Food trucks have become increasingly popular in the United States in the last decade and make up a substantial part of the fast-food industry.
Americans love buying food from trucks because it’s cheap, convenient, and tasty.
Food trucks started hitting the scene in major cities over a decade ago, spicing up the old concept of a sandwich cart.
Today, we can see colorful trucks serving a wide range of cuisines everywhere in the suburbs and small towns across the United States.
According to the data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Food truck industry is worth billions in the U.S., with annual revenue of $1.2 billion.
With over 4,100 food trucks operating nationwide, it is not surprising to see food truck franchise opportunities are at an all-time high in the country.
Whether you are looking to start your own restaurant or get into the food truck business, investing in a food truck franchise is the best way to get there with the lowest risk and highest profit margin.
In this post, we’ll be discussing the best food truck franchise opportunities in the USA that offer a helping hand to their franchisees and support them with their proven business strategies and valuable experience.
Let’s dive right in!
1O Best Food Truck Franchise Opportunities In The USA
Here are the 10 best brands that offer favorable food truck franchise opportunities and invite entrepreneurs to join their chains and be their own bosses:
1. Captain D’S Seafood Franchise
| Founded in | 1969 |
| Franchising Since | 1969 |
| Estimated Outlets | 246 |
| Initial Investment | $709,300-$1,231,400 |
| Franchise Fees | $35,000 |
| Liquidity | $350,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 4-5% |
This casual fast-food restaurant offers healthy alternatives to pizza, burgers, and other junk foods.
Found in 1966, Captain D’S Seafood claims to be a franchise of the future with zero fast-casual competition.
They also offer franchise options to new business owners in the form of food trucks and have over 500 locations in 21 states.
More than half of the Captain D’S Seafood locations are owned by franchisees that sell their products on food trucks.
They are now expanding to other states by offering franchisees affordable franchise fees, free training, and support in growing their business.
2. Café2U Franchise
| Founded in | 2000 |
| Franchising Since | 2005 |
| Estimated Outlets | 241 |
| Initial Investment | $109,146-$154,621 |
| Franchise Fees | $25,000 |
| Liquidity | $25,000 |
| Royalty Fees | $175 per week |
Cafe2U is America’s first mobile coffee franchise that offers fresh espresso coffee and great food for businesses, events, and functions.
Established in 2000, Cafe2U is a member of the British Franchise Association with more than 85 franchises in the United Kingdom.
The mobile coffee franchise is also available on the beaches of Sydney, Australia, and slowly becoming one of the fastest-growing mobile coffee franchises in Australia due to the immense ongoing success of entrepreneurs joining the franchise.
Café2U provides fantastic franchise opportunities with excellent support options for their franchisees, including one-week on-the-job training, one-week classroom training, and additional ongoing support and coaching to help them become qualified baristas and mobile café franchise owners.
3. Kona Ice Franchise
| Founded in | 2007 |
| Franchising Since | 2008 |
| Estimated Outlets | 103 |
| Initial Investment | $150,000-$174,150 |
| Franchise Fees | $15,000 |
| Liquidity | $20,000 |
| Royalty Fees | $3,000-$4,000 per year |
Kona Ice, also known as Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV), is the 13th fastest-growing food truck franchise in America that sells shaved ice, ice creams, and related products with a patented self-service system.
Kona Ice is proud to transform the idea of a regular neighborhood ice cream truck into an exciting and fun ice-making experience by allowing the customer to mix more than ten delicious flavors of ice cream to create their unique flavor.
Kona ice has more than 1,000 tropical-themed ice trucks operating across the United States.
The company has been named number one in the Dessert franchise category and franchisee satisfaction by Entrepreneur Magazine 2013 due to its innovative concept.
The franchisor provides franchisees with the propriety Kona Ice truck and related products, along with 16-20 hours of on-the-job training and business grants.
Read our complete guide to learn more about the Kona Ice franchise.
4. Toppers Pizza Franchise
| Founded in | 1991 |
| Franchising Since | 2005 |
| Estimated Outlets | 56 |
| Initial Investment | $292,146-$530,652 |
| Franchise Fees | $30,000 |
| Liquidity | $200,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% |
Toppers Pizza is a North Canadian pizzeria chain that offers a huge variety of pizzas, late-night snacks, and desserts for college dorms and bars.
Originally intended to provide late-night snacks for hungry college students and bars, the customer demographics of Toppers Pizza have diversified and changed a lot in recent years, and now it has expanded its services and customer basis.
With over 35 years of franchising experience, Toppers Pizza is an excellent option for those hungry for an appetizing food truck franchise opportunity and to sink their teeth into a business venture you can be proud of.
They offer consistent support for the franchisees, a 4–6-week training program, and real estate assistance needed to conduct ongoing operations and build a strong brand positioning.
5. Johnny Rockets Franchise
| Founded in | 1986 |
| Franchising Since | 1987 |
| Estimated Outlets | 401 |
| Initial Investment | $597,100-$189,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $50,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Johnny Rockets is an international fast-casual brand chain that specializes in a wide variety of fast foods, including juicy hamburgers, sandwiches, fries, salads, shakes, and more.
