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Street food and food truck hire
Hiring a food truck costs £10 to £18 per head for one main dish, and most traders set a minimum spend of £500 to £1,500 for a private event. Two vans serving a full meal at a wedding come to roughly £25 to £50 per head, depending on the menu and how long they serve.
What this covers
What it costs. A food truck at a private event costs £10 to £18 per head for one main dish, against a minimum spend of £500 to £1,500. Full cost breakdown.
What the job covers
- A wood-fired pizza trailer and a burger van for a wedding evening
- A loaded fries van for a festival-style birthday in a field
- Two street food stalls for a company summer party
- A paella pan cooked in front of guests at a garden party
- A pay-as-you-go van at a school fair with a guaranteed minimum
What is involved
A street food trader arrives with a van, a trailer, a converted horsebox or a gazebo stall, and cooks to order in front of guests. There are two ways to pay. For weddings and private parties the host usually pays per head, or a fixed fee, and guests eat without paying. At fetes, fairs and larger events the trader sells to guests directly, and the host may guarantee a minimum level of takings and cover any shortfall.
Cooking to order is the appeal and the limit. One van serving a single queue works at its own pace, so for a full meal for 100 guests in a set time you may need two vans or a shorter menu. Most units need a flat, firm pitch with access for their vehicle, and power from a generator or a hook-up. At a private party on private land a trader does not normally need street trading consent; at a public event on a street or open space, the organiser or the trader needs it from the council.
The practical check is the hygiene rating. A mobile unit is registered with the council where it is kept, which may not be the council where your event is, so search the business name rather than your own area. caterers.trade lists only caterers rated 3 or above, or Pass in Scotland.
Choosing someone for the job
Ask what the price covers: portions per guest, hours of service and travel. Ask how many guests they can serve in an hour with the menu you have chosen, and whether they suggest a second van. Ask what they need on site, including pitch size, ground, access width, power and water. Ask what happens in bad weather. And ask for the council they are registered with, so you can check their food hygiene rating yourself.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a food truck for a wedding?
£10 to £18 per head for one main dish, with most traders setting a minimum spend of £500 to £1,500. Two vans serving a full meal come to £25 to £50 per head. Evening food from one van is usually the cheaper option.
How many food trucks do I need for 100 guests?
One van is usually enough for evening food, when guests eat at different times. For a main meal served in a set window, two vans or a short menu keeps the queue down. Ask each trader how many guests they can serve in an hour with the menu you want.
Do food trucks need a licence to trade at a private event?
At a private party on private land, a trader does not normally need street trading consent. At a public event on a street or open space, the organiser or trader needs consent from the council. Every trader must be registered as a food business with the council where the unit is kept.
Do food vans need power and water?
Most bring their own gas and water, and many bring a generator for lights and fridges. Some prefer a hook-up to a mains supply, which is quieter. Ask what they need and where it has to be.
Can guests pay for their own food from a food truck?
Yes, at many events. The trader sells directly to guests, and the host pays a pitch fee or guarantees a minimum level of takings. For weddings, most hosts pay so guests do not have to.