When planning an event, the first thing most folks do is create a budget. Considering food truck catering can be a bit of a mystery we’re here to help shine some light on how much it costs to book a food truck. Below are several variables that factor into food truck pricing. As a note, each truck has their own pricing, the info below should be used as guidelines.
Who is paying for the food?
If you’re planning a community event, festival, or block party consider inviting some great food trucks and charging a small vending fee. For a fundraiser, ask each truck to donate a small portion of sales back to your organization.
If you’re hosting an event and providing food free of charge expect that each truck will have a minimum dollar amount to come onsite. These minimums depend on the truck and range from $500-$4000.
What type of vehicle will be serving?
Mobile catering vehicles come in a variety of sizes and configurations. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the apparatus, the more it will cost. For example, expect to pay more for a full sized food truck (22-30ft) versus a cart or stand setup.
Will the event occur during peak season or off peak season?
Peak season varies from state to state and usually corresponds to beautiful weather. In the Northeast May- October are busy months because folks are excited to get outside after a long winter. In Florida and Texas though, summer months tend to be slower because the heat and humidity can detract from an outdoor experience. Expect to pay a premium during peak or high season. Off peak pricing can be significantly less expensive
Will the event happen on a weekday or weekend?
Most food trucks are busier on weekends as there’s a higher demand on Saturday and Sunday (Friday night’s too) which means that minimums will be higher. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are relatively quiet which means that some trucks might trade a lower minimum for catering on those days.
What type of cuisine will be served?
Are you looking for snack foods (hot pretzels, fries, or funnel cake), dessert (ice cream, cupcakes, homemade cookies, macarons), or dinner foods (BBQ, tacos, soul food, wood-fired pizza)? The per person price will typically be higher for savory items with more than one component to the dish (ie ribs, slaw, and cornbread platter) and lower for smaller snack foods and dessert items. Also, be prepared to pay more for seafood (ie, lobster rolls),farm-to-table/local cuisine, and organic concepts.
How far will the truck have to travel?
Most trucks serve a city or tri-state area and charge extra to travel outside of their home market. Many trucks serve a 30-60 miles radius from the city center. There may be an additional fee for miles outside of that radius.
How many guests will be attending?
Some trucks will provide a volume discount for a larger party, but that’s not always the case as some larger events require additional staff and preparation, making them more expensive.
