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What's the cost to hire a food truck?

Hiring a food truck is one of the most popular and affordable ways to add excitement, great food, and atmosphere to any event. Whether it is a wedding, company gathering, festival, or private party, food trucks bring freshly prepared meals with unique flavors and a casual, fun experience. But how much does it actually cost to rent a food truck in the United States?

At FoodtruckBooking.us, you can compare hundreds of local food trucks across the country from Chicago, to Austin, From New York  to Los Angeles, from Miami all the way Seattle we got you covered and understand what to expect when planning your catering budget.

  • What Determines the Cost of a Food Truck

    The price to hire a food truck depends on several factors:

    • Type of event: Weddings, company picnics, public festivals, or private parties all have different pricing models.
    • Menu and cuisine: Gourmet food trucks serving lobster rolls or sushi cost more than those offering tacos or burgers.
    • Number of guests and servings: Many food trucks charge a price per person or have a minimum service fee.
    • Location and travel distance: Additional travel fees may apply if the truck needs to drive long distances or set up in a remote area.
    • Special requests: Custom menus, themed setups, or branding add to the total cost.

    Each food truck provides a custom quote based on the details of your event.
    Find a food truck

    What Determines the Cost of a Food Truck

  • Typical Food Truck Prices in the U.S.

    Across the United States, the average food truck catering cost ranges from 10 to 25 dollars per person, depending on the menu and type of event.
    Here is an overview based on recent data from U.S. catering surveys and event platforms:

    Type of EventAverage cost per personTypical Total Range
    Private Party (25–50 guests)
    $12–$18
    		$500–$1,000
    Wedding or Large Event (75–150 guests$15–$25$1,200–$3,000
    Corporate Lunch or Office Catering$13–$20$800–$2,000
    Festival or Public EventVariable$1,000–$5,000+

    Most food truck minimums start between $500 and $1,000, which usually covers the following:

    • Food cost per serving multiplied by the number of guests
    • Labor and preparation time
    • Travel and setup expenses
    • Equipment and staffing costs


    Premium dates such as holidays, New Year’s Eve, and peak summer weekends may include higher pricing due to demand and overtime.

    How Many Guests Can One Food Truck Serve

    A single food truck can serve around 60 to 100 guests per hour, depending on the menu and preparation time.
    For events with more than 250 to 300 guests, consider hiring multiple trucks to ensure fast service and menu variety.

    Most food trucks will not appear for very small events without meeting a minimum guarantee. However, if you meet the base fee, you can arrange a private food truck experience for smaller groups or exclusive celebrations.

  • Average price of food truck catering

    Compare food costs and other fees on all of our food trucks’ profile pages. “Price per person" gives an idea of the average costs based on the number of guests. Most food truckers have a minimum price and require a guaranteed income so they can operate at a profit.

  • Price per person

    A food truck’s space is limited and every inch counts. Preparing the menu for more than 300 guests needs some consideration and preparation. A single food truck can serve approximately 60 to 100 guests per hour.

    Rarely will food trucks show up for 10 people and $100 worth of business. But covering the minimum fee could get an exclusive private party food truck, even if it’s just for 10 friends.

    To make sure you are on the same page, ask the food truck for a non-binding quote to see what is possible within the determined budget.

  • Fees for festivals and large events

    If inviting several food trucks to a larger event or festival, it’s possible to ask food trucks for various fees. Some festivals ask for:

    • an event fee
    • space rental
    • electricity and water fee
    • overnight security fee
    • percentage of the revenue.


    All of these fees make it difficult for food trucks to make a profit and easy to say no.

    If searching for food trucks for a large event, it’s best to have information to share on previous events, anticipated revenues and crowd size. Each food truck owner can decide to participate based on the potential profits. Being generous with information and profit sharing with fewer fees will make it easier to say yes.

    Get a Custom Quote from Local Food Trucks

    The best way to find out what your event will cost is to request a no-obligation quote directly from food truck owners. On FoodtruckBooking.us you can:

    1. Search by cuisine, location, or event type.
    2. Compare menus and prices from food trucks in your area.
    3. Contact owners directly with no middlemen or commission fees.

    Start planning your event today and see how easy and affordable food truck catering can be anywhere in the U.S.

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The Wurst Wagen

The Wurst Wagen
Hot dog | Columbia

We are a German Sausage Cart that serves the most authentic German Food and Sausages in town. We offer a variety of homemade sides that we are proud t...

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