food truck business plan software

Food Truck Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Food Truck Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your food truck business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their food trucks.

Food Truck Business Plan Example & Template

Below is a template to help you create each section of your food truck business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is a new food truck located in Portland owned by local critically acclaimed chef, Zane Benedict. The menu will consist of popular food options that consist of burgers, sandwiches, gyros, and tacos uniquely made with the creativity and uniqueness that Chef Zane can offer. Chef Zane’s eclectic style and consistency make him a favorite among Portland foodies and his food truck will garner a loyal following amongst young professionals and college students.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be located in the immensely popular food truck pod known as Cartopia. Chef Zane will receive lots of exposure by being a part of this community as there are plenty of neighboring food trucks, bars, nightlife, and entertainment options nearby. With the popular location of Cartopia and an impressive Instagram social media following, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is destined to become a local go-to dining destination for anyone craving delicious, interesting fare at an affordable price.

Products Served

The following are the products to be offered by Zesty Zane’s Food Truck:

• Sandwiches & paninis
• Assorted non-alcoholic beverages

Customer Focus

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will target customers in Portland who live, work, or socialize near Cartopia. This area is frequented by numerous young professionals, college students, and the late-night crowd who regularly eat at food trucks. Anyone seeking trendy dining options are the target customers of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck.

Management Team

Chef Zane has worked in the culinary industry for over ten years and is accustomed to the long, demanding hours of operating a kitchen. He attended culinary school in San Francisco and returned home to Portland to be a part of the world-renowned food scene that Portland has built for itself. After working under three award-winning chefs, Chef Zane is ready to venture out on his own and start his own business as a food truck.

Chef Zane Benedict will be the food truck owner and operator of his food truck. He will operate the food truck Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 am until 1:00 am. Chef Zane will also employ two part-time cooks to assist him during peak hours of operation.

Success Factors

The following success factors will set Zesty Zane’s Food Truck apart from the competition:

• Exceptional cuisine made fresh with locally sourced ingredients.
• An eclectic menu that is unlike any other in the Portland food scene.
• Convenient location: Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be located in a highly-trafficked food truck pod that is frequented by college students, young professionals, and night-life regulars.
• Delicious food at a good price. Zesty Zane’s food items will be cheaper than other food truck dishes without sacrificing quality.

Financial Highlights

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is seeking $40,000 in debt financing to open its food truck. The funding will be dedicated for the purchase of the food truck, cooking supplies and equipment, working capital, three months worth of payroll expenses and opening inventory. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Purchase of food truck – $20,000
• Food truck kitchen supplies and equipment – $10,000
• Opening inventory – $2,000
• Working capital (to include 3 months of overhead expenses) – $3,000
• Marketing (website design and management) – $5,000

The following graph outlines the pro forma financial projections for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck:

Company Overview

Who is zesty zane’s food truck.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is a startup food truck business located in Portland, Oregon. The menu offerings are eclectic, made-to-order, bistro-type dishes served fresh and fast in the entertainment district of Portland. The ingredients are locally-sourced from independent food growers and artisans in and around the Portland region. The dishes are incorporated with an ingenious twist to commonly known popular food menu items. The menu options are simple dishes commonly seen at food trucks, but Chef Zane adds his own spin to the typical fare – sandwiches, gyros, burgers, and tacos all made his way unlike any other food establishment.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is owned and operated by Zane Benedict, a local Chef classically trained in culinary school and under the most prestigious chefs in Portland. Chef Zane is known for his creativity, consistency, and quickness in the kitchen and his dishes receive multiple positive reviews in the restaurants Zane has been employed. Chef Zane specializes in fine French, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist not typically found in other restaurant establishments.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck History

After graduating from culinary school in 2008, Chef Zane Benedict worked as a sous chef in three different restaurants in Portland. All of the chefs Zane worked under were award-winning, locally-acclaimed chefs that frequently trained their apprentices to prepare dishes up to their expectation and standards.

Chef Zane learned a great deal from these chefs and garnered a reputation himself for his creativity and consistency. Now that Zane feels he has learned as much as he can from the senior chefs, he would like to venture out on his own and start his own business. Due to the large amount of capital required to open a full-scale restaurant, Chef Zane decided a food truck business was the most cost-effective option for his operation.

Since incorporation, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck has achieved the following milestones:

• Developed the food truck’s branding image, social media, and website.
• Has a soft hold on a used food truck that recently went out of business.
• Developed and finalized the menu of the dishes Chef Zane will serve.
• Obtained a food permit license to be able to prepare and sell food and drinks in Portland County.
• Obtained a sales and use tax permit for use in Portland County.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck Products

The following are the types of menu items Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will produce:

Food Truck Industry Analysis

Food truck vendors will continue to perform well over the next five years, benefiting from consumers with deeper pockets who are able to spend on pricier gourmet food options. Revenues are expected to increase to $1.4 billion during this time period.

Food Truck industry operators are expected to continue to experience growth, as generally positive economic conditions and momentum from the gourmet food movement propel growth.

Consumers nowadays demand higher-quality food, a wider variety of styles and tastes, better presentation and, most importantly, more healthy menu options. Therefore, operators that include healthy options on their menus will be best situated for success over the next five years. Vendors that continue to offer unique food options will also be in a strong position by carving out a niche and developing a loyal customer base.

The food truck industry will also benefit from an increase in the urban population, which is expected to comprise the majority of the US population in five years. The food truck industry benefits from agglomeration because it relies on high foot traffic. Additionally, urban dwellers are also more likely to purchase meals rather than cooking at home due to their above-average incomes and limited spare time.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will target the population of Portland that frequently dines in the entertainment district. There is a large food truck area of Portland known as Cartopia, where Chef Zane will set up his business. This area is home to numerous dining establishments, nightlife, bars, clubs, and food trucks. The target market of this area are usually young professionals and college students who have disposable income.

The precise demographics for Portland, Oregon are:

Customer Segmentation

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will primarily target the following customer profile:

• Local residents of Portland who partake in late-night activities such as socializing with friends or bar-hopping
• Business professionals that work and reside in the Portland Cartopia area – law offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance agencies, retail, and schools
• College students who are in search of fast, cheap, and trendy eats

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be competing with other food trucks in the Portland community. A profile of each competitor is below.

Potato Champion

Potato Champion is a local favorite of Portland foodies that is also located in Cartopia. Started in 2008, Potato Champion quickly established itself as a fan favorite for late night food. Potato Champion serves a limited menu of hand cut, twice fried Belgian style fries, a variety of dipping sauces, and their own version of the Canadian classic Poutine, as well as other fry related dishes. They pride themselves in using the highest quality ingredients and focus on an inventive menu that combines tastes from all over the world with one of the most popular foods found on the globe, the french fry.

Potato Champion is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night. They are available for catering and delivery through Postmates. Followers of Potato Champion are also able to purchase swag from their store that includes music, bags, pins, and hoodies.

Started by John Eads in 2009, Pyro Pizza was built out of a 8’x16’ food cart that he custom-built with a cast iron wood fire oven. Aside from wood fired pizza, John also makes his own sodas using all real ingredients and natural cane sugar. John’s belief is that good ingredients make good food. His crew makes many components in-house and sources regional flour, pepperoni, sausage, blue cheese, soda ingredients, and seasonal produce all from Portland businesses and farms. In 2015, Pyro’s expanded to a new sandwich cart, Pyro’s Wicked Wiches – a scratch-made sandwich, soup, chips and cookie food cart.

Pyro’s serves an assortment of wood fire pizzas made from scratch. Their choices are margherita, marinara, arugula and mushroom, pepperoni, quattro formaggi, fennel sausage, veggie bianca, breadsticks, salads, and sodas.

Chicken and Guns

Chicken and Guns is another local favorite among Portland foodies. Also found in Cartopia, Chicken and Guns serves up Latin American chicken, wings, tacos, salad, soup, and their “guns” are crispy seasoned potatoes. The chicken is served by the quarter, half, or whole bird. Another item they are acclaimed for is their peruvian aji sauce, habanero carrot sauce and chimichurri sauce. They have been named the best fried chicken in Portland by the PDX Eater.

Chicken and Guns is open everyday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm for takeout and delivery options. With a large Instagram and social media following, there is always destined to be a line at the Chicken and Guns food truck.

Competitive Advantage

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck offers several advantages over its competition. Those advantages are:

Food Truck Marketing Plan

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Delicious food made fresh with locally sourced ingredients using exquisite techniques.
• Located in the ultra-hip food truck area known as Cartopia.
• Great food at a great price. The menu offerings of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be accessible to customers of all walks of life.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck are as follows:

Social Media

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck’s main source of marketing will be through social media, primarily their Instagram page. Chef Zane has become adept at taking appealing photographs of his dishes. He will post pictures of his menu and add details on the location and hours of operation. His food truck account already has over 3,000 followers and he posts daily “Coming Soon” teaser photos.

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be parked in the immensely popular food truck hub known as Cartopia of Portland. There are dozens of food trucks located in this pod and there is always a crowd of people. Cartopia hosts bands, art shows, shopping events, and other social gatherings to enhance the entertainment vibe of the pod. By being part of Cartopia, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will receive lots of exposure and traffic.

SEO Website Marketing

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck plans to invest funds into maintaining a strong SEO presence on search engines like Google and Bing. When a person types in “local food truck” or “top food trucks in Portland”, Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will appear in the top three choices. Zesty Zane’s will also invest in their website also to ensure that it is user friendly, always up to date, and displays professional photographs of its menu items and location.

Third Party Delivery Sites

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will maintain a presence on sites like GrubHub, Uber Eats, Doordash, and Postmates so that people looking for local food with the option of delivery will see Zesty Zane’s listed.

The pricing of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be moderate and on par with other food trucks so customers feel they receive value when purchasing their menu items.

Operations Plan

The operations plan for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck is relatively simple as its overhead and cost is small. The functional roles for its employees are as follows:

Operation Functions:

• Chef Zane will run the food truck operation. He will be in charge of inventory, menu creation, food truck marketing, customer service, and bookkeeping. Chef Zane will work every day that he chooses to open the food truck. Chef Zane plans on operating the food truck Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 1:00 am.
• Two part-time cooks that will alternate helping Chef Zane during the hours of operation. As business picks up, there will be two cooks at the same time assisting Chef Zane during peak hours.

Milestones:

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck aims to open in the next 3 months. The following are the milestones needed in order to obtain this goal.

4/15/202X – Purchase food truck

5/1/202X – Finalize menu

5/15/202X – Social media and advertising campaign begins

6/1/202X – Finish cleaning up the food truck and prepare it for operation

6/10/202X – Purchase food and drink inventory, stock truck, and park it at Cartopia

6/11/202X – Grand Opening of Zesty Zane’s Food Truck

Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will be owned and operated by Chef Zane Benedict.

Chef Zane Benedict, Food Truck Owner

Chef Zane Benedict is a Portland native who attended culinary school in San Francisco and returned to Portland to become a part of the world-renowned food scene Portland is uniquely known for. Zane was trained under three different chefs at fine dining establishments in downtown Portland and was awarded Best Sous Chef of Portland in 2017. Chef Zane has won two local culinary competitions, placed runner-up in a statewide competition, and participated in a cooking competition show on the Food Network.

Chef Zane has received numerous awards for his creativity and consistency of his food while being able to prepare dishes in a short amount of time. His ability to prepare food under pressure allows him the unique skill of serving numerous customers without having them undergo long wait times. This will keep customers happy and coming back for more.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Zesty Zane’s Food Truck will come from the menu items being offered daily.

The cost drivers will be the ingredients and products needed to make the menu items (oil, bread, meat, chicken, produce, drinks) as well as the cooking materials (pots, pans, bowls, plates, utensils, etc.). Other cost drivers will be the overhead expenses of payroll for the part-time employees and propane for the food truck.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

• Food Truck Marketing (website design and management) – $5,000

Key Assumptions

The following table outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the business loan.

Initial Number of Customers Per Day: 50

Average Menu Item Cost: $9.00

Average Order per Customer: $15.00

Annual Cost for Maintenance of Truck: $10,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Food Truck Business Plan FAQs

What is a food truck business plan.

A food truck business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your food truck business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your food truck business plan using our Food Truck Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Food Truck Companies?

There are a variety of types of food trucks, each specializing in a specific type of cuisine or food item. There are food trucks that sell burgers, cookies, ice cream, tacos, pizza, sandwiches, salads and more.  

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Food Truck Business?

The primary source of revenue for food truck businesses is its food and beverage sales. 

The key expenses for a food truck business are food costs, salaries, and transportation expenses. 

How Do You Get Funding for Your Food Truck Business?

Food truck businesses are typically funded through small business loans, personal savings, crowdfunding and credit card financing.  A well-crafted food truck business plan is essential to securing funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Food Truck Business?

Starting a food truck business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Food Truck Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed business plan for your food truck that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your food truck business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your food truck business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Food Truck Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your food truck business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your food truck business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Food Truck Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your food truck business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your food truck business. Food truck marketing includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful food truck business:

• How to Start a Food Truck Business

Where Can I Get a Food Truck Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free food truck business plan template PDF here . This is a sample food truck business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Other Business Plan Templates

Catering Business Plan Template Bakery Business Plan Template Coffee Shop Business Plan Template Event Venue Business Plan Template

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How To Write a Food Truck Business Plan (+ Template)

With the increasing popularity of food trucks, it’s essential to prep your operation before you start prepping your mise en place. A solid food truck business plan puts you at the front of the grid when the race begins.

The US street vendor sector was valued at $2.49 billion in 2022, up from the previous year’s total of $2.29 billion. The market is expected to grow another 1.7% in 2023.

For those with aspirations of culinary greatness, a food truck is the perfect setting to develop new recipes while building a fan base, or even an online business, without the expense and risk of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant. 

There is even a street food chef in Singapore with a Michelin star, proving that you don’t need a giant kitchen and 50 sous chefs to build a reputation for quality, innovation, and deliciousness.

How to write a successful food truck business plan, step by step

• Set aside a page for your executive summary
• Write an overview of your company
• Conduct a market analysis
• Lay out your products and/or services
• Create customer personas
• Put together a marketing plan
• Create a logistics and operations plan
• Write out your financial plan

Starting a mobile food business is subject to the same challenges and pitfalls as any other startup operation. But there are special considerations for food trucks to address before you open the window to start slinging sandwiches (or tacos, or barbeque, or …).

You may want to open up our handy business plan template so you can take notes, or jot down your brilliant ideas as they come to you. We also talked to seasoned food truck operators and entrepreneurs Natalie Basile and Mikey Wheeler-Johnson of Eats Amoré Mobile Italian Cuisine , who share their knowledge and experience throughout this guide.

From the executive summary to the financial details, we’ll show you how to build a food truck business plan for savory success.

1. Set aside a page for your executive summary

Even though this is the first section in your business plan, it’s the last section you should write. Your executive summary captures all the highlights from the rest of your business plan, so get those sorted out first.

This is Shopify’s business plan template. You can download it below.

When it’s time to write this section, think about your audience. If you’re writing a business plan for yourself as a way to stay organized, motivated, and focused on your goals, this summary can be quick and dirty.

Free: Food Truck Business Plan Template

Business planning is often used to secure funding, but plenty of business owners find writing a plan valuable, even if they never work with an investor. That’s why we put together a free business plan template to help you get started.

If your business plan is meant to secure a bank loan or impress potential investors, your executive summary will need to focus on profit, reliability, and the fact that you know what you’re doing—so your food truck feels like a safe bet.

While it’s important to mention what makes your food service model unique, spend plenty of time showing that you also understand the realities of running a small business.

2. Write an overview of your company

This section is your opportunity to explain what is going to make your vehicular vittles different and more successful than every other food truck on the road. 

As part of this section you’ll need to tell your audience what makes you capable of running a profitable food business. 

• Do you have professional cooking experience? 
• Have you managed a commercial pantry before? 
• Do you have an existing reputation for creating delectable meals? 

Lenders might invest in you based on the strength of your new business idea, but experience will improve your chances.

At Eats Amoré, even though neither Mikey nor Natalie has professional cooking experience, they do have a proud family history of producing delicious food. “Natalie learned to cook from her grandmother, who’s from Naples, Italy. And then her mom is an organic farmer, so she learned traditional recipes with fresh ingredients, which is the backbone of Italian cooking,” says Mikey.

In addition to your own position in your food truck business, this section is the place where you’ll outline the types of employees you have or will need to hire. Food trucks are small, so chances are you won’t need a lot of staff or a management team, but you could consider hiring prep staff, cleaners, etc.

The company overview is also the best place to set some goals. As a short-term goal, most food truck owners (and restaurateurs for that matter) aim to pay off the bulk of their startup costs (licensing fees, insurance, supplies, food, website, branding, etc.) within the first year, though this will depend heavily on your anticipated margins.

Other short-term goals may include building a social media following, finding predictable parking spots to encourage repeat traffic, or securing a spot at a big event.

Your largest capital investment is, of course, the truck itself. Although food trucks cost a lot less to set up compared to brick-and-mortar locations, they can still set you back between $50,000 and $175,000 , depending on what kind of food you’ll make and the equipment required to do it.

Paying off your food truck is likely to be your major long-term goal, which you can fulfill with your own funding or Shopify Capital .

3. Conduct a market analysis

A huge factor in setting your business up for success is understanding the target market where you will operate.

Restrictions

Since food trucks are mobile, you’ll enjoy some flexibility compared to a restaurant, but many cities still restrict where, when, and how you can serve your customers as part of the license that allows you to operate (which costs an average of $1,800 ).

If your ideal customers live in an area or work at a time when you can’t sell to them, you could be in for some difficulty. For example, if you were to open a food truck in Vancouver, you would find that restrictions include:

• Not operating during nighttime hours
• Avoiding certain neighborhoods
• Staying 100 meters away from brick-and-mortar restaurants
• Staying outside park boundaries
• And plenty more

In some cases, you may find that food trucks have not yet been considered in city regulations, and you may have to blaze a trail for your business, like Mikey and Natalie did. “We had very limited locations that we could pick from,” Mikey said. 

“The zoning in Kamloops was absolutely terrible. We were not looked very favorably upon. So after many council meetings and lots of emails with counselors and going back and forth, we finally got the city to give us a pilot project location in the downtown core.”

Every city has different restrictions that affect food cart and truck owners, so be sure to consult the city hall website in your area. And start early—licensing can take time, especially in locations with high demand.

Local conditions

Beyond the restrictions imposed by municipalities, each city is subject to conditions that could help or hinder your business. 

If you’re planning an ice cream truck for Edmonton, you might only have the warm, sunny weather you need for four months of the year, severely limiting profits. Conversely, the same ice cream truck in San Diego, with 266 days of sunshine on average, might be a sensation with lines around the block.

