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Food Truck Calculator

Starting a food truck for that serves customers a day at for days a month, with food cost and a month in labor, fuel, commissary and permits, makes $4,280 a month and pays back the start-up cost in 1 year 10 months. Over years, with back when you sell, it returns 219%, or 70.1% a year. At hours a week of your own time, you earn $20 an hour.

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How much does a food truck make?

A food truck's profit is what's left after food, labor, fuel, the commissary and permits. Enter your own numbers above. The example starts a truck for $90,000 that serves 75 customers a day at a $14 average ticket, 20 days a month. That's 1,500 customers and $21,000 a month in sales. After 32% food cost and $10,000 a month in other costs, it keeps $4,280 a month and pays back in 1 year 10 months.

Your hourly pay is the honest test. Most owners work the truck themselves, so the profit is mostly their own wage. The example's owner works 50 hours a week, which works out to about $20 an hour. That return on cash looks strong at 219% over 5 years, or 70.1% a year, but only because the owner's labor isn't counted as a cost. If you'd hire someone to run the window, add their pay to the monthly costs.

Volume decides everything. The truck covers its costs at 1,051 customers a month, about 53 a day. At 60 customers a day, it keeps $1,424 a month, or about $7 an hour for the owner. At 100 a day, it keeps $9,040 a month and pays back in 10 months. Each extra customer adds $9.52 to profit. Events, catering and lunch spots near offices drive the busiest days.

Small changes in price and food cost matter too. Raising the average ticket from $14 to $16 lifts profit to $6,320 a month. Cutting food cost from 32% to 28% lifts it to $5,120. Working 25 days a month instead of 20 lifts it to $7,850. Use the sliders under the calculator to see which change helps your truck most.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a food truck?

Many trucks cost $50,000 to $175,000 to start. A used truck with a working kitchen might cost $40,000 to $100,000, and a new custom build can cost $150,000 or more. Add the wrap, permits, licenses, point-of-sale system, first inventory and some cash for slow months. The example uses $90,000.

How much does a food truck make a year?

Many trucks bring in $150,000 to $500,000 a year in sales, and owners often keep 5% to 20% after costs. The example brings in $252,000 a year and keeps $51,360, a 20.4% margin, before paying the owner anything for 50 hours a week.

Are food trucks profitable?

They can be, but many struggle in the first year. The example earns $4,280 a month, which is a modest wage for 50 hours a week. Trucks that do well usually book catering and events, which bring large orders with little waste. Weather, permits and breakdowns are the biggest risks.

What is a good food cost percentage for a food truck?

Many trucks aim for 25% to 35% of the menu price. The example uses 32%. Every point matters: at 28%, the example keeps $840 more each month. Price each item from its recipe cost, and drop items that sell slowly or spoil.

How many customers does a food truck need a day?

Divide the monthly costs by what each customer leaves after food cost, then divide by the days you open. In the example, $10,000 divided by $9.52 is 1,051 customers a month, or about 53 a day over 20 days. Below that, you lose money.

What are the monthly costs of a food truck?

Common costs are staff, fuel, propane, commissary rent, insurance, permits, repairs, card fees, parking and event fees. They often total $5,000 to $15,000 a month. The example uses $10,000. Repairs to the truck itself can be large and sudden, so keep a reserve.

How long does it take for a food truck to pay for itself?

Divide the start-up cost by the monthly profit. The example's $90,000 and $4,280 a month take 22 months. At 100 customers a day, it takes 10 months. At 60 a day, it takes about 5 years and 3 months, and the truck may not last that long without major repairs.

Is a food truck better than a restaurant?

A truck costs far less to start and can move to where the customers are. A restaurant has more seats, more menu space and steadier walk-in traffic, but its rent and build-out cost much more. Run both above, using the restaurant's build-out as the start-up cost and its rent in the monthly costs, and compare the payback.

How much can I sell a used food truck for?

Used trucks often sell for 30% to 60% of their build cost, depending on age, kitchen condition and mileage. The example assumes $30,000 back after 5 years. Without that sale, the return falls from 219% to 185%.

What is a good average ticket for a food truck?

Many trucks average $12 to $20 a customer. Combos, drinks and desserts raise it. In the example, each extra $1 on the average ticket adds $1,020 a month to profit, because 68% of each added dollar is left after food cost.

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