GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Food Truck Statistics: Market Report & Data

Highlights: Food Truck Statistics

  • The food truck industry is expected to reach $996 million by 2020, according to Allied Market Research.
  • As of 2021, there were more than 23,000 active food truck businesses in the U.S.
  • As per Food Truck Nation, the average food truck permit cost in San Francisco is $5,644.
  • The average revenue of food trucks in the U.S. in 2020 was estimated at $250,000 to $500,000.
  • There has been a 140% increase in the number of food trucks in the U.S. over the past five years.
  • Almost half (47%) of millennials have eaten street food, and 40% have eaten at a food truck, according to Technomic.
  • According to Statista, the majority of U.S. consumers (47%) in 2016 stated that they eat street food because it offers flavors and cuisines not available in traditional restaurants.
  • Food trucks have lower overhead costs than restaurants, with startup costs averaging $55,000 to $75,000, according to Mobile Cuisine.
  • On average, a food truck owner spends about 10 hours a day managing their business.
  • 34% of food trucks offer dessert menus, highlighting the trend of specialty food trucks.
  • One-fourth of food truck owners plan on purchasing another truck within two years according to a study by Emergent Research.
  • The most common food sold in food trucks in the United States are sandwiches, at 38.8 percent.
  • Food truck sales in New York in 2015 reached $15.7 million.
  • 28% of the millennial generation believe that food trucks serve high-quality food.
  • In 2020, the food truck industry in the U.S. dropped by approximately 7.9% due to the pandemic.
  • 85% of food trucks in the U.S. are independent operations, not franchises.
  • According to research by Food Truck Operator, around 50% of surveyed food truck owners said they make between $150,000 and $200,000 a year in gross sales.

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Food trucks have seen a remarkable surge in popularity over the past few years, transforming the way we perceive mobile cuisine. They represent a vibrant, dynamic segment of the food service industry, contributing significantly to the economy. This blog post delves into the rich, tasty world of food truck statistics. Uncover intriguing trends, explore location-based data, examine audience demographics, and learn about profitability and operational costs. Whether you run a gourmet food truck, are looking to foray into this booming market, or are simply a curious foodie, this compendium of statistics will offer informative and valuable insights.

The Latest Food Truck Statistics Unveiled

The food truck industry is expected to reach $996 million by 2020, according to Allied Market Research.

Imagine tapping into a market that is projected to swell to a staggering $996 million by 2020, as revealed by Allied Market Research. This amazing growth in the food truck industry is a clear manifestation of an evolving consumer food market, an exciting fusion of food, mobility, and innovation. In a blog post about Food Truck Statistics, the prediction of such robust growth highlights a tremendous potential for entrepreneurs, indicates shifting consumer preferences for dining experiences, and provides a roadmap for investment opportunities. Whether you’re a prospective entrepreneur, a curious diner, or an educated investor, this statistic serves as a mouth-watering appetizer to the feast of data, trends, and possibilities existing in the dynamic world of food trucks.

As of 2021, there were more than 23,000 active food truck businesses in the U.S.

Unveiling the robust landscape of the food truck industry, the revelation of over 23,000 active food truck businesses in the U.S. in 2021 illustrates the thriving vitality of this market segment. This intriguing metric serves as a testament to the dynamic evolution of eating habits, the increasing acceptance of street food, and the entrepreneurial spirit fervently alive across the nation. Moreover, it reflects the market’s resilience and adaptability, despite challenging economic climates and fluctuating consumer behavior. Therefore, anyone aspiring to delve into this culinary commerce avenue or studying industry trends can consider this a vital pulse of the food truck scene.

As per Food Truck Nation, the average food truck permit cost in San Francisco is $5,644.

The vivid picture that a food truck permit cost of $5,644 in San Francisco paints provides a critical insight into one of the primary financial challenges faced by aspiring mobile caterers. Unveiling a major aspect of overhead costs, this figure isn’t a mere statistic; instead, it’s a beacon guiding entrepreneurs towards informed decision-making. This graphic monetary representation serves as a key to understanding barriers to enter this industry, delineates potential profit margins, and underscores the importance of a well-structured business plan in order to overcome such upfront costs in this dynamic urban food landscape.

The average revenue of food trucks in the U.S. in 2020 was estimated at $250,000 to $500,000.

Capturing the vibrancy within the street food industry, the revenue range between $250,000 to $500,000 for U.S food trucks in 2020 underscores their vitality and economic contribution. Amid the turbulence of the year, robust earnings inject a sense of optimism for prospective entrepreneurs, providing a benchmark for success. This vibrant monetary panorama draws a comprehensive picture, imparting crucial commercial insights to those within or entering the industry, shedding light on the viability, profitability and appeal of food truck businesses.

There has been a 140% increase in the number of food trucks in the U.S. over the past five years.

