Looking to spice up your next event with some delicious and unique cuisine? Food trucks offer a fun, flexible, and often more affordable alternative to traditional catering. But How Much To Hire A Food Truck really depends on a variety of factors.
Eventbrite, with its vast community of event creators, has become a go-to resource for planning events, including booking the perfect food trucks. This guide will walk you through the benefits of renting a food truck, the factors influencing the cost, and proven tips to save money without sacrificing quality.
A food truck rental can range from $12 to $25 per person, but this is just a starting point. Let’s dive into the details!
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Food Truck for Your Event?
Food trucks have surged in popularity for good reason. They offer event planners a unique way to inject fun and personality into any gathering. Their quirky and non-traditional nature can transform an event into a memorable experience that sparks conversation and breaks the ice.
Food trucks also offer unparalleled flexibility. They are essentially traveling catering facilities, eliminating the need for a venue with a full-service kitchen. This means you can choose from a wider range of venues and save on kitchen staff, plating, waiting staff, and cleanup costs.
The food truck industry is booming, growing at approximately 6.4% annually, with a projected market value exceeding $2 billion by 2030. This growth translates to diverse culinary options.
Want tacos? Hire a taco truck. Craving BBQ ribs? Find a BBQ truck. The possibilities are endless, freeing you from the limited menus of traditional caterers.
Consider how Rockers Unltd uses food trucks at their Rum Punch Brunch events in Atlanta. These events celebrate Caribbean culture with food trucks serving authentic Caribbean street food, fostering a sense of community and creating a unique atmosphere.
Perhaps the biggest advantage is cost savings.
The Knot 2022 Real Weddings Study found that the average cost per person for a plated wedding meal is around $75. In contrast, you can hire a burger truck for approximately $10 per person, potentially leaving your guests more satisfied.
However, remember that choosing a food truck is just one way to save money catering an event.
What Factors Affect Your Food Truck Rental Cost?
While food trucks are generally more affordable than traditional caterers, costs can vary significantly. Understanding these factors is key to creating an accurate catering budget. Let’s explore the five most important:
Pricing Structure
Food trucks typically operate under two pricing models: catering or attendee-pay.
Catering Pricing Structure
With this model, you pay the food truck a flat rate to serve a specific number of dishes or people. This is common for private events and often preferred by food truck owners as it guarantees their costs will be covered.
For example, hiring an ice cream truck for a corporate event using a catering model might cost $800 to serve ice cream to 200 employees at $4 per person.
Attendee-Pay Model
In this model, attendees pay for their food directly, similar to a restaurant. This is common at large events like concerts or festivals with multiple food trucks.
While you might not pay for the food itself, you might incur a small booking fee. Your role is to coordinate with each truck, communicate event details, venue policies, and estimated attendance.
Minimum Guarantee
Regardless of the pricing structure, most food trucks charge a minimum guarantee. This is a set amount they charge to cover their basic operating costs, including fuel, ingredients, energy, staffing, and travel time.
Minimum guarantees typically range from $300 to $1,000, but this can vary. While negotiable, it’s a common expense to consider.
For a comprehensive view of event pricing beyond food trucks, utilize a free event budget template.
Location
Location significantly impacts food truck rental costs. Similar to venue fees, food truck costs are higher in major cities due to increased labor, ingredient, and permit costs. Remote locations also increase costs due to higher transportation expenses.
Ensuring your venue has ample space for food trucks to park is crucial.
Event organizers like Main Street Fairs, who host music and art festivals, prioritize venues like fairgrounds and municipal complexes with plenty of space for food trucks.
Ultimately, location is key. Consult a comprehensive guide on how to choose the perfect venue for your event.
Menu
Like traditional caterers, food trucks offer varied menus with corresponding price points.
A taco truck generally costs less than a seafood truck because of ingredient costs and dish complexity. These costs are passed on to you as the client.
You can often negotiate menus to better align with your budget and vision while respecting the truck’s capabilities. For example, you could request a dessert or cocktail addition.
Alternatively, offer guests a wide range of choices by featuring diverse trucks, like PreHab Health & Performance’s Adjustapalooza 2023, which included Mexican, pizza, donuts, and dairy-free acai bowl options.
Remember that the type and quantity of food directly impact the cost.
Not sure what you want on the menu? Explore online events from caterers and food truck owners to discover innovative culinary ideas.
Duration of the Event
The length of your event directly affects food truck rental costs. Hourly staff wages, energy consumption, and the need for ample supplies for multiple servings all contribute to this.
Consider how long you need the food trucks in service. An afternoon event will be cheaper than a full-day event.
While you might secure a discounted rate for longer engagements, your overall rental cost will still increase.
Choosing the right date and time is crucial. Refer to expert advice on how to choose the perfect date for your event.
Type of Event
The event type also influences food truck rental costs.
Corporate events may require multiple trucks or specific menus, potentially doubling the per-person price, although negotiation is possible.
Weddings often have higher rates due to complex logistics. Simply mentioning the word “wedding” can lead to higher quotes.
Be prepared for higher costs for larger events. However, many food truck owners offer discounts or lower minimums for events with a significant number of guests.
How to Save on Food Truck Rental Costs: Pro Tips
Now that you know what influences the cost of how much to hire a food truck, let’s explore strategies to reduce these costs.
While some factors are beyond your control, small adjustments can make your catering more affordable.
Pro Tip #1: Scale the Menu Back
A smaller menu with simpler options like small plates or hot dogs is more affordable than a full three-course meal.
Discuss budget-friendly options with your food truck vendor.
Negotiation can lead to a compromise on a low-cost menu that still satisfies your client.
Concerned about a smaller menu? Harvard researchers have found that eaters prefer smaller menus because they focus on quality over quantity.
Pro Tip #2: Book Based on Proximity
According to studies from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University, food truck density is higher in college towns, while cities with many fast-food restaurants have fewer food truck options.
If you are in a remote area, hiring the local ice cream truck will be cheaper than having a burger truck drive a long distance.
Compromise is key. Opting for a menu that is closer to your needs, rather than your ideal choice, can significantly cut costs.
Pro Tip #3: Negotiate
Don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal.
Have an open conversation with truck owners about your budget and vision. They want your business.
There is often room for negotiation on both sides, and you might be surprised at what you can achieve without sacrificing quality or fun.
For more event budgeting tips, explore Eventbrite Academy.
Food Trucks are Fun and Inexpensive
Food trucks are an excellent way to add excitement, flavor, and personality to your next event. They are typically more affordable than traditional catering companies and offer greater flexibility regarding venue and menu options.
Event management goes beyond just choosing a food truck. You also need to promote your event and sell tickets. Eventbrite Boost can help.
Eventbrite Boost streamlines your social media and email marketing, allowing you to advertise your event, track ticket sales, and communicate with your guests before the big day.
Ready to get started? Join Eventbrite to discover how we can help elevate your event.
