learned a great deal from these chefs and garnered a reputation himself for his creativity and consistency. Now that Zane feels he has learned as much as he can from the senior chefs, he would like to venture out on his own and start his own business. Due to the large amount of capital required to open a full-scale restaurant, Chef Zane decided a food truck business was the most cost-effective option for his operation.

Since incorporation, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck has achieved the following milestones:

• Developed the food truck’s branding image, social media, and website.
• Has a soft hold on a used food truck that recently went out of business.
• Developed and finalized the menu of the dishes Chef Zane will serve.
• Obtained a food permit license to be able to prepare and sell food and drinks in Portland County.
• Obtained a sales and use tax permit for use in Portland County.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck Products

The following are the types of menu items Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will produce:

Food Truck Industry Analysis

Food truck vendors will continue to perform well over the next five years, benefiting from consumers with deeper pockets who are able to spend on pricier gourmet food options. Revenues are expected to increase to $1.4 billion during this time period.

Food Truck industry operators are expected to continue to experience growth, as generally positive economic conditions and momentum from the gourmet food movement propel growth.

Consumers nowadays demand higher-quality food, a wider variety of styles and tastes, better presentation and, most importantly, more healthy menu options. Therefore, operators that include healthy options on their menus will be best situated for success over the next five years. Vendors that continue to offer unique food options will also be in a strong position by carving out a niche and developing a loyal customer base.

The food truck industry will also benefit from an increase in the urban population, which is expected to comprise the majority of the US population in five years. The food truck industry benefits from agglomeration because it relies on high foot traffic. Additionally, urban dwellers are also more likely to purchase meals rather than cooking at home due to their above-average incomes and limited spare time.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will target the population of Portland that frequently dines in the entertainment district. There is a large food truck area of Portland known as Cartopia, where Chef Zane will set up his business. This area is home to numerous dining establishments, nightlife, bars, clubs, and food trucks. The target market of this area are usually young professionals and college students who have disposable income.

The precise demographics for Portland, Oregon are:

Customer Segmentation

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will primarily target the following customer profile:

• Local residents of Portland who partake in late-night activities such as socializing with friends or bar-hopping
• Business professionals that work and reside in the Portland Cartopia area – law offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance agencies, retail, and schools
• College students who are in search of fast, cheap, and trendy eats

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be competing with other food trucks in the Portland community. A profile of each competitor is below.

Potato Champion

Potato Champion is a local favorite of Portland foodies that is also located in Cartopia. Started in 2008, Potato Champion quickly established itself as a fan favorite for late night food. Potato Champion serves a limited menu of hand cut, twice fried Belgian style fries, a variety of dipping sauces, and their own version of the Canadian classic Poutine, as well as other fry related dishes. They pride themselves in using the highest quality ingredients and focus on an inventive menu that combines tastes from all over the world with one of the most popular foods found on the globe, the french fry.

Potato Champion is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night. They are available for catering and delivery through Postmates. Followers of Potato Champion are also able to purchase swag from their store that includes music, bags, pins, and hoodies.

Started by John Eads in 2009, Pyro Pizza was built out of a 8’x16’ food cart that he custom-built with a cast iron wood fire oven. Aside from wood fired pizza, John also makes his own sodas using all real ingredients and natural cane sugar. John’s belief is that good ingredients make good food. His crew makes many components in-house and sources regional flour, pepperoni, sausage, blue cheese, soda ingredients, and seasonal produce all from Portland businesses and farms. In 2015, Pyro’s expanded to a new sandwich cart, Pyro’s Wicked Wiches – a scratch-made sandwich, soup, chips and cookie food cart.

Pyro’s serves an assortment of wood fire pizzas made from scratch. Their choices are margherita, marinara, arugula and mushroom, pepperoni, quattro formaggi, fennel sausage, veggie bianca, breadsticks, salads, and sodas.

Chicken and Guns

Chicken and Guns is another local favorite among Portland foodies. Also found in Cartopia, Chicken and Guns serves up Latin American chicken, wings, tacos, salad, soup, and their “guns” are crispy seasoned potatoes. The chicken is served by the quarter, half, or whole bird. Another item they are acclaimed for is their peruvian aji sauce, habanero carrot sauce and chimichurri sauce. They have been named the best fried chicken in Portland by the PDX Eater.

Chicken and Guns is open everyday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm for takeout and delivery options. With a large Instagram and social media following, there is always destined to be a line at the Chicken and Guns food truck.

Competitive Advantage

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck offers several advantages over its competition. Those advantages are:

Food Truck Marketing Plan

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Delicious food made fresh with locally sourced ingredients using exquisite techniques.
• Located in the ultra-hip food truck area known as Cartopia.
• Great food at a great price. The menu offerings of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be accessible to customers of all walks of life.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck are as follows:

Social Media

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck’s main source of marketing will be through social media, primarily their Instagram page. Chef Zane has become adept at taking appealing photographs of his dishes. He will post pictures of his menu and add details on the location and hours of operation. His food truck account already has over 3,000 followers and he posts daily “Coming Soon” teaser photos.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be parked in the immensely popular food truck hub known as Cartopia of Portland. There are dozens of food trucks located in this pod and there is always a crowd of people. Cartopia hosts bands, art shows, shopping events, and other social gatherings to enhance the entertainment vibe of the pod. By being part of Cartopia, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will receive lots of exposure and traffic.

SEO Website Marketing

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck plans to invest funds into maintaining a strong SEO presence on search engines like Google and Bing. When a person types in “local food truck” or “top food trucks in Portland”, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will appear in the top three choices. Zesty Zane’s will also invest in their website also to ensure that it is user friendly, always up to date, and displays professional photographs of its menu items and location.

Third Party Delivery Sites

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will maintain a presence on sites like GrubHub, Uber Eats, Doordash, and Postmates so that people looking for local food with the option of delivery will see Zesty Zane’s listed.

The pricing of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be moderate and on par with other food trucks so customers feel they receive value when purchasing their menu items.

Operations Plan

The operations plan for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is relatively simple as its overhead and cost is small. The functional roles for its employees are as follows:

Operation Functions:

• Chef Zane will run the food truck operation. He will be in charge of inventory, menu creation, food truck marketing, customer service, and bookkeeping. Chef Zane will work every day that he chooses to open the food truck. Chef Zane plans on operating the food truck Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 1:00 am.
• Two part-time cooks that will alternate helping Chef Zane during the hours of operation. As business picks up, there will be two cooks at the same time assisting Chef Zane during peak hours.

Milestones:

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck aims to open in the next 3 months. The following are the milestones needed in order to obtain this goal.

4/15/202X – Purchase food truck

5/1/202X – Finalize menu

5/15/202X – Social media and advertising campaign begins

6/1/202X – Finish cleaning up the food truck and prepare it for operation

6/10/202X – Purchase food and drink inventory, stock truck, and park it at Cartopia

6/11/202X – Grand Opening of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be owned and operated by Chef Zane Benedict.

Chef Zane Benedict, Food Truck Owner

Chef Zane Benedict is a Portland native who attended culinary school in San Francisco and returned to Portland to become a part of the world-renowned food scene Portland is uniquely known for. Zane was trained under three different chefs at fine dining establishments in downtown Portland and was awarded Best Sous Chef of Portland in 2017. Chef Zane has won two local culinary competitions, placed runner-up in a statewide competition, and participated in a cooking competition show on the Food Network.

Chef Zane has received numerous awards for his creativity and consistency of his food while being able to prepare dishes in a short amount of time. His ability to prepare food under pressure allows him the unique skill of serving numerous customers without having them undergo long wait times. This will keep customers happy and coming back for more.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will come from the menu items being offered daily.

The cost drivers will be the ingredients and products needed to make the menu items (oil, bread, meat, chicken, produce, drinks) as well as the cooking materials (pots, pans, bowls, plates, utensils, etc.). Other cost drivers will be the overhead expenses of payroll for the part-time employees and propane for the food truck.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

• Food Truck Marketing (website design and management) – $5,000

Key Assumptions

The following table outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the business loan.

Initial Number of Customers Per Day: 50

Average Menu Item Cost: $9.00

Average Order per Customer: $15.00

Annual Cost for Maintenance of Truck: $10,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, food truck business plan faqs, what is a food truck business plan.

A food truck business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your food truck business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your food truck business plan using our Food Truck Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Food Truck Companies?

There are a variety of types of food trucks, each specializing in a specific type of cuisine or food item. There are food trucks that sell burgers, cookies, ice cream, tacos, pizza, sandwiches, salads and more.  

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Food Truck Business?

The primary source of revenue for food truck businesses is its food and beverage sales. 

The key expenses for a food truck business are food costs, salaries, and transportation expenses. 

How Do You Get Funding for Your Food Truck Business?

Food truck businesses are typically funded through small business loans, personal savings, crowdfunding and credit card financing.  A well-crafted food truck business plan is essential to securing funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Food Truck Business?

Starting a food truck business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Food Truck Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed business plan for your food truck that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your food truck business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your food truck business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Food Truck Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your food truck business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your food truck business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Food Truck Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your food truck business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your food truck business. Food truck marketing includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful food truck business:

• How to Start a Food Truck Business

Where Can I Get a Food Truck Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free food truck business plan template PDF here . This is a sample food truck business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Other Business Plan Templates

Catering Business Plan Template Bakery Business Plan Template Coffee Shop Business Plan Template Event Venue Business Plan Template

• QR Code Menu

Table of Contents

Embarking on a new food truck business is an exciting venture in the world of street food. Unlike a traditional restaurant, a food truck offers the flexibility to reach a variety of locations and serve many potential customers.

However, similar to any other profitable business, it requires careful planning and strategizing. A solid business plan can be your roadmap to success, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the market.

A well-crafted business plan outlines your business goals, target audience, and operational strategies, and can also be a compelling tool for securing funding. This article will guide you through the process of writing a comprehensive food truck business plan, complete with templates and examples to help launch your culinary venture on wheels.

What is A Food Truck Business Plan?

A food truck business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the objectives, strategies, and operational aspects of your mobile food business. It serves as a blueprint, detailing all the elements you’ll need to consider and address to ensure your venture’s success.

Unlike a traditional restaurant, a food truck offers a unique opportunity to reach many potential customers in various locations, making it essential to have a solid plan in place.

A well-structured food truck business plan template will cover aspects such as market analysis, menu offerings, financial projections, and marketing strategies. It helps you get organized and anticipate challenges, paving the way for a successful food truck business . By following a business plan, you can ensure that every food truck business aspect is thoroughly considered, minimizing risks and maximizing profits. More on how much do food trucks normally make in this article. 

Why A Business Plan Is Important For A Successful Food Truck Business?

A business plan is crucial for a successful food truck business for several reasons:

1. Clear Vision and Objectives

A business plan helps you establish clear objectives for your food truck, ensuring that you have a well-defined vision for your venture. It enables you to set realistic goals and provides a roadmap to achieve them.

2. Financial Planning

All successful food trucks have a business plan with detailed financial analysis, which is essential for securing loans or investment.

Investors and lenders will require a solid plan to assess the viability of your venture and decide if it’s worth their investment.

3. Operational Efficiency

A ready business plan guides you through the operational aspects of your food truck, such as sourcing ingredients, hiring staff, and implementing food safety measures. This ensures that you have a well-organized and efficient system in place, minimizing costs and maximizing profitability.

Step-by-step Guide To Write A Food Truck Business Plan

1. executive summary.

The executive summary is a brief overview of your food truck business plan. It presents a snapshot of your business, including summary of the budget, business’s purpose and values, and what your brand is about. This section is typically 1-2 pages long.

What should you cover in an Executive Summary?

Introduce your food truck business: Describe your business concept, the kind of food you’ll serve, and what makes your food truck unique. Highlight how your venture fits into the local food truck market and why it’s likely to succeed.

State your mission and vision: What are the core values driving your food truck dreams? What long-term goals do you have for your mobile food business?

Outline your objectives: What are your goals for your food truck business? Define what you plan to achieve in the short term, such as opening a food truck in 2023 or expanding to multiple locations within five years.

Provide a financial overview: how much will it cost to open your food truck and how much do you expect to make? This will help potential investors understand the financial viability of your venture.

2. Restaurant Description

The restaurant description provides detailed information about your food truck. It gives readers a clear understanding of what your business is, what it does, how it operates, and how it will benefit the existing market. Check out this article for 35 food truck ideas for your business venture. 

What should you cover in the Restaurant Description section?

Talk about your food truck concept: Describe the ambiance and customer experience you’re aiming for. 

• Which specific group of customers will you serve?
• Are you planning a funky, colorful truck, or a sleek and modern design?

Explain your unique selling proposition (USP):

How will the food items you provide compete with the menu items of existing food trucks or restaurants in your target area?

What is your competitive advantage?

• Why did you choose a food truck instead of a physical restaurant location?
• Where do you plan to park your food truck?
• What type of food truck will you use (truck, trailer, or food cart)?
• Will you prepare your food inside the truck or at a commissary kitchen?

3. Market Analysis

The most important factors to consider when writing a food truck business plan are: target market, location and competition

What should you cover in your Market Analysis?

Define your target market: Who are your potential customers? Consider demographic factors like age, income level, and food preferences. Also define the size of growth potential of your target market. 

Analyze your location: Where do you plan to park your food truck? Consider the foot traffic of the location. 

Analyze your competition: Who are the other food trucks or restaurants in your area? What kind of food do they serve, and how can you differentiate your offerings?

This comprehensive market analysis will not only help you get a good understanding of your business environment, but it will also demonstrate to potential investors that you have a solid understanding of the food truck industry.

4. Organization and Management

The organization and management section of your business plan describes your food truck business structure and team behind your food truck business. 

Your management section should highlight the people behind your business, their roles, and their experiences relevant to running a successful food truck business. 

Remember, potential investors and lenders are not just investing in a business concept; they’re also investing in a team. So, use this section to showcase the strong leadership and expertise that will drive the success of your food truck business.

What should you cover in the Organization and Management Plan?

Food Truck Ownership Information:

• Describe the legal structure of your business. Are you the sole owner, or are there partners? Is it an LLC or a corporation?
• Full names of the owners
• Percentage of company each owner holds

Profiles of Your Food Truck Management Team: Detail the experience and expertise of your team. This should include the food truck owners and any key employees. A solid food truck management team can significantly improve your chances of success. Include:

• Manager’s full name
• Position and primary responsibilities
• Educational background
• Past track record with hard numbers to back it up
• Food industry recognition
• Important experience and skills that will help your business be successful

5. Sample Menu

Your sample menu is an essential part of your food truck business plan. It’s where you get to showcase the delicious food you plan to serve and how it aligns with your business concept.

What should you consider when creating a sample menu?

When creating your food menu , consider:

Menu Items:

• What kind of great food will you serve? 
• Why will you customers choose to eat your food?
• Why do you choose to offer this type of food?

Unique Selling Proposition:

What makes your menu different from others? 

• How much do you plan on selling your food?

6. Marketing and Sales

The marketing and sales portion of your food truck business plan outlines how you plan to attract and retain customers. This section is critical as it shows how you plan to grow and sustain your business.

Marketing for food truck might be more challenging comparing with traditional restaurants as food truck change location more often. 

What should you cover in the Marketing Strategy for Your Food Truck Business?

Define Your Brand: What’s the personality of your food truck? How will you communicate this to your customers?

Outline Your Marketing Strategies:

How will you attract customers? This could include social media advertising, local events, loyalty programs, or partnerships with local businesses.

• Considering using an online food ordering system in your food truck
• Create a digital menu with QR code to make your menu easy for your customers to access online

Sales Strategy: How will you keep customers coming back? Excellent customer service, consistent quality, and a rotating menu are some strategies to consider.

Remember, whether you plan to start small or aim for rapid growth, a thoughtful marketing and sales strategy is key to driving your business forward.

7. Business Operations

The business operations section provides a detailed look at the day-to-day operations of your food truck business. This includes your operating hours, supply chain, staffing, and equipment.

What Operational Issues Should You Address in Your Business Plan?

• Parking: Where can you park the truck?

Operating Hours: What days and hours will you operate? Consider peak meal times and special events.

Supply Chain: Where will you source your ingredients? How often will you need deliveries?

Staffing: How many employees will you need? What will their roles be?

Equipment: What equipment will you need to operate your food truck? This includes the truck itself, cooking equipment, point-of-sale systems, and more.

8. Financial and Loans

How much does it cost to start a food truck.

Starting a food truck business can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $120,000 . Costs can vary greatly depending on the type of food truck , the equipment needed, and permit fees, among other things. It’s also a good idea to factor in ongoing costs such as food items, fuel, maintenance, and insurance.

To get a good idea of the total startup cost, you’ll need to research and compile all these costs. Keep in mind that since food trucks are mobile, they generally cost less to start compared to the cost of traditional restaurant business .

How Many Ways to Fund Your Food Truck?

There are many ways an entrepreneur can fund a new food truck business. Personal savings, business loans, and investments from friends or family are common options. If these are not enough, you may also consider crowdfunding, attracting an investor, or even applying for government grants designed for small businesses.

Important Questions to Consider When You Create Your Funding Request

If you’re seeking funding, there are several questions you’ll need to answer in your business plan:

• How much money do you need to start and maintain your food truck business until it becomes profitable?
• What will the funds be used for specifically?
• How do you plan to repay any loans or provide a return on investment?

The answers to these questions will help potential lenders or investors understand your financial goals and the level of risk involved.

9. Financial Projections

Break-even analysis.