Delving into the delicious arena of Food Truck Statistics, our taste buds are tantalized by the hefty 140% increase in the number of food trucks in the U.S. over the past five years. Like the spiciest of sauces, this stunning leap adds significant heat to the understanding of shifting eating habits and the entrepreneurial spirit stirring the cauldron of American cuisine. The meteoric rise points not only to the vitality and diversity of this mobile culinary movement, but also hints at a trend of consumers opting for more personalized, locally-sourced dishes over mass-produced fast food—providing food for thought for anyone brewing a new business idea or simply looking to feast on the latest industry trends.

Almost half (47%) of millennials have eaten street food, and 40% have eaten at a food truck, according to Technomic.

The pulsating rhythm of millennial taste buds offers a tantalizing revelation in the street-side symphony of food trucks. According to Technomic, an impressive 47% of millennials have indulged in the unpretentious delicacies of street food, and 40% have had the opportunity to savor the gastronomic delights offered by a food truck. These numbers not only reveal the shifting culinary predilections of millennials, but also underscore the burgeoning potential and unmatched popularity of the food truck industry, thus transforming our understanding of on-the-go perfection on a paper plate.

According to Statista, the majority of U.S. consumers (47%) in 2016 stated that they eat street food because it offers flavors and cuisines not available in traditional restaurants.

Poring through the delicious details of food truck statistics, we stumble upon a fascinating morsel from Statista, enlightening us that nearly half of U.S. consumers in 2016 were drawn to street food for its unique flavors and cuisines, unavailable in traditional restaurants. This savory insight becomes a crucial ingredient in our understanding of the food truck industry’s appeal and success. It confirms that food truck businesses aren’t just about grab-and-go convenience, but reveal a broader culinary adventure – a celebration of diversity, creativity, and novelty that entices the taste buds of American consumers. A statistic like this serves our investigation like a secret sauce, adding depth and richness to our comprehension of why food trucks have become a dynamic part of the American gastronomic panorama.

Food trucks have lower overhead costs than restaurants, with startup costs averaging $55,000 to $75,000, according to Mobile Cuisine.

In a landscape where initial investment is a potential barrier to culinary entrepreneurship, the average startup costs for food trucks prove an attractive proposition. Mobile Cuisine’s statistic underscores that launching a food truck, with its lower overheads between $55,000 and $75,000, offers an economical alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. As part of the wider food truck statistics discussion, it provides vital context, and can offer burgeoning entrepreneurs a financially viable stepping stone into the competitive food business.

On average, a food truck owner spends about 10 hours a day managing their business.

Delving into the unique panorama of Food Truck Statistics, the insightful fact that a food truck owner typically devotes approximately 10 hours daily to business management carries profound implications. This comprehensive commitment, evidently far beyond a standard workday, illustrates the dedication, labor, and persistence demanded in this line of business. It offers an unfiltered reality to enthusiasts who are considering the food truck industry and stresses the extent of involvement necessary for success. Moreover, it provides existing owners a benchmark for their operation, allowing them to evaluate and potentially adjust their time management strategies for maximum business efficacy.

34% of food trucks offer dessert menus, highlighting the trend of specialty food trucks.

Painting a vivid picture of the evolving culinary landscape on wheels, the statistic of a significant 34% of food trucks rolling out dessert menus indicates an emerging trend in the food truck industry. Embracing specialization to stand out in a crowded market, these mobile eateries are tantalizing taste buds with unique sweet treats, serving everything from gourmet donuts to artisanal ice creams and beyond. This insight underscores the innovative approaches food truck entrepreneurs are employing to differentiate themselves and respond to growing consumer demand for variant and niche fare experiences, transforming the humble food truck from a quick meal stop to a destination for dessert enthusiasts.

One-fourth of food truck owners plan on purchasing another truck within two years according to a study by Emergent Research.

Unveiling a trend that denotes a promising future for the food truck industry, Emergent Research’s study underlines a substantial 25% of existing food truck proprietors setting sights on expanding their fleet within two years. This prospective growth pattern dovetailed in blogs about Food Truck Statistics not only punctuates the robustness of this segment but also flashes light on the enthusiastic risk appetite amongst these entrepreneurs, affirming the notion of a vibrant industry on the move.

The most common food sold in food trucks in the United States are sandwiches, at 38.8 percent.

Shedding light on the culinary preferences on wheels, the data reveals that sandwiches, holding the fort at 38.8 percent, are the undisputed champion in the food truck arena in the United States. This insight is pivotal for those considering entering the food truck business, as it assists in discerning customer preferences for quick, hand-held meals. Additionally, consumers and food enthusiasts can better understand the dominant trends in this growing segment. Lastly, it also represents a key talking point for policy discussions around healthy eating and dietary choices in the context of fast, mobile food options.

Food truck sales in New York in 2015 reached $15.7 million.

