Reading guide
Understanding the profitability of a food truck in France is a good starting point for anyone wishing to get into the business, because only by being profitable will a food truck generate income. What’s more, knowing what influences the salary of an itinerant restaurateur will enable you to assess the remuneration potential.
What do you need to know about the profitability of a food truck?
A food truck earns its income from the sale of take-away food and drinks, which requires the company to offer an attractive range of products that will appeal to customers.
The most popular products sold in food trucks are :
- Popular street food such as hot dogs, hamburgers and tacos;
- Sandwiches and filled wraps;
- World specialties such as sushi, Thai curry, falafel and kebabs;
- Comfort food such as macaroni and cheese, French fries and chicken wings;
- Healthy meals such as salads, fruit cups and smoothies;
- Gourmet desserts such as ice cream, cupcakes, churros and doughnuts;
The monthly income generated by a food truck varies according to location, product range and brand awareness.
Discover our article on financial forecasting for a food truck
A food truck based in a small town would generate around 5,000 euros a month, while a food truck in an urban area with a loyal clientele would generate around 15,000 euros a month.
Of course, real profitability will depend on good cost management, the appropriateness of the location chosen to set up the food truck, and the ability to attract regular customers.
What influences the salary of an itinerant restaurateur?
Like any business, a food truck has daily expenses: merchandise costs, labor, fuel and truck maintenance, insurance for the truck and the business, permits and licenses, marketing, supplies, bank charges and so on.
Merchandise costs (ingredients, groceries, meat, vegetables) can be as high as 2,000 or even 3,500 euros a month, while labor costs can run as high as 2,500 to 4,500 euros a month. To reduce these costs as much as possible, we recommend buying in bulk, minimizing waste, organizing schedules and using energy-efficient equipment whenever possible.
Good truck maintenance, competitive insurance, shared preparation areas and the use of social networks as marketing channels are all good ways of keeping expenses to a minimum.
Keeping track of costs and making savings as soon as possible is the best way to generate profits and ensure the company’s profitability.
An itinerant restaurateur’s salary depends directly on the margins he makes on his sales. These margins are often determined by the type of clientele targeted, and their expectations in terms of price and product quality.
A food truck can appeal to different consumer categories, depending on its positioning and location:
- Office workers looking for a quick lunchtime service close to their premises
- Students attracted by affordable prices close to campus
- Tourists curious to sample local specialities on their sightseeing tour
- Families appreciate child-friendly outings
Each of these segments has its own characteristics in terms of purchasing power, price sensitivity and quality requirements. On the basis of this segmentation, the itinerant restaurateur will need to define an appropriate pricing structure, taking care to maintain a balance between profitability and competitiveness.
Calculating the break-even point will enable you to estimate the sales volume needed to cover all costs.
How can you increase your food truck's revenue?
To boost your truck’s revenues, you may need to be a little inventive, especially when it comes to diversifying your sources of income. Indeed, to ensure the success of your business, you’ll undoubtedly need to consider the menu you offer, the prices you charge and the marketing strategy you adopt.
Diversify your sources of income
To diversify your income, diversify your business. Offer catering services for weddings and corporate functions, market merchandising products such as T-shirts or stickers, or organize culinary workshops to share your expertise. These strategies will enable you to increase your revenues, while reinforcing both your brand image and your visibility in the mobile catering market.
Adapt the menu and sales prices of your mobile restaurant
To adapt your menu and your prices, start by creating seasonal dishes that will attract customers’ attention. At the same time, carry out a regular profitability analysis of your menu, identifying the most popular and therefore most profitable products. On this basis, you can adjust your prices to increase your profits, while ensuring that you remain competitive in the marketplace.
Adopt an effective marketing strategy
To enhance your marketing strategy and ensure the loyalty of your food truck customers, use social networks to promote your dishes and interact directly with your customers. In addition, set up a loyalty program that offers rewards to regular customers, encouraging them to return more often, and take part in food truck festivals and community events to raise your profile in the industry. If your concept proves successful, you may consider franchising it to generate additional revenue.
Call on Ecomag France to fit out your truck
Launching a food truck is an entrepreneurial project that needs to be well prepared: Ecomag France, a company specializing in the manufacture and fitting out of food trucks, can help you get your project off to a smooth start. By offering you a customized truck, approved and compliant with European health standards, we guarantee a result that lives up to your expectations, so that your project to open a food truck gets off to the best possible start.
A tailor-made food truck delivered to your door
Do you need a reliable vehicle that’s 100% suited to your business? Ecomag can help you with your catering or mobile business project, with turnkey trucks and food trucks.
Our team will be delighted to help you. We look forward to hearing from you!
