The global food truck market size was valued at USD 5.42 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7.87 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is primarily fueled by a global surge in gastronomy and the increasing preference among consumers aged 16 to 34 years for novel dining experiences that differ from traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. This younger demographic shows a growing inclination toward exploring unique and diverse meal options, which has bolstered the popularity of food trucks as an alternative dining choice.

Several factors contribute to the rising demand and growth of the food truck market. These include ease of accessibility—food trucks can operate in multiple locations, offering convenience to consumers. The availability of a wide variety of culinary choices and convenient servings, often packaged for on-the-go consumption, also play a key role. Additionally, food trucks require a comparatively lower initial investment than traditional restaurants, making them an attractive business option for entrepreneurs.

Consumers’ growing interest in gourmet food offerings and unique food concepts is further driving demand for food trucks. This trend has led to a noticeable increase in the number of new food truck launches, especially in urban areas where there is high foot traffic and demand for diverse food options. A notable example is Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), a franchise known for its fast-casual lobster rolls, which in March 2025 launched its second franchise food truck serving the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse areas of Upstate New York. Food trucks like CML are successful by focusing on signature dishes and hybrid cuisines that blend various culinary traditions.

Furthermore, food trucks offer a fast-casual dining experience that combines the speed and convenience typical of fast food with the quality and ambiance associated with casual dining. The emphasis on freshly prepared meals enhances their appeal to customers seeking quality on the go. From a business perspective, starting a food truck is significantly less expensive than opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, which lowers the barrier to entry for new food entrepreneurs.

According to a study conducted by Food Truck Operator, Inc., the average startup cost to launch a food truck business ranges between USD 0.05 million and USD 0.06 million, while the average revenue generated by a food truck is approximately USD 0.29 million. This cost is roughly ten times lower than what is typically required to open a traditional restaurant. The study also highlighted differences in the time required to obtain permits: acquiring the necessary food truck permits in the U.S. can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, whereas permits for opening restaurants can take up to three months. This relative ease of obtaining permits, combined with the lower startup costs, is a significant factor fueling the growing popularity and demand for food trucks.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• In 2024, Europe's food truck sector took the lead globally by securing the largest revenue share of 29.6% in the worldwide food truck market. This indicates a strong presence and popularity of food trucks across European countries, supported by vibrant urban cultures and consumer interest in diverse, on-the-go dining options.

• Within the regional landscape, the United States food truck market stood out by dominating its regional segment with the largest revenue share in 2024. This dominance reflects the significant consumer demand and well-established food truck culture in the U.S., supported by a variety of culinary offerings and favorable market conditions.

• When analyzing the market by type of food truck, the boxes segment emerged as the market leader, accounting for the largest revenue share of 37.1% in 2024. Box-type food trucks are popular due to their spacious interiors, which allow for versatile kitchen layouts and efficient food preparation, making them a preferred choice among food truck operators.

• Looking at the market based on truck size, the medium-sized food truck segment took the lead, holding the largest revenue share in 2024. Medium-sized trucks offer a balanced combination of maneuverability and cooking space, catering well to urban environments where space is limited yet operational efficiency is critical.

• Finally, in terms of the type of food offered, the fast food segment dominated the food truck industry with the largest revenue share in 2024. The appeal of quick, affordable, and tasty fast food options continues to drive the popularity of food trucks, attracting a broad customer base that values convenience without sacrificing flavor.

Order a free sample PDF of the Food Trucks Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

Market Size & Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 5.42 Billion

• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 7.87 Billion

• CAGR (2025-2030): 6.3%

• Europe: Largest market in 2024

• Asia Pacific: Fastest growing market

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

Several key companies play a significant role in the food truck market, including Prestige Food Trucks, United Food Truck, M&R SPECIALTY TRAILERS AND TRUCKS, Veicoli Speciali, among others. Leading players in this industry prioritize innovation and focus on providing highly customizable designs to meet the evolving needs of food truck entrepreneurs. Additionally, these companies emphasize the use of durable and energy-efficient materials in their products to enhance performance, longevity, and sustainability, effectively addressing the shifting demands of food truck businesses.

Prestige Food Trucks specializes in manufacturing custom-built food trucks, trailers, and carts designed to serve a variety of foodservice needs. The company offers fully equipped mobile kitchens that are tailored specifically to the unique requirements of each client, ensuring operational efficiency and brand alignment. Beyond manufacturing, Prestige Food Trucks provides end-to-end support, including expert design consultation, branding services to help businesses stand out in the competitive market, and ongoing maintenance to ensure vehicles remain in optimal condition.

On the other hand, United Food Truck is another prominent manufacturer focused on delivering custom-built mobile kitchens and food trucks designed specifically for businesses in the foodservice sector. Their product lineup includes a diverse range of vehicle sizes and types, such as 18-foot and 14-foot food trucks, vans, shipping containers converted into kitchens, food trailers, and other mobile food solutions. This wide variety allows United Food Truck to cater to different business scales and operational preferences within the food truck industry.

Key Players

• Prestige Food Trucks

• United Food Truck

• M&R SPECIALTY TRAILERS AND TRUCKS

• Veicoli Speciali

• Futuristo trailers

• MSM CATERING TRUCKS MFG. INC.

• The Fud Trailer

• Food Truck Company

• Bostonian Body, Inc.

Explore Horizon Databook – The world's most expansive market intelligence platform developed by Grand View Research.

Conclusion:

The food truck market is experiencing steady growth driven by rising consumer demand for convenient, diverse, and affordable dining options. Innovations in food offerings and truck designs, along with expanding urban populations and evolving lifestyles, continue to fuel market expansion. Increasing entrepreneurial interest and lower startup costs compared to traditional restaurants further support market growth globally.