Food truck: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What food truck is

A food truck is a mobile kitchen that serves meals from a truck at events and locations, preparing food on site for guests from a set menu. Hosts book one for festivals, office lunches, weddings and private parties when they want a fresh made meal served from a vehicle.

Signs you need it

  • You want a fresh made meal at an outdoor event without a full kitchen on site
  • Guests will enjoy a fun, casual meal cooked in front of them
  • The event has no kitchen and needs a complete food service with its own equipment
  • You want a set menu that the truck can serve in a steady stream
  • The event is at a site where a truck can park and the power and water can be met

What the pro does

  • Takes the guest count, the menu, the service window and the parking location
  • Confirms the site can take the truck and the power, water and waste needs
  • Drives to the site and sets up the truck, the awning and the serving window
  • Cooks the menu on site in the truck's kitchen with food stored at safe temperatures
  • Serves the guests in a steady stream and keeps the window clean and stocked
  • Packs up the truck and removes waste and leftovers as the site rules require

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Guest count and the number of meals served during the service window
  • Menu complexity and the number of items the truck cooks
  • Service length and the number of staff needed in the truck
  • Site distance and whether a generator or hookup is needed
  • Minimum order or guaranteed sales the truck requires for the booking
  • Permit or site approval fees the event must cover

What a written quote should spell out

  • Menu, portion sizes and the service window
  • Staff in the truck and their hours
  • Power, water and waste needs and who provides them
  • Site fee, parking arrangement and any permit the event must cover
  • Cancellation and weather terms

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What permits does the truck hold, and does it cover this location?
  • What power, water and waste do you need from the site?
  • How many meals can you serve in the window, and how do you keep the line moving?
  • How do you keep hot and cold food safe inside the truck?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers the truck and its service?
  • What happens if the weather or the generator stops you from cooking?

Red flags

  • Cannot show the truck's health permit or the permits for this location
  • Plans to cook with gas or a generator without a clear safety plan
  • Does not say what power, water and waste the truck needs
  • Has no plan for a steady stream of guests
  • Will not show proof of insurance

What you can do yourself

Do not attempt to run a food truck or a propane cooking setup yourself for guests. Gas, generators, hot oil and the public serving of food need proper equipment and permits. You can plan the menu, pick a clear site with room to park, and arrange the seating and the line. Hire a food truck that holds its own permits and carries its own equipment.

Licenses and permits

Food businesses commonly need a health permit or a food handler card from the local office that oversees food safety, and mobile food units often need their own permit and inspection. Propane, generators and other fuel systems commonly need inspection, and the truck may need its own vehicle approvals. Ask the truck for its permits and inspection records before you book.

Food truck questions

Can a food truck park at any location?

No. It needs permission from the property owner and may need a permit from the local office that oversees mobile vendors. Ask the truck to confirm the location before you book.

Who pays for the site permit?

It depends on the contract and the local rules. Ask the truck and the event site who applies for the permit, who pays for it and when it must be in place.

What if the truck breaks down on the day?

Ask for the truck's backup plan in writing. Some trucks have a second vehicle or a replacement option, and the contract should say what happens to any deposit.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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