You should also take into account population in your city, demographics, foot traffic in your preferred neighborhoods, and the number of events that host food trucks, in order to establish an estimate of how many days per year you are likely able to operate.

Competition

Lastly, run a competitive analysis. 

• What’s the food truck market like in your city? 
• What do other food trucks offer? 
• What’s your competitive advantage? 
• Is there a robust restaurant scene driven by owners who don’t want food trucks diverting their customers ? 

Too much competition and you might have trouble finding customers or a place to park. Too little and you may find that there is a reason no one is running a new food truck.

4. Lay out your products and/or services

This section is your opportunity to outline your creative food vision, so keep in mind that there are some limitations and considerations when it comes to the meals coming out of your truck.

• Food should be easy to eat in a variety of settings, such as on a bench, standing on the sidewalk, or at a crowded concert, without spilling down the front of a CEO’s Brooks Brothers shirt.
• Keep it simple: While you may be able to make complex individual dishes, trying to offer a broad, complicated menu with limited space, staff, equipment, and storage could prove to be difficult or impossible.
• A long menu can be intimidating or time consuming for those trying to order quickly during their lunch break.
• Try to fill a niche in your city. If there are already a lot of pizza trucks but no Thai food, make som tam instead of a margherita pie. Or, for example, if you live somewhere with plenty of trucks making mediocre burgers, your ultra-high-quality version might corner the market. You can also differentiate your offerings based on overhead and food cost.

Go out and study the existing food truck scene in your area to get an idea of what might work. 

Alternate revenue

This section is a good place to consider additional revenue streams such as online sales of things like bottled sauces, spice packs, baked goods, etc. Selling online can be a lifesaver during quiet winter months, when festivals aren’t happening, or even during a global pandemic.

Eats Amoré has found that online sales and catering bookings via its Shopify website are becoming increasingly important to its bottom line. “It’s to the point where we have to turn it on and turn it off because it’s so busy,” says Mikey.

"We came up with this idea called the Ravioli Club, which is essentially a membership that you buy from our online store, and you get three mystery deliveries of ravioli delivered to your house every two weeks."

Mikey wasn’t always an ecommerce expert. “I was very green in learning how to do all the online sales, and I’m still learning a lot,” he says.

“And even with the small increments of learning that I’ve done, sales are going up exponentially. Not only has it boosted our sales, but it decreased the amount of time that I have to spend doing back and forth work with people. Because once you have all your information laid out on the website, you get a lot less tire kickers and you get a lot more people that call you and want to hire you [for catering].”

5. Create customer personas

This area of your food truck business plan is where you’ll outline your ideal customer. 

• Where do they live? 
• How old are they? 
• What kind of foods do they like? 
• How much disposable income do they have? 

You’ll need to do some serious demographic research to fill in this section, since every city and neighborhood is different. Then use it to inform your menu and pricing. 

If you plan to set up outside rock concerts and baseball parks, caviar and foie gras could be hard to sell, while home-cooked barbeque might not do well on the street in front of your local opera house. Ask questions to determine what your potential customers want.

6. Put together a marketing plan

You can make as much delicious food as you want, but if no one knows about it, you’re going to have a hard time making a profit. Your marketing strategy is essential to the success of your business and this section is where you’ll outline it for yourself or your business loan officer.

Branding and communications

Start by detailing where you’ll park and what your truck will look like , since these are the two biggest factors in attracting walk-by customers. Next, show how you’ll raise the profile of your business beyond passersby using traditional marketing techniques and, especially, social media.

If you intend to park in different locations on different days, having dedicated followers on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook is a great way to let people know where they can find you. Social media is also the perfect place to update your followers on new menu items. Remember to take great photos of your food for maximum impact.

The food truck marketing and sales portion should also account for what makes your offerings different from everyone else on the road. In the Products and Services section, we discussed how your menu should fill a niche, whether it is the type of cuisine, quality, or cost.

In this section, you’ll need to provide details on how you plan to communicate those differentiators to your target customers.

Online ordering

Speaking of technology, this is a good time to explore the possibility of having your customers interact with you via smartphones and computers.

You may want to offer online ordering with delivery or pickup, which can be accomplished using third-party services like DoorDash , Skip the Dishes , Uber Eats , or any number of apps preferred in different markets around the world—be sure to find out which app most restaurants and delivery services use in your area.

A less obvious facet of your marketing plan is your start date. If you plan on opening right when the good weather hits, you’re likely to be too busy to spend a lot of time building a brand identity and online presence, though your cash flow will probably be in good shape.

“A huge mistake that we had in our first year’s business plan was that we were going to work through the winter,” says Mikey. “But what I forgot was that the people in Kamloops are very fair weathered. They’re used to nice weather. So a little bit of cold and they’re like, No, we’re out of here. It wasn’t until last winter that we actually did become a year-round business when we opened our Shopify account."

7. Create a logistics and operations plan

This section is where you’ll need to dig into the nitty-gritty day-to-day operations of your local food truck.

Supply chain

You need ingredients in order to sell food. But where will you get them? Let’s look at your options.

RESTAURANT WHOLESALERS

• Example: Sysco
• Pros: Reliable and cost effective.
• Cons: Large volume-packaged products could be hard to store on your truck.

WHOLESALE CLUBS

• Example: Costco
• Pros: Convenience—shop whenever you want.
• Cons: Prices may be higher than restaurant wholesalers.

GROCERY STORES

• Example : Trader Joe’s, local greengrocers, specialty markets
• Pros: The greatest variety of ingredients, including local, organic, and specialty items. Smaller package sizes.
• Cons : High prices.

Many food truck operators use a combination of suppliers to achieve their goals, so look at what is available in your area that fits into your menu and budget. 

Also consider your menu: If you have a fixed set of meal offerings, will you be able to reliably get the same ingredients throughout the year? If your menu rotates frequently, will you have time to source new ingredients on a regular basis?

Your truck is your facility. So think carefully about what kind of vehicle you decide to buy.

Mikey says, “We got this HandyDART bus for a steal, and we spent the beginning of 2013 turning it into a food truck. We learned so much. It’s a fiberglass vehicle, which wasn’t ideal compared to a big stainless truck. But we made it work.” 

Retrofitting a vehicle that isn’t perfect may be an option considering your budget and skill set, or you may want to purchase a vehicle that was purpose-built to be a food truck.

This is the place to outline the physical equipment and maintenance requirements for your business, such as:

• Specialized cooking equipment
• Fuel (cooking and engine)

Many cities also dictate that some aspects of food preparation, such as chopping vegetables, making soups, baking bread, or preparing other ingredients, be done in an off-site commissary kitchen outside of sales hours, rather than in the food truck or in your home. This is to ensure food safety, and you’ll need to factor the cost and logistics into your plan.

It’s also a good idea to determine if you can store additional ingredients at your commissary kitchen location.

Production capacity

How long does it take to make an item from your menu, on average? This is a major consideration that could limit how many customers you can serve in a day. 

How do you intend to cope with changes in pace and demand over the course of a day, week, month, or year? Mikey says, “I go home and do dishes for two hours. It’s far more labor intensive than people realize.” So don’t forget to factor in how much work you can realistically do yourself.

If you plan on offering products for sale online, you’ll need to sort out a plan to ship them to customers. Fortunately, shipping can be accomplished quite easily at reasonable prices .

8. Write out your financial plan

Like most businesses, yours will likely live or die on the strength of your financial plan. You have to know how much money is coming in, how much is going out, and how those numbers are likely to change in the future. 

So be sure to dig deep into your prospective balance sheet to truly understand how profits and costs will affect your operation. 

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Profit margin

Fortunately for you, startup costs on a food truck are a lot less than a brick-and-mortar restaurant, so your break-even point could come a lot sooner. That said, your profits could be limited by the food truck model.

Food trucks can expect to average about 8% profit , which means they are a volume business. You’ll need to work fast to serve a lot of customers in order to earn a profit.

You’ll also need to outline your cash flow scenario . Since food trucks can’t store a lot of inventory (ingredients and supplies), you’ll need to sell and restock more frequently than a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Additional costs

This section is also the place to factor in other costs, such as licensing, maintenance, and staff wages, if you have employees. And if you don’t plan on hiring help, remember that you probably can’t work 16 hours a day, seven days a week, which will limit your profits too. Be sure to write accurate financial projections so you get a good idea of how much you’ll earn.

Turn your business idea into a savory reality

The food truck industry is growing. Now that you’ve had a chance to think about how your food truck dreams will shape your food truck business plan, it’s time to actually sit down and write it.

Need a little push in the right direction? Check out some business plan examples , then start filling in your template once you’re inspired.

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Food truck business plan FAQ

How profitable is a food truck, how do i start a food truck business plan.

• Create customer personas 
• Put together a marketing plan 
• Write out your financial plan 

How much does a food truck cost?

Is a food truck business a good investment.

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• Sample Business Plans
• Food, Beverage & Restaurant

Food Truck Business Plan

With the expanding popularity of street food and drinks, trying global cuisine, and busy schedules, the street vendor culture is increasing. The interesting thing is you are going to join this market in the period when the demand is growing.

With the selection of the food truck, buying equipment, and hiring the right people, have you forgotten to plan your business thoroughly? If yes, then here is our food truck business plan template with examples that will help you plan yours.

From industry trends to various examples; we have covered it all. So, let’s wait no more and proceed.

Key Takeaways

• A business plan offers strategic direction for your food truck business, helping you set and achieve your goals.
• The executive summary is an important part, so keep it briefly engaging.
• Conducting a thorough industry analysis is crucial to understanding the food truck market, including its size, trends, key players, and local demographics.
• With high competition in the food industry, you need a robust marketing plan.
• Keep your financial projections practical and do not have extravagant expectations.

Food Truck Industry Highlights

Before diving right into the business plan guide, let’s go through some food industry trends and statistics:

• The industry size of street vendors in the USA was around $2.29 billion in 2021.
• In the US, there were 67,271 food trucks in 2022, growing at an average annual rate of 18.1% per year over the five years 2017-2022.
• The popularity of plant-based diets as in vegan options is growing.
• From Thai food to spicy Mexican food, food trucks are serving everything and anything showcasing the popularity of street food.
• Food trucks are not limited to evenings, they are exploring new markets like corporate campuses, universities, and residential areas for breakfast and lunch time too.

How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan (Description + Examples)

1. executive summary.

An executive summary is the summary of the whole business plan. It is the first section of the business plan and probably the only section your readers will go through.

It is normally the part that business owners prefer to write at the end because, till then they will have a keen understanding of the whole business plan.

Start your summary with a brief introduction to your business (about who you are and what services you will provide). After that, mention the other things like:

• Products and services
• Business goals
• Food truck objectives
• Mission statement
• Market Opportunity
• Target market
• Food truck business concept
• Financial summary
• Financial projections

Here is an example of a mission statement:

Tip: the executive summary is a quick overview, so keep it simple and engaging.

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2. Company Overview

Provide detailed information about your food truck business in this section. It includes the food truck concept, name, location, legal structure of your business, and everything else about your business.

Here is an example of a business description made by the use of Upmetrics:

Also, do not forget to mention the type of food truck you are going to start, for instance, your business might be the one from below: 

• Gourmet food trucks 
• Taco trucks 
• Pizza trucks 
• Burger and sandwich trucks 
• Dessert trucks 

If you already have another local food truck and this is the other one, then write the business history about your food business.

After that, mention the vision and mission of your food truck business along with the future goals. Include the names, qualifications, and specializations of the owners.

3. Industry Analysis

The industry analysis will give you all the details about the food industry you are going to enter. It will support you in a better understanding of your business.

Here are some types of questions you might ask while conducting a food industry analysis:

• What is the current size of the food truck industry in the USA?
• What are the major trends in the food truck industry?
• Who are the huge players in the industry and what is their market share?
• How is technology affecting the food truck industry?
• What is the average price range and spending limit of the customers?

In short, industry analysis will help you have a better understanding of the market and support you in making informed decisions.

4. Competitive Analysis

Competitive analysis will help you to know the price point and positioning of your business in the food industry. This way you will also get to know about your direct and indirect competitors, as in other food trucks in your location.

Start your competitive analysis section by listing all your competitors with all their plus points and negative points. Some of the questions you might ask to know your competitors are:

• What food items does their menu include?
• What is their market share?
• What are their USPs and what do their customers like about them the most?
• How much does a food truck cost?
• What is their pricing strategy?
• What are the weaknesses through which you can have a competitive advantage?

After getting all the above answers, analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to get a better understanding of your USPs.

This way you can get to know the USP of a food truck business. Once you get the USP, flaunt it in your own business plan.

5. Market Analysis

Competition in the restaurant industry is high, and to get a small gap to enter the market is a huge opportunity. Once you enter the market, it is time to define and mention your target market first.

Your target audience will depend on the type of food truck services you provide and the location of your food truck.

Once you know who you are going to serve, then understand the market by knowing the current trends and customer preferences. For example, some of the market trends for a food truck are:

• Health conscious diet
• Local sourcing
• Food transparency
• Kiosks (contactless ordering and payment)
• Creative menu items

At the end of the market analysis, do mention the regulatory environment a food business needs to follow in the particular location.

6. Sample Menu

One of the most necessary steps to launch your food truck business is designing the sample menu. Generally, food truck businesses provide fast-preparing meals.

A sample menu forces you to think about what will you make and serve your customers. Consider where you will store uncooked food, what you will need to prepare that food, and what you will use to serve that food to your customers.

Your menu should be in coordination with your target customers; for example, if you have students around the corner then design your menu with fast-serving dishes.

The menu is also a part of your branding, so keep the color and design of the menu the same as your food truck. Here is an example of including your menu in the food truck business plan:

7. Sales and Marketing Plan

You can see a food truck in the corner of every alley, so you need to reach customers and not wait for them to come to you. For that, you will need a food truck marketing strategy in place. Some of the strategies are:

Create a professional and mobile-friendly website including your location, contact information, and images of the food items you offer. This will help local customers find you online.

Social media marketing

Maintain active profiles on TikTok, Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, and all other major social media platforms to spread your reach. It will help your target market to recognize you and will interest them to visit your food truck.

Loyalty programs

Think of implementing a loyalty program to reward your existing customers. You can offer free food dishes, BOGO offers, discounts, or any other such thing. These programs can help you increase the customer retention rate and encourage them to visit your business more.

Community engagement

Participate in food truck gatherings, local events as a stall, and other fun food festivals. Engage with the local community by sponsoring or collaborating with local organizations. Building a strong local reputation can help you reach a wide customer base.

Email marketing

Send regular newsletters, special offers, discounts, and event invitations to everyone whose details you got from your website. Email marketing can be a powerful tool for customer retention and engagement.

8. Management team

Letting your readers or investors know who is behind your food truck will allow them to understand your business more.

The management team is all about who is behind the wheels of your food truck and what are their roles. If you are starting a new food truck, then showcasing your experienced managers or head chef will make your business look stronger.

Here is an example of a management team:

9. Business Operations

In the entire business plan we have talked about goals, but here is the point where you have to mention what will you do to fulfill those goals.

Everyday goals

They are the heart and soul of your food truck business. From buying the most qualitative food items to fulfilling customers’ needs and everything in between is included.

Long-term goals

It’s all about milestones: the moments that make you pop the champagne. Picture celebrating your 10,000th delivery, hitting that milestone sales figure you’ve dreamt of, or expanding your team.

10. Financial Plan

For a successful food truck business, you will need a proper financial plan with realistic financial projections. In this section add the financial statements like income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet for 3-5 years.

• Income statement

An income statement is also known as a profit and loss statement, which describes the profitability of the business by deducting expenses from revenue.

The income statement is one of the important things your investors will focus on. So, don’t be greedy and display huge impractical numbers.

• Balance sheet

Balance sheets display your assets and liabilities. Although they can contain a lot of details, like equity, goodwill, other intangible assets, etc.

• Cash flow statement

Your cash flow statement helps you see how much money you need to start or grow your business and avoid running out of money. This cash flow should be maintained even for certain months after launch that is before you start making profits.

Surprisingly, you can make a profit but still face financial problems that could lead to bankruptcy. Therefore, you will need proper cash flow planning to avoid such circumstances. Here is an example of a 5-year cash flow statement:

Why Do You Need a Business Plan for Your Food Truck?

If you are wondering why there is a lot more voice for a business plan, then consider this:

• A food-truck business plan offers a strategic direction to your business goals and helps you achieve them.
• A business plan will also help you understand the finances of your business and help you to secure funding.
• It will clarify the vision of your food truck, so you can focus on the daily operations.
• Also, it allows you to know specific risks you might face in the future, as a result, you will be prepared.

Now that you have plenty of reasons to have a food truck business plan, start writing one.

Related Food Truck Resources

• Food Truck Financial Plan
• How Much Does It Cost To Start A Food Truck
• How to Start a Food Truck Business

Download a Food Truck business plan template

Ready to kick-start your business plan writing process? And not sure where to start? Here you go, download our free food truck business plan pdf , and start writing.

This intuitive, modern, and investment-ready template is designed specifically for food truck businesses. It includes step-by-step instructions & examples to help in creating your own food-truck business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Write Your Business Plan with AI

Lastly! With the help of our food truck business plan template, you know how to write a business plan. So, you are a step closer to starting or expanding your food truck business exciting, right?

You know what else is exciting? Making your business planning process a lot smoother than this; yes, it is possible with the AI assistant of Upmetrics.

So, take a deep breath as we will take care of your business plan, and focus only on your business operations.

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Frequently asked questions, can i start a food truck business without a formal business plan.

You can start a food truck business without a professional business plan, but it is not advisable, as a business plan will act as your roadmap. If you are going to start your business with bootstrapping, then you can take the risk of not writing a food truck business plan.

How often should I update my food truck business plan?

Your food truck business plan is a live document. So, you can edit it wherever and whenever you want. Ideally, you can read and edit your business plan once a month or as many times as required.

What should I include in the financial projections section of the business plan?

In a food truck business plan, you will need various estimated financial statements like

• Break-even analysis
• Sales forecast
• Uses of Funds
• Financial ratios

What are some tips for writing a food truck business plan template?

Some tips for writing a food truck business plan are:

• Be clear and concise about your goals
• Use data and statistics to support all your claims
• Be practical and realistic about your financial projections
• Ask friends and family to give feedback on your plan
• Read and re-read it before presenting it to your investors

What is the ideal length for a food truck business plan template?

