Food trucks are gradually gaining popularity around the US. The business typically requires lower startup costs than traditional restaurants, and the mobility aspect enables owners to serve in multiple communities and find customer hotspots.
The problem? The word is out on how profitable food trucks can be, and entrepreneurs everywhere are starting their own. If you’re looking for a competitive advantage to stand out in the crowd, read on for 5 profitable menu ideas to keep new customers flocking to your truck.
1. Accommodate Different Diet Choices
Not all customers share the same dietary preferences. For instance, some prefer gluten-free dishes, and others choose not to eat animal products. Your menu should have offerings to accommodate these customers so you won’t have to turn them away.
You can come up with entirely new menu items that cater to specific diets, such as a separate vegan or vegetarian menu. Or, you can simply be flexible and add or remove ingredients to your normal items based on individual requests.
2. Sell Easily Customizable Foods
You don’t have to make a new dish for every single dietary preference out there. Even if you wanted to, it’s not practical to have dozens of menu options — especially when you consider the limited storage space your truck will have for ingredients.
This is where customizable items come into play. A single customizable dish enables you to cater to various preferences; all you need to do is change different key ingredients depending on a customer’s specific diet. Some of the best customizable foods to include in your menu include tacos, salads, and sandwiches.
3. Offer Diverse Drink Options
In the world of quick-service dining, drinks are far and away the most desired grab-and-go items. For this reason, a solid drink menu is a must for any successful food truck.
Some no-brainer drinks to add to your menu are freshly squeezed lemonades, iced teas, and specialty sodas. Try to add unique options that fit the vibe and style of your truck — but don’t hesitate to include familiar favorites, as well.
4. Don’t Forget Dessert
Adding dessert to your menu is another great way to get the most out of your truck. Many desserts such as cookies and ice cream are easy to grab and go, which makes them perfect choices for food trucks. Make sure the items you offer are visually appealing so they capture the attention of dessert lovers passing by. Some great options to include are:
- Cupcakes
- Artisanal soft-serve ice cream
- Specialty cookies
- Fruit-filled hand pies
- Mini cheesecakes
- Macarons
5. Sample International Favorites
An international sampler platter is another great item to add to your food truck menu. As the name hints, the platter should feature a diverse assortment of small bites from various countries. This is a way to appeal to customers with a wide range of tastes and preferences while adding an element of uniqueness to your truck as a whole.
Create Your Custom Food Truck With Legion
Even with the most diverse menus, your business can’t truly thrive without a high-quality food truck that’s customized for you. Well-functioning equipment will ensure you put out the best possible product for your customers, and a physically appealing truck will serve as a marketing tool by attracting attention and helping you stand out.
At Legion, we believe there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all food truck. That’s why we build and design fully customized trucks for our clients. If you’re looking to jumpstart your mobile food business, our team can help! Contact us today to learn more about our many services, from food truck design to construction, branding, and business planning.
