Launching a food truck is an exciting project, but one that requires careful preparation, as well as a good knowledge of the current French market, to increase your chances of success. What are the most profitable food truck concepts in France? How do you overcome the challenges of opening a food truck?
Which kitchens are the most profitable for a food truck?
When it comes to setting up a food truck, it’s important to choose the right culinary concept. Not all kitchens are created equal in terms of profitability, since it all depends on demand, costs and profitability.
A timeless pizza
Pizza is one of the best-selling food truck products, with a profit margin of around 20%. What’s more, France is the world’s second-largest pizza consumer behind the USA, ensuring a loyal and regular customer base. The initial investment for a new pizza truck with an integrated wood-fired oven may be higher than for other types of truck, but it can quickly pay for itself.
The burger, the star of street food
Another classic of mobile catering, the burger is a must-have that appeals to a wide audience. A well-placed burger truck can generate good daily sales, with a profit margin of around 30-50%. The equipment required usually includes a griddle, refrigerator and storage space. The average cost of a turnkey burger truck is €20,000.
World specialties, a growing trend
Food trucks serving Indian, Argentinean, Mexican and Japanese specialties are all the rage. They attract customers in search of exotic flavors and new culinary experiences. It’s worth noting that the initial costs of setting up a food truck vary between €20,000 and €100,000, depending on the size and type of vehicle, as well as the equipment chosen. Despite these costs and the expense of equipment and ingredients, margins for this type of food truck can be attractive.
The challenges of opening a food truck
Opening a food truck may seem exciting and easy to do, but it’s important to understand the potential challenges faced by entrepreneurs embarking on this type of project.
Finding the right location
The choice of location can determine the success of a food truck. It’s best to choose locations with high footfall and a target clientele, such as city centers, tourist areas, parks or close to offices.
A good location guarantees a steady flow of customers, but obtaining permits for the best spots can be more difficult and costly than expected, with strong competition. In addition, it’s a good idea to announce the day’s locations and news on social networks to maintain constant visibility and attract more customers.
Food Truck location: discover this guide.
Managing start-up costs
The initial investment to launch a food truck is substantial, since it includes buying or leasing the vehicle, fitting out and equipping the food truck, kitchen and hygiene equipment, the necessary permits and licenses, as well as vehicle insurance and third-party liability.
Revenue forecasts, on the other hand, should be calculated on the basis of estimated daily and monthly sales, usually based on an analysis of competition and market demand. Take into account sales that may be falling during slack periods, or rising during peak periods: this will help youdevelop strategies to increase sales.
Original and profitable food truck concepts
Compliance with standards and regulations
Complying with health regulations and standards in France is mandatory.Food trucks are subject to strict regulations, particularly in terms of hygiene and food safety. You need to ensure that your truck complies with HACCP sanitary and food safety standards, and that staff are trained in food hygiene. It is also essential to have a private site or a parking permit on public land.
How can you increase the success of your food truck?
Launching a food truck requires a great deal of upstream preparation, if you want to give yourself the best chance of success. The first step is to find the idea that best matches your skills and tastes: choose a type of cuisine that you master and enjoy, to give yourself more motivation and credibility. You should also think about the best way to stand out from the crowd with an original concept.
Original and profitable food truck concepts
Once you’ve identified your concept, you’ll need to prepare a complete business plan, including a market study to analyze demand and competition and identify your target, a 3-year financial forecast with potential sales, costs and profitability, and the amount of investment required to launch the business (purchase of truck, fittings, equipment, etc.).
Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of professionals (chartered accountants, chambers of commerce…) to build realistic and convincing forecasts.
How much money do you need to open a food truck?
In terms of marketing strategy, focus on communication: create a consistent visual identity (name, logo, truck decoration) to set yourself apart from the competition. Animating a community on social networks by sharing photos and videos of your achievements, for example, will enable you to engage customers and increase their loyalty. You can also propose special offers and loyalty programs to encourage them to return.
Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of professionals (chartered accountants, chambers of commerce…) tobuild realistic and convincing forecasts.
Initial investments are substantial, fromthe purchase of a truck to thefitting-out and equipment required: a solid business plan will make it easier to obtain external financing.
Initial investments are substantial, from the purchase of a truck to the fitting-out and equipment required: a solid business plan will make it easier to obtain external financing. Also consider crowdfunding and competitions for young entrepreneurs. Also consider identifying trusted suppliers for your raw materials and equipment, comparing offers in terms of quality, price and reliability.
Current trends in the French food truck market
The food truck market in France has grown rapidly in recent years, attracting many entrepreneurs wishing to embark on this culinary adventure. Current trends reflect the changing tastes and expectations of consumers, in search of original concepts and quality products.
Faced with a growing demand for healthier food options tailored to special diets, vegetarian and gluten-free food trucks have gained in popularity. Consumers who avoid gluten do so either for health reasons or by personal choice.
Entrepreneurs, for their part, have seized this opportunity by offering creative and tasty menus. Food trucks offering culinary specialties from all over the world are also a big hit, as consumers are eager for new taste experiences.
In an increasingly competitive market, the food trucks that stand out are those that have mastered their marketing and communications strategy. Social networks can be used to inform customers about daily locations and special menus.
Why trust Ecomag to launch your food truck?
Ecomag supports its customers in customizing their vehicles, and works on new, used or customer-supplied vehicles. Building and fitting out a food truck requires the involvement of a number of different trades, which the Ecomag team brings together to meet the needs of each customer: electrical, painting, bodywork, furnishings, equipment, lettering, decoration, and so on.
For your food truck layout project with Ecomag, you’ll need to make an initial appointment to study your needs and the technical feasibility of the project, particularly with regard to custom manufacturing. The aim of this meeting is to propose solutions that match your project. Once this phase has been completed and the project validated, Ecomag’s professionals will bring your food truck to life.
With experience in fitting out and manufacturing food trucks since 2015, Ecomag has developed know-how and an understanding of the needs of mobile catering entrepreneurs.
Food trucks are fitted out by the company to manage the sales and preparation area as effectively as possible; they contain kitchen equipment, freezers, refrigerators, ovens, as well as secure electrical, water and gas supply systems. This improvement enables professionals to work in good conditions and comply with hygiene and food safety standards (HACCP): contact us for a vehicle that complies with European standards.