Their prime focus is to provide customers with an authentic American food experience with their mouthwatering dishes.
Johnny Rickets has been successfully conducting operations in the U.S. and 30 countries worldwide and warmly welcomes franchisees to join their chain and be a part of something they will be proud of.
They offer an initial training program for the franchisees, including classroom and on-the-job training, site approval, and all the resources and additional assistance required to run a successful business.
6. WooHoo’s Eatery Franchise
| Founded in | 1999 |
| Franchising Since | 2009 |
| Estimated Outlets | N/A |
| Initial Investment | $10,000-$17,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $20,000 |
| Liquidity | $50,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 4-5% |
This fast-casual gourmet restaurant on the wheels has taken fast-casual dining to a whole new level.
It offers one of the most extensive menus, including hand-petted burgers, sandwiches, hand-cut French fries, delicious wraps, grilled chicken and vegetables, and ice-creams.
Entering WooHoo’s Eatery as a franchisee is one of the best ways to own a business without having to risk all your savings and cut down the added startup costs and overhead expenses that come with a physical store.
They offer two different franchise models depending on whether you want to operate on a seasonal basis or all year round, along with comprehensive training and ongoing assistance and support.
7. GIGI’S Cupcakes Franchise
| Founded in | 2007 |
| Franchising Since | 2008 |
| Estimated Outlets | 77 |
| Initial Investment | $226,700-$425,500 |
| Franchise Fees | $35,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% |
Gigi’s Cupcakes is a famous boutique bakery that specializes in serving freshly made gourmet cupcakes and treats in a vast range of unique flavors such as Lemon poppy seed, white midnight magic, Kentucky Bourbon Pie, hot fudge Sunday, and more.
They change their menu daily so the customers can enjoy different flavors each day.
The bakery has been swirling cupcakes for over 12 years now at more than 50 locations and 21 states and offers a scalable and low-cost franchise opportunity featuring their delicious cupcakes and bakery treats.
They look forward to working with franchisees interested in the cupcake business and offer them 120 hours of training and ongoing assistance.
8. Gandolfo’s Deli Franchise
| Founded in | 1954 |
| Franchising Since | 1994 |
| Estimated Outlets | 270 |
| Initial Investment | $302,450-$558,850 |
| Franchise Fees | $25,000 |
| Liquidity | $150,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Gandolfo’s Deli is a New York-based stationary restaurant that serves a delicious variety of deli meat sandwiches, premium meats, salads, and freshly baked loaves of bread through a food truck.
Found in 1954, Gandolfo’s Deli currently operates in more than 16 states and has been winning hearts with its signature sandwiches.
Gandolfo’s Deli offers amazing food truck franchise opportunities for those who are already in the restaurant business or want to get into the industry.
They offer initial training of up to 4 weeks, and the franchisee will be assigned a corporate trainer to help them start on the right foot and handle their daily operations.
9. Dairy Queen Franchise
| Founded in | 1940 |
| Franchising Since | 1940 |
| Estimated Outlets | 7058 |
| Initial Investment | $1,101,135-$1,856,665 |
| Franchise Fees | $45,000 |
| Liquidity | $400,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 4% |
Dairy Queen, often called “D.Q.,” is a chain of quick-serve ice cream and fast-food restaurants that operates under the umbrella of Dairy Queen, Inc.
Started as an ice cream chain, their menu now includes a complete menu of lunch and dinner menu offering burgers, sandwiches, fries, chicken strips, and more.
They have more than 6,800 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, and 27 other countries.
The restaurant launched its first food truck van in 2010 and openly invited franchisees to join hands with them and open Dairy Queen franchises and get the opportunity to own and operate an internationally recognized brand if they have some prior experience in food service management or retail.
10. Wayback Burgers Franchise
| Founded in | 1991 |
| Franchising Since | 2006 |
| Estimated Outlets | 143 |
| Initial Investment | $209,000-$524, 500 |
| Franchise Fees | $35,000 |
| Liquidity | $125,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% |
This fast-casual restaurant chain is famous for providing customers with mouthwatering juicy hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, and a wide range of regional dishes.
The chain was previously named Jake’s Wayback Burgers but later changed its name to Wayback Burgers.
Wayback burgers entered the food truck trend in 2017 and can be considered an excellent alternative to the brick-and-mortar store with high maintenance requirements.
They provide their franchisees with an unrivaled training experience, insistent support, and guidance that are hard to find with other food truck opportunities.
Things You Need To Know Before Choosing A Food Truck Franchise
A Food Truck franchise is a terrific investment, but before jumping onto buying any food truck franchise, take some time and think about the following:
1. Financial Requirements
Similar to starting a new venture, buying a food truck franchise also requires you to consider the starting and operating cost associated with the business.
Financial requirements of a food truck may include initial investment, cost of equipment, royalty fees, training and support fees, and other fees as required.
2. Franchise Agreement
Always make sure to read any agreement, contract, or any other documents that are provided by the franchisor.
