In this article, we’ve attempted to provide you with comprehensive details on where to get your food truck, how much you’ll spend, how to own one, and key differences between a used food truck and a new one.

These are just a few areas we’ll be looking at. To find out more, you only need to read along.

Equipment is a necessity for any type of business you wish to engage in. Such tools help increase the efficiency of your operations. For a food truck business, the primary tool or equipment is a food truck!

These come in different sizes or capacities. Your needs will reflect on the choices you make.

Having determined the need for a truck, you’ll need to figure out where to buy a food truck from. The “where” is crucial as certain food truck dealers are much more efficient than others.

Efficiency in this sense refers to customer relations, after-sales service, and more.

In general, the process of acquiring one shouldn’t be complicated and should be satisfactory for both parties.

MORE: Small Business Grants For Food Truck

Another major consideration that comes to mind is whether you need a new truck or a used one. As stated earlier, it all depends on what your needs are. Getting a new truck will cost more than a used one.

Food Truck Options

Persons seeking to buy a food truck will need to weigh the options available to them first.

Such options include; buying a new food truck, buying a used food truck as well as leasing one. These options cater to different buyer needs.

Hence, you only need to know where you belong.

  • Buying a New Food Truck

Here, you’re looking at the outright purchase of a brand new food truck.

Out of the three options listed, this is the most costly. You’ll have to figure out how much capital is at your disposal and if you can afford one. The typical cost for one will range from $100,000 to $175,000.

  • Buying a Used Food Truck

As long as there’s an option for a used truck (of which there is), certain buyers will prefer going for such.

This cuts down significantly on their expenses and saves them money for other aspects of the restaurant business. Used food trucks cost around $50,000 to $100,000.

  • Leasing a Food Truck

Here, you don’t need to own a food truck as you only need to lease one.

Thankfully, there are lots of leasing options for interested businesses. The good thing with leasing is that you won’t have to worry about maintenance and other overhead costs.

You’ll only incur a monthly leasing fee of around $2,000 to $3,000 each month.

The leasing option is ideal for small mobile food businesses. With these options, it’s clear that there’s something for everyone no matter the scale of your operations.

This being said, let’s consider where you can buy one.

Places To Buy A Food Truck Online

There are lots of dealerships that are specialized in the sale of new and used food trucks.

Also, you don’t have to buy one outright but can lease such truck(s). This last option won’t take up much of your startup capital and helps entrepreneurs on a tight budget to still realize their goals.

Sites like eBay and Craigslist are great places to start your search from. Here, there are tons of search results to search from. You get to find the different conditions such trucks are in.

Food Truck Empire is another reliable partner when it comes to buying a food truck.

  • Get in Contact with Other Truck Owners

The food trucking business is quite a close-knit community in the sense that entrepreneurs know about other competitors. This is a great place to get all the information you seek.

Are you interested in purchasing used trucks?

These industry players may know about a business that is closing up shop. You may end up buying your trucks cheaper. While new food truck businesses are established, others wind up their operations due to many reasons.

Interacting or networking with these food truck owners will prove useful.

  • Find Food Truck Associations Closes to your Location

Like the point we just discussed, above, finding food truck associations serving your area will also prove useful.

Such associations exist for purposes of convenience. Such common associations provide information on equipment sales and could be managed by food truck owners.

If you’re finding it a bit challenging to find one, consider making an online search for your city. Information is bound to show up as well as contact details. Asking for recommendations in such areas can be a great start.

However, you should expect some bias as long as food truck manufacturers are involved.

  • Consider Patronizing a Custom Manufacturer

This is most common in suburban areas where businesses exist that can design or construct a custom food truck that meets your specifications.

Such types of businesses have been in operation for a long and know what it means to satisfy their clients.

Working something out with custom manufacturers may end up serving you better in terms of cost and spacing as opposed to getting or buying already-used or new trucks.

Sometimes, rates charged by custom manufacturers are quite high due to certain factors. You may want to find out what works best for you.

  • Corporate Fleets

Corporate fleets are great places to look when seeking to buy a food truck business.

Corporate entities usually ensure that their trucks are well maintained throughout the time of their use. Such maintenance has to do with frequent oil changes among other things.

When sold, these trucks are mostly in good condition with little maintenance work needed to restore them to perfect working condition. Of course, a few modifications are necessary to make these trucks serve the needs of food truck business owners.

Do You Need A Food Truck?

This question may sound weird to an entrepreneur seeking to start their own food truck business.

However, the question isn’t literal but seeks to make you look inward for solutions. You may have to opt for cheaper options such as converting a bus or other type of vehicle to serve the same purpose.

