How much does it cost for a food truck to be hired for a party or wedding reception?
Most food trucks have a minimum hire cost of between £400-£600. This is the minimum food truck must charge for an event. With more food trucks, and more premium menus, this will obviously go up.
The basic menu package’s per-head prices start at about £7-11
A catering van’s price quote may be affected by many factors. The price you are quoted by a caterer van depends on the day. For instance, a Saturday lunch in February will cost more than a Monday lunch in July.
Other factors that affect the price are the type of food (e.g. The type of food (e.g., full-on meaty barbecue vs. mac ‘n’ cheese), as well as the type and location of the food truck (simple hamburger van vs. bespoke pimped-up van) are all factors that affect the price.
Here are our top tips when it comes to keeping prices down for mobile catering:
It is important to limit the amount of time your guests can graze.
You can save money by choosing a local caterer.
Simple menus are best. There should only be 2 or 3 menu options. This will allow you to cover all bases and keep costs down.
Your caterer should know your budget and will offer a suggestion menu.
Consider increasing the quantity of portions. Since many caterers have specific ‘fixed costs’ for every event (travel, set-up, staff etc), the per-head cost often goes down when numbers go up.
What are the lengths of street food vans serving food at events and weddings for?
The type and duration of service for food trucks vary greatly depending on what they are serving. To take a pizza for example, which must be made to order, can take longer to cook than one that is ready to go.
It would take most food trucks around 2 hours for 100 people to prepare their food. This would give guests enough time to order food and come up to the van to collect their food.
If you want the food to remain available for a longer duration of time, this option is often an option. You will be charged more for this because of the extra staff time.
If you’re getting a quote for food truck catering, make sure to include the required serving period. It is possible that they will extend their’standard serving period’ at no extra cost if this information is provided at the beginning.
What Can a Food Truck Feed?
The price of food, experience, and the process used to make it all will affect how much each truck charges.
An example: A skilled caterer can serve paella for over 200 guests. If they have a good process and the order is the exact same for everyone, then for a lunchtime event between 11am and 3pm, the catering company could feed more than 800 people. However, a food truck offering a variety of wraps that are customized to each guest might serve only 15 people per hour.
If you want to serve a large crowd
People with food trucks should choose simple menus (on clear display) and food options that can be ‘grab and go’. It’s also a good idea to look for street food caterers who are experienced in serving large groups and have the necessary processes and procedures in place so that there is little waiting.
Hot dogs are a favorite of ours at big events such the NFL. This has allowed us to be very efficient in serving large numbers of people in short periods of time.
How many street food truck do I need to attend my event?
Perhaps you like the idea that food trucks can create a festival vibe at your event. This provides your guests with a wide variety of choices and can be tailored to their tastes and dietary requirements.
You will pay more for more food trucks, as each truck has a minimum set-up cost. A variety of food trucks can be an option if you have lots of guests that need to be served in a short amount of time.
We recommend that the minimum amount of food per van be 50. This is because if you have more guests than 150+ or would like to offer several portions per guest, having several food vans might be a great solution.
You can also find food trucks (including ours!) It is possible to serve hundreds of guests at an event, while also offering a diverse menu that gives guests many options.
We would suggest 3 savoury vans and 1 dessert van if you are looking to create a festival atmosphere at your event. Consider whether there are any overlaps between the foods or if there are enough choices for gluten-intolerant and vegans. It’s worth having both a lighter option for health-conscious guests and a more heavy-laden dish for people with healthier appetites.
It’s common for food truck business to work together, so if you find one you like, it is worth asking if any other food trucks can be recommended.
We recommend 1 foodtruck for every 150 meals if your event has a short serving time, such as around 2 hours.
Are You Requiring to Pre-Order Food when You Hire a Food Truck
One of the best things about hiring an event caterer van is that they usually don’t require guests to place orders. Food trucks generally don’t require guests to choose their preferred meal, as opposed to more formal catering.
Guests can usually choose the menu they prefer when they hire a foodtruck.
This is great for many things. Not only will it save you time but it also allows your guests to have the freedom to choose what they wish.
It’s always worth asking about the exact requirements of any food truck you plan to book. Some food trucks require you to provide numbers for vegans/veggies/gluten-free and letting them know before hand of any specific dietary requirements your guests may have.
How long does it take for a foodtruck to set-up at an event or wedding ceremony?
Most food trucks are ready in about 30 minutes. But, for many others (like us), it takes around 1 hour.
However, food trucks that use large fryers or wood fired ovens might need to arrive earlier so they have enough time to start everything up.
If time is important for your event it is worth asking what the minimum set up time for your chosen food truck.
We have been known to set-up for surprise birthday parties in as little time as 20 minutes.
It is possible to require that the food truck be set up before guests arrive. This is often an option, but it is worth telling them this at the beginning.
Get in touch if your looking for a reliable food truck caterer that will impress all of your guests.