If you’ve dreamed of owning a restaurant, but it isn’t in the budget, why not try out a more affordable option? Food trucks and trailers are all the rage these days, and both are much easier to attain than a full restaurant. While they sound like the same thing, there are many differences between food trailers and food trucks.
Both food trucks and food trailers have pros and cons. It all depends on what your business plan is and how you intend to use your new mobile kitchen. If you’re at the point of deciding on what to purchase, you probably have a business plan laid out. So, let’s look at food trailers vs. food trucks and which one will be right for you.
Table of Contents
Type of Unit
To start, the main difference between food trucks and food trailers is the type of vehicle it is and the size. Food trucks combine the vehicle and kitchen into one vessel, which is great if you plan to be mobile. They are easier to move around and take from place to place. The food truck is a one stop shop.
If you plan to do festivals and want to be able to move your business around, a food truck might be right for you. One of the problems, however, is the one stop shop feature. For instance, if you’re having mechanical issues on the vehicle side, you won’t be able to detach the kitchen to keep using it. You will be out of commission until the vehicle portion of your food truck is fixed.
Generally, food trucks are larger than food trailers. The kitchens are around 7 feet wide, and the trucks can range from 10 to 26 feet long. Food trailers can range from 10 to 53 feet long with wider kitchens, giving cooks more space to work.
Food trailers do not have a vehicle portion, so you’ll need to have a vehicle with proper towing capacity. Typically, food trailers are placed in permanent locations and do not need to be transported as often. The nice thing is if your vehicle used to tow the trailer is out of commission, the kitchen isn’t attached and you can use another car to tow it if it needs to be moved.
Pricing Difference of Food Truck & Food Trailer
Typically, food trucks are more expensive than food trailers. This has to do with the fact that the vehicle is attached. When you buy a food truck, you’re buying a mobile kitchen AND a truck all in one. With a trailer, nothing is motorized and you won’t have to pay for mechanical vehicle maintenance on it. You will, however need to consider the cost of a vehicle to tow it and the maintenance it will need.
Food trucks are more popular than food trailers, so they retain their value better. As far as an investment goes, a food truck will not depreciate as much as a food trailer. This is something to keep in mind when creating your business plan, as well. If you plan to have a mobile business, the food truck will be of greater value to you.
While a food trailer is less expensive, they are more difficult to move around and cannot fit in parking lots the way a food truck can. Brand new food trucks cost anywhere between $100,000 to $175,000. Used trucks can cost around $50,000 to $75,000. A used food truck will run the risk of needing repairs and fixing up which could cost more.
Since a food trailer doesn’t have a battery in it to run the vehicle portion like its sibling the food truck, you’ll have to get a generator to power it, as well. Energy can be costly, and you will need air conditioning to keep your staff cool and healthy. You will also need to buy appliances to keep your food trailer or truck in tip top working shape.
Another financial thing to consider will be permits and licensing to operate your food trailer or food truck. Be sure to include that in your business plan. Having a food truck or food trailer is going to involve a lot of paper work and fees on top of the mobile kitchen cost, so be ready for that.
Physical Appearance
Once you have your business plan set, you’ll have a better idea on this part. Typically, food trucks look more professional because they have more bells and whistles. They can be painted whatever color you want, and can have TV screens and other flashy things to draw in customers.
Food trailers can look professional too, they don’t look as modern as food trucks do which can sometimes be a turn off for customers. When you purchase your food trailer or food truck, have a plan in mind for paint and a logo. You’re going to want this thing looking fresh and clean.
If you buy a used food trailer or food truck, be sure to give it some extra love and care to make it look like new. A truck or trailer that looks old and run down might be a turn off for potential customers to approach.
Your logo should be easy to recognize and stand out among other food trailers or trucks in a lot. Keep it simple and consistent, and you’ll be in business in no time.
Food Truck
Typically, food trucks are the more popular model. Having everything in one spot makes it easy to move locations. If you are planning to move your business around and even travel with it, a food truck is the way to go.
Food trucks tend to look more professional and are aesthetically pleasing to customers. The fact that the truck is attached makes it look more modern and flashier when someone is trying to pick out a place to eat.
Food trucks are capable of fitting in smaller spaces than food trailers. They are built like a truck or bus, so they will fit into parking spots and can be driven anywhere. As mentioned before, however, if the truck breaks down and needs maintenance, you won’t be able to operate your kitchen while it’s in the shop.
If you are looking to build your business in a city, food trucks are much easier to navigate through narrow streets and park in lots or on street corners. You will most likely have to move your truck often if it is in a city, so being able to drive it without the addition of towing will be useful.
Food Trailer
Food trailers are going to be the cheaper option. If you are on a budget, or want to keep starting cost low when figuring out your business, the food trailer might be for you. They don’t look nearly as nice as food trucks do, but you can spruce them up with a good paint job.
You will get a bigger kitchen with the food trailer, as well. They are, however, wider than food trucks so they can be more difficult to navigate through cities and are usually meant for a more stationary life.
If you are planning to keep your business in a permanent location, then the food trailer is a nice affordable option. You will need a vehicle that has town capabilities, so keep that in mind when considering the food trailer option.
Already have something that can tow a trailer? Perfect! You will save money in that department. You can also rent a vehicle that can tow the trailer if you don’t plan on moving it often. For those planning to make multiple stops and move around often, the trailer may not be right for you.
Food trailers also offer much more kitchen room. If you plan on serving large crowds, a trailer might be the better choice. They also will typically have larger windows in the front to give a more open-air kitchen feel and better to serve your customers in line.
Since food trailers do not have a car battery or any electrical wiring, you will have to purchase a generator to power your appliances and air conditioning. Food trailers can be difficult to move around, and don’t look as high end as food trucks do.
Would You Choose Food Truck Or Food Trailer ?
There are benefits to food trailers and food trucks as well as negative aspects. If you want a cheaper option to try to see if your business will succeed, go with the food trailer. Have a solid business plan in place and want to dive in? A food truck could be the right move. It really all depends on what you want to do.
To sum it up, the food truck and food trailer trends aren’t going away anytime soon, and both are more affordable options for small businesses to get into the restaurant game. Take your time choosing and weigh all of your options before purchasing one. Food trucks and food trailers both have their advantages, and maybe someday you’ll own both when you expand your restaurant business!
