How to Start a Food Truck: 7 Essential Steps

With summer in full swing, food truck season is officially in motion. If you’ve always dreamt of owning your own food truck, now’s the perfect time to make it a reality. From logistical steps to proper branding, here’s a total rundown on how to start a food truck.

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While a food truck may seem like a simple enough business, don’t let that fool you. Quite a few costs go into starting your own food truck. Things such as the truck itself, a register system, and design element costs will rack up rather quickly. Make sure you’re prepared for any financial roadblocks by saving up well in advance.

2. Look into funding

One option for managing the financial aspect is to get a business loan. Before you pursue that avenue, make sure you have your personal and business credit in check. If that’s not an option, there are still other ways to raise funds for your food truck. Even before you have a truck, try selling your food at a farmer’s market. This way, you can raise funds and get your name out there.

3. Buy a food truck

This is a fun step, and one of the most necessary. The challenge comes in finding a high-quality, but affordable, food truck. Used trucks are a good bet, especially when it comes to getting a fair price. It’s best to go with local listings, as you can inspect those ahead of purchase. If the look and feel of your truck are essential to you, and you have the funds needed, a brand new custom truck is a great option.

4. Find a payment system

Nowadays, fewer people carry cash regularly. Prepare for credit card users by setting up a point of sale (POS) system. These mobile payment systems will help you service a much wider range of customers, leading to more revenue.

5. Obtain necessary permits and license

Before you can even think about opening to the public, you must secure all the necessary permits and licenses to start a food truck. You’ll need to research concerns such as food safety, zoning and parking, and business permits and complete the specifications of where you’ll be operating. And don’t forget that you’ll likely want to register an LLC (most popular) or similar business structure to protect yourself. This can be done through an attorney or an online LLC service.

6. Establish your brand

Once the logistical parts of your business are handled, it’s time to focus on how you’ll market yourself. Establishing a recognizable brand is essential to the success of your food truck. Whether you’re going for a cutesy Cupcake truck or a hip vegan joint, what matters is you pick a brand and stick with it. By creating a recognizable look, customers will remember you with ease.

7. Get your name out there

Now that you’ve got your food truck ready to go, it’s time to get your name out there. From food truck festivals to summer outings, there’s no end to the ways you can get your brand in the public eye. Keep working diligently, and in no time your food truck will be a local favorite.