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How To Buy A Food Truck

Ernie Wong • March 6, 2024

Do you have a passion for street food that you want to share with the world? Let’s dive into some tips and tricks we have for buying your very first food truck. Whether you're passionate about tacos, baked pastries, gourmet burgers, or culture-specific culinary dishes, there's a niche waiting for you in the world of street food.

How To Buy A Food Truck: 4 Simple Steps

Step 1: Brainstorm a Concept

Before you get ahead of yourself and scour the internet for food trucks, consider taking a step back and solidify your ideas. What do you want to sell? Who is your target audience going to be? Write everything down in a notebook (or type it out on a computer, whatever works for you) and share it with friends, family, co-workers, or anyone else you think would offer support. 

Once you’ve nailed down your concept, you can move onto the next step.

Step 2: Research and Set Your Budget

Food trucks come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Determine how much you're willing to invest, keeping in mind not just the cost of the truck itself but also any additional expenses like permits, licenses, and equipment. Besides the budget, get a feel for what’s out there by attending a food truck festival or speaking to the local community. When searching for an already-made food truck, it’s important to take note of a few crucial factors. Pay attention to the condition of the truck, its size, and layout of the vehicle. If you’re interested in owning a custom-built food truck, we can certainly help!

Step 3: Inspect the Vehicle

Once you've found a few potential candidates, it's time to get up close and personal. Find some time to view the truck in-person and get a full inspection of it. Pay close attention to the condition, cleanliness, and functionality. Take it for a test drive if you can! Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the truck and it’s capabilities before making any final decisions.

Step 4: Time For The Fun Part!

So, you’ve found the perfect truck. Now it’s time to find the perfect customer! Use social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to showcase your cuisines, visit local events to stay in-tune with the community, and use word-of-mouth marketing to build a loyal following for yourself and your brand. These things don’t happen overnight, so be patient!

Buying a food truck is an exciting journey and we’re so glad you’re interested. However, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of buying an already-made food truck, we can build a custom one that fits all of your needs and more!


At Shanghai Mobile Kitchen Solutions, we work closely with you to design and construct a food truck that reflects your personal brand and vision. Every food truck offers its own unique look, which is why we take pride in crafting solutions that exceed your expectations!


If you’re interested in learning more about food truck customization, click here.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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