The break-even analysis is a critical part of your financial plan. It’s the point at which your revenue equals your costs – neither profit nor loss. Knowing this helps business owners set realistic financial expectations and determine pricing for food items.

How to calculate the break even point?

To calculate your break-even point, you’ll need to gather your fixed costs (e.g., truck payments, insurance), variable costs (e.g., food costs, fuel), and your expected selling price per item.

Use this formula: Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs) = Break Even Point

Projected Profit and Loss Statement

You’ll also need to provide the profit and loss statement. This statement provides an overview of your expected revenues, costs, and profit over a specified period. This is crucial for understanding when your business will become profitable.

Cash Flow Analysis

Finally, you need to include a cash flow analysis to show investors how you plan to allocate funds for operations. Cash flow analysis involves tracking when and where your business receives and spends money. It’s crucial because it shows how well your business can pay its bills and fund its operations.

We’ll continue with an example of a food truck business plan in the next section, providing a practical illustration of all the points covered.

Food Truck Business Plan Example

The following is a concise yet comprehensive example of a food truck business plan. It’s a great tool to guide you in writing your business plan, especially if you’re opening a food truck business for the first time.

Mission: To serve high-quality, fresh, and delicious street food to our local community.

Vision: To become a popular and profitable food truck business that contributes to our community’s vibrant street food culture.

Restaurant Description: “ Tasty Traveler “, a food truck serving globally-inspired tacos, each representing a different cuisine.

Costs: Initial investment of $96,000 

Profits: Anticipated net profit of 20% within the first year, with a steady increase in subsequent years.

2. Description of the Restaurant

Our food truck, the Tasty Traveler , is a mobile restaurant providing a unique dining experience. We operate in various locations in the city, capitalizing on areas with high foot traffic during peak dining hours.

Restaurant Concept:

• Food Truck Name : Tasty Traveler
• Restaurant Type: Food Truck offering tacos made with fresh ingredients
• Location: 500 Travis St, Houston,
• Dining: Casual outdoor tables dining
• Order Fulfillment: Walk-up orders and online orders for pickup and delivery
• Working Hours: 11 AM – 8 PM, Tuesday – Sunday

3. Menu Offer

Our food truck offers a creative food fusion of global flavors packed into a traditional taco shell. We serve vegan, vegetarian, and meat options to cater to a broad range of dietary preferences.

• Type of Cuisine: Global Fusion
• Offer: Variety of tacos inspired by different cuisines
• Unique Selling Point: Our menu items are inspired by many food cultures, providing an exciting culinary journey for our customers.

4. Market and Competition Analysis

Market Analysis:

• Target Customer: Foodies aged 18-35, who are open to trying new flavors.
• Size of the Target Customer: Approximately 100,000 individuals in our city fall within our target demographic.

Competition Analysis:

• Size of the Competition: We have identified 10 food trucks and 5 traditional restaurants offering similar products within our operating radius.
• Competitors’ Offer: Our competitors mainly offer standard American or Mexican style tacos.
• Competitors’ Prices: other food trucks offer tacos similar to ours, but their menus are limited, and they do not offer delivery.

5. Investment Plan (Detailed Cost Analysis)

• Food Truck: $40,000
• Kitchen Equipment: $10,000
• Permits and Licenses: $5,000
• Initial Food Inventory: $5,000
• Food Inventory: $2,500
• Maintenance: $500
• Insurance: $500
• Marketing: $1,000
• Miscellaneous: $1,000
• Total Cost: Initial investment plus the first six months of operating expenses amount to $96,000.

6. Financial Forecast

Our financial data predicts that the Tasty Traveler will become profitable within the first year of operation. We expect an annual growth rate of 10% in sales for the first three years.

Our team consists of three professionals with combined expertise in culinary arts, business management, and marketing. We plan to hire two more staff to help with prep work and service during peak hours. Our team’s passion for food and commitment to quality service are key drivers of our business.

8. Marketing Plan

Our marketing strategy involves a mix of online and offline tactics to maximize our reach. We’ll leverage social media platforms to engage with our customers, post updates about our location and menu, and run promotions. Offline, we’ll participate in local food festivals and community events to create buzz and attract a wider audience.

Online Marketing:

• Social Media: Daily updates on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase our menu items and interact with our followers.
• Website: An informative and easy-to-navigate website with our menu, location updates, and a blog featuring stories behind our globally inspired tacos.

Offline Marketing:

• Food Festivals: Participating in local food festivals to gain exposure.
• Community Events: Sponsoring local community events to increase brand visibility.
• Flyers and Posters: Distributing flyers and putting up posters in high foot traffic areas.

We believe that our marketing plan is an integral part of the food truck business plan as it helps in getting the word out and attracting potential customers. A solid marketing strategy will also give us an edge over our competitors in the food truck and traditional restaurant market.

Tips For Creating A Successful Food Truck Business Plan

Creating a business plan is a significant step towards launching a successful food truck business. Here are some expert tips to help you get started:

1. Start with Your Business Concept Description

Before you dive into the details, you need to clearly define your food truck business concept. Describe the type of food you plan to serve, the design of the truck, and the experience you want to provide to your customers. Explain how you’ll stand out in the many food truck market and why customers would choose you over others.

2. Highlight Your Competitive Advantage

Your business plan should clearly articulate your unique selling proposition (USP). What is it that makes your food truck unique? Maybe you’re offering a unique fusion of cuisines, or perhaps your menu is entirely organic or locally sourced. Highlighting your food truck’s competitive advantage can make your business more appealing to both customers and potential investors.

3. Give Importance to Financial Projections

Your financial projections are a critical part of your business plan. They give potential investors an idea of the profitability of your business. Make sure to include detailed financial data, including startup costs, operating expenses, projected sales, and profitability analysis. Remember, food trucks cost less to start and operate compared to opening a traditional restaurant, which can be a significant advantage.

4. Use Visual Aids

Graphs, charts, and tables can make your business plan more engaging and easier to understand. Use these tools to present financial data, market analysis, and sales projections. Visual aids can help readers quickly grasp complex information.

5. Regularly Update Your Business Plan

A business plan isn’t a static document. As your business grows and evolves, your plan should, too. Regular updates can help you track your progress and make adjustments as needed. Remember, getting into the food business is a great adventure, and a dynamic business plan can help you navigate the journey successfully.

6. Seek Professional Help If Needed

If you’re having trouble with your business plan or just want a second opinion, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Many entrepreneurs find it beneficial to consult with business advisors or use business plan software.

Despite the popularity of food trucks, success in this industry isn’t guaranteed. A robust and comprehensive food truck business plan can help set you on the path to success. Happy planning, and may your food truck business be a hit!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the objectives of a food truck business plan.

A food truck business plan serves multiple objectives. It provides a roadmap for how the business will operate, offers a platform to articulate the business concept, and details financial projections. The plan also helps to identify potential challenges and strategies to overcome them. Furthermore, if you’re seeking investors or a business loan, this plan can demonstrate the viability and profitability of your business.

2. How to Write a Business Plan for a Food Truck?

Writing a food truck business plan involves several steps. Start by defining your business concept, describe your food truck menu, and analyze your target market. Then, detail your marketing and sales strategies, operational plan, and financial projections. Using a sample food truck business plan or a free business plan template can be very helpful in this process. Don’t forget to review and update your plan regularly, in case things don’t go as expected.

3. What are Some Effective Marketing Strategies for a Food Truck Business?

Effective marketing strategies for a food truck business may include leveraging social media to engage with customers, participating in local events and food festivals, offering promotions or loyalty programs, and collaborating with other local businesses. Also, consider how your menu items compete with other food trucks or restaurants in your area, and use this information to your advantage.

4. What are the Initial Costs to Start a Food Truck Business?

The initial costs to start a food truck business can vary widely, but typically include the cost of the truck itself, kitchen equipment, initial inventory, permits and licenses, insurance, and marketing costs. It’s essential to include all these factors in your financial plan to get a good idea of how much capital you’ll need.

5. How Can I Differentiate My Food Truck Business in a Saturated Market?

Differentiating your food truck in a saturated market can be challenging but it’s not impossible. Unique food offerings, superior customer service, distinctive branding, strategic location selection, and effective marketing can all help your food truck stand out.

6. What is the Most Profitable Food to Make on a Food Truck?

The profitability of food items can depend on various factors including ingredient costs, preparation time, price point, and customer demand. Typically, items with low ingredient cost, quick preparation time, and high demand tend to be more profitable. However, it’s crucial to balance profitability with providing a menu that aligns with your brand and attracts your target customers.

7. How to Start a Food Truck with No Money?

To start a food truck with no money, consider these steps:

• Begin with a cart or stand instead of a food truck.
• Get family and friends involved for support and resources.
• Utilize a restaurant incubator to access shared kitchen space and equipment.

For more details, you can visit this resource:  How to Start a Food Truck Business with No Money .

Embarking on a food truck business is a great adventure filled with potential and excitement. However, it’s not without its challenges. A well-structured business plan is your compass, guiding your decisions and giving you the tools to navigate the complexities of the industry. It helps you to establish a solid foundation for your venture and prepares you to face any obstacles that come your way. Remember, the journey of creating your food truck business is just as important as the destination. So, roll up your sleeves, fire up the grill, and set the course for your food truck’s success!

As you look for ways to increase revenue for your food truck, an online ordering system is a must. Partner with Menubly to reach a variety of customers and introduce more diners to your food.

Related articles

QR Code on Table Tents for Restaurants and Bars

How much does it cost to open a small restaurant

How much does it cost to open a bakery

Menubly LLC 8 The Green Suite R, Dover, Delaware 19901

Privacy Policy

Terms of service

Cookie Policy

Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai pitch deck generator

Strategic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works  →

• Sample Plans
• WHY UPMETRICS?

Customers Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Small Business Tools

Strategic Canvas Templates

E-books, Guides & More

• Sample Business Plans
• Food, Beverage & Restaurant

Food Truck Business Plan

Tip: the executive summary is a quick overview, so keep it simple and engaging.

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

2. Company Overview

Provide detailed information about your food truck business in this section. It includes the food truck concept, name, location, legal structure of your business, and everything else about your business.

Here is an example of a business description made by the use of Upmetrics:

Also, do not forget to mention the type of food truck you are going to start, for instance, your business might be the one from below: 

• Gourmet food trucks 
• Taco trucks 
• Pizza trucks 
• Burger and sandwich trucks 
• Dessert trucks 

If you already have another local food truck and this is the other one, then write the business history about your food business.

After that, mention the vision and mission of your food truck business along with the future goals. Include the names, qualifications, and specializations of the owners.

3. Industry Analysis

The industry analysis will give you all the details about the food industry you are going to enter. It will support you in a better understanding of your business.

Here are some types of questions you might ask while conducting a food industry analysis:

• What is the current size of the food truck industry in the USA?
• What are the major trends in the food truck industry?
• Who are the huge players in the industry and what is their market share?
• How is technology affecting the food truck industry?
• What is the average price range and spending limit of the customers?

In short, industry analysis will help you have a better understanding of the market and support you in making informed decisions.

4. Competitive Analysis

Competitive analysis will help you to know the price point and positioning of your business in the food industry. This way you will also get to know about your direct and indirect competitors, as in other food trucks in your location.

Start your competitive analysis section by listing all your competitors with all their plus points and negative points. Some of the questions you might ask to know your competitors are:

• What food items does their menu include?
• What is their market share?
• What are their USPs and what do their customers like about them the most?
• How much does a food truck cost?
• What is their pricing strategy?
• What are the weaknesses through which you can have a competitive advantage?

After getting all the above answers, analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to get a better understanding of your USPs.

This way you can get to know the USP of a food truck business. Once you get the USP, flaunt it in your own business plan.

5. Market Analysis

Competition in the restaurant industry is high, and to get a small gap to enter the market is a huge opportunity. Once you enter the market, it is time to define and mention your target market first.

Your target audience will depend on the type of food truck services you provide and the location of your food truck.

Once you know who you are going to serve, then understand the market by knowing the current trends and customer preferences. For example, some of the market trends for a food truck are:

• Health conscious diet
• Local sourcing
• Food transparency
• Kiosks (contactless ordering and payment)
• Creative menu items

At the end of the market analysis, do mention the regulatory environment a food business needs to follow in the particular location.

6. Sample Menu

One of the most necessary steps to launch your food truck business is designing the sample menu. Generally, food truck businesses provide fast-preparing meals.

A sample menu forces you to think about what will you make and serve your customers. Consider where you will store uncooked food, what you will need to prepare that food, and what you will use to serve that food to your customers.

Your menu should be in coordination with your target customers; for example, if you have students around the corner then design your menu with fast-serving dishes.

The menu is also a part of your branding, so keep the color and design of the menu the same as your food truck. Here is an example of including your menu in the food truck business plan:

7. Sales and Marketing Plan

You can see a food truck in the corner of every alley, so you need to reach customers and not wait for them to come to you. For that, you will need a food truck marketing strategy in place. Some of the strategies are:

Create a professional and mobile-friendly website including your location, contact information, and images of the food items you offer. This will help local customers find you online.

Social media marketing

Maintain active profiles on TikTok, Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, and all other major social media platforms to spread your reach. It will help your target market to recognize you and will interest them to visit your food truck.

Loyalty programs

Think of implementing a loyalty program to reward your existing customers. You can offer free food dishes, BOGO offers, discounts, or any other such thing. These programs can help you increase the customer retention rate and encourage them to visit your business more.

Community engagement

Participate in food truck gatherings, local events as a stall, and other fun food festivals. Engage with the local community by sponsoring or collaborating with local organizations. Building a strong local reputation can help you reach a wide customer base.

Email marketing

Send regular newsletters, special offers, discounts, and event invitations to everyone whose details you got from your website. Email marketing can be a powerful tool for customer retention and engagement.

8. Management team

Letting your readers or investors know who is behind your food truck will allow them to understand your business more.

The management team is all about who is behind the wheels of your food truck and what are their roles. If you are starting a new food truck, then showcasing your experienced managers or head chef will make your business look stronger.

Here is an example of a management team:

9. Business Operations

In the entire business plan we have talked about goals, but here is the point where you have to mention what will you do to fulfill those goals.

Everyday goals

They are the heart and soul of your food truck business. From buying the most qualitative food items to fulfilling customers’ needs and everything in between is included.

Long-term goals

It’s all about milestones: the moments that make you pop the champagne. Picture celebrating your 10,000th delivery, hitting that milestone sales figure you’ve dreamt of, or expanding your team.

10. Financial Plan

For a successful food truck business, you will need a proper financial plan with realistic financial projections. In this section add the financial statements like income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet for 3-5 years.

• Income statement

An income statement is also known as a profit and loss statement, which describes the profitability of the business by deducting expenses from revenue.

The income statement is one of the important things your investors will focus on. So, don’t be greedy and display huge impractical numbers.

• Balance sheet

Balance sheets display your assets and liabilities. Although they can contain a lot of details, like equity, goodwill, other intangible assets, etc.

• Cash flow statement

Your cash flow statement helps you see how much money you need to start or grow your business and avoid running out of money. This cash flow should be maintained even for certain months after launch that is before you start making profits.

Surprisingly, you can make a profit but still face financial problems that could lead to bankruptcy. Therefore, you will need proper cash flow planning to avoid such circumstances. Here is an example of a 5-year cash flow statement:

Why Do You Need a Business Plan for Your Food Truck?

If you are wondering why there is a lot more voice for a business plan, then consider this:

• A food-truck business plan offers a strategic direction to your business goals and helps you achieve them.
• A business plan will also help you understand the finances of your business and help you to secure funding.
• It will clarify the vision of your food truck, so you can focus on the daily operations.
• Also, it allows you to know specific risks you might face in the future, as a result, you will be prepared.

Now that you have plenty of reasons to have a food truck business plan, start writing one.

Related Food Truck Resources

• How Much Does It Cost To Start A Food Truck
• How to Start a Food Truck Business
• Food Truck Financial Plan

Download a Food Truck business plan template

Ready to kick-start your business plan writing process? And not sure where to start? Here you go, download our free food truck business plan pdf , and start writing.

This intuitive, modern, and investment-ready template is designed specifically for food truck businesses. It includes step-by-step instructions & examples to help in creating your own food-truck business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Write Your Business Plan with AI

Lastly! With the help of our food truck business plan template, you know how to write a business plan. So, you are a step closer to starting or expanding your food truck business exciting, right?

You know what else is exciting? Making your business planning process a lot smoother than this; yes, it is possible with the AI assistant of Upmetrics.

So, take a deep breath as we will take care of your business plan, and focus only on your business operations.

Related Posts

Food Processing Business Plan

Food Bank Business Plan

400+ Business Plan Example

Best AI Business Plan Tools

Frequently asked questions, can i start a food truck business without a formal business plan.

You can start a food truck business without a professional business plan, but it is not advisable, as a business plan will act as your roadmap. If you are going to start your business with bootstrapping, then you can take the risk of not writing a food truck business plan.

How often should I update my food truck business plan?

Your food truck business plan is a live document. So, you can edit it wherever and whenever you want. Ideally, you can read and edit your business plan once a month or as many times as required.

What should I include in the financial projections section of the business plan?

In a food truck business plan, you will need various estimated financial statements like

• Break-even analysis
• Sales forecast
• Uses of Funds
• Financial ratios

What are some tips for writing a food truck business plan template?

Some tips for writing a food truck business plan are:

• Be clear and concise about your goals
• Use data and statistics to support all your claims
• Be practical and realistic about your financial projections
• Ask friends and family to give feedback on your plan
• Read and re-read it before presenting it to your investors

What is the ideal length for a food truck business plan template?