Generally, the length of a business plan is around 15-35 pages. It also depends on the audience of your business plan, the type of your business, and the type of your business plan. As for a one-page business plan, the length is going to be 1 page.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Food truck business plan template + PDF

This guide introduces a specialized AI Business Plan Generator template, meticulously designed for entrepreneurs planning to launch or grow their food truck business. It's crucial to highlight that the names and financial data featured in this example are entirely hypothetical, intended solely for illustrative purposes to depict the planning process. These scenarios are deliberately crafted to demonstrate how you can adapt your own AI-generated Food Truck Business Plan to meet the specific challenges and seize the opportunities within your food truck endeavor.

For seamless customization, we provide a "Food Truck Business Plan PDF" available for download. This document is a vital asset for entrepreneurs dedicated to developing a powerful and effective strategy for starting or expanding their food truck. The 'AI Business Plan Generator' serves as a comprehensive guide, offering profound insights into the food truck sector. It equips you with all the essential tools needed for successfully managing and scaling your food truck business.

How this food truck business plan sample was created

Create your custom food truck business plan with ease using our AI Business Plan Generator. Simply click 'Generate your business plan' and respond to a set of straightforward questions about your food truck enterprise. Our advanced AI technology will analyze your answers to formulate a business plan that exactly matches your food truck's goals and specifications. This method is swift and efficient, generally taking just 5-10 minutes to finalize, and results in a detailed and well-organized plan. Our system offers the flexibility to alter and perfect the plan, ensuring it completely reflects your unique vision. Once complete, your plan is ready to download, providing a concise, comprehensive guide for launching and growing your food truck. Make the most of our AI business plan generator, optimized for food truck ventures, to enhance your strategic planning.

Food truck business plan sample

Executive summary, business description, market research and analysis, swot analysis.

• Organizational Structure and Management Team

Products or Services

Marketing and sales strategy, operations plan, financial projections, risk analysis.

Urban Eats Food Truck emerges as a vibrant and innovative player in the Austin food truck landscape, offering a delectable selection of gourmet burgers, tacos, and artisan sandwiches served fresh and fast to a bustling city of professionals, students, and street food aficionados. Our mission is to deliver a tapestry of urban-inspired flavors, with a versatile menu that caters to a multitude of dietary preferences including vegetarian and vegan options, complemented by impeccable service, and the convenience that comes with mobility.

The food truck industry, on the wings of urban growth and the upswing of on-the-go dining culture, presents a fertile ground for Urban Eats Food Truck. With an industry annual growth rate of approximately 6.8%, the promise for expansion and profitability is clear. Our target market taps into this potential, focusing on the intersection of convenience and quality that resonates with our urbanscape's high-energy rhythm. We engage with our customers through dynamic, multi-channel marketing strategies, harnessing the power of social media, strategic partnerships, and community events to build a loyal following.

As a Limited Liability Company, we take pride in our professional and driven management team, helmed by Alex Johnson, an entrepreneur with an impressive track record in hospitality who manages daily operations and charts strategic direction. Jamie Rivera, our Head Chef, brings culinary expertise and inventive menu development, nourishing our promise of freshness and quality. Marketing is spearheaded by Taylor Smith, whose prowess in brand promotion secures our footprint in the digital and physical realm, while financial oversight is deftly handled by Morgan Lee, who ensures our financial sustainability through meticulous management.

Our operations model is streamlined for efficiency—focusing on a rotating weekly schedule that maximizes exposure across key areas in Austin. Adhering to stringent quality control measures and incorporating agile inventory management systems, Urban Eats ensures that every burger flipped and every taco served upholds our commitment to culinary excellence. In anticipation of further growth, our staffing model is crafted to scale, projecting the addition of skilled culinary personnel and savvy digital marketing expertise to our team as demand increases.

Financially, Urban Eats is poised for a robust trajectory, with forecasts suggesting an ascension from $200,000 in year-one revenue to $400,000 by year five. Our assumptions presume steady market demand and customer loyalty, buoyed by our strategic marketing efforts and operational efficiencies. We project a growth in net profit margins rising from the initial 10% to a sustainable 20%, reflecting our brand’s increasing market penetration and pricing power.

Ever-mindful of the potential risks intrinsic to the mobile food industry—from mechanical breakdowns to inclement weather—we are prepared with comprehensive mitigation and contingency strategies. Our affiliation with "QuickFix Mechanics" for emergency vehicle repairs, a diversified location strategy for operations, and multiple supplier relationships safeguard against unforeseen challenges.

Urban Eats Food Truck’s journey is buttressed by comprehensive insurance coverage and stringent adherence to legal compliance, which serve as our bedrock for navigating the sometimes-turbulent waters of the food service industry. We maintain a proactive posture, with insurance policies encompassing property, auto, liability, and worker's compensation, alongside regular consultation with our legal advisors to mitigate risks to our operations and our customers.

It is with strategic intent and a passion for food that Urban Eats Food Truck embarks on this venture. We are positioned not just to savor the immediate profits but to capture the long-term loyalty of the Austin community. Our blend of mobility, culinary finesse, and business acumen sets us on a path to being a food truck icon, signaling an appetizing future for our stakeholders and a delicious one for our customers.

Food truck business plan template

Founded amidst the vibrant streets of Austin, Texas, Urban Eats Food Truck has cemented its presence as a culinary oasis on wheels, catering to the fast-paced lives of urbanites. A testament to the burgeoning food truck industry—one that thrives on convenience and gastronomic variety—Urban Eats has become synonymous with exceptional street food. Gourmet burgers, flavor-packed tacos, and artisan sandwiches constitute our core offerings, each dish echoing the diversity of the city and focusing on high-quality ingredients and swift service.

The food truck industry has witnessed an explosive growth trajectory, characterized by a notable demand for quick, affordable, and diverse dining options outside the confines of traditional restaurants. Urban areas, with their dense populations and fast-paced lifestyles, provide an ideal backdrop for the food truck revolution. With a projected growth rate of 6.8% per year, the sector validates the potential for profitable ventures to those who navigate it with culinary prowess and keen business acumen.

Urban Eats Food Truck targets a demographic as varied as its menu: professionals seeking a convenient lunch break, college students in search of a quick bite between classes, and culinary enthusiasts eager to sample the latest street food trends. Our presence in the heart of the city places us within arm's reach of our customers, providing them instant access to a world of flavors tailored to their busy schedules.

From inception, Urban Eats has been driven by a distinct mission—to provide a marriage of convenience and culinary delight, serving up a rotating selection of dishes crafted to satisfy the palate while respecting the customer’s time. This dedication is summarily expressed in our mission statement: “Delighting urban palates with a roster of exceptional, quickly served meals, united with unrivaled taste and quality—Urban Eats is your go-to street food experience.”

As an LLC, Urban Eats benefits from a business structure that shields the owner’s personal assets, simplifies tax processes, and optimizes operational flexibility. This decision underscores a strategic approach for sustainable growth and adaptability, vital in an industry known for its swift currents of change.

Looking ahead, the potential for Urban Eats Food Truck is not confined to the streets it occupies; the vision is expansive. Whether it's through increasing the convoy of trucks to cater to a growing customer base, exploring franchise opportunities, or branching into related business channels such as local farmer’s markets or pop-up events, Urban Eats aims not just to ride the wave but to be at the forefront of street food innovation.

The future is ripe with promise for Urban Eats Food Truck. With a focused management team, an unwavering commitment to quality, and a clear strategic path forward, we are more than just a meal option—we are a thriving chapter in Austin's street food story, ready to serve our community one delectable bite at a time.

The food truck industry has been riding the wave of an ever-evolving food culture that values convenience, diversity, and culinary innovation. One of the most visible trends in this sector is the growing consumer preference for quick, high-quality, and affordable meals. Over the last several years, the industry has witnessed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.8%, and this trajectory is expected to continue. As urban areas expand and the workforce becomes increasingly mobile, the demand for food trucks is projected to rise in tandem.

Urban Eats Food Truck sits at the heart of this thriving industry, operating in an urban environment where the liveliness of the city fuels continual demand for street food. Our target market encompasses a broad demographic spectrum, including busy professionals between the ages of 25 and 50, college students from nearby campuses, and street food enthusiasts of all ages who appreciate the diverse culinary offerings. In Austin alone, the target demographic counts into the hundreds of thousands, with growth potential synchronous with urban development and population growth. It's estimated that 50% of our target demographic consumes street food at least once a week, suggesting a consistent and growing customer base.

The needs and demands of the market are clear: customers are on the lookout for fast service, variety in cuisine, affordability, and the assurance of health-conscious options. Urban dwellers often lead hectic lifestyles, which drives the need for quick service, while a burgeoning awareness of dietary preferences and restrictions heightens the demand for inclusive menu options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes.

Illustrative of market trends is the burgeoning interest in global cuisine, a shift towards mobile payment systems, and the integration of technology in food service, such as online ordering systems and location-based apps. Food trucks like Urban Eats are uniquely poised to capitalize on these trends, offering a rotating menu that reflects global flavors, incorporating convenient payment options and maintaining a strong digital presence.

A key competitor analysis reveals that Urban Eats' three main rivals, "City Bites on Wheels," "Rolling Gourmet," and "Street Feast Express," each hold a significant share of the local food truck market. "City Bites on Wheels" stands out for its extensive menu, "Rolling Gourmet" is widely recognized for its high-end culinary offerings, and "Street Feast Express" is known for rapid service. Their strengths lie in their established customer bases and brand recognition.

However, weaknesses are also evident. "City Bites on Wheels'" extensive menu complicates operations and increases wait times. "Rolling Gourmet" faces the challenge of higher price points, which may alienate budget-conscious patrons. "Street Feast Express" often compromises on dish diversity to maintain speed, leaving a segment of the market underserved. Urban Eats Food Truck competes by balancing efficiency with a diverse yet carefully curated menu, which caters to a broad range of tastes and dietary needs without inflating prices or service time.

Potential barriers to entry for Urban Eats Food Truck encompass initial capital expenditures for equipment and vehicle acquisition, navigating the regulatory landscape which includes health codes, permits, and zoning laws, and establishing a customer base in an industry characterized by customer loyalty to existing brands. An entry-level food truck business faces considerable upfront costs for a customized vehicle, commercial-grade kitchen equipment, initial inventory, and branding. In addition, as a new entrant, Urban Eats must invest significantly in marketing efforts to build brand visibility and customer retention in a market that already boasts well-liked competitors.

Overall, market analysis indicates that while challenges exist, the burgeoning demand, coupled with Urban Eats Food Truck's commitment to fulfilling market needs and its strategic business maneuvers, sets the stage for sustainable growth and a strong position within the local food truck industry.

Sample food truck business plan pdf

Organizational structure and management.

Urban Eats Food Truck operates under a clear and streamlined organizational structure designed to facilitate seamless operations, ensure excellent customer service, and support the growth of the business. At the helm is Alex Johnson, the Owner and Operations Manager, who is responsible for overarching strategy, partnerships, and operational oversight. Reporting to him is the Head Chef, Jamie Rivera, who leads menu development and kitchen operations, and the Marketing Manager, Taylor Smith, who drives customer engagement and brand promotion. The Financial Officer, Morgan Lee, manages all financial aspects including budgeting, accounting, and cost control. Our current staffing hierarchy is visually depicted in an organizational chart that delineates responsibilities across the company's functions.

Within the management team, Alex Johnson brings a wealth of experience from the hospitality industry, with a focus on operational efficiency and customer relationship management. Jamie Rivera, a culinary arts graduate with a special interest in street food, delivers creativity and innovation to Urban Eats' menu while maintaining the highest standards of food quality and safety. Taylor Smith, equipped with a degree in marketing and a keen sense of brand development in the food service sector, effectively amplifies our market presence. Morgan Lee’s accounting expertise ensures that financial performance is tracked meticulously, and the business remains commercially viable.

As Urban Eats Food Truck grows, strategic staffing needs will evolve. In the immediate future, we aim to hire additional cooks to support our current menu offerings and peak times operation. A part-time cashier to manage transactions and enhance the customer service experience is also on our recruitment roadmap. In the long term, with business expansion, we’ll require a logistics coordinator to manage schedules and event bookings, additional chefs and service staff for potential new trucks, and a dedicated social media coordinator to augment our online presence and customer interaction.

Human resources policies at Urban Eats are designed to foster a positive work culture and uphold the highest professional standards. We implement fair labor practices, offer competitive wages, and provide training for career development. Employee feedback is valued and used in shaping workplace practices and menus. Our lean organizational setup encourages openness, with regular team meetings reinforcing collaboration.

As part of our commitment to maintaining agility and tapping into specialized expertise, we engage with a number of external advisors and consultants. A local restaurant consultant advises on food trends and customer preferences, guiding us to stay ahead of the market curve. We also work with a legal consultant specializing in food industry regulations to ensure we remain compliant with local food service laws and employment statutes.

Our approach to HR underscores our dedication to the well-being and professional growth of our team. We emphasize cross-training within the food truck to ensure operational continuity during absences or peak periods. Benefits such as flexible schedules cater to the needs of our team, many of whom are students or working parents, thereby promoting a work-life balance.

Altogether, our organizational strategy, coupled with a stellar management team and a future-proof staffing plan, ensures that Urban Eats Food Truck is not just an exceptional dining experience for our customers, but also a great workplace for our employees and a sustainable, thriving business poised for expansion.

Urban Eats Food Truck provides a tantalizing array of street food selections that cater to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. Our signature offerings include gourmet burgers made with locally sourced, grass-fed beef; artisanal sandwiches featuring homemade sauces and fresh local produce; and authentic tacos stuffed with vibrant flavors and ingredients reflective of the region's cultural diversity. We also prioritize inclusivity by offering a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring there’s something on the menu for everyone.

Our unique selling points lie in three primary areas: the freshness of our ingredients, the creativity of our menu, and the adaptability of our service. We source our ingredients from local farms and suppliers, which allows us to serve food that is not only fresher but also supports the local economy. Seasonal menu updates keep our offerings exciting and new, encouraging repeat business from customers keen to try the latest Urban Eats creations. Our food truck model provides the versatility to serve customers in various locations and at a range of events, broadening our market reach and providing convenience to our clientele.

Currently, Urban Eats Food Truck operates one fully equipped mobile unit, and we are in the development stage of exploring the addition of a second vehicle to cater to the increasing demand and broaden our operational footprint. Our immediate focus is on optimizing our menu and operations based on customer feedback and sales data. In the future, we plan to introduce a series of limited-time offers that leverage seasonal flavors and festivities to generate customer excitement and attract media attention.

We have established the Urban Eats brand identity, with trademarks in place for our logo and unique menu item names to protect our intellectual property. We also have copyright claims on our original recipes and branding materials, safeguarding our brand's individuality within the market.

The production process is meticulously managed to ensure quality and efficiency. Each morning, prep work and partial cooking are conducted in a rented commissary kitchen which adheres to all health and safety regulations. The final assembly and cooking are completed within the food truck's state-of-the-art kitchen, which is equipped to deliver our menu to the highest standard. Daily operations follow a strict adherence to food safety practices and hygiene standards.

In terms of suppliers, we have fostered strong relationships with local vendors, such as "Green Fields Organic" for our produce and "Bakery Central" for artisanal bread. These partnerships ensure regular delivery of high-quality ingredients while giving us the flexibility to scale our orders based on demand. We have also teamed up with "Global Spice Market" to access a wider variety of spices and international flavorings that enable us to offer an authentic global dining experience.

Urban Eats Food Truck is committed to constant enhancement, both in terms of the products and services we offer, and in how we engage with our customers and the community. By focusing on quality, innovation, and customer service, we ensure that Urban Eats remains competitive and continues to thrive in a bustling and ever-changing food truck marketplace.

Urban Eats Food Truck’s marketing strategy is focused on creating a strong brand presence within the community, generating a loyal customer base, and engaging effectively with our target market. Our approach leverages digital and traditional marketing tactics to reach potential customers where they live, work, and socialize.

We utilize social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for daily engagement, sharing mouth-watering images of our food, location updates, and interacting with our followers. We also employ geo-targeted advertising to reach customers in the immediate vicinity of our service locations. In addition to our digital presence, we participate in local events and festivals to increase our visibility and build rapport within the community.

Our sales strategy includes a robust physical presence in high-foot-traffic areas of the city, particularly during peak meal times, and aligning with regular events where our target demographic is known to congregate. The sales team, led by Alex Johnson, is trained to provide quick, friendly, and efficient service, turning every transaction into an opportunity for customer engagement and feedback. We track sales activities and patterns to continuously refine our approach, ensuring that we can respond quickly to shifts in demand.

Pricing strategy at Urban Eats Food Truck is designed to provide value for money while ensuring sustainable profit margins. All items are competitively priced to match customer expectations for street food, with premium options available for those seeking gourmet experiences. We are also committed to transparency, meaning absolutely no hidden fees. Prices are prominently displayed and include all sales taxes.

Our primary distribution channel is direct sales through our mobile food truck. This enables us to cut out the middleman and provide our customers with the freshest food possible, prepared right in front of them. We are also developing an online ordering system to facilitate pre-orders and reduce wait times. The option for delivery through third-party services such as UberEats and DoorDash is being explored to extend our service reach for customers who cannot come to us.

Our promotion and advertising plans include strategic partnerships with local businesses, targeted social media ad campaigns, participation in food truck rallies, and distribution of flyers in strategic urban locations. We regularly offer special promotions and discounts to regular customers and those who follow us on social media, as part of our efforts to build a loyal customer base. Additionally, we have a loyalty program where customers can earn points with each purchase that can be redeemed for free or discounted items.

Customer service policies at Urban Eats Food Truck center on delivering a high-quality experience with every interaction. We guarantee fresh, hot food prepared to order and served with a smile. Our staff is trained to address customer queries and concerns promptly and effectively, and feedback is actively solicited to inform service improvements. All employees are empowered to resolve issues on the spot, ensuring that customer satisfaction is primary.

Overall, our marketing and sales strategy is built on a foundation of quality product offerings, exceptional customer service, and active community engagement. By combining innovative marketing tactics with strategic sales planning, Urban Eats Food Truck is set to carve out a significant niche in the bustling street food market of Austin.

Urban Eats Food Truck's operations plan is meticulously designed to ensure smooth and efficient daily operations, high-quality service delivery, and exceptional customer service. We emphasize comprehensive planning and attention to detail to guarantee that our customers receive the same high standard of street food regardless of when or where they visit us.

The operational workflow begins early each morning with the preparation of fresh ingredients at our commissary kitchen space. Here, the Head Chef oversees the pre-cooking of certain components and the assembly of what’s needed for the day’s service. This ensures that the food truck is stocked with the required provisions and that we minimize preparation time on-location without compromising on food quality.

During service delivery, processes are aligned for efficiency and quality. Our food truck is equipped with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment allowing for fast on-site cooking and order assembly. The staff follows a standardized production process, which includes a sequence for order taking, preparation, cooking, presentation, and serving. This process is constantly reviewed and refined to reduce wait times and enhance the customer experience.