Illuminating the tremendous scale of the food truck industry, the whopping figure of $15.7 million in revenue in New York alone in 2015 underscores the impressive financial vitality of this sector. Within this bustling microcosm of the food industry, these numbers aren’t just symbols of economic health; they serve as quintessential indicators of popular demand, viability, and the incontestable role food trucks play in city food culture. In essence, this figure offers a substantive touchpoint for understanding the monetized appeal of food trucks, paving the way for deeper exploration of this thriving gastronomic movement.

28% of the millennial generation believe that food trucks serve high-quality food.

Delving into the enticing world of food truck fare, a revealing figure to note is that 28% of the millennial generation trusts the quality of meals dispensed from these mobile kitchens. This interesting statistic adds a flavorful dimension to our understanding of food truck facts, showing their potential to emerge as trendsetters in the evolving food industry landscape. Given the ever-increasing influence of millennial spending power, food truck owners could harness this positive perception to carve out a significant chunk of the market, offering gastronomical delights that attract both the palate and wallet of this discerning demographic.

In 2020, the food truck industry in the U.S. dropped by approximately 7.9% due to the pandemic.

Painting a vibrant picture of the food truck industry necessitates examining the indelible impact of the global pandemic. A stark indication of this influence is the 7.9% decline the industry witnessed in 2020 across the U.S. Woven into this decline is a fascinating interplay of factors including reduced footfall in professional and business districts, heightened health regulations, and the economic fallout from COVID-19. This snapshot not only underscores the resilience and adaptability of food truck entrepreneurs but also signals potential areas of growth and opportunity as the world adapts to the ‘new normal’. A dive into these numbers could unveil compelling insights for stakeholders, prospective entrants, or even avid food truck aficionados curious about the market’s trajectory.

85% of food trucks in the U.S. are independent operations, not franchises.

Delving into the colorful world of food truck industry, it becomes apparent that its vibrant diversity stems largely from its independent spirit. The fact that a striking 85% of food trucks across the U.S. are independent operations rather than franchises illuminates the industry’s penchant for originality and entrepreneurship. Such a high percentage underscores the preference for individuality, allowing owners to craft their unique menu specialties, distinctive branding and personalized customer experience. It also reflects the industry’s low entry barriers for budding entrepreneurs who aspire to serve innovative cuisines on wheels helping shape the industry as a bustling breeding ground for culinary creativity.

According to research by Food Truck Operator, around 50% of surveyed food truck owners said they make between $150,000 and $200,000 a year in gross sales.

Highlighting facts such as the one noted by Food Truck Operator provides an insightful glimpse into the potential profitability within the burgeoning food truck industry. In the realm of Food Truck Statistics, the fact that approximately half of food truck owners reported an annual gross sales range of $150,000 to $200,000 signifies a robust earning possibility. This illustrated earning range could ignite interest in potential entrepreneurs, investors, and industry spectators alike. Thus, it serves as a monetary indicator of success and stability within this niche market, influencing both current and future market dynamics.

Conclusion

The data clearly demonstrates the substantial role that food trucks play in the food service industry. Despite challenges such as seasonal variations and spatial limitations, food trucks have experienced impressive growth in recent years. The success of food trucks is not only measured by their increasing numbers, but also by the wider range of food choices they offer. Cutting-edge cuisine and niche culinary concepts, combined with the mobility of food trucks, allows vendors to reach a diverse audience. Future trends point towards a sustained growth of the food truck industry, underlining its economic potential and culinary significance in our evolving lifestyle patterns and food consumption trends.

References

0. – https://www.www.foodtrucknation.us

1. – https://www.www.alliedmarketresearch.com

2. – https://www.www.mobile-cuisine.com

3. – https://www.upserve.com

4. – https://www.www.statista.com

5. – https://www.www.reportlinker.com

6. – https://www.www.foodtruckoperator.com

7. – https://www.mobile-cuisine.com

8. – https://www.www.franchisehelp.com

9. – https://www.www.technomic.com

10. – https://www.www.emarketer.com

11. – https://www.www.mobilecuisine.com

12. – https://www.www.webstaurantstore.com

13. – https://www.foodtruckr.com

14. – https://www.www.ibisworld.com

FAQs

What is the average startup cost for a food truck?

The average startup cost for a food truck can range anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000. This varies greatly depending on factors such as equipment, permits and licenses, and vehicle cost.

How profitable is a food truck business on average?

On average, a food truck can make between $50,000 to $100,000 annually. However, profits vary greatly depending on location, business strategy, and offerings.

How long does it typically take for a food truck business to break even?

On average, it can take anywhere from 18 to 24 months for a food truck business to break even. This can vary based on the startup costs, pricing structure, and the overall business model.

What is the average lifespan of a food truck?

The average lifespan of a food truck vehicle is about 10 years, although with proper maintenance and care, it can last significantly longer.

What percentage of food trucks fail in the first year?

About 60% of food trucks cease operations within the first three years. Exact first-year failure rates are hard to determine due to the informal nature of the industry, however, general small business statistics imply around 20-30% might stop trading in the first year.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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