Commentary

Food truck pricing 101

The cost of getting into the mobile food business is very situation dependent. You can choose to go new or used, and within each, the options are varied.

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February 18, 2019 by Will Hodgskiss — CEO, Venture Food Trucks

You’re looking at starting your very own food truck business. One thought keeps coming to your mind: "How much will it cost? Can I even afford it?"

The cost of getting into the mobile food business is very situation dependent. You can choose to go new or used, and within each, the options are varied. The first step is knowing what to expect.

If you have your mind set on a brand new truck, you will be making some trade-offs. It is a great option, but quite obviously, the most expensive option. For this expense, you gain complete freedom as to the design and included options. Additionally, you can be confident that your truck will last.

When choosing to go new, you also have complete control over the type of vehicle you choose. The following ranges give a sense of what it will cost for a brand new vehicle. Keep in mind, there are other costs to start the business. Many manufacturers provide a free "custom food truck quote" feature. This can give you a good sense of how much your food truck would cost.

New food trucks

Starting with your standard food trucks, the prices vary based on the size of the truck and fuel type. For a 12- to 24-foot truck, the price will range from $60 000 to $100 000. When you factor in the price of your food truck build out, you are looking at $120,000 and up, depending on the equipment you choose.

New concession trailers

For concession trailers, there are significant savings. It will run from $8,000 for the smallest sizes (10 by 8.5 feet) up to $30,000 for the largest sizes (24 by 8.5 feet). Once again, this is just the cost of the trailer, and the fully completed build can run anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000.

New shipping containers

New shipping containers for stationary builds are a very economical option, especially in comparison to a brick-and-mortar location. They cost approximately $5,000, plus the cost of the build out. Shipping containers can be modified into kitchens, bars, pop-up shops and more. Completed container kitchens start around $60,000.

New Sprinter vans

Sprinter vans have much more standard sizes and often are only offered in a couple of variations, including low roof or high roof vans. Typically, a new van will cost around $70,000, and the final cost of the vehicle can be anywhere from $120,000 to $150,000. The benefits of Sprinter vans include great mileage and drivability.

Buying used

Used trucks may be a better investment depending on how much money you are planning to spend on your food truck project. You can receive massive savings on the cost of your vehicle without sacrificing on options or design. Each used truck will require a safety certification to ensure it is safe for daily driving. Working with a credible manufacturer, you can still expect used trucks to have a long life.

Buying a used food truck is a great option since you can often get trucks that are less than 10 years old. You still get full customization, and you save a ton. Used trucks run from $10,000 for a 12-foot truck, and up to about $55 000 for a 20-foot truck. For the truck fully completed, you are looking at anywhere from $70,000 to $150,000. In general, you can expect to pay around 60 percent of the cost of a new truck.

Used Sprinter vans

Sprinter vans are an option that offers significant savings. They are still in great condition used, as these vehicles are built to be used for a long time and gain high mileage. A used Sprinter van costs about $30,000 on average, depending on the year.

Specialty vehicles

Sometimes, people want a special retro vehicle, school bus or European vehicle. Because these vehicles are not as common, you will need to do more research into exactly what you are looking for in order to avoid hidden repair fees. The sky is the limit when it comes to these kinds of customizations.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to determining a vehicle that is the best fit for your business needs and budget.

About Will Hodgskiss

Venture Food Truck is a 29 years established premium truck builder, we also build containers, trailers and carts. Founded By Niki and Will Hodgskiss Venture ships internationally.

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