Food trucks have become increasingly popular among Americans in the last decade. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of food trucks operating in the U.S. nearly doubled from 2013 to 2018. The number of food trucks in Texas grew by a whopping 135% during this time period! Why are food trucks so popular? These mobile street food vendors are a big hit among consumers and it’s easy to see why. Here, we discuss the reasons behind food truck popularity and discuss six benefits food trucks offer the community.
1. Great Food
The first and most obvious reason why food trucks are so popular is the food itself. The ingredients used in food trucks are typically fresh, and your meal is prepared on the spot when you order. You will also probably have a wide variety of options to choose from, depending on who’s in the area at the time, which means you can pick exactly what you have a craving for at the moment.
On top of that, many food truck owners are skilled chefs who have a great deal of passion for what they do. They want to serve great food and make their customers happy, and the results are delicious.
2. Great Prices
Typically, gourmet options come at gourmet prices, but when it comes to food trucks, you can often get quality food without racking up a hefty tab. This is in part due to the (comparatively) low startup costs and operational expenses of running a food truck. On average, mobile kitchen owners can start their business for a total cost of roughly $50,000 to $60,000, which is far less than opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The relatively low startup and operational costs allow food truck owners to serve delicious food at better prices than traditional restaurants can offer.
3. Fun Way to Try Something New
Another one of the good things about food trucks is the vast variety of cuisines they bring to the community. There’s almost always a new cuisine to try! Of course, if you want traditional or comfort food, you can probably find a food truck for that, too. Food trucks offer a great way to taste foods you’ve never heard of, or might not ordinarily try, with little commitment. You can walk right up to the kitchen, see (and smell) what’s cooking, ask the chef about the dish, and if you’re still not sure, ask patrons how they like it! As different trucks roll into your area, you can branch out and try foods out of your comfort zone rather than sticking with the same old fare.
There’s also a tendency for mobile kitchens to experiment with interesting fusion dishes that may not normally be on the menu at traditional restaurants.
4. Convenience
Yet another reason for the huge popularity of food trucks is their convenience. They tend to go where the people are, so you can often find fresh, hot food where there was none before. It’s not uncommon to see food trucks turn up at big events, like festivals, sporting events, and even weddings! This convenience means you can usually find delicious cuisine wherever you are, all without having to deal with the hassles of less mobile establishments. Many food trucks also offer catering, making them a fun way to add some extra flavor to an event.
5. Great Way to Support Local Chefs
Another good thing about food trucks is they provide opportunities to support local chefs. With a mobile kitchen, chefs have a great deal more freedom than someone working in a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and they can get creative with their menus. Typically, you’ll talk directly to the chef when you order, adding a personal touch on top of the opportunity to support a local business.
6. Bringing People Together
Finally, food trucks bring people together. They provide a great opportunity to meet other people who are passionate about food—or who are just out for a bite to eat. Food trucks add to the atmosphere of large events, and they can even be the event themselves.
