Start a fast food van or trailer
Serve quick hot food from a van or trailer at markets, events, industrial estates and busy pitches.
- £8k-35k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A converted van, trailer or gazebo stall serving a short menu of hot fast food, such as burgers, loaded fries, hot dogs or wraps, from different pitches.
Your first three steps
- Decide on a short menu and cost each dish, then price a second-hand van or trailer and fit-out
- Complete a food hygiene course and register the unit with the council where it is stored or based
- Contact market organisers, event companies and landowners about pitches, and apply for any street trading consents needed
Who pays
Event-goers, market visitors, workers on industrial estates and festival or fair crowds.
How it makes money
Sales of meals and drinks at fixed menu prices, with busy event days and regular weekly pitches bringing in most of the income.
Skills that help
- Fast, consistent cooking
- Customer service
- Planning pitches and stock
- Basic vehicle and gas equipment care
Watch out for
- Food business registration with your local council, check which council applies to a mobile unit
- Street trading licences or consents, which vary by council, and permission from landowners for private pitches
- Gas safety checks and fire safety for cooking equipment in the unit
- Public liability insurance, plus vehicle and equipment cover
- Allergen information and labelling requirements
- Event fees and weather can make income uneven
- Pitch rules and competition at popular sites, check before relying on one spot
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: fast food van or trailer
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 fast food van?
Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on whether you buy a van, trailer or gazebo stall and how much cooking equipment you need. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own setup.
How much can a fast food van earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your pitches, menu, prices and the events you attend. Event fees and weather can make income uneven, so plan your cash flow carefully.
What licences and rules should I check for a food van?
Check food business registration with your local council, including which council applies to a mobile unit. Also check street trading licences or consents, landowner permission for private pitches, gas and fire safety, insurance and allergen information requirements.
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