Generally, the length of a business plan is around 15-35 pages. It also depends on the audience of your business plan, the type of your business, and the type of your business plan. As for a one-page business plan, the length is going to be 1 page.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Popular Templates

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

• 400+ Business plan templates & examples
• AI Assistance & step by step guidance
• 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a food truck business plan

• Nirit Braun
• Sep 8, 2023

A food truck business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the strategies, goals and financial projections for a food truck venture. It serves as a roadmap for starting and operating a successful food truck business.

The plan below will provide a detailed overview of your company's mission, target market, menu offerings, marketing strategies, operational procedures, business website and financial projections.

Looking to take your food truck online by building a website ? Take Wix’s website builder for a spin.

Why create a food truck business plan? Top benefits to consider

When starting a business , having a well-defined and thorough business plan is crucial. This is true for any type of business , but especially true for food truck entrepreneurs, as the mobile nature of the operation and the unique challenges it presents require careful planning and strategizing. A business plan helps you accomplish the following:

Create a business blueprint: A business plan acts as a blueprint for your mobile eats venture. It helps you establish a solid foundation by clearly defining your company's mission, vision and values. This clarity of purpose is essential for setting the direction and tone of your business. Your business plan can also be used to explain what type of business you'll start - whether that's an LLC, Corporation or something else. Learn more about how to start an LLC .

Understand your target market: A well-researched business plan helps you identify your ideal customers, their preferences and purchasing behaviors. By gaining insights into your market, you can tailor your menu offerings, pricing and marketing strategies to effectively attract and retain customers.

Outline all business operations: A comprehensive food truck business plan considers the operational aspects of your business in detail. It includes information on sourcing ingredients, managing inventory, organizing staffing requirements and maintaining food safety standards. By planning these procedures in advance, you can ensure smooth and efficient operations once your business is up and running.

Secure funding: In order to raise money for your business , potential investors and lenders will require a well-prepared business plan. A thorough plan demonstrates your commitment to the venture and showcases your financial projections, including start-up costs, revenue forecasts and potential profitability. It gives investors confidence in the viability and potential return on investment of your business.

Allocate resources: Writing a business plan forces you to thoroughly analyze and understand what resources, supplies and staff are needed to start and operate your food truck business. It helps you identify the equipment, ingredients and permits required for your mobile kitchen, as well as the necessary staffing levels.

Anticipate challenges and risks: By conducting a thorough market analysis and understanding the competitive landscape, you can identify potential hurdles and plan accordingly. Furthermore, by conducting a financial analysis, you can identify potential cash flow issues and devise strategies to address them proactively.

Monitor progress and performance: A well-designed business plan provides a benchmark against which you can track your progress and measure your performance. It allows you to set key performance indicators (KPIs) and track your business' financial health, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

How to create a food truck business plan in 7 steps

A well-crafted food truck business plan consists of several key components that provide a comprehensive overview of your venture. These seven steps help you articulate your business concept, strategize your operations and outline your financial projections.

Executive summary

Company name and domain name

Market analysis and research

Operations plan

Marketing and advertising plan

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your entire food truck business plan. It provides a snapshot of your company, its goals and the strategies you'll employ to achieve them. Although it appears at the beginning of your plan, it's often best to write the executive summary last, as it summarizes the content and highlights the most significant points. A clear executive summary should include:

A high-level description of your food truck business

Key objectives and mission statement

A summary of your target market and competitive advantage

An overview of your management team and their qualifications

Financial projections and funding requirements

Example of an executive summary: "[Food truck name] is a mobile eatery that offers a diverse menu of gourmet street food inspired by international flavors. Our mission is to provide high-quality, delicious and convenient meals to customers on the go. With a focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, we aim to satisfy the taste buds of food enthusiasts in [target market]. Our experienced team consists of seasoned chefs who bring their culinary expertise and passion for innovative dishes. We are seeking [dollar amount] in funding, which will be used to cover initial start-up costs, purchase equipment and build brand awareness through marketing initiatives."

02. Company name and domain name

The name of your food truck business plays a crucial role in establishing brand awareness and trust among your target audience. It should be memorable, descriptive and reflective of your brand identity. While deciding how to name a business , consider its relevance to your cuisine, the uniqueness of the name within the industry and its potential for trademark registration. This is an important step to consider before taking steps to register your business .

A business name generator can be a helpful tool to generate ideas and inspire creativity. It can provide a list of potential names based on keywords or themes related to food and your concept. To narrow it down further, you can use a restaurant name generator for more food-focused ideas.

In addition to the company name, consider securing a domain name for your food truck business. The domain name should ideally match your business name or reflect the type of cuisine you offer. Check the availability of the domain name through domain registration platforms to ensure it is not already taken. Selecting a memorable and relevant domain name is essential for building a strong online presence and making it easy for potential customers to find you.

Learn more: Food business name ideas , Food truck business name ideas , Restaurant business name ideas

03. Market analysis and research

There are more than 36,000 food truck businesses in the U.S. as of 2023, so knowing where you stand—and how you’ll stand out—is vital. Market analysis and research help you gain insights into your target market, understand customer preferences and identify your competitive landscape. Conduct thorough research on your target demographic, studying their eating habits, preferences and purchasing power.

Assess the local food truck industry by analyzing existing businesses, their offerings, pricing and customer reviews. Identify any gaps in the market that your food truck can fill or potential niches you could target. This information will guide your business strategy and help you position your food truck effectively.

04. Operations plan

The operations plan outlines the logistical aspects of your food truck business. It includes details about your location, permits and licenses required, equipment needed and staffing requirements.

Determine the best location for your food truck based on factors such as high foot traffic, parking availability and proximity to your target market. Research local regulations and obtain the necessary permits and licenses to run your food truck legally.

Consider the equipment needed to operate your food truck efficiently. This may include a commercial-grade kitchen, refrigeration systems, cooking appliances, serving counters and point-of-sale systems. Ensure that you outline the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining this equipment.

Staffing needs should be addressed as well, including the number of employees required, their roles and any necessary training. You may need to hire a chef, cooks, servers and support staff, depending on the scale of your operations.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

The marketing and advertising plan outlines how you intend to promote your food truck business and attract customers. Identify the most effective food marketing strategies for reaching your target audience, such as social media marketing, local events, partnerships or collaborations with other businesses.

You’ll want to make sure your branding is represented by clean, eye-catching and professional visuals as you embark on marketing endeavors. If you don’t yet have a logo, you can use a logo maker to help you generate ideas. For food trucks in particular, a restaurant logo maker or food logo maker can be especially helpful.

Consider then creating a presence on social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, to showcase your food, engage with customers and build a loyal following. Develop a content plan that includes high-quality photos and engaging captions to captivate potential customers.

Utilize local events and festivals to reach a wider audience. Explore opportunities to collaborate with local businesses, such as hosting pop-up events or offering special discounts for their customers.

You should also implement a customer feedback system to track satisfaction levels, address concerns and continuously improve your offerings. Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google to establish credibility and attract new customers.

06. Financial plan

The financial plan is a crucial part of any business plan, as it outlines the financial projections, funding requirements and revenue forecast for your food truck business. It helps you assess the financial feasibility of your venture and make informed decisions regarding pricing strategies and growth plans.

Include a comprehensive breakdown of your start-up costs, such as vehicle acquisition, equipment, permits, licenses and initial inventory. Current estimates place the average cost to start a food truck business somewhere around $55,000 . Determine your fixed and variable costs, including ingredient costs, staff wages, fuel and maintenance expenses. Project your revenue based on your estimated sales volume and pricing structure.

Additionally, consider different sources of funding for your food truck, such as personal savings, loans or potential investors. Outline the repayment plan for any borrowed funds and include a timeline for reaching profitability.

07. Appendices

Appendices provide additional supporting documents and information that enhance the credibility of your food truck business plan. Include items like your menu, sample recipes, your chef's credentials, market research data, financial spreadsheets and any legal documents or permits required for operation.

By including relevant supporting materials, you demonstrate your preparedness and attention to detail, increasing the confidence of potential investors and lenders in your business concept.

Food truck business plan template

Creating a food truck business plan can be a daunting task, especially if you're starting from scratch. Fortunately, there are templates and resources available to help you streamline the process and create a comprehensive plan. This template provides structure and guides you through the various components of a food truck business plan.

Executive summary: Outline your business overview, mission statement, competitive advantage, management team and financial projections or funding requirements.

Company name and domain name: List the name of your food truck business and the URL/domain name for your business website.

Market analysis and research: This should cover your target market demographics, competitive analysis and niche identification.

Operations: Explain your general area of operation, any equipment or staffing requirements, and permits and licenses you hold.

Marketing and advertising: Include your plans for social media marketing, participating in local events and collaborations, and a customer feedback system.

Financial plan: Outline your start-up costs, fixed and variable costs, revenue projections and sources of funding.

Appendices: Provide a sample menu and recipes, the chef's credentials or any other market research data.

Looking for another business idea?

How to start an online business

How to start a consulting business

How to start a fitness business

How to start a fitness clothing line

How to start a makeup line

How to start a candle business

How to start a clothing business

How to start an online boutique

How to start a T-shirt business

How to start a jewelry business

How to start a subscription box business

How to start a beauty business

How to start a landscaping business

How to start a food business

How to start a vending machine business

How to start a coaching business

How to start a construction business

How to start a trucking business

How to start a flower business

How to start a car wash business

How to start a food prep business

How to start a DJ business

How to start a pool cleaning business

How to start a baking business

Looking to start a business in a specific state?

How to start a business in Arizona

How to start a business in South Carolina

How to start a business in Virginia

How to start a business in Michigan

How to start a business in California

How to start a business in Florida

How to start a business in Texas

How to start a business in Wisconsin

Related Posts

How to create a construction business plan

How to create a tutoring business plan

How to create a contractor business plan

Was this article helpful?

Restaurants Starting a Business | How To

How to Start a Food Truck Business in 9 Steps

Published March 6, 2023

Published Mar 6, 2023

WRITTEN BY: Mary King

Get Your Free Ebook

Your Privacy is important to us.

This article is part of a larger series on Starting a Business .

Starting A Business?

• Step 1: Research Local Food Trucks & Laws
• Step 2: Choose a Menu, Name & Logo
• Step 3: Register Your Business & Open a Bank Account
• Step 4. Raise Funds
• Step 5: Get Licenses, Permits & Insurance
• Step 6: Procure Your Food Truck
• Step 7: Purchase Equipment & Supplies
• Step 8: Hire & Train Staff

Step 9: Market Your Food Truck

• Pros & Cons

Bottom Line

There has never been a better time to start a food truck business; in fact, the number of food trucks grew by almost 10% from 2022 to 2023. If you’re looking for a money-making business idea , a food truck is a great one. Successful food trucks can bring in more than $500,000 per year, with startup costs from $40,000–$200,000.

Starting a food truck typically takes three to 12 months and requires the nine steps below. Download our checklist to help you stay on track.

FILE TO DOWNLOAD OR INTEGRATE

Starting a Food Truck Checklist

Thank you for downloading!

Step 1: research local food trucks & laws.

When starting your food truck business, it’s essential to make sure you are filling a hole in the market, supplying a demand, and operating within the law. So, you should evaluate the food truck scene in your area and research local food truck laws and regulations. This information will help you decide if a food truck is the best-fitting business for you to start .

Evaluating the Local Food Truck Scene

Before you sketch out your menu and business plan, you should find out what trucks are most successful in your area. A quick internet search for “food trucks” and your city or county name will generally yield plenty of results to start.

When evaluating other trucks, take note of their:

• Cuisine: You want to pick a food concept that isn’t being done by other food trucks in your area; you don’t want to be the third falafel food truck in a small town. But you also want to pick a cuisine that has widespread appeal.
• Prices: If most of the trucks in your area serve food in the $5 to $8 range, you probably won’t want to stray too far from that price point. On the other hand, if your town has a lot of higher-priced, gourmet-style trucks, you know you can let your imagination run wild.
• Parking Location: This will give you an idea of which neighborhoods are truck-friendly and not.
• Serving hours: If many people commute to your town for work, breakfast or lunch hours might be a busy time for trucks, so developing a breakfast or lunch concept is a good idea. If you are in a tourist or college town, nights and weekends may be busier, so you might be better off opting for a dinner or late-night snack menu.

Introduce yourself to truck owners and ask them about their biggest operational challenges. You’ll find that most are eager to share their knowledge with an up-and-coming food trucker. One of the best aspects of food truck communities is the camaraderie and support of other truck operators.

Researching Local Food Truck Laws

Food truck regulations fall into three major categories: health, zoning, and vehicle requirements. Health regulations govern what equipment your truck must have, what permits you and your employees need, and whether you need a commissary kitchen. Zoning regulations determine where you are permitted to park your truck and what types of neighborhoods are not permitted.

There will also be laws governing what type of vehicle you can use, what emissions regulations your truck must meet, where you need to register your vehicle, and if your truck driver needs to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Every state, county, and major city has its own laws regulating food trucks and street vending.

New York City, for example, requires every person working on a food truck to have a mobile food vending license . Los Angeles requires that all food trucks post No Smoking signage on their trucks. Many major cities and counties also require all food trucks to have a current contract with a commissary kitchen.

Commissary Kitchen: Sometimes called a “support kitchen,” this is a commercial kitchen, rentable by the hour or day, that supports mobile food operations. Commissaries are equipped with cooking equipment, refrigeration equipment, ice machines, and storage areas that meet local health department requirements. Many also provide areas to dispose of grease and greywater, truck maintenance areas, and a secure place to park overnight.

Food trucks are regulated mostly by city or county authorities. In rural locations, you’re mostly dealing with county offices. In densely populated areas, the city has jurisdiction. You can learn your local regulations by checking your local health department website. However, you’ll get faster and more accurate information if you put in a couple of phone calls—one to your city or county health department and one to your city or county clerk’s department. When you get a person on the line, you’ll want to ask:

• What permits and licenses do I need for a new food truck, and what do they cost?
• Do I need separate food safety certificates for each employee, or is one food manager’s safety license enough?
• What on-truck cooking, refrigeration, and sanitation equipment does the health department require?
• Does all equipment need to be professionally installed?
• Must I use a registered commissary kitchen?
• Do I need separate vending licenses for each employee or only for the business?
• Are there limitations to vehicle size?
• What zoning regulations must my truck adhere to when street vending?
• Does driving a food truck require a commercial driver’s license?

The answers to these questions will have a considerable impact on how expensive it is to start a food truck in your location and how long the process takes.

Step 2: Choose a Menu, Name & Logo

Food trucks are known for their clever remixes and personal flair. The most successful food truck concepts reflect their owner’s interests and personal experiences. Consider popular Las Vegas truck Buldogis , which serves Korean-inflected gourmet hot dogs that reflect the owners’ American and Korean backgrounds. Start with your menu, then your name and logo should naturally follow.

Food Truck Menu Tips

Keep your final menu simple and streamlined. Most food trucks get by with a rotating list of three to five signature items and a couple sides. You can change items seasonally to keep customers interested, but a food truck is not the place for a 30-item menu; you simply don’t have the space to store that much food.

Consider these ideas to start brainstorming your ideal food truck menu:

• Fusion dishes: This concept combines two distinct cuisines to create dishes that appeal to a broader audience, such as Tex-Mex or sushi burritos.
• Regional cuisine: Local specialties like breakfast tacos in Texas or lobster rolls in New England are always a hit, especially in tourist destinations.
• Organic and health foods: Acai bowls, cold-pressed juice, and interesting salad combinations are all examples of trendy health foods.
• Comfort foods: From fried chicken to mac and cheese, grilled cheese, tacos, and burgers, comfort foods usually equal big food truck business.
• Gourmet sandwiches: Who doesn’t love a good sandwich? To stand out, use nontraditional ingredients or have a theme.
• Pizza: A wood-fired pizza truck has widespread appeal (though it may also require a fire department inspection and permit, so check that first).

The primary customers for food trucks are 18 to 34 years old, so food truck foods tend to be very trend-driven. Alternative everything will be the name of the food truck game in 2023; alternative flours, alternative sweeteners, and plant-based meat alternatives all sell well to this age group.

Name Your Food Truck

With a general idea of your concept, you need a name that fits your food. Your truck name will become your social media handle and logo and will be emblazoned on the side of a truck, so it’s important to get it right. Our restaurant name generator can get your creative juices flowing.

But here are some general tips for choosing a good name for your food truck:

• Choose a unique name: You risk violating a trademark if there’s another restaurant or food truck with the same name. You can use the free United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) online search tool to check if your name is taken already.
• Make your name descriptive: Your name should describe your food, theme, and concept so your potential customers will immediately know what to expect.
• Make the name memorable and easy to pronounce: This is especially important for food trucks because they rely on word-of-mouth for much of their business. Avoid long, confusing names―four words or less is a good rule of thumb for your food truck’s name.
• Choose a name that can grow: Your business name should be fun and catchy and grow with your business if you add more trucks, new menu items, or open a traditional restaurant.

Design Your Food Truck Logo

The last piece that completes your food truck concept puzzle is a business logo . You’ll need something that evokes quality food and is exciting enough to compete with other food trucks. You will also use your logo on menus, business cards, social media, and all of your advertising efforts. It will provide the basis for your truck design and uniforms (if you have them).

A captivating logo can make a huge difference in whether people step up to your truck or pass right by, so you want this important marketing element to be in the hands of a talented designer. You don’t need to break the bank to do this. Freelancer sites like Fiverr let you browse portfolios from freelance graphic artists who’ve designed both simple food truck logos and full vehicle wraps, with prices starting at just $5.

