Party Goals: Cost to Rent A Food Truck For a Party

You're here because you've decided to up your party game and provide your valued guests with the hottest gourmet eats around. Naturally, your first question might be: how much to rent a food truck? Renting a food truck has become more streamlined, especially with Best Food Trucks, the industry leader in renting a food truck for events. Since we started the first mobile food truck vendors association in January 2010, we’ve helped thousands cut through the complexities of food truck rentals. Whether you're wondering about the cost to rent a food truck for an event or how food truck rental prices have changed over time, we bring unparalleled expertise to ensure your party is unforgettable.

If you want beverage and/or dessert options alongside savory cuisine catering, expect a range of $1-$5 per person. However, for 2023, customized food truck catering prices may vary depending on location and event type. Keep in mind that catering requests for fewer than 50 people often require food truck rental minimums, which can increase the overall cost of renting a food truck for smaller parties. Whether you're asking, "how much does it cost to rent a food truck for a party" or planning for a taco truck, we've got you covered.

Why Food Truck Rental Minimums Exist?

A minimum food truck rental cost ensures vendors cover essential operating expenses, even if fewer people attend your event. For instance, food truck rental prices account for staffing, food costs, automotive maintenance, fuel, and cleaning. Asking "how much is a food truck to rent" now includes factors like advanced equipment and eco-friendly upgrades. Ensuring a base cost protects food trucks while allowing them to focus on creating exceptional dishes for your guests.

Factors That Affect Food Truck Rental Prices

There's a lot that goes into the rental cost, determined by the specifics of your party. Let's get started!

• Type of Event: The anticipated number of guests and the event's theme will both play a role in determining how much it will cost to rent a food truck for a party. Since corporate clients typically book multiple food truck rentals for parties and events, the price per person would rise for corporate events. Prices for private events (birthday parties, wedding receptions, etc.) would be lower than the prices for a corporate event due to the lower number of guests and the trend of renting a food truck for such events.
• Variety of Cuisines: When catering to a larger crowd, such as at a wedding or an office party, the host may opt for a more diverse menu to provide guests with additional dining options. This implies more food trucks to hire for parties, raising the cost per person.
• Power Cost: You need to take into account the cost of power supply which you would be providing for each food truck coming to your event. Food truck rental prices factor in the use of power to operate mobile kitchens, including ovens, microwaves, refrigerators for desserts, and more.
• Travel Cost To Reach Your Event: Food trucks do not usually travel long distances to cater an event, but if they do, most food truck owners would expect an extra travel fee if your party location is farther away. This cost even depends on whether your city permits food truck operations or has certain restrictions on food trucks catering parties. Another factor that affects travel cost includes the cuisine type; for instance, common food trucks catering tacos and BBQ are relatively cheaper to rent than fusion or fine cuisine food trucks.

In a nutshell, if you are calculating the cost of renting a food truck, the first thing to consider is what you want to serve and how many people are going to attend your event. These two factors heavily influence food truck rental prices and are responsible for the majority of the bottom line. Whether you're wondering how much does it cost to hire a food truck, understanding your event needs is key. Hope this blog helped you answer ‘how to rent a food truck for an event’.