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Our business plan for a food truck will help you build a profitable project
Starting a food truck is an exciting venture, but selecting the right equipment can be overwhelming.
The challenge lies in choosing equipment that fits your limited space while meeting health code requirements and serving customers efficiently.
Every food truck concept has unique needs, and equipment costs can quickly exceed your budget if you don't plan carefully.
Complete Food Truck Equipment List
Launching a successful food truck requires strategic planning and the right equipment. This comprehensive list covers everything you need to get your mobile kitchen operational.
Cooking Equipment
- Commercial range/cooktop - Gas or electric units designed for mobile kitchen use
- Grill/griddle - Essential for burgers, sandwiches, and grilled items
- Deep fryer - Compact commercial unit for fried foods and sides
- Convection oven - Space-efficient baking and roasting capabilities
- Microwave - Quick heating and reheating of specific items
- Food warmer/steam table - Keeps prepared foods at safe serving temperatures
- Prep tables - Stainless steel surfaces with refrigerated storage underneath
- Cutting boards - Multiple boards for different food types
- Knives (professional set) - Essential tools for food preparation
- Thermometer - Monitors food temperatures for safety compliance
Refrigeration
- Reach-in refrigerator - Compact unit for frequently accessed ingredients
- Freezer unit - Stores frozen ingredients and prepared items
- Prep refrigerator - Work surface with refrigerated storage below
- Beverage cooler - Displays and chills drinks for customers
- Ice machine - Produces ice for drinks and food storage
Food Preparation Tools
- Food processor - Speeds up chopping and mixing tasks
- Blender - Essential for smoothies, sauces, and mixed drinks
- Mixer (small commercial) - Handles batters and doughs efficiently
- Mandoline slicer - Creates uniform cuts quickly and safely
- Can opener (heavy-duty) - Opens large commercial cans easily
- Measuring cups/spoons - Ensures accurate recipe portioning
- Mixing bowls - Various sizes for different preparation needs
- Spatulas and utensils - Heat-resistant tools for cooking and serving
- Tongs - Safe handling of hot foods during preparation
- Ladles - Portion control for soups, sauces, and sides
Service & Customer Interface
- Service window - Customer ordering and pickup point
- Cash register/POS system - Processes payments and tracks sales
- Card reader - Accepts credit and debit card payments
- Menu boards - Displays offerings and prices clearly
- Food containers/packaging - Takeout boxes, bags, and wrapping
- Napkin dispensers - Customer convenience items
- Condiment stations - Organized access to sauces and extras
- Beverage dispensers - Serves drinks efficiently to customers
Cleaning & Sanitation
- Three-compartment sink - Washing, rinsing, and sanitizing dishes
- Hand washing station - Separate sink for staff hygiene
- Sanitizer dispenser - Maintains cleanliness throughout service
- Grease trap - Required for wastewater management
- Fire suppression system - Automatic safety system for cooking areas
- Fire extinguisher - Manual fire safety equipment
- First aid kit - Handles minor workplace injuries
- Cleaning supplies - Maintains sanitary conditions in mobile kitchen
- Trash receptacles - Multiple bins for waste separation
Storage Solutions
- Dry storage containers - Keeps ingredients fresh and organized
- Shelving units - Maximizes vertical storage space efficiently
- Food storage boxes - Protects ingredients during transport
- Spice racks - Organizes seasonings in compact space
Power & Utilities
- Generator - Provides electrical power when not connected to grid
- Electrical system - Wiring and outlets for all equipment
- Propane tanks - Fuel source for gas-powered cooking equipment
- Water tank system - Fresh water storage and delivery
- Wastewater tanks - Collects and stores used water safely
- Ventilation system - Removes heat, smoke, and cooking odors
- Exhaust hood - Required over cooking equipment for safety
Technology & Management
- Inventory management app - Tracks ingredients and supplies
- Social media tools - Promotes location and daily specials
- GPS tracking - Helps customers find your current location
- Accounting software - Manages finances and daily sales
- Recipe management system - Standardizes preparation and costs
Safety & Compliance
- Uniforms/aprons - Professional appearance and safety compliance
- Hair nets/hats - Required by health departments
- Non-slip shoes - Safety footwear for kitchen environments
- Disposable gloves - Food handling safety requirements
- Food safety thermometers - Multiple units for different applications
- Permits and licenses - Legal documentation for operation
Our financial plan for a food truck will help you build a profitable project
What Equipment Budget Should You Plan?
