A food truck costs between €50,000 and €150,000 on average, depending on size, equipment, and whether you buy new or secondhand. Most entrepreneurs underestimate the total investment because they focus only on the truck itself. You need to understand all costs involved and financing strategies to budget properly.
Total food truck investment
Food truck costs include much more than just the vehicle. You're looking at the truck itself, kitchen equipment, permits, and startup costs.
💡 Example: Total investment new food truck
For a complete setup, budget for:
- Food truck chassis: €45,000
- Kitchen equipment: €25,000
- Permits and inspections: €3,500
- Startup costs (inventory, marketing): €8,000
- Contingency (10%): €8,150
Total: €89,650
Cost breakdown per component
Each euro goes somewhere specific during your food truck purchase.
1. The vehicle itself
- New food truck: €40,000 - €80,000
- Secondhand food truck: €15,000 - €45,000
- Converting an existing truck yourself: €20,000 - €35,000 (excluding truck)
The price depends on size, brand, and how much work you handle personally versus professional conversion.
2. Kitchen equipment
This component costs more than most entrepreneurs expect. For a professional mobile kitchen you'll need:
- Deep fryer: €2,500 - €4,000
- Grill/plancha: €3,000 - €6,000
- Cooling: €2,000 - €3,500
- Generator/power supply: €3,000 - €5,000
- Ventilation and exhaust: €4,000 - €7,000
- Small equipment: €2,000 - €3,000
⚠️ Watch out:
Cheap kitchen equipment often breaks quickly. In a food truck, everything endures constant stress from vibrations and temperature fluctuations.
3. Permits and inspections
Before hitting the road, your truck needs to pass various inspections and you'll need permits:
- MOT and RDW inspection: €500 - €800
- HACCP certification: €800 - €1,200
- Fire department inspection: €300 - €600
- Market permits: €50 - €200 per market
- Event permits: €100 - €500 per event
Financing options
Few entrepreneurs have €80,000+ in cash available. Several options exist to finance a food truck purchase.
Business loan
Most banks finance food trucks as a business investment. Expect:
- Own contribution: 20-30% of total investment
- Interest: 4-8% depending on your situation
- Term: 5-10 years
💡 Example: Financing €80,000 food truck
With a loan of €60,000 (after €20,000 own contribution):
- Interest: 6% per year
- Term: 7 years
- Monthly payment: approximately €950
This means you need to earn at least €950 per month to pay off the loan.
Lease vs. purchase
Some suppliers offer lease options. This can be interesting because:
- Lower monthly payments than purchasing
- Maintenance often included
- Ability to upgrade after 3-5 years
Downside: you pay more in the end and don't own the truck.
Operational costs per month
Beyond acquisition costs, you'll have monthly fixed expenses. Include these in your business plan:
- Insurance: €150 - €300/month
- Fuel: €400 - €800/month (depending on how much you drive)
- Maintenance: €200 - €400/month
- Market fees: €50 - €150 per market day
- Ingredients: 25-35% of your revenue
Break-even calculation
To determine if a food truck is profitable, you need to know your break-even point.
💡 Example: Break-even food truck
Monthly fixed costs:
- Loan: €950
- Insurance: €200
- Maintenance: €300
- Other costs: €250
Total: €1,700/month in fixed costs
With a 30% margin, this means: €1,700 / 0.30 = €5,667 revenue per month needed to break even.
Cost management tips
A food truck is an investment, but you can shop smart and control costs. After managing kitchen operations for nearly a decade, I've seen which strategies actually work:
- Start small: Buy secondhand and upgrade later if you're successful
- Focus on one concept: Less equipment needed than with a broad menu
- Buy directly from suppliers: Middlemen make everything more expensive
- Plan your routes: Fuel costs can add up quickly
⚠️ Watch out:
Many food truck entrepreneurs fail because they underestimate their costs. Always budget an extra 20% for unexpected expenses.
Track your costs and margins from day one, so you know exactly what each dish brings in.
How do you calculate the total investment? (step by step)
Determine your concept and required equipment
Make a list of all kitchen appliances you need for your menu. A burger truck needs different equipment than a smoothie bar. Get quotes from at least 3 suppliers.
Calculate total acquisition costs
Add up all costs: truck, equipment, permits, and setup. Add 10-20% for unexpected costs. This gives you the actual investment you need.
Create a financing plan
Determine how much own money you have and how much you need to borrow. Calculate the monthly payments and check if you can afford them with your expected revenue. Arrange financing before you buy.
✨ Pro tip
Monitor your generator fuel consumption for the first 45 days - most new operators burn through 23-27% more fuel than expected while learning optimal power management during service hours.
Calculate this yourself?
In the KitchenNmbrs app you can do this in just a few clicks. 7 days free, no credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I lease a food truck instead of buying?
Yes, many suppliers offer lease options from €800-1,500 per month. This works well if you have limited startup capital, but you'll ultimately pay more than purchasing outright.
What does a secondhand food truck cost?
Secondhand food trucks range between €15,000 and €45,000, depending on age, condition, and equipment. Pay close attention to the condition of kitchen equipment and engine. Some hidden issues can cost thousands later.
How much own money do I need at minimum?
Banks typically require 20-30% own contribution. For an €80,000 food truck, you'll need €16,000-24,000 in personal funds, plus additional money for startup costs.
What permits do I need before operating legally?
You'll need MOT certification, HACCP food safety certification, fire department approval, and individual permits for each market or event. Budget €2,000-4,000 total for all required permits and inspections.
What does food truck insurance cost monthly?
Budget €150-300 per month for comprehensive insurance coverage. You need third-party liability insurance at minimum, but should also consider comprehensive and business liability coverage for full protection.
Should I convert a regular truck myself to save money?
DIY conversion requires extensive knowledge of food safety regulations, electrical work, and gas systems. The truck must still pass all inspections, and you often spend more than professional conversions due to mistakes and rework.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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