Quality control is a fundamental aspect of our operations. We have strict protocols in place to ensure that every dish served meets our high standards. This includes regular equipment calibration, monitoring the freshness of ingredients, ensuring proper food handling techniques, and conducting random sample tastings. Staff are trained in food safety and are required to maintain hygiene certifications. A feedback system is also set up to allow customers to report their satisfaction levels, which helps us address any potential quality issues promptly.

Inventory management is executed with precision to ensure that we are always in stock of the necessary ingredients, while also minimizing waste. We operate on a just-in-time inventory system which allows us to order supplies as needed based on sales forecasts and historical sales data. Inventory levels are tracked daily, and stock orders are placed with our network of vetted suppliers. The inventory management software allows us to track usage patterns and adjust orders to align with fluctuations in customer demand.

Supply chain management is critical to our operation, as it directly affects the quality of our offerings. We maintain close relationships with a curated selection of suppliers who understand our need for reliability, quality, and timely deliveries. We source ingredients locally as much as possible, which not only supports local businesses but also reduces our carbon footprint. Our suppliers are selected based on their ability to provide fresh, quality ingredients that match our ethos of sustainability and community support.

Facilities and equipment are central to our operation. Our customized food truck is equipped with a commercial-grade kitchen, designed to maximize space and efficiency. It includes grills, fryers, refrigeration units, and storage areas. The equipment is serviced and maintained regularly to ensure uninterrupted operations. We plan for eventual equipment upgrades or replacements as part of our long-term strategy to stay current with the latest in culinary technology.

In conclusion, our operations plan ensures streamlined, efficient service delivery that emphasizes quality control, effective inventory, and supply chain management, facilitated by well-maintained facilities and equipment. The execution of this plan is critical in achieving operational excellence within Urban Eats Food Truck, shaping our reputation for reliability, top-tier street food, and outstanding customer service.

food truck business plan example

Urban Eats Food Truck's financial projections provide a comprehensive overview of our anticipated fiscal performance over the next three to five years. These projections are crafted to serve as a guide for potential investors and stakeholders, showcasing the financial viability and growth potential of our business.

Sales Forecast

Our sales forecast is based on a combination of historical sales data, industry benchmarks, and the estimated growth of the urban food truck market. For Year 1, we forecast sales revenue of $200,000, driven by a strong introduction to the market and strategic marketing initiatives. We anticipate a steady increase in year-over-year sales as brand recognition builds and customer loyalty strengthens. By Year 2, sales are expected to grow to $250,000, reflecting a stable customer base and optimized operations. Continuing this trend, we project revenues to reach $300,000 in Year 3, $350,000 in Year 4, and $400,000 in Year 5, by which time we expect to have a more extensive operational footprint potentially including additional trucks or service offerings.

Profit and Loss Projection

The profit and loss projection for Urban Eats takes into account all projected revenue, cost of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses, wages, and other incidentals. We anticipate a net profit margin of 10% in Year 1, which takes into account the initial costs associated with establishing the food truck business. By Year 2, improvements in operational efficiency and brand recognition are expected to increase the net profit margin to 15%. We project this margin to stabilize at 20% in subsequent years as we leverage economies of scale and potentially expand our market reach.

Cash Flow Projection

Our cash flow projection displays the inbound and outbound cash anticipated through daily operations. It factors in revenue from sales, and outgoing cash for expenses such as inventory, staffing, vehicle maintenance, and utilities. Given the seasonality of the food truck business, we've provisioned for higher cash reserves during the slower months to maintain financial stability. A positive monthly cash flow is expected by the end of Year 1, with steadily increasing cash reserves projected thereafter.

Balance Sheet Projection

The balance sheet projection includes assets such as the food truck, kitchen equipment, and initial inventory, offset by liabilities, including any start-up loans and ongoing creditor obligations. We project a balanced approach to asset accumulation and liability management, thus reflecting growing equity in the company over time. This will demonstrate to investors and creditors alike the growing financial health and asset base of Urban Eats.

Break-even Analysis

Our break-even analysis indicates that Urban Eats will need to achieve a certain level of sales to cover the total costs of operations. Based on fixed and variable costs, and assuming average sale prices remain consistent, we predict we will reach break-even point approximately midway through Year 1 of operations. This early break-even point is achieved by keeping overhead low and ensuring a high level of operational efficiency.

Financial Assumptions and Considerations

These financial projections are based on several key assumptions: continued growth in demand for food truck services, stability in food costs, successful execution of our marketing and sales strategy, and a steady increase in customer numbers as forecasted. Other considerations include the potential for economic changes that may affect consumer spending, changes to industry regulations, and fluctuating fuel prices which could impact operational costs.

We remain committed to regular financial analysis, assessing the accuracy of our projections against actual performance, allowing us to adjust our strategies and financial management practices in a timely manner. Overall, these projections highlight Urban Eats Food Truck's promising financial outlook and underscore the rigorous planning and financial acumen that underpin our business strategy.

Food truck business plan sample pdf

The risk analysis for Urban Eats Food Truck meticulously assesses potential internal and external threats that may impede our business operations. Identifying these risks in advance enables us to devise strategic mitigation and develop contingency plans to ensure resilience and the ongoing success of our venture.

Identification of Potential Risks

Market Risks: - Customer Demand Fluctuations: Variability in customer appetites and economic factors can lead to unpredictability in sales. - Seasonality: Weather and seasonal changes Affect the frequency of customer visits to the food truck.

Operational Risks: - Supply Chain Disruptions: Our reliance on fresh local produce means any interruptions from suppliers can impact menu offerings. - Equipment Failure: Dependence on the food truck and cooking equipment necessitates a strategy for dealing with potential breakdowns. - Regulatory Compliance: Non-compliance with health and operation laws could result in penalties or operational halts. - Pandemic Outbreak: A new pandemic could force closures, reduce customer foot traffic, and disrupt normal business operations, similar to the impacts felt during the COVID-19 crisis.

Financial Risks: - Cash Flow Management: Efficient management of cash reserves is crucial, especially in phases of growth or unexpected downturns. - Fluctuating Costs: Volatile ingredient prices and labor costs directly affect profit margins. - Theft and Fraud: Handling cash and managing inventory exposes us to risks that need to be managed.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

- Engagement with market trends and customer feedback to quickly pivot in response to changing preferences. - Varied menu offerings to reduce the impact of seasonality on operations. - Relationships with diverse, reliable suppliers to safeguard against disruptions and a backup list of suppliers in case of issues with primary suppliers. - Regular preventive maintenance and guaranteed service agreements for all critical equipment. - Establishment of health and safety protocols with comprehensive staff training to ensure regulatory compliance. - Implementation of hygiene and contactless service measures to operate safely during a pandemic, following guidelines issued by health authorities.

Contingency Plans

- An alternative menu and service offerings should the main suppliers face disruptions. - A contract with a backup truck provider or alternate operations base to mitigate equipment failures. - Cross-training staff to adapt to various roles in case of worker shortages due to illness or quarantine. - A flexible model that can pivot to delivery and pickup services during potential pandemic lockdowns or restrictions.

Insurance and Legal Considerations

- In-depth insurance policies, including property, vehicle, general liability, and worker's compensation, provide a comprehensive safety net for unforeseen incidents. - As a proactive measure, we carry specific pandemic insurance to mitigate financial losses from business interruptions due to infectious disease outbreaks. - Regular consultations with our legal team ensure we are abreast of any compliance updates and are prepared to adjust operations to meet new regulatory requirements.

Through thoughtful risk analysis and pre-planned responses, Urban Eats Food Truck is reinforced against potential threats, poised to navigate uncertainties with agility, and preserve the trust and satisfaction of our customers, which are central to our business.

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Embarking on a new food truck business is an exciting venture in the world of street food. Unlike a traditional restaurant, a food truck offers the flexibility to reach a variety of locations and serve many potential customers.

However, similar to any other profitable business, it requires careful planning and strategizing. A solid business plan can be your roadmap to success, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the market.

A well-crafted business plan outlines your business goals, target audience, and operational strategies, and can also be a compelling tool for securing funding. This article will guide you through the process of writing a comprehensive food truck business plan, complete with templates and examples to help launch your culinary venture on wheels.

What is A Food Truck Business Plan?

A food truck business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the objectives, strategies, and operational aspects of your mobile food business. It serves as a blueprint, detailing all the elements you’ll need to consider and address to ensure your venture’s success.

Unlike a traditional restaurant, a food truck offers a unique opportunity to reach many potential customers in various locations, making it essential to have a solid plan in place.

A well-structured food truck business plan template will cover aspects such as market analysis, menu offerings, financial projections, and marketing strategies. It helps you get organized and anticipate challenges, paving the way for a successful food truck business . By following a business plan, you can ensure that every food truck business aspect is thoroughly considered, minimizing risks and maximizing profits. More on how much do food trucks normally make in this article.

Why A Business Plan Is Important For A Successful Food Truck Business?

A business plan is crucial for a successful food truck business for several reasons:

1. Clear Vision and Objectives

A business plan helps you establish clear objectives for your food truck, ensuring that you have a well-defined vision for your venture. It enables you to set realistic goals and provides a roadmap to achieve them.

2. Financial Planning

All successful food trucks have a business plan with detailed financial analysis, which is essential for securing loans or investment.

Investors and lenders will require a solid plan to assess the viability of your venture and decide if it’s worth their investment.

3. Operational Efficiency

A ready business plan guides you through the operational aspects of your food truck, such as sourcing ingredients, hiring staff, and implementing food safety measures. This ensures that you have a well-organized and efficient system in place, minimizing costs and maximizing profitability.

Step-by-step Guide To Write A Food Truck Business Plan

1. executive summary.

The executive summary is a brief overview of your food truck business plan. It presents a snapshot of your business, including summary of the budget, business’s purpose and values, and what your brand is about. This section is typically 1-2 pages long.

What should you cover in an Executive Summary?

• Introduce your food truck business: Describe your business concept, the kind of food you’ll serve, and what makes your food truck unique. Highlight how your venture fits into the local food truck market and why it’s likely to succeed.
• State your mission and vision: What are the core values driving your food truck dreams? What long-term goals do you have for your mobile food business?
• Outline your objectives: What are your goals for your food truck business? Define what you plan to achieve in the short term, such as opening a food truck in 2023 or expanding to multiple locations within five years.
• Provide a financial overview: how much will it cost to open your food truck and how much do you expect to make? This will help potential investors understand the financial viability of your venture.

2. Restaurant Description

The restaurant description provides detailed information about your food truck. It gives readers a clear understanding of what your business is, what it does, how it operates, and how it will benefit the existing market. Check out this article for 35 food truck ideas for your business venture.

What should you cover in the Restaurant Description section?

• Which specific group of customers will you serve?
• Are you planning a funky, colorful truck, or a sleek and modern design?
• How will the food items you provide compete with the menu items of existing food trucks or restaurants in your target area?
• What is your competitive advantage?
• Why did you choose a food truck instead of a physical restaurant location?
• Where do you plan to park your food truck?
• What type of food truck will you use (truck, trailer, or food cart)?
• Will you prepare your food inside the truck or at a commissary kitchen?

3. Market Analysis

The most important factors to consider when writing a food truck business plan are: target market, location and competition

What should you cover in your Market Analysis?

• Define your target market: Who are your potential customers? Consider demographic factors like age, income level, and food preferences. Also define the size of growth potential of your target market.
• Analyze your location: Where do you plan to park your food truck? Consider the foot traffic of the location.
• Analyze your competition: Who are the other food trucks or restaurants in your area? What kind of food do they serve, and how can you differentiate your offerings?

This comprehensive market analysis will not only help you get a good understanding of your business environment, but it will also demonstrate to potential investors that you have a solid understanding of the food truck industry.

4. Organization and Management

The organization and management section of your business plan describes your food truck business structure and team behind your food truck business.

Your management section should highlight the people behind your business, their roles, and their experiences relevant to running a successful food truck business.

Remember, potential investors and lenders are not just investing in a business concept; they’re also investing in a team. So, use this section to showcase the strong leadership and expertise that will drive the success of your food truck business.

What should you cover in the Organization and Management Plan?

• Describe the legal structure of your business. Are you the sole owner, or are there partners? Is it an LLC or a corporation?
• Full names of the owners
• Percentage of company each owner holds
• Manager’s full name
• Position and primary responsibilities
• Educational background
• Past track record with hard numbers to back it up
• Food industry recognition
• Important experience and skills that will help your business be successful

5. Sample Menu

Your sample menu is an essential part of your food truck business plan. It’s where you get to showcase the delicious food you plan to serve and how it aligns with your business concept.

What should you consider when creating a sample menu?

When creating your food menu , consider:

• What kind of great food will you serve?
• Why will you customers choose to eat your food?
• Why do you choose to offer this type of food?
• What makes your menu different from others?
• How much do you plan on selling your food?

6. Marketing and Sales

The marketing and sales portion of your food truck business plan outlines how you plan to attract and retain customers. This section is critical as it shows how you plan to grow and sustain your business.

Marketing for food truck might be more challenging comparing with traditional restaurants as food truck change location more often.

What should you cover in the Marketing Strategy for Your Food Truck Business?

• Define Your Brand: What’s the personality of your food truck? How will you communicate this to your customers?
• How will you attract customers? This could include social media advertising, local events, loyalty programs, or partnerships with local businesses.
• Considering using an online food ordering system in your food truck
• Create a digital menu with QR code to make your menu easy for your customers to access online
• Sales Strategy: How will you keep customers coming back? Excellent customer service, consistent quality, and a rotating menu are some strategies to consider.

Remember, whether you plan to start small or aim for rapid growth, a thoughtful marketing and sales strategy is key to driving your business forward.

7. Business Operations

The business operations section provides a detailed look at the day-to-day operations of your food truck business. This includes your operating hours, supply chain, staffing, and equipment.

What Operational Issues Should You Address in Your Business Plan?

• Parking: Where can you park the truck?
• Operating Hours: What days and hours will you operate? Consider peak meal times and special events.
• Supply Chain: Where will you source your ingredients? How often will you need deliveries?
• Staffing: How many employees will you need? What will their roles be?
• Equipment: What equipment will you need to operate your food truck? This includes the truck itself, cooking equipment, point-of-sale systems, and more.

8. Financial and Loans

How much does it cost to start a food truck.

Starting a food truck business can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $120,000 . Costs can vary greatly depending on the type of food truck , the equipment needed, and permit fees, among other things. It’s also a good idea to factor in ongoing costs such as food items, fuel, maintenance, and insurance.

To get a good idea of the total startup cost, you’ll need to research and compile all these costs. Keep in mind that since food trucks are mobile, they generally cost less to start compared to the cost of traditional restaurant business .

How Many Ways to Fund Your Food Truck?

There are many ways an entrepreneur can fund a new food truck business. Personal savings, business loans, and investments from friends or family are common options. If these are not enough, you may also consider crowdfunding, attracting an investor, or even applying for government grants designed for small businesses.

Important Questions to Consider When You Create Your Funding Request

If you’re seeking funding, there are several questions you’ll need to answer in your business plan:

• How much money do you need to start and maintain your food truck business until it becomes profitable?
• What will the funds be used for specifically?
• How do you plan to repay any loans or provide a return on investment?

The answers to these questions will help potential lenders or investors understand your financial goals and the level of risk involved.

9. Financial Projections

Break-even analysis.

The break-even analysis is a critical part of your financial plan. It’s the point at which your revenue equals your costs – neither profit nor loss. Knowing this helps business owners set realistic financial expectations and determine pricing for food items.

How to calculate the break even point?

To calculate your break-even point, you’ll need to gather your fixed costs (e.g., truck payments, insurance), variable costs (e.g., food costs, fuel), and your expected selling price per item.

Use this formula: Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs) = Break Even Point

Projected Profit and Loss Statement

You’ll also need to provide the profit and loss statement. This statement provides an overview of your expected revenues, costs, and profit over a specified period. This is crucial for understanding when your business will become profitable.

Cash Flow Analysis

Finally, you need to include a cash flow analysis to show investors how you plan to allocate funds for operations. Cash flow analysis involves tracking when and where your business receives and spends money. It’s crucial because it shows how well your business can pay its bills and fund its operations.

We’ll continue with an example of a food truck business plan in the next section, providing a practical illustration of all the points covered.

Food Truck Business Plan Example

The following is a concise yet comprehensive example of a food truck business plan. It’s a great tool to guide you in writing your business plan, especially if you’re opening a food truck business for the first time.

Mission: To serve high-quality, fresh, and delicious street food to our local community.

Vision: To become a popular and profitable food truck business that contributes to our community’s vibrant street food culture.

Restaurant Description: “ Tasty Traveler “, a food truck serving globally-inspired tacos, each representing a different cuisine.

Costs: Initial investment of $96,000

Profits: Anticipated net profit of 20% within the first year, with a steady increase in subsequent years.

2. Description of the Restaurant

Our food truck, the Tasty Traveler , is a mobile restaurant providing a unique dining experience. We operate in various locations in the city, capitalizing on areas with high foot traffic during peak dining hours.

Restaurant Concept:

• Food Truck Name : Tasty Traveler (consider using food truck name generator for more inspiration)
• Restaurant Type: Food Truck offering tacos made with fresh ingredients
• Location: 500 Travis St, Houston,
• Dining: Casual outdoor tables dining
• Order Fulfillment: Walk-up orders and online orders for pickup and delivery
• Working Hours: 11 AM – 8 PM, Tuesday – Sunday

3. Menu Offer

Our food truck offers a creative food fusion of global flavors packed into a traditional taco shell. We serve vegan, vegetarian, and meat options to cater to a broad range of dietary preferences.

• Type of Cuisine: Global Fusion
• Offer: Variety of tacos inspired by different cuisines
• Unique Selling Point: Our menu items are inspired by many food cultures, providing an exciting culinary journey for our customers.

4. Market and Competition Analysis

Market Analysis:

• Target Customer: Foodies aged 18-35, who are open to trying new flavors.
• Size of the Target Customer: Approximately 100,000 individuals in our city fall within our target demographic.

Competition Analysis:

• Size of the Competition: We have identified 10 food trucks and 5 traditional restaurants offering similar products within our operating radius.
• Competitors’ Offer: Our competitors mainly offer standard American or Mexican style tacos.
• Competitors’ Prices: other food trucks offer tacos similar to ours, but their menus are limited, and they do not offer delivery.

5. Investment Plan (Detailed Cost Analysis)

• Food Truck: $40,000
• Kitchen Equipment: $10,000
• Permits and Licenses: $5,000
• Initial Food Inventory: $5,000
• Food Inventory: $2,500
• Maintenance: $500
• Insurance: $500
• Marketing: $1,000
• Miscellaneous: $1,000
• Total Cost: Initial investment plus the first six months of operating expenses amount to $96,000.

