Starting a mobile catering business requires a more or less substantial investment, especially when it comes to setting up your food truck.. Il faut prévoir de nombreux coûts comme l’achat et l’aménagement du véhicule, l’équipement de la cuisine et les frais administratifs. Le business plan doit également inclure les charges récurrentes comme la location d’emplacement, le carburant et les ingrédients. Heureusement, diverses aides et financements existent pour soutenir les entrepreneurs qui se lancent dans la création d’un food truck.
How much does it cost to open a food truck?
To draw up a sound budget for your food truck business, you need to integrate all the financial elements into a detailed business plan. Here are the main steps to follow:
Initial investment in a food truck
The initial investment required to launch your mobile catering business can vary according to the choices and needs of the project. Here’s an estimate of the main items of expenditure:
- The price of the vehicle, whether truck or trailer, used or new. The price varies according to model, size and technical specifications (€20,000 to €150,000).
- Truck outfitting, including insulation, electricity, plumbing andinterior fittings (10-15% of vehicle cost)
- Kitchen equipment including cooking, refrigeration, preparation and serving appliances (€15,000 to €30,000)
Administrative and regulatory costs of a food truck
To launch your food truck business, you need to take into account a number of administrative and regulatory costs:
- Carte de commerçant ambulant: 30 euros (to be renewed every 4 years) ;
- Food hygiene training: prices range from 600 to 1,200 euros;
- HGV license: approx. 3,000 euros (for trucks over 3.5 tonnes);
Other costs need to be included in the start-up budget, such ascompany registration, professional insurance, permits to occupy public land, accounting and management fees.
Communication and marketing for the opening of your food truck
To ensure the visibility and success of your food truck, you need to invest in an effective communications and marketing strategy. Here are a few things to consider:
- Visual identity: creation of a logo, graphic charter and media (from €500);
- Website & Social Networks: 3,000 to 5,000 euros ;
How do you draw up a budget for a food truck?
To draw up a complete budget for your food truck, you need to include all financial aspects in your business plan. Here are the main elements to consider:
Recurring food truck costs
Once you’ve opened your food truck, you’ll be faced with recurring costs that will impact your profitability. You need to anticipate these to ensure the long-term future of your business:
- The price of the site: location, attendance and event (€100 to €1,000 per day)
- Travel and maintenance: fuel, regular servicing, any repairs (€100 to €500 per month)
- Consumables and ingredients: depending on type of dish, sales volume, product quality and concept (€1,500 to €2,500 per week).
In addition to the main costs, don’t forget to budget for any salaries, various insurances, banking and accounting fees, as well as license renewals and training. Location costs, participation in events and obtaining the necessary permits are also worth considering. The average total budget to launch your mobile kitchen truck ranges from €100,000 to €150,000, with a minimum of €50,000 for a modest project and up to €200,000 for a top-of-the-range version.
Determine the fixed costs of food trucks
The fixed costs of a food truck include insurance, salaries, social security contributions, bank charges and accounting fees. They need to be accurately estimated to determine the break-even point for your mobile restaurant project. Good management of these costs is essential to ensure the long-term viability and success of your business.
How can food truck creators be helped and financed?
Financing a food truck is often a challenge for entrepreneurs. Fortunately, there are a number of grants and financing options available to support this type of innovative project. Here’s an overview of the main possibilities you can explore to make your mobile catering dream come true.
Public aid for setting up a food truck
- ACRE (Aide aux Créateurs et Repreneurs d’Entreprise): partial exemption from social charges in the first year;
- Ex-NACRE: regional support schemes for business start-ups and takeovers;
- ARE (Allocation d’Aide au Retour à l’Emploi): partial continuation of unemployment benefits;
- ARCE (Aide à la Reprise ou à la Création d’Entreprise): lump-sum payment of a portion of unemployment benefit
- Assistance from local authorities: grants or loans depending on the region
Loans and financing to buy a food truck
- Honor loans: zero-interest loans without collateral from associations such as Initiative France or Réseau Entreprendre ;
- Conventional bank loans ;
- Leasing: vehicle rental with purchase option ;
- Crowdfunding: participatory financing on online platforms;
Specific aid for the purchase of a food truck
- FISAC (Fonds d’Intervention pour les Services, l’Artisanat et le Commerce): subsidy for businesses
- Kronenbourg Foundation : grants and loans for catering entrepreneurs
- Regional aid: specific schemes depending on the region (e.g. Pass Occitanie, Entrepreneur Leader in Île-de-France).
Support in setting up a mobile restaurant business
Food trucks: a substantial investment, but assistance is available
Launching a mobile catering vehicle requires a substantial investment, fromthe purchase of the foodtruck to its fitting out and kitchen equipment.
A variety of grants and financing solutions are available to support entrepreneurs, including public subsidies, honor loans and support from local authorities. A solid business plan and an optimized mix of financing options can help bring this promising entrepreneurial project to fruition and ensure its profitability.
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