Top Food Truck Concepts That Diversify Catering
Food trucks have come a long way from neighborhood ice cream trucks and hot dog carts on city streets. While you can’t go wrong with those treats, today’s food truck concepts are leading a gastronomical revolution.
But it all starts with a solid idea. Whether it’s mini donuts or Asian fusion, you can carve out a niche in the popular— but competitive— food truck industry. Plus, a winning concept can diversify your business into catering services that’ll share your culinary passion with the world.
Let’s check out a few food truck concepts that are creative, delicious, and will keep customers coming back for more.
Reimagining American Classics
In the food truck world, creativity reigns supreme. With over 24,000 active food trucks in America, your food truck concept must give customers a reason to choose you over your competition. For example, if your food truck sells burgers, take them to the next level by adding interesting ingredients to elevate the food experience.
Named one of Westchester Magazine’s best food trucks, Westchester Burger Co. gives its sliders a gastronomical makeover. Check out their pub-style Pretzel Burger, loaded with cheddar cheese and maple bacon on a homemade pretzel roll.
Sure, you could opt for a run-of-the-mill burger from your local fast-food joint. But why would you when a food truck concept like Westchester Burger Co. can cater your next game day tailgating party with burgers that are sure to hit a home run!
Fresh Fare
Food trucks that use locally sourced and/or organic ingredients are growing in popularity. And customers are even willing to pay more for food that’s premium quality. Investing in fresh fare raises the bar by setting your food truck concept apart from everyone else as a sustainable-friendly business.
Remember when we mentioned ice cream trucks earlier? Van Leeuwen Ice Cream isn’t just good; it also makes you feel good.
Why? Because they only use simple and fresh ingredients that are free of stabilizers, corn syrup, milk powder, and all that “bad stuff.” Van Leeuwen also offers vegan ice cream, like Banana Peanut Butter Fudge and Cookie Crumble Strawberry Jam, made with cashew milk and oat milk.
With Memorial Day right around the corner, check them out and add some cool sweetness to your backyard barbecue pool party.
Spotlight Your Hometown With Regional Cuisines
Wings from Buffalo. Pizza from New Jersey. Chili from Cincinatti. Every region in the U.S. has a dish they’re famous for. Over the past several years, local food has been a sought-after trend in the food truck industry. Bringing delicacies that customers can’t commonly find where they live is a food truck concept that’s a million-dollar idea.
Famous in areas surrounding the Chesapeake Bay, crab cakes are to Maryland as gumbo is to Louisiana. Why not bring a taste of Ocean City to your neck of the woods?
One food truck that’s doing exactly that is Angry Archie’s. Since 2015, this family-owned-and-operated New York food truck has been serving gourmet seafood catering, and they’re famous for their “Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes.”
But that’s not all they offer. From lobster rolls and lobster mac and cheese to even crab poutine, Angry Archie’s is taking a regional favorite and introducing it to new fans.
Cookies > Cupcakes
Let’s face it; cupcakes have dominated the dessert scene for years. But might we suggest something a little different? Or rather a new take on the beloved cookie. And based in the West Village, Chip City is upgrading mom’s old chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Ooey-gooey and fresh-out-of-the-oven, Chip City wants their cookies to be a culinary experience across New York City. With over 20 scrumptious flavors to choose from, like Blueberry Cheesecake and Funfetti, one look at Chip City’s menu, and you know they’re pushing the cookie envelope.
If you have an end-of-year school fundraiser coming up, you’re sure to get an “A+” when you order cookie catering from Chip City!
Before settling on the food truck concept that brings out the five-star chef in you, consider the operational logistics. Always consult state, city, and local requirements for opening a food truck business. For example, major cities like New York and Los Angeles— America’s food truck capitals— both have annual caps on the number of food truck permits allowed.
Once you clear those hurdles, you’ll find food trucks are a profitable option to break into the restaurant industry. By the end of 2021, the food truck industry is on track to grow 2.4% and is currently outpacing brick-and-mortar restaurants.
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