How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Food Truck?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Since buying a food truck can be pricey, many new food truck owners who want to test the market often resort to renting to make sure it’s a field they want to get into.

Renting a food truck is a great way to test different markets, change the menu and figure out if the investment is worth it with minimal risk involved.  If your venture were to fail, then you would only be out a few thousand dollars as compared to high five to low six figures if you were to buy a food truck.

Food truck in Portland by 4nitsirk, on Flickr
Food truck in Portland” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  4nitsirk

How much does it cost to rent a food truck?

In terms of costs, a food truck rental is going to depend on your geographical location, the contract being signed, the type of truck, the age and features include.  On average, plan on budgeting anywhere from as little as $2,000 to as much as $10,000 for the entire month, or if available by the day, the rates could range from $100 to $1,000 daily.

According to mobile-cuisine.com, they claim that the average food truck owner should be prepared to spend upwards of $10,000 per month.

SmallFoodBiz.com claims that you should be prepared to spend around $1,000 to $3,000 per month to rent a food truck.

FoodTruckBusinessPlan.com says you should roughly expect to pay close to $2,000 per month, depending on the type of truck, the age and condition.

What are the extra costs?

Some owners are able to provide you with trained staff for an hourly fee; otherwise, you can run it yourself.

If you want to rent a truck with your own logo, additional fees can apply if you wanted a logo applied during the rental duration.

If the food truck is returned with any damage, you will be responsible for it, similar to that of a rental car.

Most owners will want the truck to be returned with a full tank of gas.

Excessive cleaning and fees may apply.

Tips to know:

Some companies and/or individual owners will rent their food trucks as a turnkey operation.  Just as a landlord would rent a restaurant from an owner, the same could be said in the form of renting a food truck.  These food trucks, depending on the setup, will range from the entire kitchen setup to a cash register system in some cases.

If you do not know where to find a food truck rental in your area, FoodTruckRental.com helps connect you with owners in your area.

When choosing a food truck to rent, make sure that it has all of the necessary equipment that you need to properly cook the food that you have in mind as all trucks will vary.

When renting a truck, try to rent one that already includes the necessary permits and insurance to make the process easier.

It is best that you understand the regulations when renting a mobile food truck as every city will have its own laws when it comes to handling food for the public.

Always read the terms and conditions to know what you’re responsible for during the duration of the rental.  If you don’t understand any of the fine print, be sure to talk to the owner to understand what you’re responsible for.

How can I save money?

Food truck rentals can often be found online via third-party websites such as the one mentioned or via a simple search.  Before considering a rental, figure out what you want in terms of a food truck as they all vary in terms of sizing, features and capabilities.


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