Food Vending Trailers

Guide to Mobile Food Carts and Food Concession Trailers

Mobile vending carts can keep your food business on the go
By Jenni Simcoe

	Fundamentals of Food Carts Mobile food carts require 110 volts of electricity. Food vending trailers require 220 volts. Options for vending carts include charbroilers, flat grills, cooktops, ovens, bay sinks, meat coolers, refrigerators and propane tanks. Food carts and food vending trailers must pass county and state health inspections before serving the public.

Travel the country, work three days a week and make a good living. Sound far-fetched? It is possible if you make your living in concessions. Many concession trailer and mobile food cart owners love the freedom that comes with traveling to carnivals, festivals and concerts. To get the most from vending cart business:

1. Decide on the right trailer or cart set-up for your concession.
2. Figure out what storage space you need to carry all of your equipment and product.
3. Schedule events in advance that will keep your cart/trailer in business.

Action Steps for Choosing The Right Mobile Food Carts

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hot dog vending carts Hot dog trailers and vending carts come in a variety of styles suitable for either indoor or outdoor use. Prices typically range from about $2,000 to $10,000, but some smaller models and used food vending trailers can be purchased for less.

I recommend:  TheHotDogCart.com and AAAHotDogCarts.com have several types including push carts with umbrellas and enclosed carts. HotDogCarts.com offers D.O.T. tow-ready carts. AllAmericanHotDog.com sells used carts that are listed for up to 50 percent off retail. Check out additional suppliers for hot dog vending carts at Business.com.

Food concession trailers Hot dogs haven’t cornered the market on concessions. If it can be served on a stick or through a window, you can have custom-made food concession trailers made to order. Food concession trailers run from under $10,000 upwards of $25,000.

I recommend:  All A Cart Manufacturing makes custom vending carts, food kiosks, step vans, sprinters, food vending trailers and vending tricycles. Pace American manufactures commercial-quality, flat-top trailers with heavy-duty truck body style construction. Shop for used food vending trailers nationwide at ConcessionTrailers.com. Supreme Products makes custom made concession trailers and vending carts. For a directory of manufacturers for concessions trailers and the overall visit Business.com.

Other specialty concession trailers and mobile food carts If you’d prefer to serve a specialty food item, look for manufacturers who sell food carts that serve barbeque, cotton candy, smoothies and more.

I recommend:  HTmarket.com offers cotton candy and popcorn carts. If you’re in the market for ice cream, gelato or smoothie carts, check out this listings at Business.com or suppliers like 800BuyCart.com, MagnoliaCarts.com or TurnkeyParlor.com.

Tips & Tactics for Best Use of Food Vending Trailers

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Equipment, such as stoves and refrigeration systems, are often built into vending carts and concession trailers.
• Decide how you will transport food carts or food vending trailers. If you choose a towable trailer, make sure it is D.O.T. approved and it is able to be licensed, wired for taillights and generally road-ready. Regulations differ from state-to-state, so check out your state’s licensing requirements.
• Before you hire your vending carts out for business, make sure you’ve passed muster with the county health department and you’ve gotten all vending licenses and permits to sell concessions.