Food trucks seem to be all the rage in today’s society. No matter where you’re attending an event, there is almost always a food truck. Some people have even started having them at elegant events like weddings and business conferences.

Since they are a new trend, you might be wondering if food truck rentals are a good way to earn an income. This guide will cover when and if you should consider food truck rentals for growing your restaurant business.

Renting Versus Buying a Food Truck

Most people consider renting a food truck before they full on buy one. This is because it allows you to get a taste of what owning one would be like before you commit to it. Many people rent food trucks as a method of restaurant expansion.

Here are some of the major things to consider when you want to rent a food truck:

Renting Costs

You will need to determine the location you want the business to find food trucks for rent. Each location will have different prices depending on if you are in a large city or a small rural area. You’ll find that on most sites you will see a quote rather than a price.

You will need to contact the company to find an exact price as the type and size of the food truck will also affect the price. When renting a food truck, you might not be able to do everything you want to it such as decorating the outside or putting new equipment on the inside. Make sure to always read the terms and conditions so you know exactly what you can and can’t do.

If the rental terms and conditions make it to where you can’t customize anything and you can’t do real advertising, the cost of the rental truck might not be worth it. Always weigh all options before considering whether to buy or rent.

Equipment Needed

When you rent a food truck, you will not need to furnish the kitchen or put appliances into the kitchen. This saves you a large sum of money because when you buy a food truck, you have to put in all the appliances and equip the entire truck.

This is time-consuming and can cost you a large sum of money. If you’re considering food truck expansion, you might want to start by renting so you do not have to throw in so much money at the same time on appliances and other pieces of equipment.

Wondering what you will need to buy? Here are just some of the items you have to put in your food truck to get started:

• Large sinks where you can wash dishes
• A place to dry dishes
• Grills, stove, oven, and fryers
• Extractor fan
• Fire safety equipment
• Storage space for the dry goods
• A screen for the ordering window
• Clothes such as aprons and gloves
• Boxes or plates for serving
• A food prep area that’s away from the dishes
• Cookware and utensils
• Freezer and fridge
• Lighting
• Disposal for waste
• A catering urn for boiling water

Some food trucks for buying come with the sink with plumbing but they will not have all the other items. You will have to get these yourself. Keep in mind you always have the option of renting appliances if you prefer as this can save money and show you what you need and what you do not need.

Getting Food

Whether you rent or buy a food truck, you will need to start with a food supply. These costs are from your own wallet and you will need to have enough inventory to at least get you through one shift in the food truck. Certain foods and ingredients can be bought in bulk and this is often cheaper than buying little by little.

The exact ingredients you will need depend on the food you are making. Consider how fresh the ingredients need to be and for how long you can keep each of the items you buy in the fridge.

You also need to determine how the location of the food rental truck will affect how much you sell. There might also be some items that you sell more of than others. These ingredients will need to be bought more often.

Saving Costs on Food Truck Rentals

If you have decided to rent a food truck, here are some tips on how you can save money.

For starters, try not to buy more than you need. In the beginning, it might be better to sell out of items than to buy too much and waste money.

You can also use seasonal ingredients and buy locally. This means you will serve a smaller number of options. This is more cost-effective than having a large menu with hundreds of different ingredients.

Make sure you also choose the right location. Try to be the only food truck in that area that serves that type of food. You can also consider partnering with other food trucks to buy bulk items. Make sure the people you partner with do not have any competitive items on their menu that could be better than yours.

Is Renting a Food Truck Right For Me?

If you are new to the food truck business, you should consider renting before buying. This allows you to see how much income you can really make from the business and how many customers you have.

If you are making good money and your business has the potential to grow, you should consider putting capital into buying a truck. This way you can decorate it and have all the rights to it.

Renting a food truck is also a good way to save money if you do not have all the capital to buy appliances.

In the end, the decision to rent a food truck is up to you. Whether it’s worth it or not depends on how much money you can make and how often you get new customers.

Any further questions? Contact MBB Management today!