Pie stall for events and footy crowds
Bake pies in a commercial kitchen and sell hot from a stall or trailer at sports days, markets and festivals.
- A$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A mobile pie business serving hot pies at events, sporting grounds, markets and private functions, from a stall, trailer or food van. Baking is done in a registered commercial kitchen.
Your first three steps
- Find a registered commercial kitchen to hire by the hour, or check if a community kitchen is nearby
- Contact your local council about mobile food vendor registration, and whether your state uses a statewide system for food trucks and stalls
- Contact local clubs, markets and event organisers to ask about stall fees and booking processes
Who pays
Event crowds, sports clubs that hire you in, schools and fetes, and hosts of private parties and corporate days.
How it makes money
Per-pie sales at events, set catering fees or minimum guarantees for private functions, and pie and drink combos.
Skills that help
- Baking at volume
- Fast, friendly service
- Event planning and logistics
- Driving and towing
Watch out for
- Mobile food vehicle or temporary food stall registration, which can vary by council and state
- Event organiser fees and application deadlines
- Gas, electrical and fire safety checks on trailers or vans
- Public liability and product liability insurance, as many events ask for proof
- Income depends on weather and event calendars, so plan for quiet months
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: pie stall for events and footy crowds
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a pie stall or van?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on whether you use a stall, trailer or van and what equipment you need. Treat this as an estimate and allow for registration, insurance and safety checks.
How much can a mobile pie stall earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many events you book and the crowds you serve. Income depends on weather and event calendars, so plan for quiet months. Hours start at about 12 a week.
What rules should I check before selling pies at events?
Check mobile food vehicle or temporary food stall registration, which can vary by council and state. Also check event organiser fees and deadlines, gas, electrical and fire safety on trailers or vans, and public liability and product liability insurance.
Other ways to run this business
Home-baked pies for cafés and markets
Bake small batches of savoury and sweet pies from an approved home kitchen and sell to cafés, markets and locals.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Local pie shop with a shopfront
Open a small shop selling hot pies, sausage rolls and sweet pies to locals, tradies and the lunch crowd.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Similar food ideas
Mobile smoothie cart or trailer
Serve smoothies from a cart or small trailer at markets, sports days, events and festivals.
- A$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local soft drink distributor
Deliver independent and craft soft drinks in bulk to local cafés, pubs and shops from a ute or van.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Tea blender supplying cafés and shops
Run a small blending and packing space and supply loose-leaf or bagged teas to local cafés, delis and gift shops.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Pop-up art cafe at markets and community events
Serve coffee and snacks from a cart or stall, alongside a small display of local art, at markets and events.
- A$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local wholesale food and drink supplier
Buy in bulk and deliver ingredients and drinks to local cafes, caterers and restaurants.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Delivery-only takeaway kitchen
Cook a focused takeaway menu from a small commercial kitchen and sell only through delivery apps and your own website.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises