If you are interested in starting a low-cost food business, you can think of launching your own food truck. There are a good number of food truck businesses that can fetch high returns if planned properly. Here in this article, we list down a list of food truck business ideas that will surely give you profit without having to spend big money on building full-fledged brick-and-mortar restaurants or eateries.
Is Food Truck Business Profitable?
The profitability of a food truck business can vary based on several factors such as location, menu, operating costs, and overall demand for the cuisine. While food truck businesses have the potential to be profitable, success is not guaranteed. The popularity of food truck businesses is mainly due to their lower startup costs compared to brick-and-mortar restaurants.
The food truck business is very prospective and has experienced steady growth in recent years. According to IBISWorld, the food truck business in the US has witnessed a growth of 10% from its previous year in 2022. Not only that, the annual growth of the food truck business in the US has been 13.7% from 2017-2022. In the United States of America, the expected market size of food trucks is $1.4 billion as of 2023.
Benefits of Starting a Food Truck Business
In the last few years, food trucks have become increasingly popular. More and more people are showing interest in starting a food truck business. and for good reason. Find below some of the main benefits of starting a food truck:
- Low start-up costs
- A great deal of flexibility
- Creativity
- Community building
- Low overhead costs
- Easily scalable
Food truck business ideas have a wide variety and you can start the business with a small amount of money also. However, you need to know the food preference of the people in the area of your business.
30 Food Truck Business Ideas
1. Fast Food Truck
Different varieties of fast food are available and most consumers are fond of them. Fast foods are kinds of food that are prepared fast or promptly and the consumers can have them quickly. Good taste and reasonable price are the main advantages of fast food. Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Fried Chicken. French Fries are some of the most popular fast foods. You can start a fast food truck business and get high profits. Choose the types of fast food you want to sell in your food truck as per the local preference.
Read: How to Start a Food Truck Business
2. Vegan Food Truck
Vegan food is becoming the chosen food of many people in recent years. Hence a vegan food truck can be a good food truck business idea. Vegan food is mostly plant-based and uses no animal products as an ingredient. You can sell popular vegan food like vegan sandwiches, taco bells, Tofu Spinach Lasagna, Stuffed Mushrooms, Cakes, Muffins, etc.
3. Organic Food Truck
Organic foods are also popular food items and can be a good food truck business idea. It uses farm products that are grown or raised without any artificial fertilizer, pesticides, etc. Different kinds of vegetarian, as well as meat products and desserts, are available under the organic food category. You will need a certification of authenticity. The prices of organic foods are higher, ensuring a greater income for you.
4. Gourmet Food Truck
The gourmet food truck is a high-end and high-profit food truck business idea. Gourmet foods are specialty food made with exclusive ingredients and presented beautifully. Gourmet foods are prepared with ingredients like smoked salmon, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats and oil, vinegar, cheese, chocolates, etc. Many people are fond of such food and prefer to have them from food trucks.
5. Fried Chicken Truck
Fried chickens are immensely popular food items. Hence starting a fried chicken food truck can be a good food truck business idea for you. Serve hot fried chicken of different varieties like drumstick, wings, nuggets, breast, etc along with popular accompaniments like baked beans, mashed potatoes, hush puppies, etc.
6. Mobile Juice Truck
A mobile juice truck is a profitable food truck business idea. People love to drink juices throughout the day. Hence you can expect steady sales and good profit. Sell fresh fruit juices, smoothies, and fusion juices in your food truck. Keep the quality of the juices good and serve them in clean and good-looking glasses.
7. Mobile Coffee Truck
A coffee truck is a great food truck business idea. Serve different varieties of this favorite beverage both hot and cold. Also, add some quick snacks to your food truck. Since coffee is a much sought-after beverage, you can expect good profits from this business.
Read: How to Start Coffee Shop Business
8. Sandwich Truck
Sandwiches are very popular food and are taken around the clock. Hence selling sandwiches can be a profitable food truck business idea for you. Use different kinds of fillings both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian along with a variety of bread like milk bread, multigrain bread, etc.
9. Burger Truck
Sell different types and sizes of burgers in your food truck and get high profits from this food truck business idea. Burgers are largely consumed food items for people belonging to various age groups. Hence, it is a great business idea for you.
10. Ice Cream Truck
The ice-Cream truck is also a money-spinning food truck business idea. You can start this truck as a franchise of a well-known ice cream brand. Otherwise, you may sell ice creams from different companies through your truck.
Read: How to Start Ice Cream Business
11. Pork Truck
Start a pork truck as your truck business idea and earn high profits. Pork items like Pork Chops, Barbeque Pork, Stuffed Ham, Fatback, etc are very popular and sold in large quantities. You will need an expert chef and good ingredients for this business.
12. Bar-B-Q Food Truck
Bar-B-Q food truck is a popular and profitable food truck business idea. Different types of barbeque items are liked by people. BBQ chicken, pork, salmon, and vegetables are the favorite items that will fetch you a good price. Arrange the equipment and good ingredients to serve delicious food.
