For those planning to enter the mobile food service industry, one of the first questions is about whether a food truck or a food trailer is best. With the boom of the food truck industry, which is quickly approaching a billion-dollar market, there is not doubt it is a great place for budding entrepreneurs and restauranteurs. If you are considering your entry into this thriving industry, you should know the choice between food trucks and food trailers depends largely on your budget as well as your goals now and for the future. Food trucks and trailers each have their unique set of advantages and disadvantages, so let’s explore the differences.
Food Trucks – The Benefits and the Drawbacks
Food trucks deliver greater mobility and spaciousness, allowing you to store more supplies and sell multiple food items with ease. Because food trucks are trucks, unlike food trailers, they don’t require another vehicle to tow them from place to place. Food trucks are large enough to accommodate a commercial kitchen and all the items you need to operate successfully. Food trucks offer the advantage of a single unit, perfect for making more than one stop a day, and easier to navigate than a food trailer. In addition, food trucks are often allowed in places where trailers are not permitted, like many city streets.
On the downside, depending on budget, food trucks can be quite costly, starting around $80,000 and going up from there if you chose a new custom vehicle. Used food trucks costs less initially but can be expensive if repairs or customization is needed. Plus, if your food truck breaks down, you are temporarily out of business until the needed repairs can be made.
With a food truck, you’ll need a business license for your food truck and depending on the location you may need zoning permits, signage permits, and more.
Food Trailers – The Advantages and Disadvantages
Food trailers are less expensive and are offered in a wider variety of sizes. Food trailers often have more windows, allowing your to serve more customers easily. With an oversized food trailer, you may have a more spacious interior, compared to a food truck. With a food trailer, you can keep your business up and running, in the event your vehicle needs repairs.
Of course, the downside is, you need your vehicle to tow your food trailer from place to place to set up shop, which also means you have to factor the towing vehicle into your overall costs for a food trailer. The need to be towed, also means more challenges when driving and moving your food trailer to a new location. Another disadvantage with a food trailer is it often requires more time and effort to pack and unpack the items you need to open and begin selling each day.
Just like the food truck, you will need a business license for your food truck and depending on the location you may need zoning permits, signage permits, and more.
What is Best for Your Mobile Food Service Business?
As you can see, both food trucks and food trailers offer their own benefits and drawbacks so making the final choice depends on your unique needs and business goals. If you are looking for a lower cost entry into the industry, a food trailer may be the way to go, but if you are looking for mobility and flexibility, a food truck is probably the better choice. As you begin your search, find the best vehicle to meet your needs and grow with your business successfully into the future. It may be the right time to consider a custom food truck from Sizemore Ultimate Food Trucks. Call today and let the experienced, knowledgeable team answer all your questions and help you find the solutions you need to get your food truck business up and running successfully.