BUSINESS COSTS / FOOD TRUCK
How much does it cost to start a food truck in the UK?
QUICK ANSWER
The biggest cost is the vehicle. A pre-owned van can be £1,000 to £25,000, plus £15,000 to £35,000 to convert it, while a new factory-fitted truck is £30,000 to £50,000 or more. A trailer is cheaper at about £5,000 to £15,000, or you can rent for around £800 to £1,500 a month.
A food truck avoids shop rent, but it swaps it for pitch fees, licences in every area you trade, and income that depends on the weather and the events calendar. Here is where the money goes.
Start-up costs
| Pre-owned vehicle | £1,000 – £25,000[1] |
|---|---|
| New factory-fitted truck | £30,000 – £50,000+[1] |
| Food trailer | £5,000 – £15,000[1] |
| Converting a vehicle | £15,000 – £35,000[1] |
| Kitchen equipment | £5,000 – £15,000[1] |
| Branding, wrap and signage | £2,000 – £5,000[1] |
| Food business registration | free[1] |
| Food hygiene Level 2 course | £15 – £50 online[1] |
Running costs
| Renting a truck instead of buying | £800 – £1,500 a month[1] |
|---|---|
| Street trading licence | £100 – £300 a year (smaller councils), £1,000+ (popular London pitches)[1] |
| Licences across several areas | £1,000 – £5,000 a year[1] |
| Public liability insurance | £200 – £1,000 a year[1] |
| Gas and electrical safety certificates | £200 – £500 a year[1] |
| Stock | 30% – 35% of food sales[1] |
Ranges from published guides, not quotes. Prices vary a lot by town, so check locally before you commit.
Where a food truck loses money
Weather and seasons
A rainy week can wipe out takings, and winter trade is thin in many places. Income is lumpy in a way shop rent is not.
Pitch and event fees
Good pitches and festivals cost money upfront, whether or not the crowd turns up hungry.
Breakdowns
If the van is off the road, so is the business. Repairs are both a bill and lost trading days.
Licences everywhere you go
Each council area can need its own street trading permission, so moving around has a cost.
Run your own food truck first
Type in your idea, your town and your budget, then run it week by week: answer the inbox, set your prices, pay the bills. Free, and none of your own money at risk.
Start a simulated food truckA simulation game. Not financial advice.
Sources
- Zempler Bank, Food truck costs UK (27 August 2026).
- Office for National Statistics: Business demography, UK — 38.4% of UK businesses born in 2019 were still trading five years later.
LAST UPDATED — 12 OCTOBER 2026