This won’t require all the financial demands normally accompanying new food trucks. Apart from using other types of cheaper vehicles, you also have the leasing option.

  • Leasing a Food Truck

With the leasing option, you’re spending way less to operate your food truck business than you would normally spend when purchasing new or used trucks.

Upfront payment for certain food trucks could be more than $100,000. This is way better if compared to the average cost of renting a food truck per time.

This could be substantial for an entrepreneur seeking to break into the market.

Instead of making a substantial upfront payment, leasing gives you a better value as you get access to a similar vehicle, yet pay around $3,000 per month.

With food truck leasing, you also get a tax-deductible payment for your business.

To avoid having to halt your business operations at the expiration of the lease term, consider going for a lease agreement with a purchasing option. Another alternative open to you is to pay off the truck.

What Best Truck Serves My Need?

When it comes to deciding between new or old food trucks, it might be sometimes confusing. However, it doesn’t need to be so as each has its up and downsides.

  • New Food Trucks

New food trucks cost significantly higher with an average price of $200,000. The benefits of this option include customizing to meet your specific needs, fewer breakdowns; you’re the first owner and monitor its condition better.

Such trucks come with good warranties and also look clean.

The downside of new food trucks is seen in the high costs. High upfront costs mean you may be financially constrained for modifications when your business outgrows the truck size too fast.

  • Used Food Trucks

These two have their benefits as they’re initially cheaper.

In most cases, there’s no need for added customization. You won’t have to figure out what equipment is needed.

On the downside is the risk of frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. Also, your truck’s life expectancy is limited and may easily result in issues.

Tips on Buying a Food Truck

Having found where to buy your food truck, you’ll need to know how to go about it.

Knowing exactly what you need in addition to understanding certain key differences no matter how little will be of great help. Apart from cost, you’ll need to consider the needs of your customers.

Other tips on purchasing a food truck include its capacity, layout, onsite food preparation Vs commercial kitchen, and the menu. These are vital areas that help you make the right decision.

Let’s further discuss each of these points to make things clearer.

  • Truck Cost

Now that you’ve found where to buy your food truck, you’ll need to work out all cost details.

Here, you’ll be looking at making the right purchase as your food truck is part of your branding. Getting a new food truck will be a great idea. However, if a used one will serve your needs, it must be in great condition.

You don’t want a truck that develops frequent faults as this could affect your operations. Also, consider how the truck sounds. Your used food truck shouldn’t have any issues that could derail your operations.

  • Customer Needs

Before making a food truck purchase, you’ll need to have figured out who your target customers are. Where can you find them? What menu items best meet their needs?

All such details ensure you don’t make the wrong choice.

  • Food Truck Capacity

Your operational capacity is crucial to buying a food truck. The more employees involved, the larger the truck needs to be. Here, you’ll need to check out the kitchen and workspace to see if it’s adequate.

Remember your food truck business is likely to grow. As such have that in mind.

  • Food Truck Layout

Food truck layout is important. Most buyers have an idea of what they need even before shopping for a food truck. You might find exactly what you need or something even better.

Also, there’s a possibility of not finding one that meets your expectations in terms of layout.

  • Onsite Vs Offsite Food Preparation

Does your city allow the preparation and storage of food in a food truck?

If it does and such aligns with your needs, then you’ll need a food truck with a larger space as all the food preparation equipment will need to be on the vehicle.

  • Food Truck Menu

Your menu options impact the purchase you make.

Different menus require the use of varying equipment. Here, you’ll be thinking about storage space for such equipment in addition to the available workspace that allows for easy maneuverability.

Not only have we discussed where you can buy a food truck, but we’ve also provided tips on purchasing the right truck. Also, you have the option of buying new, or used trucks.

This is in addition to leasing alternatives.

Conclusion

Knowing where to buy a food truck depends on multiple factors. While there are clear buying destinations like online stores, scam artists create fake landing pages which deceive unsuspecting buyers to make a payment.

You’ll need to purchase on verified sites like eBay or Craigslist as these have buyer protection provisions in place. You don’t want to make a mistake with your hard-earned money.

As such, the search begins from knowing which food truck dealers are available within your location.

An excellent online resource you can put to good use and begin your search from is the Food Truck Empire site.

Here, you’ll get guidance on how to proceed on with your purchase. Information covering a variety of food truck niches such as a mobile coffee shop, hot dog, restaurant, and more are provided.

If you know any local dealers within your location, that will be a great place to start your search from.

However, that’s unlikely if you’re reading this article as it’s a clear indication that you have little idea on where to find one.

The information provided has been focused on informing you where to buy a food truck. We’ve also seen other options as leasing one instead of buying.