Step 3: Register Your Business & Open a Bank Account

When starting a food truck, you’ll need to create a business entity and register with your state. For most food truck operations, an LLC makes the most sense. It protects your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit or business bankruptcy and shows vendors, insurers, and permitting agencies that your business is legitimate.

Filing fees vary from state to state, but forming an LLC isn’t necessarily expensive. Costs range from $40 to $500, and you can find the forms you need on your state’s business office website. Filing LLC paperwork can be tedious and a little complicated. If you need guided assistance, we recommend working with a legal website like Incfile or one of our other recommended online legal services . Incfile doesn’t charge fees beyond your state filing fee to file your LLC and can usually process LLC paperwork by the next business day.

Open a Business Bank Account

You’ll need to separate your personal finances from your business finances by opening a business bank account . This account will hold funds invested in your food truck and be used to pay permitting, licensing, and vendor fees. When your truck is up and running, your credit card deposits will run to this account, and you will pay employees and suppliers from it. You can inquire about business banking options at the bank that handles your personal banking, or see our list of the best small business checking accounts .

Step 4. Raise Funds for Your Food Truck

Starting a food truck business can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000, depending on your location, the cooking appliances you need, and the type of truck you purchase. The table below gives you a rough estimate of the itemized costs involved in starting a food truck business. We break down the costs in the charts below.

Food Truck Business Estimated Startup Costs

• One-time costs
• Recurring Costs

The first step to raising the funds you need is writing a business plan.

Write a Food Truck Business Plan

Like any other business, your food truck will need a well-prepared business plan if you want it to succeed. Your business plan puts your concept on paper so potential investors and loan officers can see that your food truck is a good investment. Having a plan for becoming profitable gives you a better understanding of how long it will take for your food truck to turn a profit and what funds you need to sustain your business until that point. Your food truck business plan serves as a basis for how you envision your business to start , run, and grow.

Your food truck business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive summary: Briefly describe the food truck industry in your region, the present outlook and future possibilities, your concept, theme, and other markets and industries that can directly impact your business. This should be no more than a page.
• Competitive analysis: Identify market trends in the food truck industry, your target market, and analyze competitors. For example, are there food trucks in your area selling the same kinds of food or traditional restaurants with the same target customer base? Describe how your truck will uniquely appeal to this audience by offering a distinctive take on a beloved dish or spicing things up with a secret sauce or spice blend.
• Organization and management: Explain how you plan to run your business, including standard operating procedures, staffing, and responsibilities of each key partner and employee. Will your truck operate solely street-side, or will you also cater private events? Where will you prepare and store the majority of your food? Describe the layout of your truck. How many customers can you serve in an hour?
• Product line: Detail your menu and ingredients, as well as the cost of preparing the food and how much you plan to sell it for. If you are sourcing ingredients from a local farm or notable vendor, note it here. This section should show that you have a firm grasp of food cost and profitability.
• Marketing plan: Describe how you plan to market your food truck business. Important marketing channels for food trucks include word-of-mouth, influencer marketing, and social media marketing . Participating in well-attended annual food truck festivals can also boost your marketing efforts.
• Financial projections: Break down your projected expenses, profits, and losses for at least your first three to five years. If you live in a place with lots of seasonal weather changes, you should include a month-by-month breakdown for busy and slow months.
• Financial requirements: State how much funding you need to start your food truck and exactly how you plan to have it funded. If you’re applying for a business loan , specify how much money you need to borrow.

When preparing your business plan, make sure that you include all the details. For example, itemize your marketing strategy, explain how each line item will reach your target consumers, how much it will cost, and how many customers it will likely bring in. List your product line to include all food items, how they will appear on your menu, the ingredients, and at what price you plan on selling each item. Include your logos and branded menus. If you have sourced a truck, include photos of the truck and possibly an artist’s rendering with your logo and branding.

Food Truck Funding Options

Most people don’t have immediate access to the kind of capital required to start a food truck. Financing your business will be an essential step. Most lenders require a business plan before issuing a loan, so be sure to have your thorough plan ready, along with the amount you need and your credit history.

Here are some financing options available for aspiring food truck owners:

• Equipment loan/financing program: Some truck sellers or equipment financiers will loan to you to purchase the truck.
• Rollover for business startups (ROBS): If you have more than $50,000 in a retirement account, you can set up a ROBS , which will allow you to use the funds in your retirement account to fund your business without paying early withdrawal penalties.
• Business credit cards: If you are good at paying off debt, a business credit card may be a good option.
• Personal loan: This is a good option if you have a good credit score and need less than $50,000.
• Microloan from Small Business Administration (SBA): Microloans are considerably smaller in size than conventional business loans but may be sufficient to cover food truck startup costs. Check out SBA’s Microloan Program for loans of less than $50,000.
• Find investors: Whether it’s a friend or family member, finding investors for your food truck business requires strategy. Prepare your concept and a solid business plan to help convince investors to fund your venture.

Not all funding comes from banks and big investors. If you have an active fanbase of friends and family who support your food truck concept, crowdfunding can provide some or all of your opening budget. Your business plan will give you a great jumping-off point to create a compelling crowdfunding page. A bonus of crowdfunding for a food truck is that you’ll already have a fanbase excited to see your truck come to life.

For a detailed look at crowdfunding, see our guide on how to crowdfund a small business .

Step 5: Get Licenses, Permits & Insurance

FoodTrucks need at least three types of licenses and permits: general business licenses, food service licenses, and vehicle licenses. Depending on your location, most food truck licenses and permits will cost between $100 to $500 each. Your total permit and license fees can range from $1,500 to $20,000.

A mobile food vending permit is one of the licenses your truck needs. (Image from NYC Dept. of Health)

• General Business Licenses
• Food Service Licenses
• Vehicle Permits

General business licenses include things like:

• Doing Business As (DBA) Registration: If you operate your truck as a sole proprietorship or want to operate your truck under a different from the LLC you registered with the state, you’ll need a DBA to register the fictitious name.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN): This number is assigned by the IRS and acts as your business’s identification for tax purposes. If you hire any employees, you’ll need one. You can register for free on the IRS website .
• Business license: All small businesses need a license to operate in the state in which they are located. Costs for this license vary from state to state and are generally less than $500. Some states lump the business license process in with the business registrations process, but not all. You should check with your state business agencies to find out your local requirements.
• State sales tax permit: This license registers your business with your state’s sales tax authority. All of your food truck sales are subject to state and local sales taxes, and you will need to register with your state so you can log your sales tax payments accurately. This permit is typically free.
• Reseller’s license: This license enables you to purchase wholesale goods that you will resell tax-free.
• Vendor’s permit: Also sometimes called a “Peddler’s Permit,” some locations require mobile businesses like food trucks to acquire this from the city, county, or neighborhood governing body. This license typically shows local authorities that your truck has permission to operate in a certain area. These are common in tourist locations and cities with popular historic cores.

Food service licenses are issued by your state, county, or city health department. You will need various licenses to cover your truck, your prep kitchen, yourself, and sometimes your individual employees. Most food service permits and licenses require you to pass a food safety test or for your facilities to pass a food safety inspection.

Foodservice licenses include:

• Health permit: Requirements vary from state to state . Generally, obtaining your final overall health permit requires obtaining all of the permits and licenses listed below before applying for this general permit. Depending on the size of your operation, prices can vary from a couple of hundred dollars to nearly $1,000.
• Mobile food facility (or unit) permit: In some locations this permit is issued through a local Parks department, rather than the health department, though it still has a food safety component. Many towns offer lower pricing tiers for food carts, kiosks, small trucks, and trucks that only serve pre-packaged foods and non-perishable drinks. Prices typically range from $300 to $500.
• Food Safety Manager’s Certification: This certificate is typically required to obtain a health permit for your business. You’ll need to take a food safety class and pass a food safety test in order to get one. Costs are around $199 through ServSafe.
• Food handler permit for employees: Some states, like California, require all food service workers to have their own food handler’s permit. Your staff can obtain these for $15 to $18 through ServSafe.
• Commercial kitchen lease contract: In most locations, getting your truck’s foodservice permits requires a signed lease with a licensed commercial kitchen. In some cases, health inspectors may ask for a signed affidavit from the kitchen owner, stating that you are a tenant in good standing. Prices will vary based on your lease terms.

Unlike what you see on “The Great Food Truck Race,” most food truck food is not prepared from start to finish on the truck itself. In many locations, local food safety laws require food trucks to prepare and store most of their food in a licensed commercial kitchen. This may sound like a form of red tape, but prepping your food in a brick-and-mortar commercial kitchen ensures that it can be kept at safe temperatures below 41 degrees and above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (which can be hard to maintain on a truck).

You can find commissary kitchens in your area by asking other food truck operators or by checking sites like Commercial Kitchen for Rent . Commissary kitchens are not your only option. In most locations, any commercial kitchen inspected and licensed by the local health department will do. This might be a restaurant kitchen you lease in its off-hours or a school kitchen you rent for evenings, weekends, or summer months. Some social and religious organizations like Elks lodges, VFW halls, and churches also have licensed commercial kitchen facilities that fit the bill.

Your truck itself will require a visit to the department of motor vehicles for commercial license plates. You may need to acquire a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in some states if your truck goes over certain length and weight limits. Other states prohibit vehicles that require a CDL from operating as food trucks.

You may also need to acquire parking permits for your truck. Food trucks can’t just park anywhere that a regular vehicle can. Every city has different regulations limiting parking opportunities. Additionally, neighborhood associations and local health departments might require you to comply with their own guidelines.

Here are some tips to make sure your food truck is parked in the right place:

• Ask your county clerk for a list of places where parking is not allowed or where permits are required.
• Contact your local motor vehicle department for lesser-known parking restrictions.
• Add overnight vehicle parking to your commercial kitchen contract.

Step 6: Procuring Your Food Truck

Several of the permits and licenses you need depend on the type of vehicle you purchase. So this step typically happens simultaneously with your permitting process. Food trucks can cost anywhere from $3,250 for a secondhand trailer to as much as $300,000 for a new, custom-built truck, although $5,000–$125,000 is the general range.

Regardless of your budget, you should invest in the best quality truck you can afford. Investing in a quality food truck from the beginning minimizes your risk of incurring repair expenses down the road, and protects you and your staff from dangerous cooking or vehicle-related accidents.

Make sure your truck is fitted with equipment that’s up to code, including:

• Refrigerators and ovens are working properly
• Hot and cold water are available with adequate pressure
• Fire extinguishers and first aid kits available on board
• Proper storage for food items
• Professional installation of essential equipment

Some locations require proof that your truck’s electric and gas equipment was installed by a licensed professional. If you are considering a used truck, ask for this documentation.

Buying a Food Truck

You have several options for purchasing your food truck. You can purchase a used truck from an individual seller on eBay or Craigslist, or via an online directory site. By purchasing a used truck, you typically can get a fully outfitted truck for around $50,000, although you will have to repaint the outside and possibly renovate the inside of the truck to match your business.

A few good directory sites to find used food trucks are:

• Commercial Truck Trader
• Used Vending
• Road Stoves
• Miami Trailer & Equipment Company

If you purchase a used truck sight unseen online, it is a good idea to use an escrow service. The escrow service holds your funds in trust until the seller delivers your truck and will only release the funds when you accept the truck. For example, eBay offers a built-in option to pay via Escrow.com to protect its buyers and sellers.

You can also purchase a new food truck directly from a manufacturer like 800BuyCart. Prices for its standard trucks start at around $18,000. Major car manufacturers like Ford, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz also supply food truck compatible vehicles; you’ll need to contact a local dealer for pricing and options. When buying new from a major manufacturer, you should expect prices starting at $40,000, plus equipment.

Building a Food Truck

Custom-built food trucks can set your food truck apart from the competition if you have the budget for one. Companies like Prestige Food Trucks, Cruising Kitchens, and Northwest Mobile Kitchens specialize in custom food trucks built to your exact specifications. New custom food trucks will cost around $100,000 to $200,000. The benefit, of course, is that everything is new, built for purpose, and usually under warranty. You don’t need to worry about how previous owners cared for the truck or if a professional installed the gas lines.

Leasing a Food Truck

If you’re only operating seasonally or your funds are limited, you may want to explore leasing a food truck. Brands like Los Angeles-based Mobi Munch and RoadStoves lease trucks month to month. If there are truck agents in your area, leasing is an attractive option because leases tend to come with lots of included service. RoadStoves customers, for example, get overnight truck parking, a health permit, and access to a commissary kitchen included in their truck lease. It is common for food truck leases to run from $3,000 to $4,500 per month.

The downside to leasing is that the truck won’t be customized to your needs. You’ll also need to get creative with magnetic decals to customize the truck with your logo and menu. When your lease term is up, you may also have to pause your business until you find another truck.

Step 7: Purchase Equipment & Supplies

Even if your truck is fully outfitted with cooking and refrigeration equipment, you’ll still need some extra tools. Generators, condiment tables, registers, and point-of-sale (POS) systems are all standard food truck equipment. Increasingly food truck owners are adding rooftop solar panels to offset fuel costs. You’ll also want to open accounts with food suppliers so you can buy in bulk and avoid paying sales tax.

A portable solar kit, like this one from Bluetti is a popular food truck add-on. (Image from Bluetti)

Truck Wraps & Exterior Decor

Those vibrant trucks with nose-to-tail designs are covered in a “truck wrap.” A truck wrap is basically a giant vinyl decal that adheres to the outside surface of your truck. A full truck wrap lasts from three to five years and should be installed by professionals. The cost for installing a truck wrap ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 (including design and installation). You can have smaller vinyl decals printed at a local sign shop and install them yourself if you are short on funds. But you should leave anything larger than two to three square feet to the pros.

You can source truck wraps from several companies, including:

• Wrap Solutions
• Custom Vehicle Wraps
• Flash Forward Wraps

Painting your truck exterior is also an option. This costs less than vinyl wrap—from $1,000 to $3,000—but is also best done by professionals. Painted decorations are less robust than vinyl wraps and may not last as long.

In addition to showcasing your business logo and contact information, when you drive, your truck exterior needs to display your menu when it is stationary. Food truck menus that change often can be handwritten on chalkboards, or dry erase boards. If your menu remains standard from day to day, you may wish to display a professionally designed, printed menu. You can typically request a menu design from the person that designed your food truck logo. Or use an app-based menu-maker like the one offered by Canva .

Cooking & Serving Equipment

Between your truck and your commercial kitchen, you may have most of your primary equipment needs covered. However, if your menu requires unique cooking elements like wood smoke, rotisseries, or metal skewers, you may need to purchase that yourself. And while commercial kitchens likely have blenders, tongs, and spatulas you can use, supplies in a shared kitchen space can be tight.

You’ll likely want to purchase some of your own small equipment like a food processor, baking sheets, and Cambro containers to store your prepped food and transport it to your truck. Just make sure your commercial kitchen lease comes with secure storage, so you don’t have to lug your food processor back and forth from the commissary every day.

If you offer catering, you’ll also want a couple of sturdy collapsible tables and chafing dishes to keep your food warm outdoors. You’ll be able to find most small equipment at a local restaurant supply or kitchen store. Popular cooking chain Sur La Table even offers a 10% discount to culinary professionals. However, you can also find these items through mainline distributors like Sysco. The one type of equipment that it doesn’t make sense to invest in is table linens. You or your catering clients can rent those to match the events’ color schemes.

POS Equipment

While it is technically possible to operate a cash-only food truck, the inability to accept credit, debit, and mobile wallet payments can seriously undercut your sales. The simplest way to accept card and digital payments is to use a cloud-based, mobile POS system.

These tools are increasingly affordable for small businesses like food trucks. Our top-ranked food truck POS systems can operate via Wi-Fi or cellular networks, and many are free to use. Our favorite food truck POS, Square for Restaurants , operates on iPads, and you can download the software from the Apple App Store and start taking payments in a couple of hours.

A POS goes beyond payments, though. A good food truck POS system will track your supply levels, prompt you when your stock is low, help you count inventory, and track every cash transaction (reducing the likelihood of employee theft). Modern POS systems also come with tools to help you log customer contact information for targeted marketing campaigns, manage social media accounts, and stay on top of internet reviews.

Setting Up Vendor Accounts

If your food truck is even a little bit busy, you’ll want to open accounts with wholesale suppliers. This gives you a price break on food and beverage supplies and saves driving time, as most distributors will deliver directly to your commercial kitchen space.

Also, once your credit application is approved, most vendors operate on a net 30 system, meaning that you’ll have 30 days to pay the supplier invoice.Try to find at least one vendor that supplies most of your food and beverage needs; the fewer suppliers you work with, the fewer invoices you need to process every month.

Pro tip: Speed up your vendor account creation by putting together a single sheet with your credit application information. Include your name, your truck name, business address, EIN, and banking information.

Step 8: Hire & Train Staff

Food truck owners do a lot of work themselves, but you’ll still likely hire some hourly employees. Most trucks operate with a staff of two to four employees. The staff you hire should fill in skills you lack or areas you cannot pay attention to. For example, if you are an expert grill cook, you’ll need to hire cashiers. But if you have a welcoming personality and are great at add-on sales, you might be stronger in a customer-facing role and hire cooks instead. If you get a lot of catering inquiries, it might make sense to hire an event salesperson to send estimates and wrangle catering contracts.

Common Food Truck Staff

Window attendant, catering salesperson, catering servers.

(Image by Kampus Production from Pexels)

Your window attendant takes orders at the truck window, interacts with customers, and processes payments. Someone with a friendly personality and cash-handling experience is good in this position. Window attendants are typically hourly, minimum wage positions and may earn tips.

