Accueil » Food truck fitter » The complete guide to setting up a food truck

The complete guide to setting up a food truck

Would you like to start your own food truck business, but don’t know where to begin? In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential steps you need to take to set up your project and create your business in the best possible conditions.

Find a concept for your food truck

Setting up a food truck is a real entrepreneurial project, which is why you need to define an attractive concept that will enable you to stand out from the competition and attract customers.

To define your offer, you therefore need to base yourself on current trends and the needs of your potential clientele, while taking into account the locations in which you intend to set up shop.

A good concept must also be attractive in terms of brand image. From the name of your food truck to your logo, from the colors to the decoration of your truck, everything must be thought out to stand out from the crowd and make passers-by want to discover your recipes.

What’s more, your food truck idea must be in line with your expertise. For example, if you’ve trained as a pizza maker, it wouldn’t make much sense to start selling sushi!

Finally, your concept must be financially sound, i.e. it must enable you to generate sufficient sales and margins to quickly become profitable.

Carrying out a market study to set up your food truck

Now that you’ve had your fill of good ideas for setting up your food truck, it’s time to put your concept to the test. To do this, it’s essential to carry out market research to better understand your potential customers and assess your project’s chances of success.

Good market research starts with gathering information from external sources. The business press, statistical studies or surveys, for example, can give you a good overview of the current state of your industry. This way, you’ll know more about the demand and needs of your potential customers.

It’s also a good idea to collect data in the field yourself. You could, for example, conduct a questionnaire and interview people at random. This will enable you to understand the needs of consumers in your area, and whether your offer can meet them.

Market research should also include an analysis of the competition. By identifying other food trucks in your geographical area, you can improve your concept and develop a distinctive offering.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check out the sites you’re planning to set up in. In particular, you’ll need to assess their potential in terms of visitor numbers, as well as their price: don’t hesitate to ask your local town hall or prefecture for information.

Drawing up a business plan to set up your food truck

Now it’s time to formalize your food truck project by drawing up a business plan. This document is particularly useful for obtaining financing from a bank or investor.

This document must contain a detailed presentation of your concept, the results of your market study, and a financial forecast. This last point is very important: you need to be able to estimate your short- and long-term sales, as well as your profitability.

Are you planning to launch your own food truck and wondering where to start? A business plan is essential for success in the mobile catering industry. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline the key elements to include in your business plan to help you attract investors, secure loans and establish a solid strategy for your business.

Executive summary:

The executive summary is the first section of your business plan and should provide a concise overview of your food truck concept, target market, financial goals and execution plan. Highlight your skills, experience and the competitive advantages of your food truck to pique the interest of potential readers and investors.

Company description:

In this section, present your food truck business in detail. Describe your vision, your mission and the values that will guide your business. Also talk about your unique culinary concept, your menu, your planned location and the benefits you’ll offer your customers. Mention the licenses and permits required to operate a food truck, and explain your business model.

Market analysis :

Provide an in-depth analysis of your target market. Identify current trends in the food industry, assess the potential demand for your specific cuisine and examine existing competition. Use demographic data and market research to support your conclusions. Also identify key events and locations where you plan to operate your food truck.

Marketing strategy :

Explain how you plan to market your food truck and attract customers. Develop an online and offline marketing strategy, using techniques such as social media, local SEO, partnerships with local businesses and participation in community events. Make sure you optimize your website for SEO by using relevant keywords in your content.

Organizational structure and management :

Outline your organizational structure and describe the key responsibilities of each team member. Highlight your experience and qualifications in the food service industry and explain how your team complements each other. Demonstrate that you have the skills needed to successfully manage a food truck.

By creating a solid business plan for your food truck, you give yourself the best chance of success in the mobile catering industry.

Choosing your company's legal status

Setting up a business means choosing a legal status that’s tailored to your needs and objectives.

The simplest and most accessible of these is the micro-business model, which offers several advantages:

  • Micro-entrepreneurs are exempt from VAT (up to a certain limit).
  • Social security contributions are proportional to sales.

However, this status is subject to sales ceilings that can prove limiting. It may therefore be wise to opt for other legal forms, such as the EURL: more flexible, it will adapt better as your business grows.

If you’re setting up a food truck with several partners, you can also opt for the SARL status, which allows you to bring together different partners.

Take the mandatory training courses before setting up your food truck

A food truck is a catering activity, so it’s essential to take the HACCP training course on hygiene and cleanliness standards. If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages, you’ll also need to obtain a business license.

You can also take a preparatory training course at the Chambre des métiers, although this is now optional for craftspeople.

Take out insurance for your business and your food truck

It’s essential to insure your business by taking out civil liability insurance for your Food truck. Your business is exposed to a number of risks, both to your customers and to your truck.

Register your food truck business

Before you get started, there are just a few formalities to complete. First, you need to register your business with the Chambre du Commerce et de l’Industrie and the Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat. Don’t forget to apply for your itinerant trade card from your Centre de Formalités des Entreprises.

Find a truck
to set up your food truck

Now that you’ve established the foundations of your food truck project, you’ll need to find the ideal truck for your business. New or used, light or heavyweight, modern or vintage… The possibilities are numerous, and your choice will depend above all on your concept and your budget.

However, setting up a food truck is not something you can improvise. This type of vehicle must be fitted with specific equipment: cooking appliances, refrigerator, freezer, electrical and gas installations, water supply, etc. What’s more, it must have VASP Magasin approval.

To operate as an itinerant merchant in France, you may need tohold a “carte de commerce ambulant” (itinerant trade card) andobtain public domain occupancy authorizations in order to comply with current regulations and operate your business.

That’s why it’s best to call on a food truck specialist like Ecomag, who can offer you a new or used vehicle with a 100% customized layout to suit your project.

Our food trucks and store trucks

Our food trucks

Pizza truck - Snack truck - Chip truck - Creperie truck - Sushi truck - Thai truck - Catering truck - etc.

LEARN MORE

Our store trucks

Hairdresser truck - Grooming truck - Event truck - Mobile office - Advertising truck - Tattler truck - etc.

LEARN MORE

Contact us today

03 28 44 65 85

Meet a team skilled in food truck layout!
Request a quote

These articles may be of interest to you
Regulations
jerome Fontaine

What is VASP certification?

VASP homologation, or Validation d’Aptitude à la Sécurité des Produits, is an essential regulatory process in the automotive industry. It aims to assess and approve the conformity of specialized vehicles used for professional or specific purposes. VASP certification guarantees that these vehicles meet the strict safety standards set by current legislation. This procedure mainly concerns vehicles used in fields such as passenger transport, ambulances, emergency vehicles, dangerous goods vehicles, etc.

Read more
26 September 2025
Camion cuisine réunionnaise exterieur - Ecomag
Project study
Lorène Bastazo

How much does a food truck cost?

Guide de lecture Contact us In recent years, the food truck market has expanded considerably, especially with the rise in popularity of street food. That’s

Read more
24 July 2025