13. Low-Calorie Food Truck
Low-calorie foods are much sought after by health freaks and are sold at high prices. Hence, a low-calorie food truck can be a good food truck business idea for you. Sell different varieties of soups, salads, diet-friendly sandwiches, wraps, and desserts in your food truck. Mention the calorie count of each item for your customers’ satisfaction.
14. Fresh Seafood Truck
Fresh seafood is sold in large quantities to foodies all over. Hence opening a fresh seafood truck is a profitable food truck business idea for you. A good and regular supply of seafood is the first condition of this business. You can serve items of shrimp, prawn, lobster, crab, oysters, cockles, mussels, snails, scallops, limpets, etc.
15. Chinese Food Truck
Chinese food is a super hit food all over the world. You can start your Chinese food truck as a food truck business idea and earn high profits. A good Chinese chef is required for this business to prosper. Popular items like Kung Pao Chicken, Dim Sum, Dumplings, Roasted Duck, Wonton Soup, Fried Rice, Noodles, etc are among the favorites.
16. Taco Truck
Taco is a kind of Mexican food that contains small wheat or corn tortilla with meat or other wrappings. It is a very popular food with variations in different regions. You can start a taco food truck and earn a good income. The popular variations in tacos are fillings of beef, pork, seafood, or vegetables.
17. Mexican Food Truck
Apart from the tacos, several Mexican foods are favorite items around the world. Hence, if you can cook authentic Mexican food, you can start a Mexican food truck as your food truck business idea. Serve items like Tostada, Enchiladas, Carne Asada, Fajitas, and Burrito to get more customers.
18. Sushi Truck
Sushi is originally a Japanese dish. However, it has gained immense popularity around the world in recent years. Hence, you can start your food truck serving different varieties of Sushi-like Sushi bowls, different varieties of Sushi Rolls, Sushi Burritos, etc. You will need a trained chef expert in preparing Sushi for this food truck business idea.
19. Shawarma Food Truck
Shawarma is a meat-based street food of Arabia and a very widely sold street food in that region. However, presently, Shawarma has crossed the region and become favorite fast food around the world. Hence, a Shawarma food truck can be a lucrative food truck business idea for you. It is made with marinated lamb, mutton, beef, chicken, or turkey.
20. Pizza Truck
Though originally Italian food, pizza has gotten international acclaim with each country making variations of the food. You can start a Pizza truck as a franchise or as an original chef and earn huge profits from this food truck business idea. Make tasty variations of the Pizza with toppings of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, sausage, beef, bacon, chicken, ham, pineapple, salami, spinach, tomatoes, etc.
21. Salad Truck
Salads are widely accepted as the main course food by many health freaks and also foodies. A salad truck selling different kinds of delicious and healthy salads can be a good option as a food truck business idea. Salads are prepared from tasty and healthy ingredients like meat, fish, vegetables, egg, spices, and seasoning. Popular salads include Caesar Salad, Macaroni Salad, Coleslaw, Chinese Chicken Salad, Cobb Salad, etc.
22. Farmers’ Market Food Truck
Start a farmers’ market food truck and sell fresh farm produce like fruits, vegetables, honey, mushrooms, etc. These items have great demand among the people and therefore a profitable food truck business idea for you.
23. Bakery Food Truck
A bakery food truck selling cupcakes, donuts, pastries, and other baked desserts is a lucrative food truck business idea because these items have tremendous demand in every area. Sell fresh and tasty items for getting more customers and word-of-mouth publicity. Taking a franchise can also be a good business option.
Read: How to Start a Bakery Business
24. Dinner Food Truck
Serving dinner through your food truck is a good business option. Many people who are busy and in constant movement for work or studies prefer to have dinner from food trucks. Sell freshly cooked dinner items like Meatloaf, BBQ Chicken, Soups, or Rice Bowls in your food truck for a good turnout.
25. Marriage Food Truck
Many marriage parties now prefer to have a food truck for serving their guests. You can offer this service by serving foods as per the choice of your clients or as per your menu card. Good food along with prompt service will get you more customers.
26. Gourmet Grilled Cheese Truck
A gourmet grilled cheese sandwich is a delicious upgrade to a traditional grilled cheese. You can add creativity of your own punching it with unique breads, cheeses, and toppings.
27. Dessert Truck
A dessert food truck is another highly lucrative food truck business. You can sell a wide range of dessert items like cupcakes, churros, doughnuts, gelato, cookies, ice cream, and milkshakes.
28. Asian Food Truck
There is a big demand for Asian-inspired dishes. You can start a food truck selling Korean BBQ tacos or Thai-inspired noodles.
29. Breakfast Truck
It is without saying, breakfast is the most important meal of the day for most people. Hence, a breakfast food truck can be a highly profitable business. You can offer delicious breakfast dishes like pancakes, waffles, omelets, sandwiches, and burritos.
30. Bagel and Deli Truck
Bagels and deli sandwiches are a traditional New York City cuisine. You can think of a bagel food theme-based food truck. You can sell food items like classic bagels and lox, turkey club sandwiches, and pastrami on rye.
The concept of the food truck is widely accepted and profit-making. You can serve any kind of food through your food truck with proper cooking as well as marketing and publicity. Hence, food truck business ideas will make you rich within a short span.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
