The flexible food truck business attracts many entrepreneurs with its low entry costs and boundless creative potential. It allows operators to interact directly with customers on the streets, enjoying the joy of creating food and receiving immediate feedback.
However, behind this glamour and freedom, what is the reality? Are food trucks profitable? We all know that behind the food truck industry lies fierce market competition, unstable income, and ever-changing operating environments.
Therefore, whether a food truck can make money may depend on your perseverance, business acumen, and luck. You need to understand its operational costs, such as equipment, fuel, portable power stations, and also calculate the potential profits it can bring. This article will break down the food truck business. Keep reading to learn more!
Is a Food Truck Profitable?
Europe has a long-standing food truck tradition, and it dominated the global market, with the largest revenue share of 29.6% in 2024. [1] Statistics show that the typical net profit margin for food trucks ranges from 7% to 15%, depending on how effectively they control costs.
If we specifically look at France, a food truck in a small French town would generate around € 5,000 per month.
On the other hand, a food truck in an urban area with a very loyal clientele would generate around 15,000 euros per month. Examining these statistics, it's quite clear that food trucks are indeed profitable, thanks to their low overhead costs.
Costs and Profits of Food Trucks
If you are looking to start your food truck business, you should keep track of the costs and profits to ensure you aren't losing money, but rather establishing a good business.
1. What are the Costs of a Food Truck?
How can I start a food truck business? Start by estimating your costs. These include getting permits, the truck itself, food ingredients, and key ingredients. Let's discuss these in detail:
1) Relevant Permits and Licenses
First things first, you should get the relevant permits and licenses to park your food trucks at different locations in the EU. It can vary based on your region, but you will need to do business registration with the relevant authorities, vehicle registration, and a food hygiene permit from the national food and safety agency. Let's say you are going to operate your business in the Netherlands, then you'll need to:
- Contact the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) about the food safety and hygiene requirements that apply to your food truck business.
- Work according to the HACCP plan, which is a food safety plan system. They demand that businesses check which part of their food preparation can pose a risk to human health and address it in a timely manner.
- If you plan to sell alcohol in the food truck, you need to get the alcohol license and a Diploma in Social Hygiene.
2) Food Truck Purchase/Lease
Once you've gotten all the necessary permits, move on to the next step: purchasing or leasing the food truck. You can choose from multiple truck options that suit your style best.
If you are low on budget, you can lease a food truck, which is available in different colours and layouts, and purchase one as your business starts making money.
3) Food Truck Equipment
The food truck is right in front of you now. The next step is to fill it with all the necessary equipment for a smooth operation. You may need to pay for:
- Kitchen Equipment: You should get kitchen equipment like a juicer to make fresh drinks and an electric grill to come up with savoury beef burgers. In addition, you also need ovens, fryers, and reach-in coolers.
- Power Generator: Since your food truck needs to move around various streets, a portable generator is essential, as it ensures your electrical appliances can operate independently without an external power supply.
- Water Tank: A water tank is also a must for cooking, drinking, and cleaning purposes.
- POS Machine: Rather than relying on traditional payment systems, get a POS system for quick order taking and processing payments.
- Decoration: Since there are many food trucks in the EU, your best bet is to decorate yours with unique materials. Hang garlands on Christmas and surround the truck with beautiful fairy lights. Get a neon sign made, too, that immediately captures attention.
4) Ingredients
The ingredients you need will depend upon the type of food truck; however, typically, you'll require bread, spices, dairy, vegetables, and meat. And it’s an ongoing cost.
5) Vehicle Fuel
If the food truck isn't electric, you should have gasoline or diesel to power it. Also, carry a spare tank with great caution to avoid running out of fuel midway.
6) Employee Wages
In case you have hired one or two employees for cleaning or serving, you should factor in their wages in the overall food truck expense. You can pay them monthly, daily, or bimonthly, whatever suits your budget.
7) Parking Space/Venue Rental Fees
You must also pay for the truck parking space or venue rental fees. The cost can vary depending on the area, whether it's private land or if you are parking your truck near a busy tourist spot.
2. How to Maximise Profits?
After setting up your street food stall or a food truck, it's natural for your mind to race and find out some good tips to maximise profits. Here are the suggestions we have:
1) Location of Operation
The location of your food truck greatly impacts the business you do or the profit you generate. Here are some hot spots you should explore:
- Commercial Areas: Set up your food truck in a busy German or French mall to get residents and tourists both towards your offerings. However, it often comes with high rental costs.
- Near Schools: If you are offering candies or budget-friendly fresh drinks, you can set it up near a school and attract kids to buy from you.
- Industrial Parks: Be more strategic and place your food truck in an industrial park. You will then get a loyal customer base of employees who lack convenient dining, increasing your profits.
- Night Markets: In night markets, people often search for unique and affordable dining experiences. By parking your food truck there, you can increase visibility and tap into a huge, concentrated customer base.
- Events like Music Festivals: Occasionally, when there's a festive season, you can take your food truck near concerts and musical events to fill the appetite of people who came to enjoy the show and want a quick bite.
