CFACommercial Funding Advisory

Food & Beverage

Business Funding for Food Trucks

Food trucks require less capital than brick-and-mortar restaurants, but the startup costs are still significant. A fully equipped truck runs $50,000 to $200,000 depending on whether you build custom or buy used. Permits, commissary kitchen access, and event fees add up quickly, and revenue is inconsistent because it depends on weather, location, and event schedules.

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Common Uses

What Food Trucks Use Funding For

  • Purchase or build out a custom food truck with commercial kitchen equipment
  • Cover permit fees, commissary kitchen costs, and health department requirements
  • Fund a second truck to serve different locations or events simultaneously
  • Build working capital reserves for slow-weather months

Funding Options

Best Funding Types for Food Trucks

Equipment Financing

Finance the truck itself along with generators, refrigeration, and cooking equipment. Since the truck is a tangible asset with resale value, equipment loans are often the easiest funding to qualify for in this space.

Merchant Cash Advance

Repay through a percentage of daily card sales, which works well for food trucks since revenue varies by day and location. On a rainy Tuesday you pay less, and on a busy festival Saturday you pay more.

Microloans

SBA microloans up to $50,000 are designed for small businesses like food trucks. They offer reasonable rates and can cover the gap between what equipment financing covers and what you actually need to launch.

What Lenders Look For

Qualification Notes for Food Trucks

You need a valid mobile food vendor permit, health department license, and proof of commissary kitchen access
Lenders typically require at least 3 to 6 months of operating history, though equipment loans may be available at startup
Showing a booked event calendar or recurring location schedule helps demonstrate revenue predictability

Related Industries

Related Food & Beverage Funding

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