Are Food Trucks Really a Low-Cost Alternative to Brick and Mortar Restaurants?

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Food Truck

There is no doubt that food trucks have become something of a sensation in the restaurant business, with chefs of all different levels offering all different types of cuisine from food truck kitchens. It is a far cry from the food trucks of the last generation, which seemed limited in their offerings and not only lacked variety but were assumed to offer poor quality food. Food trucks have become so ubiquitous and popular that many chefs look to them as a viable business alternative to a restaurant when thinking about opening their own commercial kitchen. New Jersey chefs like the mobility that food trucks offer, giving them the ability to have a roving restaurant that services the tri-state area.  Some chefs also see it as a stepping stone to the restaurant business, which not only provides a way to get fans from a broad area, but is also less expensive than opening a traditional restaurant. However, these trucks require specialized food truck equipment, including food truck kitchen equipment like the best ice machine for a food truck and a food truck refrigerator.

Start up costs for a food truck business vary dramatically. Your overall costs will depend on the food truck equipment you buy, from food truck ice makers to other kitchen equipment. Click the link to find out more about how much you can expect to spend on an ice machine for a food truck and food truck kitchen equipment.

It is difficult to assess whether starting up a food truck will actually be less expensive than a brick and mortar location, because start-up costs vary dramatically depending on the type of food truck one wants to have.  On the low end, a food truck might cost $40,000 to start up, while a high-end truck could cost as much as $250,000.  The greatest area of variation is probably the costs of the actual vehicle; a used vehicle suitable for use as a good truck may only cost about $5,000, but a new vehicle designed with the possibility that it will be used as a food truck in mind will cost around $125,000.  Bringing the truck up to code and retrofitting it for use as a kitchen, such as adding a food truck ice machine, can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on the shape of the truck when you get it, the improvements it needs, and the type of food you want to serve.  A generator is another $1500 to $10,000 and the cosmetic costs for the truck like paint and truck wrap can run from $3000 to $8000.  Another few thousand for initial food costs, paper goods, legal consulting fees, and gas make it clear that while a food truck may be less expensive to start than some brick and mortar locations, it is not an inexpensive alternative.

Find the Best Ice Machine for a Food Truck

Choosing an ice maker for a food truck and other food truck kitchen equipment like a food truck refrigerator requires careful research. You’ll find food truck ice makers from some of the top brands in the industry, allowing you to find an ice maker for your food truck that meets your needs and budget. The food truck ice machine is one of the most vital aspects of serving food to your customers, allowing you to start your business.

At Automatic Ice Maker, we have generations of experience in outfitting commercial kitchens.  While the food truck trend may be new, food trucks are not, and we have the equipment you need to outfit your commercial kitchen, whether is stationary or on-wheels.  We also offer high-quality used equipment to help you shave some of the expenses of a start-up business.

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