If you are struggling to find staff, a window attendant can be replaced by a self-service kiosk . This is one of the simplest solutions if you are short-staffed.

(image from RODNAE Productions, Pexels)

A truck cook cooks and serves dishes on the truck itself. Depending on the number of cooktops you have and your menu style, you may need two cooks in the truck all the time. Truck cooks tend to be hourly employees who earn at least minimum wage; however, you should definitely pay more if your truck cook is experienced. They are frequently included in on-truck tip pools.

(image by Mikhail Nilov, Pexels)

If your truck is busy, you may need a hand with off-truck prep cooking. Hiring a prep cook to work in your commercial kitchen while your truck is on the road can significantly reduce your turnaround time between events. Prep cooks are usually part-time staff who earn at least minimum wage. Depending on your local labor laws, prep cooks may or may not be included in tip pools.

(image from Harvest Kitchen)

You don’t want to miss the chance to book private catering events. These can be a massive boost to your truck’s bottom line. A catering salesperson responds to all private event inquiries and works directly with your clients to create a menu, execute an event contract, collect deposits, and hire rental equipment. Catering salespeople typically earn a small hourly base pay or salary, plus a 3% to 10% commission on their booked events. They are typically not tipped, though their commission fee may appear as a service charge on the final invoice.

(Image from cater-waiters.com)

Large events sometimes request tray-passed food or to have some foods served at individual tables. Event coordinators may hire this staff themselves, but it can help to have some staff of your own to call in. Having your own catering servers can give you an edge in landing bigger (and higher budget!) events. You may pay catering servers a flat hourly wage (usually higher than minimum wage) or minimum wage plus tips.

Where to Find Food Truck Staff

The first step to hiring food truck staff is writing a solid job description. Be clear with what tasks the potential employee needs to perform, what experience they need, and what licenses or education are required. If you are operating in New York City, for example, you may give priority to applicants who already have an active Mobile Food Vendor license.

Post your completed job description with salary range on popular jobs sites like Indeed, and share your job opening with friends and family members. Personal referrals can lead to great applicants.

Training Food Truck Staff

You will need to train every staff member on your menu and your truck processes. Depending on your team’s experience level, you’ll need to allow two days to two weeks to get everyone on the same page. You should prepare itemized copies of your menu with ingredient lists and common allergens, along with what items can and cannot be modified. For example, if your housemade chili is cooked with bulgur wheat, it cannot be made gluten-free.

All of your truckers should know how to use fire safety equipment on your truck. Make sure they know where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them. If your truck has a fryer, ensure that everyone knows how to handle a grease fire.

You’ll also want to train your team on the policies and procedures at your commercial kitchen. If there are strict operating hours, designated storage areas, or designated parking areas, you’ll want to cover that explicitly, so your team reflects well on your brand.

If your truck collects tips, you may also run a tip pool to distribute tips to your staff. For tips on managing a tip pool, see our guide to restaurant tip pooling laws and tipping out . A tip pool based on hours is a popular way to distribute food truck tips.

Once you have your truck and your location all set, the final step in starting your food truck business is marketing your truck. A good food truck marketing strategy involves a combination of online and traditional marketing strategies, including social media marketing, vending at local events, building a website, and joining advocacy groups.

Social Media Marketing

Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are great ways to connect with your local community and help potential customers find your business. Plus, Instagram and TikTok are ideal places to show off pictures of your tasty food. For maximum impact, post regularly, and be sure to use any local hashtags to help your business get discovered. Don’t just stick to food photos; part of the appeal of food trucks is their personal story and camaraderie of their team. Let users see your personality and passion.

Also, be sure to post your locations and hours so that customers can easily find you. If you accept orders online or over the phone, have that information in your social media biography. You can also use stickers and buttons on your Facebook or Instagram accounts to add shoppable links to your online ordering site or to purchase gift cards.

Work With Influencers

It’s no secret that social media—Instagram in particular—is full of food fans. You don’t need to target high-profile Instagrammers with advertising fees. Your ideal influencer is someone near your town who has a lot of followers and posts about food. Send a direct message to a few local food folks offering a free meal and see what organic posts result. To make this strategy work, you should meet them personally and suggest a hashtag that promotes your truck. If your truck has an eye-catching design that pops in photos, even better.

Participate in Festivals & Local Events

Festivals are a great way to get customers and gain some insight from fellow food truck owners. Especially in the spring and summer months, tons of towns and cities have outdoor events, from fairs to farmers markets. Participating in these events is a great way to spread awareness about your business while also getting extra sales.

There are also many festivals dedicated to food trucks. Try to book as many events as you can. You’ll have a captive audience to market your business and are all but guaranteed to make sales. If you participate in several events, fairs, or festivals, create an event calendar that you can hand out to customers so that they know where to find you next.

Join a Street Vending Advocacy Group

Many cities with a vibrant food truck community also have food truck advocacy groups. Joining one will put you in contact with other like-minded business owners who can help you troubleshoot problems and send you business if their truck is not available for an event. The added benefit of joining an advocacy group is, of course, advocacy. These groups work together to encourage local regulations that are food truck friendly, which can’t help but boost everyone’s business.

The National Food Truck Association is an excellent place to start. It currently hosts local chapters in:

• Southern California
• San Antonio
• New York City
• Philadelphia
• ….and many other states and cities

Create a Website

A website is essential for any small business, but especially so for a food truck. A website helps potential customers know who you are, what kind of food you sell, and how to find your truck. Your website is also a great place to post your event calendar or a contact form for catering orders. Our guide on how to make a business website will walk you through the process.

A website can also give your business the polish of offering a business email address that is branded with your truck name. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a professional-looking food truck website. Hosting services like Bluehost offer plans that let you register a custom domain name, host your website, access a WordPress web builder, and get a business email address for just $3.95 per month.

Pros & Cons of Starting a Food Truck

Like any other business venture, the food truck industry offers both advantages and disadvantages.

Starting a Food Truck Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does a food truck cost.

Starting a food truck typically costs between $40,000 and $200,000. The cost varies based on whether you purchase or lease a truck, the truck type, necessary equipment, and the cost of permits in your location.

How profitable is a food truck?

Successful food trucks can be very profitable, bring in around $500,000 in annual sales, and sometimes as much as $50,000 per month. Hitting figures like that requires a targeted menu, excellent marketing, and a full-time commitment to managing your costs and overhead.

Having a highly profitable food truck may also involve expanding your truck operation to include private catering, online ordering , and other revenue streams like selling a shelf-stable signature sauce or retail merchandise. It helps to operate in a food truck-friendly city—like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, or Denver—that has regulations that allow food trucks to thrive.

Is owning a food truck hard?

Owning a food truck takes a lot of work, but can be very rewarding. The days can be long; food prep can start in your commissary kitchen several hours before service, and your day doesn’t finish until the truck is parked, the food unloaded, the greywater drained, and all surfaces scrubbed and sanitized. You’ll interact with excited food fans, but you’ll also be responsible for scheduling staff, processing payroll, and dealing with parking tickets. Marketing is important and all on your shoulders, as are less creative things like paying your sales taxes.

If that sounds manageable to you, then owning a food truck won’t feel hard. But if that description sounds overwhelming, you might want to bulk up your restaurant management or general business skills before taking the step to food truck ownership.

How can I start a food truck with no money?

If you want to start a food truck with no money, crowdfunding is your best bet. Or consider starting with a smaller operation like a cottage food operation or tent vending to build a brand and fan following while you save to start your truck.

Why do food trucks fail?

Many food trucks fail within their first three years of operation due to a lack of funds. Difficulties can include unexciting concepts, tough regulations, poor supply choices, truck breakdowns, poor marketing, and more.

Some of the biggest reasons food trucks lose money and ultimately fail are:

• Local regulations designed to protect traditional restaurants
• Poor operating and financial planning
• Unforeseen vehicle repair expenses
• Underestimating the daily number of hours needed
• Ineffective marketing

If you’ve been dreaming of how to start a food truck business, you should know it is a fun—yet time-consuming—process with plenty of opportunities for growth and profit. The food truck business is demanding but, ultimately, rewarding if you take the time to create a careful business plan with market research and a solid marketing strategy. Ensuring you have plenty of startup capital and the right equipment is the best way to encourage success.

About the Author

Find Mary On LinkedIn Twitter

Mary King is an expert restaurant and small business contributor at Fit Small Business. With more than a decade of small business experience, Mary has worked with some of the best restaurants in the world, and some of the most forward-thinking hospitality programs in the country. Mary’s firsthand operational experience ranges from independent food trucks to the grand scale of Michelin-starred restaurants, from small trades-based businesses to cutting-edge co-working spaces.

By downloading, you’ll automatically subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Join Fit Small Business

Sign up to receive more well-researched small business articles and topics in your inbox, personalized for you. Select the newsletters you’re interested in below.

ZenBusinessPlans

Home » Sample Business Plans » Food

A Sample Food Truck Business Plan Template

The food truck concept has been around for centuries, right from when street vendors in ancient Rome made and sold delicacies to the public using wooden street carts. Today, that concept and the accompanying menus have evolved from just simple street food to different, complicated cuisines.

If you are looking to start a food truck business, you need a well-researched and detailed business plan. Aside from helping you cover all your bases, it makes available vital information about your new endeavor to potential investors. Since putting together a food truck business plan is such a vital step, it is advisable you write it before you even purchase a food truck.

Steps on How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan

Executive summary.

Beta Life Chops will be located in a large food cart pod near Portland’s Jade district known as Eastport Food Center. Our menu will include popular food options made with the creativity and uniqueness that our truck represents. Our eclectic style and consistency will make us a favorite among Portland foodies and ensure that our food maintains a loyal following amongst young professionals and college students.

With Eastport Food Centre nestled in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods and with an impressive social media following, Beta Life Chops is well-positioned to become a local go-to dining destination for anyone eager for a good, delicious, interesting fare at an affordable price.

Company Profile

A. our products and services.

• Hot Products: Burritos, tacos, flautas, Hunan Vegetables, Shanghai chicken, grilled chicken, Grilled cheese, pretzels, the chef specialty of the day
• Cold products: Seafood, sandwiches, rolls, wraps, and salads
• Drinks: Soda, freshly squeezed juices, hot chocolate, wine, beer, coffee
• Create your own: We will make available raw materials for our clients to combine anyway they want

b. Nature of the Business

• Specifically for food-conscious modern buyers
• Attending to all age groups
• Healthy choices
• Top menu customization
• Website and mobile app
• Festive truck event catering
• Customer feedback is an utmost priority
• Consulting chefs developing recipes
• Create your own recipe

c. The Industry

Our business will operate in the food truck industry. This industry is made up of businesses that are engaged in preparing and serving meals from a mobile truck.

d. Mission Statement

Our mission at Beta Life Chops is to create and serve a product line that fits nicely with health trends nationwide.

e. Vision Statement

Our vision at Beta Life Chops is to offer our customers out-of-this-world meals inspired by our eclectic style and consistency. We will always maintain a simple philosophy – serve only the highest quality product, prepare it in a clean and sparkling environment, and serve it in a warm and friendly manner.

f. Tagline or Slogan

Beta Life Chops – Trendy with Happiness

g. Legal Structure of the Business (LLC, C Corp, S Corp, LLP)

Beta Life Chops will be a member-managed Limited Liability Company, formed in the state of Oregon and operating out of a custom-built food truck in Jade District Portland. We believe that the LLC provides us adequate cover and protection to grow and diversify our revenue streams.

h. Organizational Structure

• Food Truck Manager
• Assistant Food Truck Manager
• Window Attendant
• Truck Cooks

 i. Ownership/Shareholder Structure and Board Members

Beta Life Chops will be a member-managed Limited Liability Company, formed in the state of Oregon and operating out of a custom-built food truck in Jade District Portland. Our Head Chef and Truck Manager Lillian Birch and Michelle William the Assistant Food Truck Manager remain the owner-operators and will share the responsibilities of day-to-day operations.

SWOT Analysis

A. strength.

Aside from the hands-on experience of our founders and chef, our strength lies in our financial capacity and eagerness to succeed in the business.

We have purchased a brand new mobile food preparation vehicle (MFPV) that can meet the needs of over 500 customers per day. We have also developed relationships with brand experts who will help to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises.

b. Weakness

Our intention of running our mobile truck business alongside other similar business offerings like training, consultancy services, and sale of the franchise can distract us from focusing our energy in one direction. We totally understand this and are striving to block any area that will sap our energy and make us underperform in our core business area – the sale of foods and drinks.

c. Opportunities

Our business location presents a massive opportunity for us at Beta Life Chops. Eastport Food Center is a large food cart pod near Portland’s Jade District, well situated in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods, and the 25 carts that reside here reflect that.

i. How big is the Industry?

According to industry reports, the market size of the US food truck industry measured by revenue is $1.2bn in 2023.

ii. Is the Industry Growing or Declining?

The US food truck industry is growing rapidly and has outpaced the broader foodservice sector. Reports have it that it experienced a boom over the five years to 2022 owing to the surge in gastronomy in the United States. It is still expected to grow at an annualized rate of 6.6% in the coming years.

iii. What are the Future Trends in the Industry

Here are the top trends in the industry according to experts.

• Rising demand for environmentally friendly food
• Growing vegan options and meat-plant blends
• More event partnerships and promotions
• More commercial restaurants experimenting with food trucks
• Increased technology and social media
• More peanut butter alternatives
• Flour alternatives
• West African cuisine
• Refined sugar alternatives

iv. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

When looking to start a food truck business, here are some niche ideas to look into;

• Preparing and serving food from a mobile truck
• Preparing and serving beverages from a mobile truck
• Preparing and serving dessert from a mobile truck
• Serving prepackaged food and beverages from a mobile truck

v. Can You Sell a Franchise of your Business in the Future?

Yes, our plan at Beta Life Chop is to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises and offer training and consultancy services in the mobile food truck industry.

At Beta Life Chops, one of the threats that we may likely face is vehicular traffic in key cities. Traffic can delay not just our clients but our truck from getting to our business location before lunch break is over. In addition, government policies could also pose a great threat to the mobile food truck industry.

i. Who are the Major Competitors?

• LGM Delicacies
• Eastport Beer Garden
• Grubtopia Comfort Soul Food(BBQ)
• Los Parceros (Colombian Food)
• Indian Hunger Point
• Lei’d Back Hawaiian Cuisine
• Samurai Sushi
• Off the Leash (Chicago Hot Dog)
• Japanese Express
• Northwest Gyros(Gyro &Shawarma)
• Bobablastic (Drinks & meals)
• Esan Thai (Thai Food)
• Mas Sabor ( Mexican Food)
• Turkish Agha (Turkish Cuisine)

ii. Is There a Franchise for Food Truck Business?

• Repicci’s real italian ice & gelato: $152,150 – $176,400
• Wayback burgers: $209,000 – $524,500
• Little caesars mobile pizza kitchen: $221,000 – $654,000
• Kona ice: $150,400 – $174,150
• Dairy queen: $1,101,135 – $1,856,655
• Cousins maine lobster: $187,150 – $815,450
• Johnny rockets: $597,100 – $1,189,000
• Toppers pizza: $292,146 – $530,652
• Gigi’s cupcakes: $226,700 – $425,500
• Captain d’s seafood: $709,300 – $1,231,400
• Cafe2u: $109,146 – $154,621
• Cheezious: $499,000 – $1,158,000
• Ice cream emergency: $129,700 – $179,650
• Sweet pea homemade ice cream: $40,250 – $110,500
• Mister softee: $158,500 – $181,000
• Tikiz shaved ice & ice cream: $132,000 – $144,000

iii. Are There Policies, Regulations, or Zoning Laws Affecting Food Truck Business?

Yes, the requirements to start a food truck business in the United States varies from state to state and even city to city. Food truck regulations most often fall into three major categories: health, zoning, and vehicle requirements. Health regulations handle the sort of equipment your truck must have, what permits you and your employees need, and whether you need a commissary kitchen.

Zoning regulations note the places you are permitted to park your truck for service, what types of neighborhoods are not allowed, and where you can park your truck overnight. There will also be laws on what type of vehicle you can use, what emissions regulations your truck must meet, where you need to register your vehicle, and if your truck driver needs to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Marketing Plan

A. who is your target audience.

i. Age range

At Beta Life Chops, we believe our target audience will fall within the age range of 14 to 45 years.

ii. Level of Educational

The level of education of our target audience will vary exponentially. There is a middle school and high school in our town. We expect students from these schools to frequent our business location.

iii. Income Level

The income level of our target market will be individuals that earn from $2,400 annually and above.

iv. Ethnicity

Our target market at Beta Life Chops will include anyone who is looking to taste local cuisine without having to pause what they’re doing and take time to go to a restaurant.

v. Language

There are no language restrictions at Beta Life Chops.

vi. Geographical Location

Our aim at Beta Life Chop is to serve the residents of Portland, Oregon, and surrounding areas as well as those who work in the Jade District.

vii. Lifestyle

• Families and Couples
• Local office workers
• Soccer/stay-at-home moms

b. Advertising and Promotion Strategies

• Interact with the local establishments like unions and service organizations and inform them about our business. In addition, offer them catering service for their events.
• Align with the right people that can be advantageous to our food business like event coordinators, tour guides, hotel personnel, etc.
• Speak to local companies’ management and offer to cater their events.
• Attend all the local events, like a farmers market, arts festivals, and carnivals.
• Always be easygoing and friendly with our prospective customers and never try to be too insistent.
• Always get involved in the local community’s activities
• Distribute our promotional business flyers and paper menus. We believe that the more we advertise the more advantage we will have over competitors.

i. Traditional Marketing Strategies

• Ensure that our food truck exterior is extra appealing to attract passing customers
• Distribute food samples outside our food truck
• Advertise in local papers and magazines
• Sponsored listings on Yelp or other websites
• Participation in delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc

ii. Digital Marketing Strategies

• Reaching out to local bloggers and websites
• Social media advertising
• Partnerships with local organizations (e.g., gym members get a free fruit cup with each wrap they purchase)
• Local radio advertising
• Develop a customer loyalty program

iii. Social Media Marketing Plan

• Pay Per Click
• Use Facebook Advertising.
• Show Your Truck and Coils At Work On Instagram
• Encourage Engagement
• Post Consistently
• Make Posts Visual and Add Relevant Hashtag
• Engage with Customers and Followers
• Post About Food and Food Trucks

c. Pricing Strategy

At Beta Life Chops, our pricing will be moderate so customers will feel that they are getting great value when patronizing our trucks. We will also ensure that our pricing stays moderate and at par with competitors.

