Category: Weddings

The Cost of Hiring A Food Truck

Food truck pricing can be complicated since it depends on a ton of factors like location, time of year, day of week, number of people, menu selections, cuisine types, and more. Try out our catering cost tool to get an estimate for your unique event, contact us with specific questions, or keep reading to learn more.

Are There Minimums?

Every truck we work with is different, but there are a few things that ring true for everyone. A truck will have a minimum amount they need to sell in order to reserve that date for you. The minimum is generally lower if you are looking to have the food dropped off, rather than having the food truck onsite to cater the event. If you do want the truck to attend, then the minimums required will depend on the day of the week, the time of year, the food you want to serve, length of service, and how in demand the truck is. Outside of minimums, the trucks typically start their quote with a cost per person based on the food items you select.

Does The Type of Truck Make a Difference in Price?

The other factors you will need to consider are the type of truck, for example a food cart might be less than a full size truck, and a dessert truck or coffee truck will have a different price per person than a savory truck. If the truck will need to travel an hour or more for the event, they will typically apply a travel fee. Custom menus, specific dietary restrictions, and other special requests could also impact the truck’s proposal.

Keep in mind that the quotes sent by food trucks are the cost of the food and labor for that event. Unless the truck says otherwise, it does not include sales tax and gratuity. Just like restaurants and other catering services, please consider adding gratuity for a job well done.

What If Attendees Pay For Their Own Food?

If the event attendees are paying for their own food, you should still consider providing a guaranteed minimum. A minimum is a level of sales you can guarantee the truck based off of how many people will be eating. If the truck does not meet the minimum, then the event organizer pays the difference. Consider this your potential cost for hiring the truck to prep the food, staff the event, drive to you, and reserve this date. Just like any business, they need to make sure they can afford to bring their services to you. This is why minimums are so important.

Food trucks provide fast, flavorful, and affordable meals. They’re an ideal way to feed hundreds of people at once, whether you’re hosting a birthday party or planning a corporate retreat. You may be wondering, “How much does it cost for a food truck to cater?” Here are the answers you need to make the most of your next event.

Establish a Minimum Price

Before we delve into prices, remember that every food truck charges different rates, so costs will vary. Living in a city like Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., will inherently cost you more because each has a high price of living. Our numbers serve as a rough estimate.

Many food trucks charge a minimum price of $500, including tax. That covers a predetermined number of people and servings. The vendor will also incorporate labor, preparation time, and travel expenses into the billing.

Billing prices may vary based on the date. Vendors are busier during the summer, so minimum bids may increase. The same goes for holidays and other special events. Food trucks set these minimums because producing and transporting large quantities of food gets expensive quickly, especially without a guaranteed number of people.

Factor in Cuisine Type

All cuisines aren’t equal, at least when it comes to price. Serving burgers and fries present a more cost-effective option than farm-to-table salads. The salad ingredients are more expensive to grow and purchase, and food trucks pass those expenses on to the customer in the form of pricing.

Ice cream trucks are one of the most affordable catering options. The average meal costs $5 to $10 per person, with rental minimums ranging from $400 to $800 and up. Here are some of the other catering prices you can expect:

• Tacos and burritos – $10 to $18 per person with a minimum cost of $900+
• Barbecue – $10 to $20 per person with a minimum cost of $1,000+
• Burgers – $12 to $20 per person with a minimum cost of $1,000+
• Pizza – $12 to $20 per person with a minimum cost of $1,000+
• Lobster – $18 to $25 per person with a minimum cost of $1,200+

The cost per person typically includes side dishes, such as refried beans, grilled corn, and coleslaw. It may not include dessert or drinks, which cost an extra $1 to $5 per person. Note that the more people you have attending an event, the lower the price per person.

Price Hikes for Weddings

Weddings are expensive, with the average couple paying $33,900 to tie the knot, according to TheKnot.com. Part of the reason weddings are pricey is the “wedding tax” phenomenon. Photographers, caterers, wedding planners, and other service providers charge more at wedding events since couples typically spend with less discretion.

Food trucks tend to be more expensive at weddings than at regular events because of the logistical complexity. Catering with a food truck can save money, though. The average food truck charges $25 to $35 per guest, while traditional caterers charge around $70 per person for weddings.

Evaluate the Location

Your event’s location can result in additional charges. Food trucks may have to pay for permitting, zoning, or parking if they’re using public space. If you plan to host your event on private property, the operators may need a tent or pop-up to accommodate patrons.

Most food trucks charge a minimum fee, starting at $500, for catering. You should have at least 50 attendees to disperse the costs evenly and potentially lower the overall price per dish per person. If you’re ready to book a food truck to cater an event, choose from the many listed on our site!

Your wedding is supposed to be the most special day of your life. But the hard truth of the matter is that weddings cost more money than almost any single purchase we’ll make in our lives. That is, if we do what the wedding industry tells us to do.

Continue reading “Why a Food Truck is a Great Choice for Your Outdoor Wedding”