Most food truck owners spend between $30,000 and $150,000 on equipment, depending on their concept and menu complexity. You really can't go below $20,000 for even the most basic setup because you need essential cooking equipment, refrigeration, and safety systems just to pass health inspections.
- Basic Food Truck
A basic food truck with simple menu items needs around $20,000-$40,000, with most of the budget going toward a grill, fryer, and basic refrigeration.
- Standard Food Truck
A standard food truck with diverse menu options typically runs $40,000-$80,000, including specialized cooking equipment and better storage solutions.
- Premium Food Truck
A premium food truck with gourmet offerings can easily reach $80,000-$150,000, especially when you add custom equipment and advanced kitchen systems.
Equipment Budget Examples
Basic Food Truck ($20,000 - $40,000)
Basic food trucks focus on essential equipment for simple menu items like burgers, hot dogs, and basic fried foods. The goal is getting functional equipment that meets health codes without overspending on features you won't use initially.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Equipment | 36-inch gas grill/griddle, single basket deep fryer, basic range with 4 burners, food warmer with 3 compartments | $6,000 - $10,000 |
| Refrigeration | Single door reach-in refrigerator, small freezer unit, prep table with refrigerated base, basic ice machine | $4,000 - $7,000 |
| Power & Utilities | 5kW generator, basic electrical system, 40-gallon fresh water tank, 40-gallon wastewater tank, propane system | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Service Equipment | Basic service window, simple POS system, manual card reader, basic menu board, takeout containers | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Cleaning & Safety | Compact 3-compartment sink, hand wash station, basic fire suppression, fire extinguisher, cleaning supplies | $2,500 - $5,000 |
| Small Equipment | Basic prep tools, measuring equipment, small appliances, storage containers, basic shelving | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Installation & Setup | Equipment installation, basic electrical work, plumbing connections, initial inspection and permits | $2,000 - $4,000 |
Standard Food Truck ($40,000 - $80,000)
Standard food trucks need more versatile equipment to handle diverse menus and higher customer volume. You're investing in efficiency and the ability to offer more variety while maintaining food quality and safety standards.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Equipment | 48-inch combination grill/griddle, double basket fryer, 6-burner range, convection oven, steam table with 4 wells | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| Refrigeration | Double door reach-in cooler, upright freezer, 2-door prep refrigerator, larger capacity ice machine, beverage cooler | $8,000 - $14,000 |
| Power & Utilities | 8kW generator with auto-start, upgraded electrical panel, 80-gallon fresh water system, 80-gallon waste system | $6,000 - $12,000 |
| Food Prep Equipment | Commercial food processor, high-speed blender, small mixer, mandoline slicer, vacuum sealer | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Service & Technology | Electric service window, advanced POS system with inventory tracking, contactless payment, digital menu boards | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Ventilation & Safety | Exhaust hood with fire suppression, make-up air system, upgraded grease management, safety equipment | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| Installation & Permits | Professional installation, electrical and plumbing work, ventilation setup, all permits and inspections | $4,000 - $8,000 |
Premium Food Truck ($80,000 - $150,000)
Premium food trucks operate with restaurant-quality equipment in a mobile format. The focus is on maximizing kitchen efficiency, food quality, and customer experience while handling high-volume service and gourmet menu items.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Cooking | 60-inch custom grill station, high-efficiency fryer systems, 8-burner range, combi oven, specialized equipment for unique menu | $20,000 - $35,000 |
| Advanced Refrigeration | Walk-in cooler section, multiple reach-in units, blast chiller, specialized storage for different ingredients | $12,000 - $22,000 |
| Power Systems | 12kW+ generator with shore power capability, advanced electrical distribution, backup battery systems, solar panels | $10,000 - $18,000 |
| Food Prep Stations | Multiple prep areas with refrigerated bases, commercial-grade processors and mixers, specialized preparation equipment | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Service Technology | Automated service systems, advanced POS with analytics, multiple payment options, digital ordering integration | $6,000 - $12,000 |
| Kitchen Automation | Automated cooking timers, temperature monitoring systems, inventory tracking, recipe management technology | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Custom Features | Specialized equipment for unique menu items, custom storage solutions, enhanced customer interaction areas | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Professional Setup | Complete custom installation, advanced ventilation systems, comprehensive testing, staff training, all certifications | $8,000 - $15,000 |