Sales and Distribution Plan

A. sales channels.

At Best Life Chops, our website and mobile app will bring our products to the eyes of the public. In addition, our presence at Eastport Food Centre will not go unnoticed as we will have nicely decorated trucks, food tasting events, and mini-contests. We will participate in fairs and local events and we will cater to weddings and parties.

b. Inventory Strategy

After extensive research, we intend to achieve a level of order accuracy and make everything easier by leveraging mobile POS software.

We believe that the Tablet-based ordering screens will offer our customer-facing person an easy way to input orders. This will ensure that sending orders to the cook, or remembering the nuances of each order becomes easier.

c. Payment Options for Customers

• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via mobile money transfer

d. Return Policy, Incentives, and Guarantees

At Best Life Chop, we will have an easy refund policy, with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Since we are great at what we do, we will always take care of every customer complaint, including a full refund if that’s what it takes. Our other refund options include offering customers a replacement meal or coupons that give free meals for their use in the future. If they choose a refund for their meal, we will only refund in the same form of currency used for the purchase.

e. Customer Support Strategy

• Always make delicious food made fresh with locally sourced ingredients using exquisite techniques.
• Ensure that foods maintain their quality and taste.
• Having multiple foods for customers to choose from.
• Being flexible enough to cater to special requests by customers.
• Ensuring to get customers’ feedback and being open to suggestions.
• Leveraging social media and other tools to increase business reach.
• Using CRM to manage the database of clients.
• Considering customers’ opinions before making any major decision

Operational Plan

A. what happens during a typical day at a food truck business.

In this line of business, this is how a normal day goes;

• You have to begin early by picking up the truck and heading to the commercial kitchen space where you’ll prepare your menu items.
• After preparation, you have to move your truck to your parking location as soon as possible.
• See to the culinary needs of your customers as swiftly and efficiently as possible, especially if you have a weekday lunchtime location.
• Drive your truck back to the commissary or storage location where you can legally dispose of grease, wastewater, and other cooking waste, and thoroughly clean your vehicle.
• When not cooking or serving clients, you will have to reach out to your market via social media or the production of flyers, and other means of marketing your business.
• Gas up your vehicle and inspect it for repairs.
• Shop for your food ingredients daily or every few days. Your storage space will be limited, so you’ll shop often.

b. Production Process

At Beta Life Chop, one of our USPs (unique, selling, point) is that our foods will be cooked fresh in front of our customers. We understand that people want fresh food and not something that has been cooked a day or so before. Owing to that, our production process involves preparing and cooking their food in front of them.

c. Service Procedure

At Beta Life, we need to prepare the truck and pick up daily fresh food supply, after which we will proceed to our commissary kitchen to prepare some of the meals. We then have to load up the truck and head to our sales location where we will now finish the meal preparation as each customer demands.

We will consult with specialized chefs to develop our base of proprietary food recipes and sauces. Also note that we will offer desserts, drinks, and also cater special events. For such occasions, we will use our festive truck specially painted and decorated for the event.

d. The Supply Chain

Our aim is to only make use of fresh products sourced from locally grown organic crops. Have it in mind that our prices will be almost the same as those of any fast food, which will encourage the vast majority of customers to want to try our food.

e. Sources of Income

Our primary source of revenue includes;

• Food and beverage sales
• Food truck consultation

Financial Plan

A. amount needed to start your food truck business.

We need around $40,000 to $200,000 to start up Beta Life Chops.

b. What are the Cost Involved?

• Purchasing a Food Truck: $5,000
• Vehicle Inspection: $500
• Retrofitting and Bringing Our Truck to Code: $25,000
• Generator: $2,500
• POS Software System and Hardware: $1,500
• Paint: $1,000
• Truck Wrap: $2,500
• Initial Food Purchases $2,000
• Utensils, Papers, and Goods: $2,000
• Permits and licensing: $2,300
• Website Design: $500
• Initial Office Equipment and Supplies: $1,000
• Advertising and Public Relations: $2,000
• Professional, Legal, and Consulting Fees: $2,000

c. Do You Need to Build a Facility?

No, Beta Life Chops will be started in Eastport Food Centre and operated out of a custom-built food truck in Jade District Portland.

d. What are the Ongoing Expenses for Running a Food Truck Business?

• Commercial Kitchen and Commissary Rent
• Monthly Credit Card Processing Fees
• Truck maintenance

e. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

• Food Truck Manager: $48, 072
• Assistant Food Truck Manager: $35,734
• Window Attendant: $31,330
• Truck Cooks: $28,442
• Prep Cooks: $21,780

f. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Food Truck Business

• Equipment loan/financing program
• Rollover for business startups (ROBS)
• Business credit cards
• Personal loan
• A microloan from Small Business Administration (SBA)

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your product/service.

To find out a good price point for your products and offerings, you should observe other food trucks in your location. Find out how many meals they serve on a typical lunch hour and how much they charge. However, remember to be conservative in your estimation, and figure out how much you need to make to be profitable daily. Divide the number of meals you expect to serve by this number and this is what each meal should cost to hit that number.

b. Sales Forecast?

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $120,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $270,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $490,000

c. Estimated Profit You Will Make a Year?

At Beta Life Chops, we expect to make;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $36,000 (30% of revenue generated)
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $121,500 (45% of revenue generated)
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $269,500 (55% of revenue generated)

d. Profit Margin of a Food Truck Business 

In this line of business, a 30 percent profit margin is encouraging, but it will depend on your location, competition, efficiency, among other factors.

Growth Plan

A. how do you intend to grow and expand .

Our plan at Beta Life Chop is to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises and offer training and consultancy services in the mobile food truck industry.

b. Where do you intend to expand to and why?

• Bethany, Portland, OR
• Cedar Mill, Portland, OR.
• Oak Hills, Portland, OR
• West Linn, Portland, OR.
• Lake Oswego, Portland, OR
• Camas, Washington
• Stafford, Portland

Our reason for choosing these locations is because trucks flourish in their culinary scene, though in Portland they are called food carts.

At Beta Life Chops, we envisage family succession as our business exit strategy. We strongly believe that this business exit strategy, unlike others, does not require that much involvement of external parties. In addition, it is also one of the easiest and most straightforward options when done right, and we hope to put together a well-detailed plan to ensure success.

More on Food

Sample Business Plan For a Food Truck Business

Writing a business plan is an essential part of starting a successful food truck business. It acts as the guiding document that outlines the goals and objectives, informs decisions, and helps to secure the financing needed to launch the venture, whether it be from lenders or investors. For new food truck business owners, having access to a sample business plan can provide invaluable direction and insights on how to create their own food truck business plan .

Download our Ultimate Food Truck Business Plan Template

Having a comprehensive business plan in place is vital for any successful food truck venture. It will serve as the foundation for your operations, setting out the goals and objectives that will help guide your decisions and actions. A well-written business plan can also give you clarity on realistic financial projections and help secure financing from lenders or investors. An example of a food truck business plan is a great resource to draw upon when creating your own business plan to ensure that all the key elements are included in your document.

Below is an example food truck business plan to help you see what one should look like. It can provide a good starting point for writing a business plan for your food truck. However, it is not nearly as comprehensive and successful in raising capital for your food truck as Growthink’s Ultimate Food Truck Business Plan Template . But it can help you write a food truck business plan for your business.

Food Truck Business Plan Example – Barbecue Brothers On Wheels

Table of contents, executive summary.

• Company Overview

Industry Analysis

Customer analysis.

• Competitive Analysis

Marketing Plan

Operations plan, management team, financial plan.

  Download the Food Truck Business Plan Sample PDF here.

Barbecue Brothers On Wheels is a family-owned and operated BBQ food truck business founded by brothers John and David. After successfully operating their flagship mobile kitchen for the last five years, they are now looking to expand their operations and open up a second location. To do this, the Barbecue Brothers have crafted a comprehensive business plan that outlines their goals and objectives, as well as the steps they will take to achieve them.

The Barbecue Brothers plan to open their second food truck in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. With over one million people living within a five-mile radius, the brothers intend to capitalize on this large population by providing delicious and affordable BBQ cuisine that is prepared on-site with high-quality ingredients. To stand out from their competition, the Barbecue Brothers will offer unique menu items such as pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket tacos, and smoked turkey wraps.

To fund this expansion effort, the Barbecue Brothers are seeking $250,000 in startup capital from Angel investors. This money will be used for purchasing a new truck and equipment as well as setting up the necessary kitchen space. With a successful track record of satisfied customers, the Barbecue Brothers believe they have what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive industry and are eager to get started on their next venture.

By following this business plan, the Barbecue Brothers will be able to reach their goal of becoming one of the top BBQ food truck businesses in Los Angeles. With your support, we can make our dream a reality and bring delicious BBQ cuisine to even more people.

Company Description

Barbecue Brothers On Wheels is a family-owned and operated BBQ food truck business that has been serving customers in Los Angeles for the past five years. Founded by brothers John and David, the business has quickly become one of the most popular mobile BBQ kitchens in town. With an emphasis on using only high-quality ingredients, they specialize in mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket tacos, smoked turkey wraps, and other savory favorites.

The Barbecue Brothers have forged successful partnerships with many local businesses as well as organizations such as schools and corporate events which helps to expand their reach beyond just downtown Los Angeles. Their flagship food truck has been consistently recognized for its excellent customer service rating across all online sites helping them build a loyal following throughout their community.

John and David recognize the importance of giving back to those who are less fortunate than them so all profits generated from catering jobs are donated to local charities such as soup kitchens around Los Angeles county. Through these efforts combined with delicious recipes unique to this business, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels has achieved great success in developing its brand identity over the last five years but now they look towards further expansion into more locations within the Los Angeles area.

The food industry in the Los Angeles area is growing rapidly and becoming increasingly competitive. Food trucks offer an exciting alternative to traditional restaurant dining, allowing customers to enjoy high-quality, fresh, and affordable meals without having to commit to a single location. Over the past decade, food trucks have become increasingly popular in major cities across the US, with cities such as Los Angeles boasting over 2,000 licensed food trucks.

The main competition for Barbecue Brothers On Wheels is other food trucks in the area offering similar menu items. This competition forces businesses to stay ahead of their competitors by constantly innovating and reinventing their recipes and menu offerings. In addition, they must create a strong customer loyalty program that will encourage repeat customers and remain competitive on pricing due to a large number of options available to consumers.

Finally, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels must be prepared to scale quickly in order to keep up with the growing demand for mobile dining options in LA county. With careful planning and strategic investments, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels can succeed in this highly competitive market by setting itself apart from the competition.

The customer analysis for Barbecue Brothers On Wheels should focus on two main target markets: mobile diners, and BBQ aficionados.

Mobile Diners : Mobile diners are those individuals who prefer to dine outside of a traditional restaurant setting, either at food trucks or other outdoor locations like events or festivals. These customers tend to be younger, single professionals or families with young children who are looking for convenience, affordability, and delicious meals. They also care about being able to support local businesses and the community.

Psychographics of this target demographic includes people on the go; tech-savvy consumers who are comfortable using online platforms for research and ordering; adventurous eaters who enjoy trying new foods; and those looking for a unique dining experience.

To reach these individuals, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels should invest in an effective digital marketing strategy that includes social media channels as well as online advertising.

BBQ Aficionados : The second target demographic for Barbecue Brothers On Wheels is barbecue aficionados – customers who have an affinity for barbecue cuisine and a preference for authentic flavors. These customers often look beyond just the taste of the food but also seek out restaurants that can offer something special in terms of atmosphere, customer service, quality ingredients, and presentation.

Psychographic characteristics of this group include adventurous foodies seeking out the best barbecue in town; those with a strong appreciation for craftsmanship in their meals; fans of small businesses looking to support local entrepreneurs; and those with a passion for cooking will appreciate the emphasis on high-quality ingredients used by Barbecue Brothers On Wheels.

To reach this audience effectively, Barbecue Brothers should consider investing in traditional print marketing materials such as flyers or brochures that can be distributed at popular BBQ joints around Los Angeles County. Additionally, they could participate in local festivals that draw large numbers of barbecue enthusiasts from all over California making sure to bring enough samples so everyone can get a taste of their signature dishes.

Competitor Analysis

For a BBQ food truck business like Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, competitor analysis is essential for success. In the highly competitive Los Angeles food truck industry, it is important to identify the main competitors and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Doing so will allow Barbecue Brothers to set themselves apart from the competition by offering something unique that will draw in customers.

The main competitors of Barbecue Brothers On Wheels are other BBQ-focused food trucks in Los Angeles County. These include notable names such as The Rib Whip, Pig Out Delights, Smoke N’ Grillers, and Hog Heaven BBQ.

The Rib Whip is known for its specialty sandwiches featuring slow-cooked meats paired with signature sauces and fresh vegetables on a hoagie roll. They cater to both lunchtime and evening crowds alike, serving up large portions at a reasonable price. Strengths of The Rib Whip include quality ingredients, generous portion sizes, affordability, convenience, and excellent customer service. However, one area where they could improve is the level of creativity in their menu offerings which may not be appealing to more adventurous or experimental eaters looking for something new every time they visit The Rib Whip.

Pig Out Delights serves classic BBQ favorites such as ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, macaroni and cheese topped with bacon bits, and sweet potato fries. Their signature dishes are made using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and come in generous portions that can easily be shared among two or three people. Strengths of Pig Out Delights includes freshly prepared meals made with high-quality ingredients at very fair prices as well as attentive customer service that many customers have come to expect from this establishment. Unfortunately due to its location away from popular downtown areas like Hollywood or Downtown LA, some customers are unable to try out this delicious cuisine unless they make a special trip out there- something many LA locals might not be willing to do just for some good BBQ!

Smoke N’ Grillers offer classic American BBQ fare such as brisket sandwiches slathered in house-made barbecue sauce along with sides like cornbread muffins or coleslaw salad. They focus on providing generous portions at an affordable price point while allowing customers to customize their own meals with various toppings and condiments. Strengths of Smoke N’ Grillers include their location in a busy part of town, competitive prices, and their ability to accommodate special dietary requests. On the other hand, Smoke N’ Grillers could improve its menu by offering more creative and unique dishes that can differentiate them from the competition.

Finally, Hog Heaven BBQ is a gourmet BBQ food truck that serves up only the finest cuts of meat prepared with signature rubs and sauces. They focus on delivering high-end dining experiences at an affordable price, setting them apart from other BBQ establishments in the area. Strengths of Hog Heaven include their commitment to using only the freshest ingredients, their quality service, and their delicious dishes that consistently wow customers. However, they could improve by diversifying their menu with more budget-friendly options or dishes that cater to different dietary needs.

By understanding their competition, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels can identify areas of improvement as well as opportunities to stand out and attract more customers. They can focus on providing unique dishes that are only available at their food truck and focus on delivering excellent customer service. Additionally, they can look into utilizing local ingredients whenever possible in order to appeal to customers who are conscious of where their food is coming from. By doing these things, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels can become a leader in LA’s BBQ scene.

Barbecue Brothers On Wheels is the newest BBQ food truck to hit Los Angeles. Our mission is to provide customers with an unforgettable dining experience that combines quality ingredients, generous portions, and unique flavors for a price that can’t be beaten.

Our Product : We offer classic American BBQ fare such as brisket sandwiches slathered in house-made barbecue sauce enhanced by our signature rubs and sauces. All of our dishes are freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and come in generous portion sizes that can easily be shared among two or three people.

Price : At Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, we understand that value matters just as much as flavor so we strive to keep our prices competitive without sacrificing quality or taste. You won’t find better deals anywhere else!

Promotion : We will promote through digital channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter along with local advertising campaigns like print ads in newspapers and magazines. Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers are key to helping us spread the word about Barbecue Brothers On Wheels!

Place : Our food truck is conveniently located on busy city streets where commuters have easy access during their lunchtime break or while they’re running errands. We also offer catering services for events such as office parties and family gatherings.

At Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, our goal is to provide customers with an unforgettable and unique dining experience. Our daily operations focus on delivering quality food that is freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Every day we will start by preparing the sauces and rubs for our signature dishes as well as preparing the sides. Once all of the ingredients are prepped and ready, we will begin cooking on-site to ensure that every order is served hot and fresh.

Staff Requirements:

For the successful day-to-day operations of Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, we need a team of dedicated individuals.

• Chef – To prepare the signature dishes using fresh ingredients and signature sauces.
• Cashier – To take orders and process payments in a timely manner.
• Food Runner – To deliver orders to customers quickly and accurately.
• Cleaner – To make sure the food truck is clean and presentable for customers.

