Food van or trailer
Serve food from your own van or trailer at events, work sites and regular roadside or private pitches.
- £8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A fitted-out catering van or trailer that you move between pitches, such as festivals, industrial estates, building sites, private parties and weddings.
Your first three steps
- Price up a second-hand van or trailer and the fit-out, and compare buying with renting for a trial season
- Do a food hygiene course, register with your council, and ask about street trading consents for pitches you want
- Build a simple menu and social media page, then apply to events and approach local businesses about regular visits
Who pays
Event goers, workers on sites and business parks, and hosts who book you for private events.
How it makes money
Per-portion sales at public pitches, plus fixed fees or minimum guarantees for private bookings and corporate events.
Skills that help
- Cooking and menu planning
- Managing stock and wastage
- Booking and organising your own diary
Watch out for
- Register your food business with the council where the vehicle is based, and check local rules for each trading area
- Street trading licences or consents may be needed in some council areas, check with each council
- Gas safety certification and fire safety for the fit-out, check what is required
- Public liability and vehicle insurance suitable for trading
- Pitch fees, fuel, repairs and quiet winter months can squeeze profit
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: 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 food van business?
Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on whether you buy a van or trailer, its condition and the fit-out. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own vehicle and equipment.
How much can a food van or trailer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your pitches, events and menu. This is revenue before costs, and pitch fees, fuel, repairs and quiet winter months can squeeze profit.
What rules should I check before trading from a food van?
Check food business registration with the council where the vehicle is based, and local rules for each trading area. Also check street trading licences or consents, gas safety certification, fire safety for the fit-out, and public liability and vehicle insurance.
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