6. Financial Forecast

Our financial data predicts that the Tasty Traveler will become profitable within the first year of operation. We expect an annual growth rate of 10% in sales for the first three years.

Our team consists of three professionals with combined expertise in culinary arts, business management, and marketing. We plan to hire two more staff to help with prep work and service during peak hours. Our team’s passion for food and commitment to quality service are key drivers of our business.

8. Marketing Plan

Our marketing strategy involves a mix of online and offline tactics to maximize our reach. We’ll leverage social media platforms to engage with our customers, post updates about our location and menu, and run promotions. Offline, we’ll participate in local food festivals and community events to create buzz and attract a wider audience.

Online Marketing:

• Social Media: Daily updates on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase our menu items and interact with our followers.
• Website: An informative and easy-to-navigate website with our menu, location updates, and a blog featuring stories behind our globally inspired tacos.

Offline Marketing:

• Food Festivals: Participating in local food festivals to gain exposure.
• Community Events: Sponsoring local community events to increase brand visibility.
• Flyers and Posters: Distributing flyers and putting up posters in high foot traffic areas.

We believe that our marketing plan is an integral part of the food truck business plan as it helps in getting the word out and attracting potential customers. A solid marketing strategy will also give us an edge over our competitors in the food truck and traditional restaurant market.

Tips For Creating A Successful Food Truck Business Plan

Creating a business plan is a significant step towards launching a successful food truck business. Here are some expert tips to help you get started:

1. Start with Your Business Concept Description

Before you dive into the details, you need to clearly define your food truck business concept. Describe the type of food you plan to serve, the design of the truck, and the experience you want to provide to your customers. Explain how you’ll stand out in the many food truck market and why customers would choose you over others.

2. Highlight Your Competitive Advantage

Your business plan should clearly articulate your unique selling proposition (USP). What is it that makes your food truck unique? Maybe you’re offering a unique fusion of cuisines, or perhaps your menu is entirely organic or locally sourced. Highlighting your food truck’s competitive advantage can make your business more appealing to both customers and potential investors.

3. Give Importance to Financial Projections

Your financial projections are a critical part of your business plan. They give potential investors an idea of the profitability of your business. Make sure to include detailed financial data, including startup costs, operating expenses, projected sales, and profitability analysis. Remember, food trucks cost less to start and operate compared to opening a traditional restaurant, which can be a significant advantage.

4. Use Visual Aids

Graphs, charts, and tables can make your business plan more engaging and easier to understand. Use these tools to present financial data, market analysis, and sales projections. Visual aids can help readers quickly grasp complex information.

5. Regularly Update Your Business Plan

A business plan isn’t a static document. As your business grows and evolves, your plan should, too. Regular updates can help you track your progress and make adjustments as needed. Remember, getting into the food business is a great adventure, and a dynamic business plan can help you navigate the journey successfully.

6. Seek Professional Help If Needed

If you’re having trouble with your business plan or just want a second opinion, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Many entrepreneurs find it beneficial to consult with business advisors or use business plan software.

Despite the popularity of food trucks, success in this industry isn’t guaranteed. A robust and comprehensive food truck business plan can help set you on the path to success. Happy planning, and may your food truck business be a hit!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the objectives of a food truck business plan.

A food truck business plan serves multiple objectives. It provides a roadmap for how the business will operate, offers a platform to articulate the business concept, and details financial projections. The plan also helps to identify potential challenges and strategies to overcome them. Furthermore, if you’re seeking investors or a business loan, this plan can demonstrate the viability and profitability of your business.

2. How to Write a Business Plan for a Food Truck?

Writing a food truck business plan involves several steps. Start by defining your business concept, describe your food truck menu, and analyze your target market. Then, detail your marketing and sales strategies, operational plan, and financial projections. Using a sample food truck business plan or a free business plan template can be very helpful in this process. Don’t forget to review and update your plan regularly, in case things don’t go as expected.

3. What are Some Effective Marketing Strategies for a Food Truck Business?

Effective marketing strategies for a food truck business may include leveraging social media to engage with customers, participating in local events and food festivals, offering promotions or loyalty programs, and collaborating with other local businesses. Also, consider how your menu items compete with other food trucks or restaurants in your area, and use this information to your advantage.

4. What are the Initial Costs to Start a Food Truck Business?

The initial costs to start a food truck business can vary widely, but typically include the cost of the truck itself, kitchen equipment, initial inventory, permits and licenses, insurance, and marketing costs. It’s essential to include all these factors in your financial plan to get a good idea of how much capital you’ll need.

5. How Can I Differentiate My Food Truck Business in a Saturated Market?

Differentiating your food truck in a saturated market can be challenging but it’s not impossible. Unique food offerings, superior customer service, distinctive branding, strategic location selection, and effective marketing can all help your food truck stand out.

6. What is the Most Profitable Food to Make on a Food Truck?

The profitability of food items can depend on various factors including ingredient costs, preparation time, price point, and customer demand. Typically, items with low ingredient cost, quick preparation time, and high demand tend to be more profitable. However, it’s crucial to balance profitability with providing a menu that aligns with your brand and attracts your target customers.

7. How to Start a Food Truck with No Money?

To start a food truck with no money, consider these steps:

• Begin with a cart or stand instead of a food truck.
• Get family and friends involved for support and resources.
• Utilize a restaurant incubator to access shared kitchen space and equipment.

For more details, you can visit this resource:  How to Start a Food Truck Business with No Money .

Setting up a website for your food truck

When setting up your food truck, it’s crucial to explore ways to attract more customers to your food truck. One effective way to do this is by having a dedicated website where your customers can learn everything about your food truck anytime, anywhere.

Menubly lets you create a mini website with a built-in online menu which centralizes all important information about your food truck into one accessible link. It makes it easy for your customers to interact with your food truck: they can view your menu, find your location, book a table, place delivery orders… all in one place.

By adding your mini website link in your Instagram bio and other social media profiles, or sharing it directly with customers, you make it easy for them to discover and engage with your food truck through a single, convenient link. This streamlined approach not only enhances customer experience but also boosts your online presence and attract more customers.

Best of all? You can  set up your Menubly mini website for Free  in just  under 5 minutes  and  tailor it to match your food truck’s style .

Ready to boost your food truck’s online presence? Click here  to create your free website with Menubly!

Embarking on a food truck business is a great adventure filled with potential and excitement. However, it’s not without its challenges. A well-structured business plan is your compass, guiding your decisions and giving you the tools to navigate the complexities of the industry. It helps you to establish a solid foundation for your venture and prepares you to face any obstacles that come your way. Remember, the journey of creating your food truck business is just as important as the destination. So, roll up your sleeves, fire up the grill, and set the course for your food truck’s success!

As you look for ways to increase revenue for your food truck, an online ordering system is a must. Partner with Menubly to reach a variety of customers and introduce more diners to your food.

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How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan: Thrive Your Food Truck Business

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• October 14, 2022

Quick Summary: Want to start a food truck business? It’s a fantastic initiative, and with a little and the right effort, you can make it a super successful business. But, do you know any successful business starts with a plan, and you need to take the proper steps, make informed decisions, and dedication to turning your initiatives into an ever-growing business? And, in business, everything begins with a plan. A food truck business plan is the first right step that will decide the future of your business. So, we have made all your effort to bring you a perfect business plan template for your food truck. Let’s explore;

With USD 5.78 Billion market size worldwide , a food truck is the most lucrative business today with minimum investment. And, with the support of technology solutions, the business can achieve unbeatable success in no time.

So, if you want to start this food truck business, you have made an excellent choice, though you need to take every step carefully to make it a successful business. First, you need to begin with making a food truck business plan so you validate your idea, get appropriate funding, have the right, and understand your market.

In this article, we have suggested the best food truck business plan template to help you get the best start. Bust, we also suggested a few requisites that you should know. So, here we go;

Table of Contents

Know If It is the Right Time to Start a Food Truck Business

Before you jump to explore a food truck business plan sample, find out if this is the right choice for you. Here’s how you can dig it out.

Your Experience and Knowledge About the Food Truck Business

According to experts, there is a lot of research to be done before diving into the food truck world. People need to read books and articles on profitable firms for hours online. Visit “food truck markets” to observe the flow of traffic and speak to business owners. More than that, you can even do a job to gain some experience.

Determine how many other food trucks serve the cuisine you plan to do. Is there a place for your sandwich truck in the commercial district? Find the locations, and visit them. Before making a choice, try to learn as much as possible.

Like any other firm, you’ll need to come up with a business strategy, secure startup capital, and take care of all the associated administrative duties.

Interested in Upgrading your Food Truck Business to Online Food Ordering?

Food Truck Business Plan Template

The difficulties and risks of starting a street food business are similar to those of other startup ventures. But before you open the window and begin slinging sandwiches (or tacos, or barbecue, or…), food trucks have specific issues to address.

You might wish to use our helpful business plan template to take notes or scribble down your creative ideas as they occur. Additionally, Natalie Basile and Mikey Wheeler-Johnson of Eats Amoré Mobile Italian Cuisine, who have extensive experience operating food trucks, were interviewed. Their knowledge and expertise are shared throughout this guide.

Executive Summary

Despite the fact that this is the first section of your business plan, you should write it last. Get things in order first because your executive summary will include all the highlights from the rest of your business plan.

When writing this part, keep your audience in mind. This summary can be quick and dirty if you’re creating a business strategy for yourself in order to stay motivated, organized, and goal-focused.

Your executive summary should emphasize profitability, dependability, and expertise in order to make your food truck seem like a sure thing if your business plan’s goal is to get a bank loan.

While it’s crucial to highlight the distinctive features of your food service model, spend a lot of time demonstrating that you also comprehend the challenges of managing a small business.

Business Overview / Company Overview

Explain the specifics of your business in this area of your food truck business plan. Then, briefly describe your food truck business and explain how it will be a helpful expansion of the current market. In essence, this is where you can go into more detail about the subjects you briefly touched on in the executive summary.

As you going to create your food truck company description, keep the following in mind: Which type of food truck—a truck, trailer, or food cart—will it be?

• Why choose a food truck over a traditional restaurant?
• Do you intend to cook in the truck or at a commissary?
• How will the cuisine you offer compete with the offerings of the restaurants or food trucks that already exist in your target area?
• Will you have a physical food truck business, or will you sell online also?
• Will you need an online food ordering system, website, or app?

Management Team

The next phase in your food truck business plan is outlining your organization and management plan. However, explaining your organization and management structure might not seem crucial if you want to start a food truck with two employees.

However, defining roles upfront might help you avoid confusion as your company expands and changes. This section should include a thorough description of your management team, details regarding the ownership of your business, the pay and benefits you’ll provide to your employees, and prospects for career advancement within your company.

Making a chart that displays your company’s organizational structure is a terrific way to demonstrate that everything is taken care of, from the food truck kitchen cooks to the accountant.

Did you know the Online Food Ordering System can help take orders online and customers can place orders using the digital QR code menu? Want to understand it in detail? Contact Us, Now

Ownership details

Legal framework (Do you intend to form a partnership? (Are you an individual?

• Names in full of the owners
• The proportion of the business that each owner owns Ownership type (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, etc.)
• Data regarding stocks
• Your management team’s individual profiles:
• Names of the team members
• Job description and principal duties of each member
• Educational background of the team
• Experience and abilities that are crucial to the success of your business Salary

Success Factors/ Create User Persona

You’ll describe your ideal client in this section of your food truck business plan. Who lives there? What is their age? Which cuisines do they enjoy? How much money do they have available? Since every city and area is unique, you’ll need to conduct extensive demographic research to fill up this part. After that, incorporate it into your menu and pricing.

Financial Highlights

Your company, like most others, will probably succeed or fail based on the quality of your financial plan. However, you must be aware of the amount of money coming in and leaving and how those figures are expected to alter in the future. So make sure to sift through your potential balance sheet to comprehend how profits and costs will impact your business fully.

• Gain margin
• Added expenses

Food Truck Products

You have the chance to describe your imaginative culinary vision in this part, so keep in mind that there are some restrictions and things to take into account when it comes to the food that comes out of your truck.

Food needs to be convenient to eat in a range of situations.

Keep it simple: while you might be able to create sophisticated individual items, it might be challenging or impossible to offer an extensive, complex menu with a finite amount of room, personnel, equipment, and storage.

Try to meet a need in your community. For example, make som tam rather than a Margherita pie if there are currently a number of pizza vendors but no Thai restaurants nearby.

Go out and research the local food truck scene to get a sense of what they are selling and what are the most beneficial products.

Industry Analysis

Your food truck business plan’s market analysis part is where you’ll explain and go into detail about how you’ll fit into the current market. Before writing this section, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research on opening a food truck business so that you can support your assertions with credible research.

• Include the following topics in your section on food truck market analysis:
• Describe the food sector, taking into account the most important consumer groups, growth rate, and current developments.
• Identify your target market’s age group, region, socioeconomic level, and other important demographic details.
• Determine your target market’s wants and any seasonal trends that may have an impact on your organization.
• Establish the size and potential expansion of your target market

Customer Analysis

A company’s business strategy or marketing plan must include a section on customer analysis (also known as customer profile). It names the target audience, determines their wants, and then describes how the product satisfies those needs.

Competitive Analysis

Let’s take a look at the many sorts of data that are typically used in this kind of research, as there are many different methods for practical competitor analysis.

There are a few key components you should make sure to include while doing a high-level competitive analysis about competitors’ market positioning, such as:

• Who are the intended clients they target?
• What makes their company and products distinct
• Key characteristics or advantages they emphasize in sales materials
• Prices for goods across a number of markets
• How and the way they handle shipping;
• How much money or venture capital have they gotten?

Competitive Advantage

Its competitive advantage is the combination of marketing components that distinguishes your company from the competition. It’s about the distinctive advantage clients receive from doing business with you.

Marketing Plan

Your food truck marketing plan is no different from a restaurant marketing plan . It should include particular techniques to draw in your target demographic as well as a description of your overall marketing approach. Your food truck marketing plan should also contain strategies for enhancing client loyalty and repeat business.

Here are some of the practical food truck marketing tips you try explaining in your food truck business plan.

• How will you outdo other food trucks in your neighborhood?
• Will you undercut the prices of your rivals?
• Will you present a novel product to the market?
• How do you plan to expand your company?
• Will you bring on more staff?
• Are you going to buy more food trucks?
• Will you broaden the region that your truck covers?
• How will your products be distributed?
• Will your truck be your only point of sale?
• Will you go to festivals or fairs with food trucks?
• How will you connect with your audience?
• Will you run advertisements in print, radio, or outdoor billboard media?
• You will establish a significant social media presence using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
• Will you give loyal consumers extra benefits or discounts?

Operations Plan

The daily operations of your food truck business, including the location of your truck, your menu, and your crew, are described in the operations plan. In addition, a summary of your procurement strategy for your food truck’s supplies and equipment should be included.

Supply Chain

To sell food, you need ingredients. Where will you find them, though? Let’s examine your choices.

Your facility is your truck. Thus, give significant consideration to the type of vehicle you want to purchase.

Production potential

How long does it typically take to prepare a dish from your menu? This is a crucial factor that could reduce the number of clients you can serve each day.

Must Read: How to Write a Restaurant Business Plan

How Foodiv Helps Run Your Food Truck Startup?

Well, we can help in many ways: First, we help you with a best-in-class online food ordering system . The system will offer you a centralized ordering system through which you can take orders online and manage the process smoothly. Second, the system comes with a QR code menu system so your customers can place orders after selecting the menu. The process takes all the stress out so you can stay focused on the core business objective.

Final Thoughts

Starting a food truck business is not a big deal; anyone can do this. But, creating a successful one requires brainstorming at the initial stage. A food truck business plan is just a step forward; you have plenty of other things to do, and implementation of your plan is the primary one. We have suggested the business plan for your food truck business, though we are here to help you with all your needs, whether it is consultation for integrating a SaaS-based online food ordering system. Let’s connect today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Truck Business Plan

Is a food truck a good business.

Yes, the food truck business is the best choice for people looking to make good money with less investment. This business can help you with $500,000 in revenue a year, with startup costs of around $40,000 – $50,000.

What type of food trucks are most profitable?

It depends on the region and the popularity of the food. For example, if you are starting a food truck business in the USA, the following food truck items can be the best choice;

• Regional street food
• Coffee Trucks
• Smoothie / Healthy Drink
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Ice cream and soft serve

You can create a list of items you want to sell in the food truck business plan template above.

How much can you invest in a food truck?

If you are investing in a food truck in India, you might have to spend around 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs, while starting a food truck business in the USA will cost you about $40 to $50K.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Food Truck Business?

Depending on the food and beverages sales, you can gain revenue, though you can consider an online food ordering facility to make the most out of your food truck business.

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Food Truck Business Plan Template

What is a Food Truck Business Plan?

A food truck business plan outlines the concept, target market, and financial projections of a food truck business. It also includes a detailed strategy outlining the focus areas, objectives, targets (KPIs), and related projects that need to be implemented in order to achieve the desired financial goals. The food truck business plan serves as a blueprint for the entrepreneurs and owners to follow as they start up their business.

What's included in this Food Truck Business Plan template?

• 3 focus areas
• 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Food Truck Business Plan template for?

This food truck business plan template is designed for entrepreneurs and owners looking to start their own food truck business. The template provides a comprehensive structure for them to outline their concept, target market, and financial projections, as well as a detailed strategy for achieving their desired financial goals.

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

Focus areas are the major components of your food truck business plan. Within each focus area, there should be defined objectives and related projects that help achieve those objectives. Examples of strategic focus areas that could fall under a Food Truck Business Plan could be: Develop Food Truck Concept, Establish Legal Structures, and Develop Financial Models.

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

Objectives are the goals that need to be achieved in order to reach the desired outcome of the focus area. They should be detailed and specific, and should include measurable targets (KPIs) that can be used to assess progress. Examples of some objectives for the focus area of Develop Food Truck Concept could be: Define Target Market, and Create Unique Menu.

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are measurable targets that help evaluate progress. They should be set for each objective and should be specific and measurable. Examples of KPIs include number of customers, sales, or costs.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

Projects are the actions that need to be taken in order to achieve the KPIs. They should be related to the objectives and should be detailed and specific. Examples of projects include market research, recipe development, and applying for licenses and permits.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

The Cascade Strategy Execution Platform helps entrepreneurs and business owners quickly and efficiently track the progress of their business plans. The platform helps to identify areas that need improvement, set measurable targets, and track progress in real-time, enabling faster results from their strategy.

