How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck? (Price Guide)

Opening a food truck costs more than buying the truck. You also pay for kitchen equipment, permits, insurance, a wrap, and the first load of food, and then you carry monthly costs once you start operating. Planning for the full list is what keeps a launch from running short on cash.

The estimates below come from Restroworks, Eatapp, and Square. They overlap but are not identical, because each makes different assumptions, such as whether you buy or rent the truck.

Restroworks and Eatapp both give $50,000 – $250,000 for the all-in total. Square, which assumes you rent the truck, gives $46,700 – $187,440.

The wide ranges make sense once you see what drives them. The biggest swing is the truck. A used truck with basic equipment sits near the bottom of the range, and a new custom build with a full kitchen sits near the top. Whether you rent, what city you operate in, and how much you spend on equipment all matter too.

Here is how the pieces compare, according to Eatapp and Square.

• The truck. A new custom-built truck runs $75,000 – $175,000, and a used one runs $30,000 – $70,000.
• Kitchen equipment. Eatapp lists $10,000 – $50,000.
• Licenses and permits. Square lists $1,864 – $28,276 for the first year.
• Insurance. Eatapp lists $2,000 – $5,000 per year.
• Initial inventory and supplies. $1,000 – $2,000.
• Truck wrap and vehicle graphics. $1,000 – $5,000.

Square's permit range is wide because requirements are set locally. Fees and the number of licenses differ from one city and county to the next, so contact your local health department and licensing office to find out what applies where you plan to operate.

Buying gives you an asset you can modify, resell, and depreciate. Renting lowers the startup cost and lets you learn the business first, but the rent keeps coming every month.

Square lists truck rental at $2,000 – $3,000/mo. That is the reason its all-in range starts lower than the buy estimates. Over a long period, renting can cost more than buying, but that depends on the truck and how long you keep operating.

The startup number gets you open. Running costs begin right away. Eatapp lists a commissary kitchen at $400 – $1,500/mo. Many cities require trucks to use a licensed commissary for prep, storage, and cleaning, though rules vary by location.

Other recurring expenses include food and supplies, fuel and propane, payroll if you have staff, payment processing fees, parking or event fees, and maintenance on the vehicle and equipment. The guides here do not give figures for all of them, so build your own estimates from local quotes.

1. New or used truck.
2. Size and layout of the kitchen.
3. Equipment, including whether you buy it new.
4. Permits and licenses in your area.
5. Insurance coverage level.
6. Branding, including the wrap and signage.
7. Working capital to cover the first slow weeks.

• Start with a used truck, and budget for an inspection and repairs.
• Rent first to test a concept.
• Buy only the equipment your menu needs.
• Keep the menu focused so inventory stays small.
• Ask local officials about requirements before you spend on a truck.

A cheaper start is not always better. A truck that fails inspection or breaks down repeatedly costs more than one that was priced correctly. For decisions about loans or business structure, speak with a licensed accountant or attorney.

Many new operators underestimate working capital. Even after you open, revenue takes time to build, and slow days, weather, and repair downtime all affect cash. Set aside a reserve beyond your startup estimate so a bad month does not end the business.

Where will you park and sell? Some cities limit where trucks can operate, and some events charge vendor fees. Do you need a commissary, and does your city require one? Will you hire staff, and what will payroll cost? Answering these before you buy a truck prevents surprises, because each answer changes the budget.

Write the budget as a list with a line for every item above, then add the monthly costs for at least the first few months. A plan that shows where the money goes is also what lenders and landlords usually want to see.

Beyond the permit fees themselves, expect to pay for a business registration, a vehicle inspection, and in many places a fire safety check. Some cities also require a separate permit for each event or location. Ask the licensing office for a complete checklist, and note which items renew each year so the cost shows up in your annual budget.