🚚 Food Truck Business in India – Complete Guide
✅ 1. Overview
A food truck business is a mobile restaurant that serves freshly prepared food. It's a great low-cost alternative to opening a full-scale restaurant.
📋 2. Step-by-Step Guide to Start
🔹 Step 1: Choose Your Niche
- North Indian Thali, South Indian, Burgers, Momos, Chinese, or Fusion.
- Focus on taste, pricing, and quick service.
🔹 Step 2: Prepare a Business Plan
Include:
- Initial investment
- Menu
- Pricing strategy
- Location ideas
- Profit margin (usually 30–50%)
🔹 Step 3: Register Your Business
- FSSAI License (₹2,000–₹5,000)
- Shop & Establishment License
- GST Registration
- Trade License from the Local Municipal Authority
- Fire safety clearance
🔹 Step 4: Buy a Vehicle & Modify It
- Purchase or lease a van (e.g., Tata Ace, Mahindra Supro).
- Modify the interiors with kitchen setup (₹2–4 lakh).
🔹 Step 5: Kitchen Equipment
- Stove, freezer, generator, utensils, storage, fire extinguisher
- Budget: ₹1.5–2.5 lakh
🔹 Step 6: Location and Parking
- Near colleges, IT parks, industrial areas
- Get NOC or permission from local authorities (important!)
🔹 Step 7: Hire Staff
- 2–3 cooks/helpers
- Salaries: ₹10,000–₹15,000/month per person
🔹 Step 8: Marketing
- Instagram, Zomato/Swiggy listing, WhatsApp updates
- Attractive truck design and menu board
💰 3. Cost Breakdown (Estimated)
Item Cost (INR) Vehicle & Customization ₹3,00,000 – ₹4,50,000 Kitchen Setup & Equipment ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 Licenses & Legal ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 Staff & Initial Raw Material ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 Branding & Signage ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 Total Estimate ₹5 – ₹7.5 Lakhs
| Item | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Vehicle & Customization | ₹3,00,000 – ₹4,50,000 |
| Kitchen Setup & Equipment | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| Licenses & Legal | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Staff & Initial Raw Material | ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Branding & Signage | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Total Estimate | ₹5 – ₹7.5 Lakhs |
💸 4. Profit & Daily Sales
| Daily Customers | Avg. Order (INR) | Daily Income |
|---|---|---|
| 80 – 120 | ₹100 – ₹150 | ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 |
Monthly Net Profit: ₹40,000 – ₹1,00,000+
Break-even: ~6–9 months
🧾 5. Govt Schemes & Loans
- PM Mudra Loan (Up to ₹10 lakhs – no collateral)
- NSIC and Startup India registration for support
📌 Tips for Success
- Focus on 2–3 signature dishes
- Maintain hygiene and speed
- Offer wallet payments (PhonePe, Google Pay)
- Rotate between 2–3 high-traffic locations