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How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan – Download Template

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Want to look inside the business plan of a real food truck business? We’ve organized detailed business plan templates from successful food trucks and made them available to you in PDF and Word doc in this post. In addition to offer templates, we give you detailed instruction how to complete each section of the plan using this guide.

Before we dive in, keep in mind that it could take weeks if not months of planning to develop a business plan that’s helpful. Whatever time takes for you to write the business plan will be well spent. When researched correctly this document serves as the “game plan” for operating your entire mobile food business and sets the direction of your company.

Approach this document seriously because it can become the roadmap to operate your business and ensure you’re set up for success. When you’ve finished writing your plan, you should know where you plan to vend, estimated food costs, the marketing plan, and how you’ll raise money for the food truck. Pretty important stuff right? Let’s dig in.

Introduction

I want you to get the most value possible out of your business planning process. Why? I believe having an accurate business plan gives you the best odds of success for operating a profitable food truck.

And if you’re going to be investing tens of thousands of dollars into a food truck or trailer, cooking equipment, and permits, why not invest a few days creating a detailed plan for how to run the business.

Here’s one example why going through this process can be helpful from our Annual Food Truck Academy class, where train future food truck owners how to start a food truck. One student completed her research estimating food cost, overhead, and anticipated sales as part of her business plan. Then she came back and revealed that based on her current plan, the food truck wouldn’t be profitable. After factoring in tax, labor, and food costs there were no profits left over.

Our student was initially discouraged by the numbers, but I was happy. It’s much better to identify a revenue short-fall before you start the business than months after when you see sales coming in, but can’t figure out why there’s nothing left in the bank account. As a result of the work invested on the front end through planning, she was able to evaluate her ingredient cost and pricing to create a business plan that set herself up for success.

Still, many first time food vendors don’t take the time to put in this work. It’s a shame because it’s so easily avoidable.

One more tip before we get into researching and writing the business plan, don’t get overly hung-up on the structure of the document. Unless you plan to apply for a small business loan (then you will need to be more concerned about formatting, but let’s worry about that later), you’re not going to be graded on how pretty the document looks or how nice the nice fonts and illustrations. This isn’t an assignment for school where you’re going through the motions to get a B.

Instead focus your energy on making this plan useful for your business. Find specific locations that you plan to sell food. Get the contact information for these venues to learn how you can get into them. Figure out your exact food cost and how much it’s going to cost to get permits in your area. Putting ink to paper or word document is going to make the operations of your business real.

Now let’s get on with making your game plan!

Note to Reader: This is part of a series of posts following the process of starting a food truck with Anthony Salvagno (featured in the image below) as he writes a business plan, seeks funding, develops a concept, builds a menu, and ultimately launches his first food truck. Listen to the audio lesson inside this post to learn more about writing a winning food truck business plan.

The person that doesn’t have one [a business plan] sets themselves up for failure. – Anthony Salvagno on the importance of thinking before leaping into a business.

Serious about Starting a Food Truck?  Click Here To Get Our Free Food Truck Business Kit.

Download Business Plan Templates

In my opinion, this case study is most effective when listening to the audio and downloading the example that Salvagno was kind enough to provide for this post. I’ve also linked to other resources that can help you write your own business plan.

Download Business Plan – Yes, this is the PDF business plan used to acquire $5,000 for a food truck during a business pitch competition. This document is referenced in the companion podcast.

Download Business Plan Template – Here’s a sample template you can use and edit for your own truck.

SBA – Create Your Business Plan – The Small Business Administration (SBA) does an excellent job outlining the steps needed to create a business plan. It’s not food truck specific, but it gives you what you need and there’s plenty of valuable information here.

You can learn a lot by reading business plans for other food businesses like restaurants as well. Operating a profitable restaurant is similar to operating a successful mobile food business. The main different is that a trailer is that it’s mobile.

Components of a Business Plan

Below is an outline of the key sections you’ll need to complete for a standard business plan with a description of how each section applies to a food truck or trailer business. Complete each section and you’ve got yourself a real plan for your business my friend.

Keep in mind that if you’re creating this document for yourself and not a banker you don’t need to get fancy with the formatting. The important thing is to have a detailed plan for the business before you open. If you feel the burning desire to make this look nice, you can make formatting updates after the

Executive Summary:

This is an overview of the information contained in the business plan and should introduce the name of your food truck and the food you plan to serve. This section should only be one page in length. Give readers the high-level overview of what the plan. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to dive into the nitty gritty in the next sections of the document.

The purpose of this section in most business plans is to give prospective investors information about your startup. Lenders reviewing a small business loan might be another audience, although they will be much more focused on financial side of things. But for most of our readers this section is for you, a business partner, and potentially a spouse.

For our Executive Summary we included 2 – 3 sentences describing these important aspects of the business. The provides anyone reading this document with a general understanding of what the business is and how it expects to make money:

• The food item we plan to sell and specialize in.
• The key people that will manage the business. In this case, the food truck will be owned and operated by two partners.
• The business entity we plan to form. We formed an LLC.
• Where you plan to operate the business and hours of operation. Our initial plan had us operating 5 days per week for lunch and dinner.
• The basic marketing plan. Again you’ll dive into the details in the marketing and sales portion of the document.
• Projected cost to fund the business and anticipated revenue.
• Future goals. How will you know you’ve won? For some this will be a specific revenue number and for others this could be opening up a franchise with 100s of locations.

Again, unless you plan to bring on outside investors don’t worry too much about perfect formatting in the executive summary. This is to ensure you and your partners are clear on the high-level plan for the business.

Food Truck Mission Statement:

The mission statement for a food truck can be as short as a sentence or as long as a paragraph. This statement should define what you plan to serve, who you will serve, and the ultimate vision for the business. When done right the mission statement should guide every major decision you make for the business.

Here’s the mission statement from our business plan as an example: 

To provide the residents of our city, young and old, an out of this world gourmet peanut butter and jelly inspired sandwich experience. We use local ingredients and provide gluten-free, contaminant-free products for those with special dietary needs.

When a mission statement is done right it should actually influence how you operate and run your business day to day. For example, since the utilization of local ingredients is part of our mission statement, we’ve got to actively be looking for local suppliers to buy inventory. If we don’t, we’ve failed.

We also need to consider the dietary needs of different groups of people. This impacts the sandwiches we put on our menu every day. Again, if we don’t do this, won’t reach the goal we’ve set out to achieve.

A mission statement can be the most influential part of the business plan when it’s used the right way. On the other hand, this guide can be forgotten when it’s not used to guide decisions. To learn more about making impactful mission statements, watch this interview to go deeper on the subject.

Company Concept and Description:

This is the fun part. Here you will describe what you hope the food truck will become, the food you plan to serve, and why you believe it will be a successful business. For most food trucks this section only needs to be a few paragraphs in length.

Make sure to include information on why your food is both desirable and unique to customers in the area. Also, if you have some type of theme, like an island theme for example, include little details like this in the description.

If you plan to operate something more mainstream like taco truck, take the time to express what it is that makes you different in your market. A common way food trucks differentiate themselves is through their ingredients or style. For example, you could be the only taco truck in town that uses organic, locally raised meats. Or you might be the only one in town that specializes in making fish tacos. Find a way to standout and offer something that isn’t available elsewhere.

You want folks that read this section to be able to clearly envision the kind of overall experience they’ll enjoy when visiting your food truck. Here are a few guidelines for writing this section:

• What food will you serve?
• How is your food different than other vendors in the area?
• Is there a specific type of consumer you want to attract?

As you can see from our own business plan, we differentiated ourselves through seasonal menu changes all the time and have menu options that cater to people that require a gluten-free diet. It’s also worth noting that our core product of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is unique to the market.

Market Analysis:

Understand the players in your market before starting a business.

For smaller markets with a couple hundred thousand people living nearby this section might be short and include just 4 – 5 other trucks. However, if you’re entering a market like Los Angeles this section will be larger and more in-depth.

If you’re planning to enter a market that has 10 traditional taco trucks and you plan to start a traditional taco truck too, it will be to differentiate yourself from other vendors in the area.

Consider adding a spin to your own food concept like serving Asian tacos instead to provide local consumers will more variety and fill a potential need. If you’re not sure about the type of truck you want to create yet, looking at the market and seeing what type of food is missing can be a smart way to approach this.

In this area you’ll also want to identify the type of customer that will frequent your establishment. Any data about local trends that you can find will be useful to include as well like this report from IBIS World that forecasts growth in the United States food truck industry for the next 5 years. Google can be a good friend in locating the data to include in the document.

Management Structure:

Most food truck owners start with a management structure of one.

This section is straightforward for most food vendors. You can list yourself as the owner and operator if that applies. But don’t forget about key employees or partners too. Many food trucks need a team of 3 – 5 employees to operate successfully during a lunch rush. Make sure these long-term players are accounted for.

In our business plan, it’s a partnership between brothers. The work load is split up between one brother operating the front of the house and marketing: accepting orders, booking new business and events, emailing and calling catering leads. The other brother focuses more on the chef duties including sourcing ingredients, cooking food, working with suppliers, and ensuring food quality.

Industry Survey Results: What is the Average Income of a Food Truck Vendor?

If you have more than one owner of the business this is where you want to take the opportunity to clearly define roles. This is an extremely important section of the document when multiple parties and their money are involved. By outlining everyones responsibilities in this document, it serves as a record of who was in responsible for certain aspects of the business. The more people involved, the more diligent you need to be with assigning tasks.

If it’s not written down, it’s easy for partners to recall things differently. This will help avoid conflict in the future for all parties involved. You need this.

The more stakeholders involved, the more complicated this section will be. You should also include investors and advisors in this section even when people aren’t excepted to help with the daily business operations. Outline what value these people have delivered to the business and what return they can expect in the future.

Product Line:

Ready-made meals can be a great way to diversify your product line.

Finally… This is the section you finally get to describe your food. I recommend outlining the main menu items and any signature dishes that you have in this section. But don’t stop at just the food that you plan to serve.

Other products and services that you plan to offer could include corporate catering gigs or weddings. These can be the biggest money makers for a mobile food vendor.

It pays to think outside the box too in this section. Some vendors that started out by serving food out the window of a truck exclusively have now begun to sell their trademark dishes in stores, online, or at restaurant. Don’t forget to think about possible paths for growth in the business.

• Previous guest of the show Martie Richie of Motley Crews is an excellent example of someone that is doing just that. They’ve expanded to selling snacks online through their e-commerce website and at local gas stations.
• Malcolm decided to open a restaurant to attain more consistent sales, especially through the slow winter months.

Sales and Marketing:

A food truck can serve as a mobile promotional platform.

How do you plan to market your business and get sales? One of the biggest factors that determine the success / failure of a lunch truck is location. Will you be able to get into major events or areas with a lot of potential customers?

One of the biggest favors you can do for yourself to input into your sales and marketing plan is to create a tentative list of places you might be able to vend. Get extremely granular with this task. In fact, it might even help to print out a map to evaluate where the best potential vending locations are in your area.

Here’s the information you should gather as part of this process. You can add this information inside the sales and marketing section of the business plan as you gather it. 

• Name of the vending location and cost details.
• Contact information including telephone, email, and address. Ideally a dedicated point of contact in charge of booking vendors.

Here are some locations that work well for food trucks:

• Farmer’s markets: You can usually find vendor information listed on the website.
• Annual events: Browse your cities website for a list of upcoming events like car shows, fairs, or parades.
• Social Media: One of the easiest ways to find good vending locations is to monitor the social media accounts of popular food trucks in your city. If they are vending somewhere, it’s probably a lucrative location that you might be able to vend at as well.
• Corporate Workplaces:  Big corporate employers with a few thousand employees working at a single location can be a good option for generating consistent lunch sales.
• Breweries and Wineries: Places like this often don’t want to build in a restaurant into their operations and partner with mobile food vendors to supply food to guests.

Pro Tip: Make sure to have a a lot of  different parking location options before getting started. Not every location you try is going to be profitable. By developing a big list of opportunities upfront, you won’t feel stressed about vending options because your dream vending location didn’t work out.

There are an endless number of tactics you can use to attempt to drum up business in the early days, but for most successful food business getting into events with big hungry crowds is the first step to building a brand locally and gaining traction. Learn more about finding profitable vending locations here.

Funding Request:

Just another day on the food truck.

The key to a good funding request is knowing exactly how much money you need and having a detailed plan explaining how you plan to use it. For food truck owners, the biggest early expense will be in buying a food truck and the kitchen equipment installed onboard.

You should also account for the amount of money you’ve raised or have on hand in this section. In our business plan for example, we were looking at $55,000 all-in to start the business. This would include the purchase of a food truck, our initial inventory of food, and permits. Be extremely diligent in outlining how you intend to spend every dollar in this section. It will safe you time late in the process and lenders will appreciate your attention to detail.

We were able to bring $14,850 or 27% of that total investment to the table that was raised mostly through personal savings, a small crowd funding campaign, and winning a business plan contest. The remaining 73% was acquired through the help of a small business loan. Being able to start a real food business like this for below $15,000 out of pocket is pretty cool.

Reader’s Note: If you’re not planning to seek funding through a traditional bank (or are simply planning to take out a personal loan based on your credit history) you can technically disregard this section, although you should still analyze closely how you intend to spend your money.

If you plan on asking for friends and family for money this attention to detail can help too. Even if they’re not in the food industry, it’s easy to understand that a commercial oven or fridge could cost a few thousand dollars. If you have a specific use for funds that makes sense, it increases the likelihood of obtaining a loan with friendly terms amongst family.

Financial Projections:

This is an extremely important area to spend time on before starting a food truck. I’d argue this section is as important as the product, sales and marketing plan of the business plan. This section will offer your first insight into whether or not the business idea you have is going to work or not in its present form.

From a practical standpoint, the main thing you want to figure out is what your break-even point for the business is. In other words, how much food do you need to sell in order to pay all of your monthly expenses? This is a simple, but critical question you must find the answer to before getting started.

You can determine the break-even point for a food truck business with this formula: 

Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs) = Bread Even Point

Here’s the due diligence you’ll need to complete to find the break-even point for your food truck:

• Add up the total monthly expenses you expect for the food truck to find your fixed cost number. This number will include loan payments, insurance, cell phone, and everything else you need to pay on a monthly. Use our guide to create a quick estimate of monthly costs.
• The price refers to how much you plan to charge customers and how many sales you anticipate in a given month. From your perspective the less sales you need to break even the better as it will.
• The variable costs is the expenses you put into cost of goods sold. In your case this if the food you’re selling. As you sell more, your variable cost will also increase because you need to buy more product. This is a good thing!

Based on your current fixed cost and variable cost estimates, find out how many total sales of your food total you would need to generate to pay all your bills. Does that number seem seem attainable based on the frequency you plan to vend each month?

Figuring out what your sales is going to be in the future will be the biggest leap of faith you make in the business plan. I always urge people to be being super conservative with sales estimates. You are going to have slow days and extremely busy days when you get out into the real world. Being financially ready for challenging times will make your business more resilient.

Forecasting Financial Projections:

In the financial projections, focus on estimating how much money you will make in the first year of the business. Investing too much time on longterm projections 5-years out doesn’t make any sense since you haven’t actually started the business yet. After the business has been operating for about a month, you’ll want to go back and review the previous estimates to ensure everything is making sense.

While estimating the projected revenue will require some guessing, figuring out startup and monthly operating expenses once the business gets going is much simpler. While there might be unexpected expenses that pop up before opening the business, you already know the monthly bills like insurance, phone, inventory, loan payments (if you have one), commissary.  Read our post that includes a spreadsheet on the Complete Breakdown of Food Truck Operation Costs for help researching this section.

Here are a few other quick tips for the financial projections section: 

• Always start a business with some extra capital on hand and establish an emergency business fund. We suggest $3,000 – $5,000 minimum. You don’t want to find yourself underfunded going into the second week so and not be able to purchase supplies. Unfortunately, break downs also happen in this business so you want to be ready for them.
• You’ll need to be comfortable making a few “educated guesses” in this section especially when it comes to revenue projections. Always be conservative with sales estimates. If you do end of exceeding expectations then that’s fantastic.
• The primary goal of completing this process is to understand how much money you’ll require to operate the business and break even on a monthly basis. After determining a break-even, find out how much it will require to pay yourself a comfortable wage after taxes.

This is the place to include your permit from the health department, photos of the vehicle, and other legal documents needed to operate a mobile food business. This is a good spot to add photos of food or people smiling and enjoying your meals at events (if you’ve vended at an event already). Add in anything else you feel could be helpful too.

Bonus Tips When Creating Your Building Plan

Here are a few key concepts pulled straight from the audio companion of this guide.

• Don’t be afraid to ask current food truck owners for help when writing a plan. They have the best understanding of what the market looks like and may even help you to create more accurate market projections. Not everyone will be willing to lend a hand, but some might.
• The financial projections section is the most important and practical element of the business plan. You need this to be able to evaluate how much money you’ll to start the business and what prices you’ll need to charge for longterm success.
• Don’t invest a ton of your time into longterm projections especially years 3, 4, and 5 of the food truck. Restaurants come and go. You won’t be able to make accurate projections out that far anyway.
• You should be extremely detailed when estimating expenses. Including often overlooked items like sandwich wrappers, napkins, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies. Knowing how much cash you need for day one of starting the truck right is critical.

Is Creating a Business Plan a Total Waste of Time?

Good question. That really depends on who you ask.

There’s a whole group of like savvy entrepreneurs and business people who don’t believe in the business plan at all. They’re like okay, you have this written document that you never ever use again. But then there’s this whole other group of people that actually believe in the business plan.

If you’re planning to try to get a traditional bank loan you will need to create a business plan. Having a written plan does not guarantee you will be approved for a loan. In fact, you might get turned down even with an okay credit history.

While it’s not perfect, I firmly believe going through the process of writing a business plan, when taken seriously improves your chances of success. You want to understand your competition. You want to understand where you plan to park. You want to have a few ideas about how you might market your business and what your overhead is going to be before starting the business. This document helps you make more educated decisions based on the work you’ve put in.

The Bottom Line: Will drafting a detailed business plan like this one take a long time? You bet it will. If you do it right, it could easily take a month or two to complete. But the benefits of doing so can be worth it and pay dividends for the life of your business.

So what’s the next step? I suggest enrolling in our free food truck business kit to learn more about the startup process. 

Want to start your own food business?

Hey! ????I’m Brett Lindenberg, the founder of Food Truck Empire.

We interview successful founders and share the stories behind their food trucks, restaurants, food and beverage brands. By sharing these stories, I want to help others get started.

If you liked this story, sign up for our newsletter that includes our food business startup kit and most popular interviews sent straight to your inbox.

