Lunch van for work sites and industrial parks
Run a van on a regular route serving breakfast and lunch to crews and offices.
- C$60k-180k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A catering van or truck that visits construction sites, industrial parks and business areas at set times, serving sandwiches, hot meals, snacks and coffee to workers.
Your first three steps
- Scout industrial parks, construction projects and business areas, and ask site managers if they allow vendors at break times
- Check with your municipality and public health unit about mobile vending licences and vehicle requirements
- Price a used van or truck fit-out and plan a simple menu you can prepare at an approved kitchen
Who pays
Construction crews, factory and warehouse staff, and office workers paying for each meal.
How it makes money
Steady daily sales along a fixed route, with repeat customers. Revenue depends on stops per day and how well your timing fits shift breaks.
Skills that help
- Driving and route planning
- Fast, consistent food prep
- Building regular customer relationships
- Managing stock and waste
Watch out for
- Mobile food vending licences and where you are allowed to stop, which vary by municipality
- Health inspection of the vehicle and an approved prep or commissary kitchen
- Commercial vehicle and general liability insurance
- Winter driving and heating costs, plus quieter periods when projects end
- Hiring help may trigger WCB or WSIB coverage, check your province
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: lunch van for work sites and industrial parks
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 lunch van business in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $60,000 to $180,000, depending on the van or truck, kitchen equipment, licences and insurance. Get quotes for your own vehicle and menu before you commit.
How much can a work site lunch van earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on your route, menu, pricing and how many regular customers you build. Quieter periods can follow when projects end, so plan ahead.
What licences and rules should I check for a lunch van in Canada?
Check mobile food vending licences and where you may stop, which vary by municipality, plus health inspection of the vehicle and an approved prep or commissary kitchen. Also check commercial vehicle and general liability insurance, and WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire help.
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