Food Truck? Trailer? Tent? Cart? How to decide.

There are a lot of food vending options and once you have made the commitment to going mobile, you need to make that first big decision: Which is the best choice for me? Truck? Trailer? Tent? Cart? 

One could probably write a book on the subject, but it all boils down to: What are your resources? What are your markets/venues? What is your menu? Do you have a personal preference?

Food Trucks

Although the term has become generic in describing the whole gamut of mobile food vendors, it specifically describes any self-propelled food selling vehicles on wheels. They can sell prepackaged, ready-to-eat snacks and foods, or be fully equipped full-service mobile restaurants. 

They can be tiny, from the size of a food cart married to a motorcycle, or as large as a city bus...

  ..but are usually somewhere in between, from 14 to 32 feet .long and 7 feet wide is common.

Pros

• 100% self-contained.
• Easier to park than a trailer
• Faster to set-up and break-down than a trailer.

Cons

• If the truck mechanically breaks down, you are pretty much out of business until fixed.
• Less working space per linear foot than a trailer (usually narrower plus cab takes up space)
• Food trucks are the most expensive to get into, especially if you already have a good vehicle for towing a trailer.

Food Trailers

Food Trailers are food trucks without the self-propelled option.  They need to be towed between venues and into position by another vehicle.  They range in size from tiny up to 53 feet long.  Most trailers are 8.5 feet wide.

 

Pros

• If tow vehicle breaks down, you can still get to an event with a loaner/rental, etc.
• More working space per linear foot (usually wider and no cab taking up space) than a truck

Cons

• Needs a separate tow vehicle
• Most difficult to park
• More work & time to set-up and break-down tan a truck.

Food Carts

Food carts are small, usually specialized mobile food serving kiosks.  Think of ice cream, hot dogs, popcorn, or pretzels (although there are street-vending carts doing much more elaborate preparations).  They are hand-pushed or loaded onto a truck or trailer for transport between locations.

  

Pros

• Lowest entry cost
• Easily maneuverable and suitable for indoor or outdoor events.

Cons

• Need a vehicle to transport between distant locations.
• Very limited in menu scope.

Food Tents

Just what they sound like.  Temporary structures which can be a simple 10x10' pop-up to larger and more elaborate configurations.  Full outdoor kitchen set-ups often require a large box truck to transport all the components.

 

Pros

• Inexpensive start-up costs.
• Flexible configurations for different situations

Cons

• Some health departments do not support them.
• Some venues do not allow them.
• Untenable in inclement (especially windy) conditions
• The most set up and break-down work & time.

Conclusion

One of the best comparisons I've seen comes from an experienced food trucker Eddie Little Bear from his post on a food discussion group...

"In my opinion - and this is just my opinion, based on having worked tents, trailers and trucks - tents are best for quick pop-up events, like farmers' markets. Trailers are good for bigger multi-day events, like county fairs and music festivals. Trailers also have the advantage of being available in larger sizes than trucks, allowing for more options in your menu. Also, if your tow vehicle breaks down, it's not too hard to rent or borrow one to get your trailer to an event. Trucks are best for hunting down the "lunch trade", working multiple markets during a given week, possibly even creating a regular "circuit" (Mon in the XYZ parking lot, Tue across from the theater, Wednesday at the microbrewery, etc.). Trucks have the advantage of being able to move fast to get to where the customers are. So, before you buy, think about what venues you are looking at getting into." 

Oh, and yes!  There are even Food Boats and who knows what other concepts creative food entrepreneurs have come up with (or will)!