How Much Does Food Truck Catering Cost? Is it Cheaper Than Traditional Catering?
What makes the foodies excited? Food trucks! From oysters to champagne, nothing provides convenience, taste, variety, and freshness like these mini kitchens on wheels. Today people want something exciting and different than traditional catering, and the food trucks provide just that; a blend of experience and authenticity.
Food trucks may be seen on every corner, either serving folks in their lunch hours or as part of a fleet catering to festival guests. The fact that the food truck industry is now a $2 billion industry proves that their popularity is growing, and so is your interest in them. With their stoves on wheels, contemporary entrepreneurs deliver creative food to their consumers wherever they may be. Yet, they are not prohibitively expensive for event planners.
So, how much does a food truck catering cost?
Let's Talk Money – Cost of Food Truck Catering
If you are thinking of getting food truck catering and you don’t know what the cost would be, remember that you will always receive a quotation that is unique to your occasion. Food trucks price differently based on the type of event, cuisine, number of customers, number of platters, travel distance, and any special requirements.
If your event doesn’t include a lot of guests, you will be affected by the food truck minimum. Confused? Let us explain.
What’s a Food Truck Minimum?
Regardless of the number of guests, Food Trucks charge you the minimum amount of attending your event. Now, you want to know why it exists? Well, driving a restaurant to a party is not inexpensive. Fuel expenditures, food prices, employee costs, and driving time are just a few of Food Trucks’ expenses. Usually, the minimum food truck catering cost is $500 with tax, and it typically includes the food cost per serving multiplied by the number of persons, cost of travel, and labor.
Prices vary substantially based on all of the factors above and unique ingredients or special dates such as Christmas, New Year’s, or other holidays or busy summers. You also have the option of having food trucks cater your event with a point-of-sale (POS) system such as Toast instead of guaranteeing a minimum to your selected vendors, but there is always a chance that your guests don’t meet the truck minimum and you will be left with the remaining bill.
Is There An Average Food Truck Catering Cost?
The average food truck catering cost depends on the quantity of the food, the ingredients used to make the food, and the number of extras offered, such as several cuisines, drinks, or desserts. The typical food truck cost per customer might range from $10 to $35 or more, which is cheaper than traditional catering.
Now, let’s look at the costs of each of the events separately.
Wedding Price Hikes - Yikes!
Weddings are expensive, we all know that. A couple spends somewhere around $25-35k to tie the knot. Since the couple spends a lot of money on their wedding, everybody from caterers to wedding planners charges you a lot more than usual. Yes, food trucks too! But as compared to traditional food catering, food trucks would still cost you less. Traditional caterers charge somewhere around $60-$70 per person for weddings, but with food truck catering, it would cost about $15-$40. These savings are huge and could add to getting your first home!
Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Private Party Catering
Earlier, we talked about the Food Truck Minimum, and small events like birthdays, anniversaries and baby showers, etc., are subject to the minimum service charge of $500 or more, depending on your event’s time and location. In addition, the trip price is adjusted based on the distance traveled; if you plan to hire a food truck from miles away, be prepared to pay for the fuel charges.
Corporate Event Catering
For corporate events, food truck catering costs are no different from weddings; it is determined by the event’s time and location. The nature of the business function, whether it is formal or more of a light and informal party. The sort of food and the variety of catering options are also crucial considerations. Remember the minimum cost imposed on the service, so if you invite 100 guests to your party at $16 per person, you will pay $1600, but if you plan on inviting 20 guests to your party, be prepared to spend at least $1000.
Want more details? Check out food truck catering complete pricing guide.
Food Truck Catering Vs. Traditional Catering
So, which one would you choose? I think the choice is clear. Consider food truck catering as a unique option when you’re arranging a catered event. With food truck catering, be it a sales meeting, barbecue, graduation party, wedding, or corporate getaway, everything becomes more enjoyable, memorable, and meaningful. Yes, it can get a little expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are several cost-cutting tips that you can use to book affordable food trucks and enjoy the chefs’ one-of-a-kind concoctions without having to spend a fortune.
What are the Other Benefits to Food Truck Catering?
Get Your Food Faster!
Don’t make your guests wait in line to get their food. With food truck catering, it gets much quicker and more accessible for the guests to get their food in time to enjoy the party and not miss the fun.
More Variety in Your Catering Menu Options
Whether you want vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free food, food trucks have it all for you! Pizza, burritos, burgers, seafood, and whatnot. Your options are limitless!
Catering Anywhere At Anytime
Are you planning a barbecue at your friend’s house? What about a corporate meeting in your parking lot? Or your child’s birthday at the park? Food trucks will reach you wherever you wish.
What are you waiting for? Book your food truck today for the next event to enhance your festivities. Imagine your guests’ faces when the beautiful food truck rolls in with all its glory. Give them the chance to talk about your party for years to come because this experience is something they will never forget. Food trucks, in a nutshell, excite people.
Not sure where to begin? Check out the Ultimate Food Truck Catering Checklist to make your life easier!
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