Food & Beverage

Charlotte gives food trucks a midnight curfew

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August 25, 2026

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Charlotte, North Carolina, is shutting down food trucks in Uptown at midnight as part of a crime-fighting measure. Some food trucks are protesting the rule, stating it unfairly targets them, according to a report by WSOC-TV.

For example, Halal Food Cart regularly serves food for customers until 3 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends in Uptown. Wais Mayar, owner of Halal Food Cart, said he has lost 40% of his business due to this change.

"It doesn't make sense to shut down a small business whereas bars are open, clubs are open, there are crowds all over the city of Charlotte," Mayar said in the report. "If there is a curfew, it has to be on everybody. Bars have to close, everybody has to."

Police claim that this change reduces loitering and crime.