If required, get the help of any legal advisor and understand the rights and obligations of a franchisee.
3. Research
Research is another important aspect you must consider before investing in any franchise. Research your local market and check whether the local market has the demand for the type of food that the franchise serves.
Researching the market includes competitor analysis, studying demographic data, and surveying potential customers.
When Should You Choose A Food Truck Franchise?
Rome was not built in a day, similarly, if you are thinking of investing in a food truck franchise and in doubt about when to choose a food truck franchise, then consider these pros and cons of getting into the business.
Here are some pros and cons which will help you better evaluate when to choose a food truck franchise:
Advantages
1. Start-Up
Starting a food truck franchise is time-consuming, confusing, and costly, but when it comes to buying one, the startup cost and the time required are relatively less as compared to starting it from scratch.
2. Business Model
A franchise comes with proven and tested business models. This reduces the risk of failure and provides expert guidance and support.
3. Brand Recognition
Many food truck franchises have already built their brand and loyal customer base. So when buying a franchise, you don’t have to worry about marketing needs.
Disadvantages
1. Limited Control
The very first drawback of food truck franchising is the limited control over the business. Since you are buying into someone else’s business, you need to follow their rule and regulations.
2. Contractual Obligations
Sometimes franchise agreements include a number of contractual obligations that must be followed by the franchisee. Failing to meet these obligations can result in fines or termination of the franchise contract.
3. Franchise Fees
Though buying a food truck franchise is a low-cost investment but when you are looking for a branded franchise then, the franchise fees can also be very high.
Comparison Of Top 5 Food Truck Franchise Opportunities
| Company Name | Captain D’s Seafood | Cafe2U | Kona Ice | Toppers Pizza | Johnny Rockets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1969 | 2000 | 2007 | 1991 | 1986 |
| Estimated Outlets | 246 | 241 | 103 | 56 | 401 |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $25,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| Initial Investment | $709,300-$1,231,400 | $109,146-$154,621 | $150,000-$174,150 | $292,146-$530,652 | $597,100-$189,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4-5% | $175 per week | $3,000-$4,000 per year | 5% | 6% |
Conclusion
Food trucks are one of the hottest trends in the food and beverage industry, outdoing restaurants and the overall commercial food scene with an annual growth of 5.4% vs. 4.3%.
Food truck franchise opportunities come with additional advantages, such as built-in brand image and customer base and the collective power of the franchise system that will help you save a lot of money.
If you are considering worthwhile food truck opportunities, our guide will provide you with some great guidance.
All the franchises mentioned above were selected on 100% franchise satisfaction in the food truck space and restaurant industry.
However, the top five franchises were ranked highly by the franchisees that own them.
No matter if you have relevant experience or no belong to a different industry, there are plenty of food truck franchise opportunities for you to avail yourself and make your entrepreneurial dreams come true.
FAQ
How Much Does Food Truck Franchise Cost?
A food truck franchise differed from company to company. The average cost of a food truck franchise varies from a range between $57,000 to $863,750.
How Much Does A Food Truck Annually?
The food truck industry of United States is the leader in the food truck industry, with an annual revenue of $1.2 billion, and this rate has been increasing at a rate of 12.4% during the last five years.
It is not uncommon for popular food trucks to make $20,000 to $50,000 in sales each month, and even more in the hotbed cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Austin.
How Should I Start A Food Truck Franchise?
You can either start your own business from scratch or buy a franchise to get already-built brand recognition, training, and marketing support to make your business successful without having to do everything on your own.
How Can I Make My Food Truck Franchise Profitable?
There are many ways to do that. Start with getting permits and licenses, getting all the essential equipment, following the guidelines set by the franchisor, paying extra attention to hygiene, and communicating with your customers, industry vendors, and fellow truck owners.
Why Do Many Food Truck Businesses Fail?
Food trucks can fail due to poor sales, health department issues, lack of control over operating costs, and not having an established budget.
Many owners consider vehicle, labor, and food to be their initial costs.
However, other expenses, such as auto insurance, legal fees, marketing, etc., can slowly add up and may lead to failure.
Is Food Truck Franchise Profitable?
Yes, a food truck franchise is indeed profitable if you apply the right strategy and skills. Food Truck franchises often come with low-initial investment and greater flexibility.
What Is The Food Truck Franchise Profit Margin?
The average profit margin of a food truck franchise is 6.2%.
Which Is The Cheapest Food Truck Franchise?
According to the above-mentioned data, the cheapest food truck franchise is Kona Ice, with $15000 franchise fees, an initial investment of $150,000-$174,150, and $3,000-$4,000 per year royalty fees.
Amit Gupta is an experienced expert in digital marketing and co-founder of DrFranchises. With more than 11 years of knowledge in franchise digital marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing, Amit has helped many brands achieve incredible success online. As a passionate entrepreneur and owner of 7 franchises, he continues to study franchise models, looking at costs, revenue, and profitability to guide brands toward profitable growth. When he’s not working on digital marketing, Amit enjoys spending time playing with his beloved dog.