Know someone interesting that should be interviewed on the website? Tell us about them here. 

About the Author: Brett Lindenberg

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Home » Sample Business Plans » Food

A Sample Food Truck Business Plan Template

The food truck concept has been around for centuries, right from when street vendors in ancient Rome made and sold delicacies to the public using wooden street carts. Today, that concept and the accompanying menus have evolved from just simple street food to different, complicated cuisines.

If you are looking to start a food truck business, you need a well-researched and detailed business plan. Aside from helping you cover all your bases, it makes available vital information about your new endeavor to potential investors. Since putting together a food truck business plan is such a vital step, it is advisable you write it before you even purchase a food truck.

Steps on How to Write a Food Truck Business Plan

Executive summary.

Beta Life Chops will be located in a large food cart pod near Portland’s Jade district known as Eastport Food Center. Our menu will include popular food options made with the creativity and uniqueness that our truck represents. Our eclectic style and consistency will make us a favorite among Portland foodies and ensure that our food maintains a loyal following amongst young professionals and college students.

With Eastport Food Centre nestled in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods and with an impressive social media following, Beta Life Chops is well-positioned to become a local go-to dining destination for anyone eager for a good, delicious, interesting fare at an affordable price.

Company Profile

A. our products and services.

• Hot Products: Burritos, tacos, flautas, Hunan Vegetables, Shanghai chicken, grilled chicken, Grilled cheese, pretzels, the chef specialty of the day
• Cold products: Seafood, sandwiches, rolls, wraps, and salads
• Drinks: Soda, freshly squeezed juices, hot chocolate, wine, beer, coffee
• Create your own: We will make available raw materials for our clients to combine anyway they want

b. Nature of the Business

• Specifically for food-conscious modern buyers
• Attending to all age groups
• Healthy choices
• Top menu customization
• Website and mobile app
• Festive truck event catering
• Customer feedback is an utmost priority
• Consulting chefs developing recipes
• Create your own recipe

c. The Industry

Our business will operate in the food truck industry. This industry is made up of businesses that are engaged in preparing and serving meals from a mobile truck.

d. Mission Statement

Our mission at Beta Life Chops is to create and serve a product line that fits nicely with health trends nationwide.

e. Vision Statement

Our vision at Beta Life Chops is to offer our customers out-of-this-world meals inspired by our eclectic style and consistency. We will always maintain a simple philosophy – serve only the highest quality product, prepare it in a clean and sparkling environment, and serve it in a warm and friendly manner.

f. Tagline or Slogan

Beta Life Chops – Trendy with Happiness

g. Legal Structure of the Business (LLC, C Corp, S Corp, LLP)

Beta Life Chops will be a member-managed Limited Liability Company, formed in the state of Oregon and operating out of a custom-built food truck in Jade District Portland. We believe that the LLC provides us adequate cover and protection to grow and diversify our revenue streams.

h. Organizational Structure

• Food Truck Manager
• Assistant Food Truck Manager
• Window Attendant
• Truck Cooks

 i. Ownership/Shareholder Structure and Board Members

Beta Life Chops will be a member-managed Limited Liability Company, formed in the state of Oregon and operating out of a custom-built food truck in Jade District Portland. Our Head Chef and Truck Manager Lillian Birch and Michelle William the Assistant Food Truck Manager remain the owner-operators and will share the responsibilities of day-to-day operations.

SWOT Analysis

A. strength.

Aside from the hands-on experience of our founders and chef, our strength lies in our financial capacity and eagerness to succeed in the business.

We have purchased a brand new mobile food preparation vehicle (MFPV) that can meet the needs of over 500 customers per day. We have also developed relationships with brand experts who will help to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises.

b. Weakness

Our intention of running our mobile truck business alongside other similar business offerings like training, consultancy services, and sale of the franchise can distract us from focusing our energy in one direction. We totally understand this and are striving to block any area that will sap our energy and make us underperform in our core business area – the sale of foods and drinks.

c. Opportunities

Our business location presents a massive opportunity for us at Beta Life Chops. Eastport Food Center is a large food cart pod near Portland’s Jade District, well situated in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods, and the 25 carts that reside here reflect that.

i. How big is the Industry?

According to industry reports, the market size of the US food truck industry measured by revenue is $1.2bn in 2023.

ii. Is the Industry Growing or Declining?

The US food truck industry is growing rapidly and has outpaced the broader foodservice sector. Reports have it that it experienced a boom over the five years to 2022 owing to the surge in gastronomy in the United States. It is still expected to grow at an annualized rate of 6.6% in the coming years.

iii. What are the Future Trends in the Industry

Here are the top trends in the industry according to experts.

• Rising demand for environmentally friendly food
• Growing vegan options and meat-plant blends
• More event partnerships and promotions
• More commercial restaurants experimenting with food trucks
• Increased technology and social media
• More peanut butter alternatives
• Flour alternatives
• West African cuisine
• Refined sugar alternatives

iv. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

When looking to start a food truck business, here are some niche ideas to look into;

• Preparing and serving food from a mobile truck
• Preparing and serving beverages from a mobile truck
• Preparing and serving dessert from a mobile truck
• Serving prepackaged food and beverages from a mobile truck

v. Can You Sell a Franchise of your Business in the Future?

Yes, our plan at Beta Life Chop is to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises and offer training and consultancy services in the mobile food truck industry.

At Beta Life Chops, one of the threats that we may likely face is vehicular traffic in key cities. Traffic can delay not just our clients but our truck from getting to our business location before lunch break is over. In addition, government policies could also pose a great threat to the mobile food truck industry.

i. Who are the Major Competitors?

• LGM Delicacies
• Eastport Beer Garden
• Grubtopia Comfort Soul Food(BBQ)
• Los Parceros (Colombian Food)
• Indian Hunger Point
• Lei’d Back Hawaiian Cuisine
• Samurai Sushi
• Off the Leash (Chicago Hot Dog)
• Japanese Express
• Northwest Gyros(Gyro &Shawarma)
• Bobablastic (Drinks & meals)
• Esan Thai (Thai Food)
• Mas Sabor ( Mexican Food)
• Turkish Agha (Turkish Cuisine)

ii. Is There a Franchise for Food Truck Business?

• Repicci’s real italian ice & gelato: $152,150 – $176,400
• Wayback burgers: $209,000 – $524,500
• Little caesars mobile pizza kitchen: $221,000 – $654,000
• Kona ice: $150,400 – $174,150
• Dairy queen: $1,101,135 – $1,856,655
• Cousins maine lobster: $187,150 – $815,450
• Johnny rockets: $597,100 – $1,189,000
• Toppers pizza: $292,146 – $530,652
• Gigi’s cupcakes: $226,700 – $425,500
• Captain d’s seafood: $709,300 – $1,231,400
• Cafe2u: $109,146 – $154,621
• Cheezious: $499,000 – $1,158,000
• Ice cream emergency: $129,700 – $179,650
• Sweet pea homemade ice cream: $40,250 – $110,500
• Mister softee: $158,500 – $181,000
• Tikiz shaved ice & ice cream: $132,000 – $144,000

iii. Are There Policies, Regulations, or Zoning Laws Affecting Food Truck Business?

Yes, the requirements to start a food truck business in the United States varies from state to state and even city to city. Food truck regulations most often fall into three major categories: health, zoning, and vehicle requirements. Health regulations handle the sort of equipment your truck must have, what permits you and your employees need, and whether you need a commissary kitchen.

Zoning regulations note the places you are permitted to park your truck for service, what types of neighborhoods are not allowed, and where you can park your truck overnight. There will also be laws on what type of vehicle you can use, what emissions regulations your truck must meet, where you need to register your vehicle, and if your truck driver needs to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Marketing Plan

A. who is your target audience.

i. Age range

At Beta Life Chops, we believe our target audience will fall within the age range of 14 to 45 years.

ii. Level of Educational

The level of education of our target audience will vary exponentially. There is a middle school and high school in our town. We expect students from these schools to frequent our business location.

iii. Income Level

The income level of our target market will be individuals that earn from $2,400 annually and above.

iv. Ethnicity

Our target market at Beta Life Chops will include anyone who is looking to taste local cuisine without having to pause what they’re doing and take time to go to a restaurant.

v. Language

There are no language restrictions at Beta Life Chops.

vi. Geographical Location

Our aim at Beta Life Chop is to serve the residents of Portland, Oregon, and surrounding areas as well as those who work in the Jade District.

vii. Lifestyle

• Families and Couples
• Local office workers
• Soccer/stay-at-home moms

b. Advertising and Promotion Strategies

• Interact with the local establishments like unions and service organizations and inform them about our business. In addition, offer them catering service for their events.
• Align with the right people that can be advantageous to our food business like event coordinators, tour guides, hotel personnel, etc.
• Speak to local companies’ management and offer to cater their events.
• Attend all the local events, like a farmers market, arts festivals, and carnivals.
• Always be easygoing and friendly with our prospective customers and never try to be too insistent.
• Always get involved in the local community’s activities
• Distribute our promotional business flyers and paper menus. We believe that the more we advertise the more advantage we will have over competitors.

i. Traditional Marketing Strategies

• Ensure that our food truck exterior is extra appealing to attract passing customers
• Distribute food samples outside our food truck
• Advertise in local papers and magazines
• Sponsored listings on Yelp or other websites
• Participation in delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc

ii. Digital Marketing Strategies

• Reaching out to local bloggers and websites
• Social media advertising
• Partnerships with local organizations (e.g., gym members get a free fruit cup with each wrap they purchase)
• Local radio advertising
• Develop a customer loyalty program

iii. Social Media Marketing Plan

• Pay Per Click
• Use Facebook Advertising.
• Show Your Truck and Coils At Work On Instagram
• Encourage Engagement
• Post Consistently
• Make Posts Visual and Add Relevant Hashtag
• Engage with Customers and Followers
• Post About Food and Food Trucks

c. Pricing Strategy

At Beta Life Chops, our pricing will be moderate so customers will feel that they are getting great value when patronizing our trucks. We will also ensure that our pricing stays moderate and at par with competitors.

Sales and Distribution Plan

A. sales channels.

At Best Life Chops, our website and mobile app will bring our products to the eyes of the public. In addition, our presence at Eastport Food Centre will not go unnoticed as we will have nicely decorated trucks, food tasting events, and mini-contests. We will participate in fairs and local events and we will cater to weddings and parties.

b. Inventory Strategy

After extensive research, we intend to achieve a level of order accuracy and make everything easier by leveraging mobile POS software.

We believe that the Tablet-based ordering screens will offer our customer-facing person an easy way to input orders. This will ensure that sending orders to the cook, or remembering the nuances of each order becomes easier.

c. Payment Options for Customers

• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via mobile money transfer

d. Return Policy, Incentives, and Guarantees

At Best Life Chop, we will have an easy refund policy, with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Since we are great at what we do, we will always take care of every customer complaint, including a full refund if that’s what it takes. Our other refund options include offering customers a replacement meal or coupons that give free meals for their use in the future. If they choose a refund for their meal, we will only refund in the same form of currency used for the purchase.

e. Customer Support Strategy

• Always make delicious food made fresh with locally sourced ingredients using exquisite techniques.
• Ensure that foods maintain their quality and taste.
• Having multiple foods for customers to choose from.
• Being flexible enough to cater to special requests by customers.
• Ensuring to get customers’ feedback and being open to suggestions.
• Leveraging social media and other tools to increase business reach.
• Using CRM to manage the database of clients.
• Considering customers’ opinions before making any major decision

Operational Plan

A. what happens during a typical day at a food truck business.

In this line of business, this is how a normal day goes;

• You have to begin early by picking up the truck and heading to the commercial kitchen space where you’ll prepare your menu items.
• After preparation, you have to move your truck to your parking location as soon as possible.
• See to the culinary needs of your customers as swiftly and efficiently as possible, especially if you have a weekday lunchtime location.
• Drive your truck back to the commissary or storage location where you can legally dispose of grease, wastewater, and other cooking waste, and thoroughly clean your vehicle.
• When not cooking or serving clients, you will have to reach out to your market via social media or the production of flyers, and other means of marketing your business.
• Gas up your vehicle and inspect it for repairs.
• Shop for your food ingredients daily or every few days. Your storage space will be limited, so you’ll shop often.

b. Production Process

At Beta Life Chop, one of our USPs (unique, selling, point) is that our foods will be cooked fresh in front of our customers. We understand that people want fresh food and not something that has been cooked a day or so before. Owing to that, our production process involves preparing and cooking their food in front of them.

c. Service Procedure

At Beta Life, we need to prepare the truck and pick up daily fresh food supply, after which we will proceed to our commissary kitchen to prepare some of the meals. We then have to load up the truck and head to our sales location where we will now finish the meal preparation as each customer demands.

We will consult with specialized chefs to develop our base of proprietary food recipes and sauces. Also note that we will offer desserts, drinks, and also cater special events. For such occasions, we will use our festive truck specially painted and decorated for the event.

d. The Supply Chain

Our aim is to only make use of fresh products sourced from locally grown organic crops. Have it in mind that our prices will be almost the same as those of any fast food, which will encourage the vast majority of customers to want to try our food.

e. Sources of Income

Our primary source of revenue includes;

• Food and beverage sales
• Food truck consultation

Financial Plan

A. amount needed to start your food truck business.

We need around $40,000 to $200,000 to start up Beta Life Chops.

b. What are the Cost Involved?

• Purchasing a Food Truck: $5,000
• Vehicle Inspection: $500
• Retrofitting and Bringing Our Truck to Code: $25,000
• Generator: $2,500
• POS Software System and Hardware: $1,500
• Paint: $1,000
• Truck Wrap: $2,500
• Initial Food Purchases $2,000
• Utensils, Papers, and Goods: $2,000
• Permits and licensing: $2,300
• Website Design: $500
• Initial Office Equipment and Supplies: $1,000
• Advertising and Public Relations: $2,000
• Professional, Legal, and Consulting Fees: $2,000

c. Do You Need to Build a Facility?

No, Beta Life Chops will be started in Eastport Food Centre and operated out of a custom-built food truck in Jade District Portland.

d. What are the Ongoing Expenses for Running a Food Truck Business?

• Commercial Kitchen and Commissary Rent
• Monthly Credit Card Processing Fees
• Truck maintenance

e. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

• Food Truck Manager: $48, 072
• Assistant Food Truck Manager: $35,734
• Window Attendant: $31,330
• Truck Cooks: $28,442
• Prep Cooks: $21,780

f. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Food Truck Business

• Equipment loan/financing program
• Rollover for business startups (ROBS)
• Business credit cards
• Personal loan
• A microloan from Small Business Administration (SBA)

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your product/service.

To find out a good price point for your products and offerings, you should observe other food trucks in your location. Find out how many meals they serve on a typical lunch hour and how much they charge. However, remember to be conservative in your estimation, and figure out how much you need to make to be profitable daily. Divide the number of meals you expect to serve by this number and this is what each meal should cost to hit that number.

b. Sales Forecast?

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $120,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $270,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $490,000

c. Estimated Profit You Will Make a Year?

At Beta Life Chops, we expect to make;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $36,000 (30% of revenue generated)
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $121,500 (45% of revenue generated)
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $269,500 (55% of revenue generated)

d. Profit Margin of a Food Truck Business 

In this line of business, a 30 percent profit margin is encouraging, but it will depend on your location, competition, efficiency, among other factors.

Growth Plan

A. how do you intend to grow and expand .

Our plan at Beta Life Chop is to build our brand to a level where we can start selling franchises and offer training and consultancy services in the mobile food truck industry.

b. Where do you intend to expand to and why?

• Bethany, Portland, OR
• Cedar Mill, Portland, OR.
• Oak Hills, Portland, OR
• West Linn, Portland, OR.
• Lake Oswego, Portland, OR
• Camas, Washington
• Stafford, Portland

Our reason for choosing these locations is because trucks flourish in their culinary scene, though in Portland they are called food carts.

At Beta Life Chops, we envisage family succession as our business exit strategy. We strongly believe that this business exit strategy, unlike others, does not require that much involvement of external parties. In addition, it is also one of the easiest and most straightforward options when done right, and we hope to put together a well-detailed plan to ensure success.

More on Food

• Resources and Advice

The Best Food Truck Software: Accounting, POS & More

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You may be just fine running a food truck with pen, paper, and a sauce-splattered accounting pad. But scope out the competition across the lot, champ. Guaranteed the owner of that self-ordering taco stand with automated inventory analysis slinging takeout deliveries via a Postmates-integrated POS is sleeping more hours a night than you.

Increasingly, your food truck world is a major market for restaurant tech solutions , and you stand to benefit as a result. Running a competitive food service of any size means snagging the best emerging software for business planning, truck design, point of sale, and accounting. So here are the best and most affordable softwares in the business, so that you can scale up while you still stay lean and, most importantly, mobile. Who knows? Maybe you'll level up and start offering takeout or taking reservations .

>>>RELATED: A Guide to All the Latest Restaurant Technology Changing the Industry

Accounting software for your food trucks

More than a trendy name and landing page, your accounting service needs a reliable general ledger to track transactions, assets, and liabilities. The services here are industry favorites with user-friendly accounting book interfaces, as well as unique suites of features to match your business’s specific needs.

Worth noting: Most major POS softwares either offer basic accounting services (input/output, inventory , cashflow) or allow you to integrate the accounting applications below. As you explore softwares, check to see if there’s a hospitality overlap. 

Restaurant 365

Restaurant 365 is the gold standard for accounting services with restaurant management features. The cloud-based software joins standard bookkeeping with ordering, invoicing, and staff scheduling. Pricing ranges from $249 to $459 per month, per truck location. The cheapest-tier plans cover accounting and general operating, while the more expensive ones include employee scheduling and a gamut of other features.

If you’re looking for a lean, cheap service to measure payables and receivables, complete payroll, and pay bills, Quickbooks is probably all you need to spend money on. (You may be able to integrate it with your POS system, but since it’s not a service made just for the restaurant industry, this process will require a little extra work.) QuickBooks can be as cheap as $15 but can go up to $140, depending on your business structure and number of employees. Look out for subscription deals on its website, as well.

Restaurant Solutions

Restaurant Solutions (RASI) is a solid cloud-based service for folks who need a little hand-holding through the accounting process. RASI’s support team will teach you about its payroll services, bank reconciliations, employee management, menu pricing, inventory analysis, and other features under the umbrella of accounting. Unfortunately the company isn’t super transparent with their pricing but, considering the company’s goal is to “[provide] a cost-effective restaurant management system and service for smaller independent restaurants,” you won’t be scared away by the price.

