Food trucks come in all shapes and sizes. From massive 34-foot trucks to compact coffee carts, knowing the right food truck size for your business needs is critical. Going to big could mean a lot of wasted capital while going too small could hold your business back and case you to lose efficiency.
In this article, we will discuss the types and sizes of vehicles to choose from and help you determine the right food truck size and dimensions for your business.
The Average Food Truck Size and Dimensions
Average food truck sizes vary greatly and range from 14 to 20 feet. However, food truck sizes can be on either end of the spectrum; 10 foot coffee carts are just as common as massive 34 foot trucks. Most trucks have an average width of 7 feet to accommodate staff and kitchen equipment, but the length of the truck can vary greatly. The truck you choose should be large enough to accommodate your kitchen, storage needs, and staff operational area.
Food Truck Size Should Match The Size of Your Business
The size of your operation determines the type of truck you buy because it needs to accommodate workers, store food, and provide a working area. If you are running a large business with over ten workers, then you may need a food trailer because it has enough space to accommodate all of them. Similarly, if you serve dozens of customers daily, you need large custom food trucks that are big enough to carry all the food. Typically, a small truck can only accommodate a few menu items while a large truck will allow you to sell a variety of foods.
Mobility Requirements for Custom Food Trucks
When determining the size of the custom food trucks to use, you should take into consideration the mobility needs of your business. If you intend to be always on the move, then a small truck will work better than a 26-foot vehicle. The other advantage of a small truck is that it can fit in a wide range of public spaces. You can take it to a congested festival, park it on the side of a narrow street, or take food to private properties with narrow pavements.
Types of Custom Food Trucks
There are three distinct classifications of food trucks, which include food trailers, food trucks, and food carts.
Food Truck
Most of the vehicles serving food on American streets are food trucks. They are popular because they allow operators to move to different locations with ease while also preparing and serving food.
Food Cart
Food carts are the smallest type of food truck. They are easy to move from one location to another by connecting them to a vehicle with a tow-bar. They are cheap and easy to start but have limitations. The small size means that operators can only serve a limited menu, mainly snacks and coffee. They are most suited to businesses that serve drinks and processed food.
Food Trailers
Food trailers are the largest and most spacious food trucks. Trailers allow operators to serve a wide menu or large amounts of food because they can accommodate many workers. Some of the largest food trailers have options for customers to sit inside and outdoor seating space. However, they are expensive to acquire and are most suited to fast-growing food businesses.
Get Help With Food Truck Size and Dimensions
Figuring out the right food truck size and dimensions for your business is difficult – especially if this is your first food truck. Legion Food Trucks can help you out with these details. We’ve been building food trucks for decades and have helped countless entrepreneurs like yourself launch their businesses. Get in touch today or use our interactive food truck builder to get started.