We need a variety of supplies in order to run our business effectively. This includes ingredients, paper products, cleaning supplies, and small wares. We will focus on sourcing all of our supplies from local vendors to ensure that we are using quality ingredients while supporting the local economy.

Our menu consists of classic American BBQ fare such as brisket sandwiches, pulled pork, and ribs. We also offer sides like slaw, potato salad, and baked beans. In addition to our regular menu, we will offer daily specials that can range from tacos to nachos.

Customer Service:

At Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, we strive to provide our customers with the best possible experience. Our goal is to make sure every customer is satisfied by delivering excellent customer service that is prompt and friendly. Additionally, we will listen to feedback and make changes as necessary to ensure that customers are always happy with their experience.

The safety of our customers and staff is paramount. We will adhere to all regulatory standards and best practices when it comes to food handling and sanitation. Additionally, anyone working in the food truck must wear protective gear such as gloves, masks, and hats.

John and David are the co-founders of the Barbecue Brothers On Wheels. John, who has a background in culinary arts, is the head chef and primary visionary of the business. He oversees operations and ensures that all dishes are made with the finest ingredients. His passion for barbecue stems from his childhood in Texas where he fell in love with the art of making authentic, mouth-watering barbecue.

David is an experienced business professional and handles the administrative side of the operation. He focuses on marketing, financials, and customer relations. His goal is to make Barbecue Brothers On Wheels a household name by providing unbeatable quality and service.

With their founding Members John and David teaming up, Barbecue Brothers On Wheels is set to be the go-to BBQ food truck for city dwellers.

At Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, we understand that the financial aspect of running a business is integral to its success. We have formulated a financial plan that will help us achieve our goals and ensure the longevity of our business.

Startup Costs:

To get our business up and running, we need to cover a variety of startup costs such as purchasing equipment, leasing a truck, and acquiring ingredients.

Operating Costs:

Once we are open for business, our operating costs will include labor and overhead expenses. We plan to keep these costs in check by implementing cost-saving methods and leveraging technology to streamline processes.

Revenue Model:

Our revenue model relies on selling our signature products and daily specials at a fair price. We will also pursue additional revenue streams such as catering and delivery services.

Profitability:

Our goal is to achieve profitability within two years of launching the business. We plan to do this by increasing revenue through catering services and expanding our customer base, as well as reducing expenses by maximizing efficiency and maintaining ongoing cost-saving practices. Additionally, any profits will be reinvested into the business to further expand our services and capabilities.

Commitment to Excellence:

At Barbecue Brothers On Wheels, we are committed to delivering the highest quality product and service possible. We strive to use only the freshest ingredients and prepare our dishes with care. Our staff is highly trained in customer service, food safety, and proper food handling techniques.

We understand that quality is paramount and that is why we will never sacrifice our standards. We want to build a long-lasting business that customers can trust and rely on for delicious, mouth-watering barbecue cuisine.

Sample Menu

• Fried Catfish
• Pulled Pork Sandwich
• Smoked Sausage Platter
• Hand-cut French Fries
• Baked Beans
• Collard Greens
• Corn Bread Muffins
• Cobbler Pie

Financial Projections

Balance sheet.

[insert financial statement]

Income Statement

Cash flow statement, food truck business plan example pdf.

Download our food truck business plan pdf here. This is a free food truck business plan example to help you get started on your own food truck plan.  

How to Finish Your Food Truck Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your food truck business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan: Thrive Your Food Truck Business

• Business Plan Food Truck Business Plan
• Why It is Time to Start Food Truck Business

Executive Summary

• Business Overview

Management Team

Financial highlights, food truck products, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitive analysis, competitive advantage, operations plan, how foodiv helps run your food truck startup.

• October 14, 2022

Quick Summary: Want to start a food truck business? It’s a fantastic initiative, and with a little and the right effort, you can make it a super successful business. But, do you know any successful business starts with a plan, and you need to take the proper steps, make informed decisions, and dedication to turning your initiatives into an ever-growing business? And, in business, everything begins with a plan. A food truck business plan is the first right step that will decide the future of your business. So, we have made all your effort to bring you a perfect business plan template for your food truck. Let’s explore;

With USD 5.78 Billion market size worldwide , a food truck is the most lucrative business today with minimum investment. And, with the support of technology solutions, the business can achieve unbeatable success in no time.

So, if you want to start this food truck business, you have made an excellent choice, though you need to take every step carefully to make it a successful business. First, you need to begin with making a food truck business plan so you validate your idea, get appropriate funding, have the right, and understand your market.

In this article, we have suggested the best food truck business plan template to help you get the best start. Bust, we also suggested a few requisites that you should know. So, here we go;

Know If It is the Right Time to Start a Food Truck Business

Before you jump to explore a food truck business plan sample, find out if this is the right choice for you. Here’s how you can dig it out.

Your Experience and Knowledge About the Food Truck Business

According to experts, there is a lot of research to be done before diving into the food truck world. People need to read books and articles on profitable firms for hours online. Visit “food truck markets” to observe the flow of traffic and speak to business owners. More than that, you can even do a job to gain some experience.

Determine how many other food trucks serve the cuisine you plan to do. Is there a place for your sandwich truck in the commercial district? Find the locations, and visit them. Before making a choice, try to learn as much as possible.

Like any other firm, you’ll need to come up with a business strategy, secure startup capital, and take care of all the associated administrative duties.

Interested in Upgrading your Food Truck Business to Online Food Ordering?

Food Truck Business Plan Template

The difficulties and risks of starting a street food business are similar to those of other startup ventures. But before you open the window and begin slinging sandwiches (or tacos, or barbecue, or…), food trucks have specific issues to address.

You might wish to use our helpful business plan template to take notes or scribble down your creative ideas as they occur. Additionally, Natalie Basile and Mikey Wheeler-Johnson of Eats Amoré Mobile Italian Cuisine, who have extensive experience operating food trucks, were interviewed. Their knowledge and expertise are shared throughout this guide.

Despite the fact that this is the first section of your business plan, you should write it last. Get things in order first because your executive summary will include all the highlights from the rest of your business plan.

When writing this part, keep your audience in mind. This summary can be quick and dirty if you’re creating a business strategy for yourself in order to stay motivated, organized, and goal-focused.

Your executive summary should emphasize profitability, dependability, and expertise in order to make your food truck seem like a sure thing if your business plan’s goal is to get a bank loan.

While it’s crucial to highlight the distinctive features of your food service model, spend a lot of time demonstrating that you also comprehend the challenges of managing a small business.

Business Overview / Company Overview

Explain the specifics of your business in this area of your food truck business plan. Then, briefly describe your food truck business and explain how it will be a helpful expansion of the current market. In essence, this is where you can go into more detail about the subjects you briefly touched on in the executive summary.

As you going to create your food truck company description, keep the following in mind: Which type of food truck—a truck, trailer, or food cart—will it be?

• Why choose a food truck over a traditional restaurant?
• Do you intend to cook in the truck or at a commissary?
• How will the cuisine you offer compete with the offerings of the restaurants or food trucks that already exist in your target area?
• Will you have a physical food truck business, or will you sell online also?
• Will you need an online food ordering system, website, or app?

The next phase in your food truck business plan is outlining your organization and management plan. However, explaining your organization and management structure might not seem crucial if you want to start a food truck with two employees.

However, defining roles upfront might help you avoid confusion as your company expands and changes. This section should include a thorough description of your management team, details regarding the ownership of your business, the pay and benefits you’ll provide to your employees, and prospects for career advancement within your company.

Making a chart that displays your company’s organizational structure is a terrific way to demonstrate that everything is taken care of, from the food truck kitchen cooks to the accountant.

Did you know the Online Food Ordering System can help take orders online and customers can place orders using the digital QR code menu? Want to understand it in detail? Contact Us, Now

Ownership details

Legal framework (Do you intend to form a partnership? (Are you an individual?

• Names in full of the owners
• The proportion of the business that each owner owns Ownership type (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, etc.)
• Data regarding stocks
• Your management team’s individual profiles:
• Names of the team members
• Job description and principal duties of each member
• Educational background of the team
• Experience and abilities that are crucial to the success of your business Salary

Success Factors/ Create User Persona

You’ll describe your ideal client in this section of your food truck business plan. Who lives there? What is their age? Which cuisines do they enjoy? How much money do they have available? Since every city and area is unique, you’ll need to conduct extensive demographic research to fill up this part. After that, incorporate it into your menu and pricing.

Your company, like most others, will probably succeed or fail based on the quality of your financial plan. However, you must be aware of the amount of money coming in and leaving and how those figures are expected to alter in the future. So make sure to sift through your potential balance sheet to comprehend how profits and costs will impact your business fully.

• Gain margin
• Added expenses

You have the chance to describe your imaginative culinary vision in this part, so keep in mind that there are some restrictions and things to take into account when it comes to the food that comes out of your truck.

Food needs to be convenient to eat in a range of situations.

Keep it simple: while you might be able to create sophisticated individual items, it might be challenging or impossible to offer an extensive, complex menu with a finite amount of room, personnel, equipment, and storage.

Try to meet a need in your community. For example, make som tam rather than a Margherita pie if there are currently a number of pizza vendors but no Thai restaurants nearby.

Go out and research the local food truck scene to get a sense of what they are selling and what are the most beneficial products.

Your food truck business plan’s market analysis part is where you’ll explain and go into detail about how you’ll fit into the current market. Before writing this section, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research on opening a food truck business so that you can support your assertions with credible research.

• Include the following topics in your section on food truck market analysis:
• Describe the food sector, taking into account the most important consumer groups, growth rate, and current developments.
• Identify your target market’s age group, region, socioeconomic level, and other important demographic details.
• Determine your target market’s wants and any seasonal trends that may have an impact on your organization.
• Establish the size and potential expansion of your target market

A company’s business strategy or marketing plan must include a section on customer analysis (also known as customer profile). It names the target audience, determines their wants, and then describes how the product satisfies those needs.

Let’s take a look at the many sorts of data that are typically used in this kind of research, as there are many different methods for practical competitor analysis.

There are a few key components you should make sure to include while doing a high-level competitive analysis about competitors’ market positioning, such as:

• Who are the intended clients they target?
• What makes their company and products distinct
• Key characteristics or advantages they emphasize in sales materials
• Prices for goods across a number of markets
• How and the way they handle shipping;
• How much money or venture capital have they gotten?

Its competitive advantage is the combination of marketing components that distinguishes your company from the competition. It’s about the distinctive advantage clients receive from doing business with you.

Marketing Plan

Your food truck marketing plan is no different from a restaurant marketing plan . It should include particular techniques to draw in your target demographic as well as a description of your overall marketing approach. Your food truck marketing plan should also contain strategies for enhancing client loyalty and repeat business.

Here are some of the practical food truck marketing tips you try explaining in your food truck business plan.

• How will you outdo other food trucks in your neighborhood?
• Will you undercut the prices of your rivals?
• Will you present a novel product to the market?
• How do you plan to expand your company?
• Will you bring on more staff?
• Are you going to buy more food trucks?
• Will you broaden the region that your truck covers?
• How will your products be distributed?
• Will your truck be your only point of sale?
• Will you go to festivals or fairs with food trucks?
• How will you connect with your audience?
• Will you run advertisements in print, radio, or outdoor billboard media?
• You will establish a significant social media presence using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
• Will you give loyal consumers extra benefits or discounts?

The daily operations of your food truck business, including the location of your truck, your menu, and your crew, are described in the operations plan. In addition, a summary of your procurement strategy for your food truck’s supplies and equipment should be included.

Supply Chain

To sell food, you need ingredients. Where will you find them, though? Let’s examine your choices.

Your facility is your truck. Thus, give significant consideration to the type of vehicle you want to purchase.

Production potential

How long does it typically take to prepare a dish from your menu? This is a crucial factor that could reduce the number of clients you can serve each day.

Must Read: How to Write a Restaurant Business Plan

Well, we can help in many ways: First, we help you with a best-in-class online food ordering system . The system will offer you a centralized ordering system through which you can take orders online and manage the process smoothly. Second, the system comes with a QR code menu system so your customers can place orders after selecting the menu. The process takes all the stress out so you can stay focused on the core business objective.

Final Thoughts

Starting a food truck business is not a big deal; anyone can do this. But, creating a successful one requires brainstorming at the initial stage. A food truck business plan is just a step forward; you have plenty of other things to do, and implementation of your plan is the primary one. We have suggested the business plan for your food truck business, though we are here to help you with all your needs, whether it is consultation for integrating a SaaS-based online food ordering system. Let’s connect today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Truck Business Plan

Is a food truck a good business.

Yes, the food truck business is the best choice for people looking to make good money with less investment. This business can help you with $500,000 in revenue a year, with startup costs of around $40,000 – $50,000.

What type of food trucks are most profitable?

It depends on the region and the popularity of the food. For example, if you are starting a food truck business in the USA, the following food truck items can be the best choice;

• Regional street food
• Coffee Trucks
• Smoothie / Healthy Drink
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Ice cream and soft serve

You can create a list of items you want to sell in the food truck business plan template above.

How much can you invest in a food truck?

If you are investing in a food truck in India, you might have to spend around 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs, while starting a food truck business in the USA will cost you about $40 to $50K.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Food Truck Business?

Depending on the food and beverages sales, you can gain revenue, though you can consider an online food ordering facility to make the most out of your food truck business.

Related Posts

Swiggy Restaurant Partner Registration: A Complete Guide

Quick Summary: Do you want to partner with Swiggy restaurant and expand your food business? You have selected the right platform to register with. Swiggy is the most repeated online food delivery platform that forges A link between restaurants and Food lovers. As customers order food online rather than dine, it is crucial for modern restaurants to partner with popular food delivery platforms to increase their customer base. In this article, we will explore the...

How to Design Your Restaurant Menu in 2024? – Tips & Menu Ideas

Quick Summary: Running a successful restaurant requires you to carefully design customer-facing stuff, such as reception, sitting areas, counters, entry points, websites, apps and even restaurant menus. As the restaurant menu is the crucial one that drives sales, we have explored some of the tips and suggested restaurant menu design ideas to implement while working on your restaurant menu part. Let’s explore. Are you running a restaurant and exploring ways to improve customer experience? You...

How to Register Your Restaurant on FoodPanda?

Quick Summary: Do you want to register your restaurant on FoodPanda to reach wider customers in the region? The platform is the best choice, helping you reach your target customers in the region. But have you registered your restaurant business to this aggregator platform? Not yet…? Then register it now, and we have made the registration process easy for you by easy to understand tutorials. Let’s explore. FoodPanda was Started in 2014 in Singapore, FoodPanda...

Kickstart Food Business for your Restaurant, only with Foodiv!!

Free Download

Food Truck Business Plan Template

Download this free food truck business plan template, with pre-filled examples, to create your own plan..

Or plan with professional support in LivePlan. Save 50% today

Available formats:

What you get with this template

A complete business plan.

Text and financials are already filled out and ready for you to update.

• SBA-lender approved format

Your plan is formatted the way lenders and investors expect.

Edit to your needs

Download as a Word document and edit your business plan right away.

• Detailed instructions

Features clear and simple instructions from expert business plan writers.

All 100% free. We're here to help you succeed in business, no strings attached.

Get the most out of your business plan example

Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample.

1. Don't worry about finding an exact match

We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

3. Know why you're writing a business plan

To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

But, if you don't plan to share your plan with anyone outside of your business—you likely don't need everything.

More business planning resources

How to Start a Food Truck Business

How to Start a Business With No Money

10 Qualities of a Good Business Plan

How to Write a Business Plan for Investors

How to Write a Business Plan

Business Plan Template

Simple Business Plan Outline

How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan

Download your template now

Need to validate your idea, secure funding, or grow your business this template is for you..

• Fill-in-the-blank simplicity
• Expert tips & tricks

We care about your privacy. See our privacy policy .

Not ready to download right now? We'll email you the link so you can download it whenever you're ready.

Download as Docx

Finish your business plan with confidence

Step-by-step guidance and world-class support from the #1 business planning software

From template to plan in 30 minutes

• Step-by-step guidance
• Crystal clear financials
• Expert advice at your fingertips
• Funding & lender ready formats
• PLUS all the tools to manage & grow

Tax Season Savings

Get 40% off LivePlan

The #1 rated business plan software

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

• Payment & Delivery
• Ukraine Recovery
• For Government & Fortune 500

• (718) 369 0600
• Mon-Fri: 7:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 8.00 am - 2.00 pm
• Information
• Compare Products
• My Wish List
• Create an Account
• McDonald Paper Blog

5 Things to Do Before Starting a Food Truck Business

Everywhere seems like a target market for food trucks in 2024. You'll find many brick-and-mortar eateries transitioning into the food truck business model. If you drive around the country, you’ll find that even in rural areas, this is a viable, thriving option.

And that’s why the industry was valued at more than $2.2 billion in 2023.

If you decide that it’s time to look through food truck business ideas and you want to dive into the industry, there are a few things that you need to do before investing in a truck and “opening your doors.”

1. Research Your Options and Restrictions

Unfortunately, starting a food truck business isn’t as easy as coming up with an idea and capitalizing on it. You need to remain cognizant of the restrictions in your state and city. For example, in Atlanta, you won’t find any food trucks.

It’s illegal to operate a traditional food truck in the city. You’ll want to verify with your city that you can run a food truck. If not, you may need to adjust your plans and go to a further location to open your eatery on wheels.

Restrictions are also in place on where you can park your truck.

