Food truck business
Food truck startup cost.
Enter your own quotes for the truck, build-out, permits, POS and opening stock. See the total with a contingency and a reserve for fixed costs.
Cash needed = items x (1 + contingency) + monthly fixed costs x reserve months. The example below lists $81,500 of items and needs $103,150 in total.
Your numbers
Result
Worked example
A truck owner lists $45,000 for the truck, $25,000 for the build-out, $3,000 for permits, $1,500 for POS, $3,000 for opening inventory and $4,000 for other items, $81,500 in all. A 10% contingency adds $8,150, so startup cost is $89,650. Monthly fixed costs of $4,500 held for 3 months add a $13,500 reserve. The cash needed before the first sale is $103,150, and the truck is 55.21% of the items you listed.
How it works
Startup cost = sum of the items x (1 + contingency %). Cash needed = startup cost + monthly fixed costs x reserve months. The reserve covers the slow weeks before sales settle, so the tool treats it separately from the one-time spend.
Every amount is yours. The tool has no built-in price for a truck, a permit or a build-out, because those vary widely by region, vehicle and menu. Replace each field with a written quote. A contingency is a cushion for overruns; there is no published standard percentage, so pick one you are comfortable with.
Sources and basis (checked 2026-10-08): Food licences, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (inspection.canada.ca/en/food-licences), opened 2026-10-08: it states that under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations certain food businesses require a licence. Which licences, permits and inspections apply to you depends on your product and your jurisdiction, so check with your local health authority. All dollar figures are arithmetic on the numbers you enter.
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FAQ
What does it cost to start a food truck?
There is no single figure. It depends on whether you buy new or used, how much kitchen equipment the menu needs, and your local permits. Get written quotes for each line and enter them here.
Why include a contingency?
Build-outs and equipment orders often run over their first quote. The contingency adds a percentage on top of the items so a small overrun does not stall the launch. The percentage is your choice.
What is the fixed-cost reserve?
It is monthly fixed costs multiplied by the months you want to keep in the bank, so rent-like bills are covered while sales build.
Do licensing rules differ by place?
Yes. Food licensing, mobile vending permits and inspections vary by jurisdiction. Check with your local health authority before you spend. This is a planning estimate, not legal, licensing, tax or financial advice.