Despite its name and low cost, ZipBooks shouldn’t be mistaken for a store-brand Quickbooks. The comprehensive service offers billing, financial reports, customer communication, expense tracking, document security, vendor management, and organizational tagging for your accounting books. Its price packaging has three tiers — free, $15 per month, and $35 per month, notwithstanding free trials and adjusted prices per employee.

>>>RELATED: How To Increase Your Restaurant's Profit Margins

Business planning software for your food truck

Yes, you can draft your business plan on a notebook or free template, but the finished product might not be as easy for investors to look at, or for you to refer back on as the business develops.

If you can afford a software to guide you through the draft, it’s probably a good idea to try out one of these two services.

Bizplan’s platform and templates are sexy, making it an awesome tool for appealing to investors and/or skeptical relatives. The software allows you to make financial projections using existing data, and its step-by-step builder feature walks you through the plan template as you go, so you can customize the template to add or subtract data elements. Annual plans range between $20 and $40 a month.

nTask is a popular software that comes with a suite for business and project management. If you run a business and simultaneously host events, introduce a great deal of specials, manage fundraisers, etc., you’ll want a multipurpose planner like nTask. The basic subscription is free and the Premium and Business plans come to a very manageable $3 and $8 a month, respectively. 

Floor plan / design / layout software for food trucks

Now we’re getting to the advanced courses. Matt Geller, the founding president of the National Food Truck Association , says there are more important things to worry about before you blueprint your tiny restaurant. “If I'm starting a food truck,” he says, “the chances that I'm gonna rent a truck that's already put together are pretty high.”

Let’s say you are starting from the ground up, though. If you opt for a new truck, the guys doing the building will be the ones making the floor plan. If that’s you, and you’re not a professional plumber, electrician, and expert on your local health department regulations, you’ll have to talk to a lot of folks before you put pen to paper.

When finally you are, in fact, ready to design your baby, consider a couple of possible routes.

CAD software

If you’re starting your food truck from scratch and don’t want support from professionals, computer aided design software (CAD) is your best bet. Try looking into free and cheap operating systems, like AutoCAD (free trial), SketchUp , and Onshape . Of course this undertaking involves a fairly steep learning curve, but popular websites like LinkedIn offer affordable CAD training with free trials. 

Read guidebooks by industry giants 

Food truck culture runs rampant online, so do even the barest bit of searching and you won’t be left wanting for how-to guides. Software companies in the industry often try to win your heart with in-depth instructionals on the basics of the food truck business. This guide on building a food truck by popular POS system TouchBistro, for one, offers a resource for finding best truck types, electrical advice, and even painting tips. You can find similar build-specific tips from Toast , Food Truck Empire , and FoodTruckr .

Legion Food Trucks

If you’re looking for guidance from start to finish, and a place to throw your money, Legion takes you through the food truck planning and building process, helping you to design a new truck based on local health and safety guidelines. They also help you get permits, build out the interior, and continually repair damages. The company’s highly advertised “ building tool ” software is really just a means to an estimate, which will be anything from $20,000 to $80,000. 

POS software for every kind of food truck

Unless you’re cash-only, you’re probably already familiar with point-of-sale softwares . How to choose between the lot in a super-competitive space? Look for an easy set up, menu modifiers, fast loading speed, low subscription fees, and app integration . Four restaurant-specific POS systems that will definitely hit those marks are:

Square is the most popular software among drivers; it’s the one veteran truck owners tell you to get if your system causes issues. The free base subscription allows you to automatically sync your online store, sell products through social media platforms, offer pick-up options, and manage basic aspects of your business, like inventory. You can get a plan for $60/month, or upgrade it to include 24/7 customer support, marketing assistance, loyalty programs, and team management.

TouchBistro

TouchBistro works with Square, so its payment processing is a lot smoother than other POS systems. It’s also a hybrid cloud system, meaning you don’t need to be within range of Wi-Fi to operate the software. A monthly $69 covers your basics, as well as perks only offered in other POS premium plans, such as 24/7 customer service, menu management, data analysis, and unlimited integrations.

The Toast platform is the most customizable of any POS, and the company invites users to a “ Toast University ” for an extra fee, to educate you on its features. Along with useful menu and back of house customizations, Toast boasts capacity for around 70 integrations . That sounds like a lot but at the rate we’re going, your truck will probably need that many by summer.

Harbortouch

Harbortouch is the cheapest option for business owners looking to rent or buy hardware along with their POS, because both of its subscription tiers center around a tablet or desktop. Harbortouch offers online ordering options, location adaptability, and a hybrid cloud or “always on” model, which allows you to use it in spots with poor connectivity. 

[Photo by  James Frid  from  Pexels ]

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29 Proven Food Truck Business Plans (PDF, Word)

The food truck business has recently gained progress in catering for ordinary working folks. It’s really not that expensive to set up and it’s a cheaper alternative to starting your own restaurant . Of course, this doesn’t mean that food trucks are either free or cheap. To ask for financial help, you need to sell the idea to investors and for this, you can make a comprehensive food truck business plan.

• 1 Food Truck Business Plans
• 2 Why do you need a food truck business plan?
• 3 Food Truck Business Models
• 4 How to write a food truck business plan?
• 5 Food Truck Business Plan Templates
• 6 Starting your food truck business

Food Truck Business Plans

Why do you need a food truck business plan.

Just thinking about food trucks roaming around today makes you think that it must really be very simple to put up such business. But even this simple undertaking requires a lot of planning. Opening such a business without planning and investigating might lead to many problems. But if you do some market research for your food truck business plan, this can help you thresh out significant details and redefine your concept.

One of the most important factors of success for a restaurant is the location. People wouldn’t want to travel too far to get to a restaurant and if you have the wrong location, your long-term plans might not even last. This goes the same for food trucks as the location is a crucial component for success.

The most successful food trucks have a relatively consistent schedule on where they park and they spread the word through various social media platforms. There is also the fact that not every location allows food trucks to set up shop. For instance, school zones and public parks generally disallow commercial businesses . So, you need to consider this too when making your food truck business plan sample.

Food Truck Business Models

How to write a food truck business plan.

You need to have the answers to many questions when you are trying to learn how to start a food truck business. The best way to get all these into perspective is to make a comprehensive food truck business plan template. This helps you list all of the essential information about the business while assisting you in getting funding from investors.

The food truck business model is always the first step because you will use this to gain the funding needed to get your food truck off the ground. Here are some things to consider when creating your food truck outline for your business plan:

• Executive Summary This is the first section of your food truck business plan. Think of it as an introduction to whoever you will address on your final product. Don’t make it too wordy or lengthy. First impressions are the beginnings of something great. Make your executive summary interesting and concise without having to delve on details. This section gives you the opportunity to highlight what your company is, how you expect to grow your business, and more. Another good idea is to explain how your background and knowledge can benefit you in the pursuit of your goals of opening this kind of business. Although this will be the first item that potential investors read, this must be the last section you write.
• Company Description Describe in this section your planned food truck business. This is where you give an explanation of the details of your business and how its entry into the food truck business could be a crucial addition to the existing market. In essence, it’s here where you explain more in detail everything you have touched on in the executive summary.
• Market Analysis This section of your food truck business plan sample gives you the chance to detail and explain how your plans fit into the market. Remember that you will present this to potential investors. It is, therefore, important to do a lot of research on how to start a food truck business before composing this section. This demonstrates that you have enough knowledge about the food truck market and industry.
• Organization and Management Next, make a food truck outline of your organization and management plan where you explain the structure of your food truck business. This may not appear to be that essential if you intend to put up a food truck business manned only by two or three people. But if your plans go beyond a small enterprise, then you need an organization and management plan that includes: A complete profile of your team. Information regarding the business’ ownership. The salaries and benefits your employees will receive. Growth opportunities you plan to offer to your employees . One great way to show your business’ organizational structure is through a chart that illustrates how you have all the bases covered. It is in this section where you can let your passion shine through. This could leave a memorable impression on your prospective investor as they will feel encouraged to support your plans.
• Product or service line The next section in the food truck business plan template details the product or service line that your food truck business plan will offer. You need to display your creative ideas by making a description of your services or products and a plan to keep your customers coming back.
• Marketing and Sales You also need a marketing and sales plan for your food truck business that focuses on strengthening customer loyalty. Define your overall strategies. How you do this is up to you. Just remember that people appreciate originality, whether when adapting a cool truck design or coming up with an interesting selling point for your business.
• Request for Funding Although a funding request section isn’t included in every food truck business plan template, it is still something worth considering. It could be a challenge to make an estimate on how much a food truck would cost but you need to do this so you can determine where your funds will come from. If you have plans to request funding, you have to explain clearly how much you need, what you need the funds for, and how you will repay the money that you owe. You can explore other options for funding by checking out sites that can allow you to crowdfund by raising money from different sources. Just remember that some of these sites take a percentage of the amount you raise. Therefore, you have to do more research before accepting any offer.
• Financial Projections If you’re starting from scratch on the food truck business, it can be difficult for you to determine any realistic financial projections. It’s essential for you to analyze your target market then set specific financial goals so that you can allocate your funds more efficiently. As a newcomer, you need to estimate how much your business will potentially make over the next 5 years using realistic assumptions. You have to make sure that your projections are in alignment with the funds you requested in your funding requests.
• Appendix This section is optional for any food truck business plan but it can be the best place to add information that cannot fit elsewhere. These may include product photos, letter of reference , building permits, and more.

Food Truck Business Plan Templates

Starting your food truck business.

Surprisingly, what were once often referred to as “roach coaches” have already become some of the most sought-after and popular eateries in the biggest cities across the nation. If you want to start your own small business without referring to traditional offices or storefront routines, you may consider starting a food cart or truck business. You need to create first a food truck business model or plan then consider the next steps:

• Get your licenses Entering this business is not as simple as it may seem. To begin with, you cannot just set up stall anywhere to conduct your business. There are various requirements by the city including certificates from the health department, parking restrictions, and truck permits. Every city has its own policies so you should get in touch with your local government to get the requirements.
• Get the best vehicle for your business A food cart would suffice for the meantime if you’re working on a tight budget. The health department has the same rules for food trucks and restaurants. This means your cart will require special equipment that’s usually expensive. Before choosing either a cart or a truck, you should know exactly what you need to operate the business. For instance, if you intend to sell pizzas or other hot foods that you prepare on-site, then you will need a big truck. On the other hand, if you can prepare your food in advance, either at home or in a commercial kitchen, then a cart or a smaller truck will do just fine to keep your products warm.
• Find a niche Surprisingly, many food trucks today are already serving gourmet cuisine and delicacies from other countries, sweets like designer cupcakes and exclusive sweet treats, health foods, and more. They have gone a long way since the times when what they had were just cold sandwiches and hot tacos. One of the keys to success in this relatively new and improved business is to find your own niche and become an expert on it. To keep up with the demands of the business, you have to constantly do research to find out what’s already covered in your area then come up with your own creation.

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Creating a Mobile App for Your Food Truck Business

Why create a mobile app for your food truck business? Mobile apps can help your business easily advertise and sell your products and services. Creating a social media presence with a mobile app will help your customers learn more about your business and help you grow your mobile food empire!

Entering the mobile market is simple and easy, with many mobile app creating platforms available to help you. No matter which website or app creator you choose, make sure that your app will be compatible with the major mobile platforms right now, Android, and iOS. This will ensure that your app can be viewed by the largest consumer base possible.

Laying the Groundwork

The first step in creating a mobile app for your food truck business is a basic understanding of your options. Think about what you want to accomplish with your mobile app. What customers are you going to target with this app? What features would you like to include? Would you like to give customers the ability to post on social media about your business? Would you like to offer coupons, reservations, business loyalty cards or discounts? How about a GPS marker of your location? If you offer a changing menu, do you want the opportunity to update this daily to spread information to your customer base?

Depending on how simple or complex your business’s needs, you may want to develop an app yourself or it may be easier to hire a company specialized in mobile app development. Luckily, there are app development websites to help you if you decide to do it on your own. Even with no coding knowledge, it easier than ever to create a mobile app with these tools.

AppyPie.Com

AppyPie users can create their app in a few minutes without coding skills, and they will receive an HTML5 based hybrid app that works with Android, iPhone, iPad, and Windows Phone. The app creator allows you to drag and drop, with no programming skills required. Features include Passbook, GPS, ad monetization, and restaurant tools such as food ordering, menu builder, GrubHub, and OpenTable. Plans are available starting at $12 per month.

GoodBarber.Com

GoodBarber allows you to build iPhone and Android apps, without producing a single line of code. Use over 50 templates created by experienced designers, or customize them for your business. GoodBarber include 350 icons and over 600 fonts by Google. Nine navigation templates allow you to search your app for bugs and apply changes on the fly if needed. This app builder integrates with Google Calendar, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, RSS, and Facebook Events. Good Barber offers a free thirty-day trial for creating your own mobile app. Plans are available starting at $16 per month.

Appmakr.Com

AppMakr is an app creation platform that lets anyone craft iOS, Android and HTML5 apps, with no coding knowledge required. You can make as many apps as you want, with unlimited updates. Apps can include a number of features, including notifications, photo galleries, live updates, music and video streaming, chat rooms, Google Maps integration, shared events calendars, and in-app shopping. Customize your app’s looks and functionality, add content with tabs, preview and troubleshoot your mobile app and publish it to the markets with a single click. Plans are available from free, to a $99 one-time self-publishing fee.

Mobile.Conduit.Com

Mobile by Conduit’s app builder tool includes a variety of components such as RSS feeds, event notifications, e-commerce, notifications, coupons, and customer loyalty programs. The app integrates with OpenTable, TopTable, UrbanSpoon, as well as GrubHub, Seamless, Eat24Hours, and more. The app builder supports iPhone, iPad, and Android, and they will submit your app to the various App Stores for you. Plans are available starting at $33 per month.

Shoutem.Com

ShoutEm offers a mobile app builder with content management, user engagement tools, and monetization options. The interface builder offers many customization options, and each app is integrated with existing content sources such as WordPress, Foursquare, Facebook, and Twitter. The multiple monetization options mean you can quickly create a revenue stream from your app, providing an e-commerce experience, in-app subscriptions, deals and coupons. Shoutem creates apps compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, and HTML5. Plans are available starting at $49 per month.

Biznessapps.Com

BiznessApps is perfect for food-based businesses, offering a fast and easy way for small businesses to make mobile apps. You start by picking an industry-specific template, then customize it to your specifications. It allows you to create apps compatible with iPhones, iPads, Android and Windows, with no coding knowledge needed. Features include GPS directions, one touch calling, tell-a-friend feature, food ordering, mobile reservations, loyalty card, video integration, business information and event listings, a coupons feature, fan wall, mailing list, and points of interest near your business. Bizness Apps offers integration with your business blog, Twitter, Facebook, and OpenTable. BiznessApps offers a 30-day money back guarantee. Plans are available starting at $59 dollars per month for mobile apps.

Make the Most of Mobile

Now that you have decided on your app creator, how can you use your mobile app to grow your business and customer base? Always keep in touch with your mobile customers by keeping your app up-to-date. Let them know your address, contact details, current location, menu items, and more. Send frequent reminders about your food truck business’s discounts, deals, and current menu offerings. Engage your customers with surveys that supply you with feedback, and offer winners and participants coupons, deals, and discounts for your business. Use location-based apps to offer deals to your consumer base when they are in your area of operation.

It may seem complicated to create mobile apps for your food truck business, but the benefits outweigh the difficulties. Mobile apps will help you tailor your business to your customers’ needs, creating more brand loyalty. Your mobile app can allow you to tweak issues in your business and get immediate feedback from consumers. Mobile app creation doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming, but it does need to be attractive to your customers and easy to use. Ultimately, keep in mind your customers, and make your app clean, simple to navigate, and user-friendly.

Image credit: microsiervos

About the Author

Jennifer Bland is an entrepreneur and world traveler who blogs at RatRaceGrad.com . Check out her website for more information on her Internet marketing tips, world travels, and to connect with a like-minded soul who has given up the corporate rat race to follow her own path!

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Hi Jennifer, you’re right, apps can be useful for a food truck business. Click to call, menu presentation, gps location, feedback forms, … are useful features that can be used to improve the experience of the hungry customer 🙂

There’s some really interesting ideas from GoodBarber about ways mobile apps can help food truck businesses. What about ideas around a mobile app to help the management of a food truck business, like completing and documenting food hygiene audits (with photographs), on-site stock management etc – are these things that “foodtruckrs” would find useful?

We’re always talking about the many opportunities for mobile apps in business at itsmonkie.co.uk (link to discussion below).

I’d be interested also to hear how people ge ton with the app maker tools you mention. As a software development company we’re generally underwhelmed by the results of these apps, but I’d love to hear what other think.

It is true though, that developing a mobile app from scratch can be costly – is there any mileage in several food truck owners coming together to fund an apps development that would deliver a much better result?

Link to discussion – http://www.itsmonkie.co.uk/developing-app-business-pros-cons/

Thanks for reading my ramblings!

I’ve been fortunate to know the founder of http://www.crowdfood.com/ and he is doing something HUGE for Los Angeles food trucks. This is one app for all food trucks in the area and for foodies to skip the line. You should add them to the list 😉

The thing is.. for any “small” business. You have two choices. Hire a costly developer, which is a no-go for most. Then there are the DIY platforms. Unfortunately, on any of the platforms, the only thing that is truly DIY is signing up and leaving you credit card. Unless you are techie enough to understand color codes, embedding, iframes, and html, you`re not gonna go far. You might get your picture in the app, and some basic “contact us”, sections. But that`s not what the apps are for, is it. With Zaaver.com we are trying to bring a third option to the market. A “We do it for you” option. How does $0 setup fee, only $99/month, all inclusive sound to you? We design the app for your business specifically, build out all the functions, and publish/maintain the app for the customers. We hope people will appreciate this help.

http://www.zaaver.com

iOS and Android Apps Development for Food and Drink

With the rise in food tech popularity, there are a mass of apps coming up for online ordering. If the one who is Looking forward to develop your own Food and Drink App then contact – Riktam Technologies which specializes in mobile app development for food and drink apps in multiple platforms including iOS and Android. for more info check : Mobile app development for Food and Drinks in iOS and Android

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To The Battleground!

We hope to inspire, with fresh locally prepared foods, influenced by many world cultures.

With over 15 years of experience, and a wide range of  knowledge earned from both Le Cordon Bleu and some of the finest Restaurants in Seattle Washington. We decided it was time to get out an make our own path. We moved back home to a much smaller and slower paced life in Moscow Idaho, with the hopes of carving out our own path.

The Battleground is what became of our dream. Armed with knowledge and a boat load of passion, we brought our love for food and the world to our community through our love and passion for the cuisines of the world. Our mission is to bring in as much food culture and love as possible. Bon Appetite!

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