Many operators have to pay a fee to the landowner to park their vehicles. If you don’t conduct your research and learn the true costs of “lot rent,” you may end up paying substantially more than you assumed.

Spend time researching these two options before moving on to the next steps because you may quickly find out that your plan is unviable.

2. Check the Competition and Create a Business Plan for Food Truck

Your plan is viable – so it seems – but what is the competition like? You'll want to do your due diligence to be sure that there’s room for your truck in the area. A few options are:

• Visit high-traffic areas
• Go to these locations at prime time
• Analyze the food trucks in the area and see if they’re busy or barely serving food

If you’re catering to a very specific demographic or group, it’s also possible that there’s no demand in your area. For example, if you serve Cuban food, it’s possible that there’s too little interest in your location.

What we recommend is that you go to the food trucks, order food and test the competition. Perform an analysis:

• What is the food truck doing right?
• Where can the food truck do better?
• What are the prices like?

Spend time analyzing all of these points to better understand what you’ll need to do differently to compete in your area.

Performing basic research like this is part of your food truck business plan. Creating a business plan is intimidating for many would-be business owners, and if you have the budget for it, you can always hire someone else to create the plan for you.

A basic plan will include:

• Concept : What makes your food truck unique? Add your name and logo to the plan, too.
• Menu : What will your proposed menu be? You'll want to include all of the ingredients, costs, time to cook each item, and profit margins.
• Suppliers : Where will you source your ingredients? What will your base ingredients cost you? You need to know this information beforehand to calculate your profit margins adequately.
• Costs : Determine all of the startup costs. You may know how to run a food truck business, but it’s easy to underestimate the true cost of operation. You will need to buy a truck, equipment, initial inventory, pay for licenses and business registration, gas and have enough money to keep operations open during the formative months or years of the company’s operations.
• Target market : Conducting in-depth market research is next. Who will be your ideal customer? What is their age? Earnings? How many of these ideal customers exist in your area? If you find that the figure is too low, it doesn’t make sense to open a business if the demand doesn’t exist.
• Locations : Your location research does need to be defined. You may need multiple locations to choose from. Three, four or five potential locations should be on your list because you never know what may happen in the future.

You'll also need to factor in additional items, such as marketing, into your plan and what these costs may include. Permit and licensing costs should be included, along with a section on employees and whether

• You’ll have any to begin with
• If you plan to hire in the future

Sales projections are also necessary in every business plan and should be included if you need to secure financing.

3. Licensing and Permits

Creating a legal business entity is a must. You'll need to obtain:

And you’ll need things, such as insurance and to consult with a lawyer or CPA on the best business structure to create. If you don’t have a legal business created, you may be held personally liable in lawsuits, which can have life-altering consequences.

4. Raise Capital for Your Food Truck

Business ventures require you to have some sort of capital to get off the ground. You'll need to have the capital to purchase:

• Business truck
• Permits and licenses
• Advertising
• Inspections

Will you need to retrofit a truck? Will you need to hire a lawyer or professional to help you form your business?

Capital can come from:

5. Marketing

Your truck is ready, and you have all of your equipment, but now you need to market yourself. If your truck is well-positioned, it may market itself. But if not, will you:

• Purchase advertisements in your area? If so, where will you advertise? What are the costs?
• Will you use social media? What platforms are best?
• Will you have business cards or coupons? Who will you give them to and also who will print them for you?

If you have your marketing plan written, you’re done with the preparation stage.

Now that you know how to open a food truck business, it’s time to begin going through these steps and making your dream become a reality.

• Start & Manage a Restaurant
• Restaurant Financials
• Menu & Pricing
• Restaurant Staff
• Equipment & Supplies Management
• Marketing & Promotion
• Restaurant Design
• Software & Tools
• 5 Things to Do Before Starting a Food Truck Business Apr 10, 2024
• Commercial Coffee Machines Review: Our Top Models for 2024 Apr 3, 2024
• Restaurant Forecasting: Calculating Your Sales Data Mar 27, 2024
• Preparing for Expansion? 5 Expert Tips for Ambitious Restaurateurs Eyeing New Locations Mar 20, 2024
• Transformative Technological Innovations Shaping the Dining Experience Mar 12, 2024
• 9 Best Commercial Dishwashers Reviews in 2024 Mar 7, 2024

• Police and Court Reports
• Neighborhood News
• National News
• International News
• Local Sports
• Ohio Sports
• National Sports
• Local Columns
• Letters to the Editor
• Engagements
• Anniversaries
• Births/Birthdays
• Classifieds
• Garage Sales
• Terms of Service
• Submit News
• Browse notices
• Place a notice

• Today's Paper

Subscribe Today

Leetonia eighth grader talks pickles and business.

LEETONIA — Leetonia Middle School student Braydon Gorby has a mind for two things — pickles and business. The eighth grader combined his knowledge of the two when he pitched a business plan for a pickle food truck recently to a panel led by Dr. Jessica Paull, Kent State University Rising Scholar Program coordinator, as part of the school’s Innovative Career Exploration (ICE) Program.

“I have an idea that can maybe expand across the world one day. I grew up making pickles with my father. I am family oriented and want my family to be involved,” said Gorby. “My short-term goal is to open a pickle food truck and my hope is to expand it into a bigger business someday. Pickles make my taste buds dance.”

Gorby also disclosed his secret for perfect pickles.

“The trick is in the brine,” he said.

Variety also helps. Gorby plans to offer a wide selection of pickles ranging from exotic to classic flavors. They include spicy chamoy tajin, sweet cotton candy, garlic parmesan and hot sauce-inspired pickles as well as “wild style” pickles where a customer can load up their order with toppings such as sour cream, cheese or beans.

Braydon presented the panel with the anticipated start-up costs and required stock needed to establish his proposed food truck business. Aside from Paull, that panel also included Leetonia Superintendent Dennis Dunham, Career Counselor John Biastro, Columbiana County Educational Services Center Consultant John Dilling, ICE Coordinator Ryan O’Donnell, and Megan Payich, director of Youth Entrepreneurship at Youngstown Business Incubator.

Gorby has already put his plans into motion. He was granted a designated section of the school property by Duhman to plant cucumbers and already has accepted a position at McMaster Farms in Columbiana where he will work alongside his father, John Gorby. The father-and-son team hopes to purchase bulk produce from the farm.

O’Donnell offered Gorby tips to get this endeavor off the ground, encouraging Brayden to start small. He suggested a meeting with the school’s food service director with the possibility of Gorby’s pickles being available during school lunches and the potential of gaining valuable feedback of his product from fellow students.

According to a press release from Leetonia Schools, the ICE program was made possible through a grant from the Columbiana County Educational Service Center. The school will receive $196,400 annually for five years. ICE gives students the opportunity to explore careers. A self assessment tool called YouScience is available and will guide them to a career path best suited for them.

“YouScience is a self assessment tool for our kids to figure out what they are going to be interested in their future, it’s not necessarily a test. Nothing is graded. There is no pressure,” explained O’Donnell. “It’s just going to give us an idea of what’s going to gauge their interest so we can make this a very successful program.”

Since the program began in October, the Leetonia Schools reports that 43 students have enrolled and attended field trips to Pennex Aluminum, Humtown Additive and Youngstown State University’s Excellence Training Center.

“The primary goal is for students to develop and create career opportunities with hands-on experience and applied learning,” Dunham said. “Our hope is to develop pathways for the students with this program.”

The program runs through the end of April and summer hours are available. Local businesses interested in becoming a partner or students who want to sign up, are encouraged to contact O’Donnell at (330) 427-6594, (330) 853-9419 or [email protected].

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News

Total solar eclipse

LEETONIA — Leetonia Middle School student Braydon Gorby has a mind for two things — pickles and business. The ...

Proxy battle for control of NS heats up

EAST PALESTINE — As revitalization and remediation efforts continue in East Palestine in the wake of last ...

Observing Child Abuse Prevention Month

Lawsuit filed by doctor against his partner physicians reaches settlement.

LISBON — A lawsuit filed in January by Dr. Constantine V. Economous of Salem against his partner physicians and ...

Court motion: Woman cites PTSD for theft charges

COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio (WKBN) — A woman indicted earlier in the year on charges of defrauding Norfolk Southern ...

Starting at $4.39/week.

Ready or not, self-driving semi-trucks are coming to America’s highways

Autonomous truck companies plan a major expansion this year to deliver your packages and food, speeding well ahead of federal safety regulations.

PALMER, Tex. — Perched in the cab of a 35,000-pound semi-truck lumbering south on Interstate 45, AJ Jenkins watched the road while the big rig’s steering wheel slid through his hands. Jenkins was in the driver’s seat, but he wasn’t driving. The gigantic 18-wheeler was guiding itself.

Over several miles on the popular trucking route between Dallas and Houston, the truck navigated tire debris, maneuvered around a raggedy-looking flatbed and slowed for an emergency vehicle. Exiting the highway, it came to an abrupt stop as a pickup jumped its turn at a four-way intersection.

“You need to be ready for anything,” said Jenkins, 64, a former FedEx driver whose job is to take control if anything goes wrong. “People do some crazy stuff around trucks.”

Operated by Aurora Innovation, the truck is part of a new class of autonomous big rigs plying the nation’s highways. By the end of this year, the trucks will for the first time start traveling alone, without human minders like Jenkins, as two major companies — Aurora and Kodiak Robotics — launch fully autonomous trucks in Texas.

The advent of robot trucks could have a massive impact on America’s supply chain, dramatically reducing the time it takes to transport goods from place to place and unbinding the trucking industry from the costs and physical limitations of human labor. But the technology’s advancement has sparked concerns about highway safety, job loss, a lack of federal regulation and a patchwork of state laws regarding where and how autonomous trucks can operate.

By default, driverless passenger vehicles and trucks can ride anywhere in the United States, unless a state explicitly says they can’t. That means companies can test and operate their vehicles across most of the country. Two dozen states, including Texas, Florida, Arizona and Nevada, specifically allow driverless operations, according to data compiled by Aurora, while another 16 states have no regulations specific to autonomous vehicles. The remaining 10 — including California, Massachusetts and New York — place limits on autonomous vehicles within their borders.

Alarmed by the slow pace of federal regulation, labor and safety advocates are pushing legislation in several states to ban driverless trucks outright. So far, the effort has been unsuccessful. The California legislature approved a measure last year that would have required human operators in all autonomous trucks, but Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed it, calling it “unnecessary” in light of state regulations that already ban autonomous vehicles over 10,000 pounds.

Transportation experts have been frustrated at how slowly the federal government has moved on the issue, given its potential to disrupt a massive part of the American economy.

Steve Viscelli, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania who studies the trucking industry, said autonomous trucking could “change the geography of our economy in the way that railroads and shipping did.”

“There are real concerns that drivers have of the impacts of this,” Viscelli said, “and we need to take them seriously.”

Driverless passenger cars have caused chaos in cities like San Francisco, including one horrific accident last year when a robotaxi hit a jaywalking pedestrian and dragged her about 20 feet. The potential for catastrophe is even greater with massive autonomous trucks, critics say.

“Even with these small vehicles, it has been a disaster,” said Peter Finn, a vice president of the Teamsters Local Union 856, which represents truck drivers. “The notion that there is going to be no human being in large trucks barreling down the highways absolutely frightens me.”

Major expansion

Today, Aurora’s long-haul trucks are transporting packages and produce — about 100 deliveries a week — for FedEx, Uber Freight and others. Founded in 2017 by former executives at Uber, Google’s self-driving project and Tesla, the company has been training its driverless trucks in Texas since 2020.

By the end of this year, Aurora says it plans to have about 20 fully autonomous trucks working the 240-mile stretch between Dallas and Houston. Eventually, it plans to operate thousands of trucks all across America.

Kodiak Robotics, which was founded by a former employee of Uber and Alphabet’s Waymo, similarly plans to launch a fleet of trucks by the end of the year in Texas. A third company, Daimler Trucks — a subsidiary of German-owned Daimler that has partnered with Torc Robotics — is a few years behind, with plans to launch a driverless fleet in America by 2027.

Nat Beuse, Aurora’s chief safety officer, said the self-driving truck industry has been “methodical” in deploying its technology, adopting strict safety standards, including how the trucks respond to various system failures. Beuse said the company has learned from the mistakes of other autonomous vehicle companies, including General Motors-owned Cruise, which recalled its entire driverless fleet after the San Francisco crash.

“The federal government has been clear in that unless a state says you can’t deploy, you can. But that doesn’t mean as a company we don’t have responsibilities,” Beuse said. “This is not a science experiment.”

Marc Williams, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, said Texas has a good relationship with the companies testing on its roads. The state has been at the “forefront” of supporting the industry, he said, and it is critical for its economic growth as demand grows for moving freight around the state.

“If we’re going to meet that challenge, it requires us to be successful in these partnership and collaborations with trucking and autonomous trucking industry,” Williams said at a February panel with Partners for Automated Vehicle Education, a coalition of industry advocates.

The average driver would find it tough to spot one of Aurora’s trucks, which bear only a small rear-facing sign that reads “AUTONOMOUS TEST VEHICLE.”

The view from inside the cab looks very different, however. On a recent day in February, two computer screens animated a flurry of potential hazards: Tire debris dotting the shoulder. Impatient SUVs and sedans eager to pass. An SUV merging without a turn signal.

Stephen Tune, a vehicle operations specialist, sat in the passenger seat, monitoring the screens. He narrated the truck’s every movement for Jenkins: “Moving to the right to avoid tire debris,” Tune said as the turn signal began to blink. “Moving to the left as a courtesy to the car behind us.”

On this drive, the truck followed all the rules of the road and even demonstrated an uncommon courtesy to other drivers. But it’s the unexpected scenarios — from errors by human drivers to sudden mechanical issues — that worry veteran truck drivers like Lewie Pugh.

“I know my computer and cellphone make mistakes. Machines can have bad days, too,” said Pugh, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, a national organization representing professional truck drivers.

While Texas has been the center of autonomous truck testing, companies also have been running vehicles in Oklahoma and New Mexico, among other places. Since 2021, trucks operated by all three major companies have been involved in a handful of traffic incidents, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

None have been fatal or caused serious injuries, but the incident logs provide a window into the range of obstacles the trucks have faced.

In July 2022, a Daimler truck rolled over an object on a New Mexico highway that punctured its fuel tank, causing oil to spill onto the highway. In December 2023, a deer stumbled onto the path of a Daimler truck testing in Texas. The test driver took over, but the truck still hit the deer.

Earlier that month, a pickup truck trying to overtake an Aurora vehicle hydroplaned and hit the Aurora’s trailer. The Aurora detected the pickup but was unable to avoid contact.

The companies will be attempting to succeed in an industry that has faced setbacks. Waymo, the self-driving company owned by Alphabet, said in July that it would push back the timeline of its trucking efforts so it could instead focus on ride-hailing. Chinese autonomous trucking company TuSimple Holdings wound down its U.S. operations in 2023, a year after one of its automated trucks was involved in a crash while testing.

Still, autonomous trucks will make highways safer, those working on the technology say. According to the latest federal data, 5,788 people were killed in crashes involving a large truck in 2021, representing 13 percent of traffic deaths that year.

Tech moving faster than regulation

As profit-driven companies race toward deployment, the federal government has been slow to grapple with the implications of the new technology. The U.S. Transportation Department has largely allowed the companies to test their products on public roads, as long as companies comply with the same safety standards that apply to traditional human-driven trucks.

Within the Transportation Department, NHTSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have been working for more than five years on a proposal to create basic “safety guardrails” for autonomous trucks, including requirements for remote assistants to monitor the driverless vehicles, inspections and vehicle maintenance. The proposed rule, which was submitted to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget in December, would be the Biden administration’s most significant action on autonomous trucking.

Transportation Department spokesperson Sean Manning was unable to say when the rule might be finalized, as it still has to go through several more bureaucratic steps. Until then, Manning said existing laws prohibit any vehicle, including those equipped with automated technology, from “posing an unreasonable risk to safety.” Meanwhile, NHTSA “will continue its vigorous enforcement using its defect and oversight authorities,” Manning said — including investigations or recalls — if it finds evidence of risk.

Aurora and Kodiak both support the idea of federal regulation, which would give them more certainty about standards as they expand nationally.

“Having a federal framework gives confidence to regulators and the public that the federal government is watching this closely,” said Daniel Goff, the head of policy at Kodiak.

Anxious truck drivers

Richard Gaskill, a truck driver in Texas since 1998, said he spots an autonomous test vehicle every now and then as he carries loads along I45.

“It’s too new for me to trust,” Gaskill, 50, said of the technology. “I don’t like the idea of these being out there taking our jobs.”

Gaskill’s anxiety is shared by union and trade groups like the Teamsters. But a 2021 study from the Transportation Department suggests concerns about widespread job loss may be misplaced: Autonomous trucking could at most lead to 11,000 layoffs in the next five years, the study says — less than 2 percent of the long-haul driver workforce.

Meanwhile, the study notes that the technology could create new job opportunities for maintenance technicians, dispatchers and fuelers while helping to relieve the drudgery that sometimes comes with being a long-haul trucker. And the autonomous truck companies say their technology can help transport goods around the country faster, as robot trucks can drive longer hours than human drivers.

Gaskill doesn’t buy it. He says he can’t fathom how a robot could navigate the nation’s chaotic highways better than he can. But as companies like Aurora expand, he is resigned to the fact that autonomous trucks are part of the future.

“It’s just a matter of time,” he said.

A previous version of this article misstated the year since when Richard Gaskill has been a truck driver in Texas. It is 1998. The article has been corrected.