What is the average cost to start a food truck?

The median startup cost is around $100,000. That breaks down roughly to $30K-40K for a used truck, $8K-15K for kitchen equipment, $2K-5K for permits, $3K-5K for branding, and $10K-15K in working capital for your first 2-3 months. You can get rolling for $28K with a used trailer and a tight menu, or spend $200K+ on a fully custom rig with a complex kitchen. The truck itself is always the biggest line item, eating 40-60% of total startup costs.

Should I buy a new or used food truck?

Used, unless you have $100K+ in capital and a proven concept. A used truck at $25K-40K gets you operating 8-16 weeks sooner than a custom build, and you will learn what layout you actually need by working in a real truck for 6 months. The hidden cost of new: you are paying $75K-150K before you have served a single customer, and the truck depreciates 20-30% the moment you take delivery. Buy used, prove the concept, then upgrade.

What permits do I need for a food truck?

At minimum: a business license ($50-400), health department permit ($300-1,000), fire safety inspection ($100-500), food handler certifications for all staff ($15-30 each), a mobile food vendor permit ($100-2,000 depending on city), and a seller's permit for sales tax (usually free). Total permit costs typically run $750-4,000. The real bottleneck is time, not money. Health department inspections can take 2-6 weeks to schedule, so start the paperwork before your truck is ready.

How much does a food truck owner make per year?

$60,000-120,000 in gross revenue per month is typical for a well-located truck, but owner take-home is a different number. After food costs (28-35%), labor (if any), commissary rent, fuel, insurance, and loan payments, most owner-operators net $50,000-80,000 in their first full year. Top performers in high-traffic cities clear $150K+. The biggest lever is not revenue but food cost control and choosing high-margin menu items.

Do I need a commissary kitchen?

Yes, in almost every major metro. Health codes require food trucks to have a licensed commissary for food storage, prep, and overnight parking of the truck in many jurisdictions. Budget $500-1,500 per month. Some cities (parts of Texas, Florida) allow self-sufficient trucks to skip the commissary if you have adequate water tanks and waste disposal. Check your specific county health department before assuming you can skip it. Shared commissary spaces like Kitchen United or local co-ops are the cheapest option.

How long does it take to break even on a food truck?

6-18 months is the realistic range. If you started with a $40K used truck and run a lean operation (owner-only, simple menu), you could break even in 6-9 months at $3K-5K/month in net profit. A $150K custom build with employees takes 12-18 months. The math: if your total startup cost is $80K and you net $5K/month after all expenses, you break even in 16 months. The operators who break even fastest share one trait: they pick 3-5 high-margin menu items and stop adding new ones.

Home / Food Truck Startup Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck?

$28,000 – $200,000

A realistic breakdown of food truck startup costs, from the vehicle itself to permits, equipment, and working capital. Most owners spend $28,000 to $200,000 depending on whether they buy a used truck, a new custom build, or convert a trailer. Use the calculator below to estimate your specific costs.

Last updated Feb 2026 · Based on SBA 7(a) loan data (2024–2025), Franchise disclosure documents (FDDs), WebstaurantStore equipment pricing

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Where This Data Comes From

SBA 7(a) loan data (2024–2025)
Franchise disclosure documents (FDDs)
WebstaurantStore equipment pricing
r/foodtrucks community data

All figures are estimates based on publicly available data and industry benchmarks. Actual costs vary by location, timing, and business decisions.

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