2) Operating Hours
Carefully decide your operating hours depending on your customers and the type of business. For instance, if you are running a snack bar, you should open during evenings to attract maximum customers.
3) Marketing and Promotion
Nowadays, fifty per cent of customers choose restaurants based on social media. So if you are taking it as an afterthought, you are making a huge mistake.
To maximise the profits of your food truck, you should focus on marketing and promotion. Create attractive reels and post them on different social media channels.
Take mouth-watering pictures of your food items that are sure to drive customers. Have a specific budget for marketing campaigns and don't overdo things, as this can eat up your margins.
4) Type of Food
Carefully study your target customers' interests and preferences. What do they like to eat? Is there a recent food trend that's taking the world by storm? Based on these, come up with a food option that's sure to excite them.
For example, recently, the hype of Matcha has taken over the world. Don't wait and jump into it, offering your customers a unique Matcha combination that leaves them craving for more.
5) Electricity Savings
Electricity in the EU is indeed costly, and being a food truck owner, you might operate in areas where electric outlets aren't available at all.
In such a scenario, you can opt for a solar generator. Since it relies on sunlight to produce electricity, you get free and clean power. Simply connect your appliances and lighting to it, and you are good to go!
Investing in Self-Sufficient Solar Generators for Electricity
Wondering which solar generators are best for your food truck needs? Jackery is indeed the one-stop shop! We offer top-notch solar generators that offer you reliable and stable electricity for the food stall. Let's explore two popular picks:
1. Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
The first one on the list is the incredible Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, which features 1264Wh capacity and a 2000W power output. What's truly amazing is that it has an expandable capacity up to 5kWh that scales as per your increasing electricity needs.
Charging it is a breeze with three versatile options, including solar, car, and wall charging. It comes with a powerful LiFePO4 battery that, after 4000 charge cycles, still retains its health at 70%, ensuring you enjoy a great return on investment.
You can set it up within a minute; all you have to do is link the solar panels with the power station and connect your food truck appliances with it. During operation, it makes a mere noise level of ≤30dB, so your customers don't get disturbed by the loud hum often associated with traditional generators.
Other Features
- Fast charging to 100% in 100 minutes through wall outlets and 2 hours via 4 Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panels.
- Smart app control ensures you can monitor and manage energy consumption from anywhere, anytime, without any hassle.
- 5-year warranty.
2. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
If you need a more powerful generator for your food truck setup, then we have the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus. It has an expandable capacity that goes from 2 kWh to 12 kWh easily, ensuring all your food stall equipment runs smoothly. Carrying it is easy, as its portable power station weighs just 27.9 kg.
When it comes to charging this powerhouse, you can go for an AC adapter, car port, or Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panels. The cherry on the cake is the LiFePO4 battery, which offers a massive 10-year lifespan, even if you use it daily for your needs.
Other Features
- ChargeShield technology features 62 protection mechanisms to safeguard the generator and your devices against damage, thereby extending the overall battery lifespan.
- Shock and impact-resistant shell protects the internal components when it falls.
- Smart app control to customise generator settings.
- 5-year warranty.
What Kind of Food Truck Menu is Most Profitable?
Now that you are well aware of the expenses and power solutions for a street food stall in Europe, below we are exploring the menu options that offer the most profitability:
- Coffee: Coffee needs fewer ingredients and has a high demand. Europeans are one of the biggest consumers of coffee worldwide. You can start with different options, such as lattes and flavoured coffees, to maximise margins.
- Burgers: Burgers are classic and customisable. You can charge a good price by using unique recipes and offering gourmet toppings.
- French fries: They are quick to make and serve, and are always popular among all age groups, ensuring a consistent customer base.
- Fried chicken: If you want to add something crowd-pleasing, we suggest going with fried chicken. You can explore different options like wings or tenders so people can grab a bite to satisfy their cravings.
- Pizza: When tourists come to Italy, they seek authentic pizza options. So in that region, it's a great food item to offer. You can either sell whole pizzas or large slices filled with rich flavours and toppings, making people pay extra for the taste.
- Sandwiches: You may offer hot and cold sandwiches, depending on your resources, and cater to a mass audience, including kids.
- Tacos: For street food options, tacos are a clear winner. They are easy to prepare, but with a few toppings and sauce layering, you can charge a premium price.
- Vegetarian food: There's a huge vegetarian audience looking for visually appealing and tasty food options. You can capitalise on it by introducing dishes like wraps, falafel, and plant-based burgers.
Conclusion
The street food stall business is indeed a good idea if you want to have something of your own and don't like the job culture. However, if you wonder where to get your power sources, Jackery is the ideal solution. Visit our website to get your hands on high-power solar generators and portable power stations that keep your setup running smoothly.
References
[1] Food Trucks Market (2025 - 2030). Available at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/food-trucks-market-report (Accessed: 25 September 2025)
[2] Food Carts Europe: Licenses, Permits and Legal Requirements. Available at: https://bizzonwheels.com/food-carts-europe-licenses-permits-and-legal-requirements/ (Accessed: 25 September 2025)
