Food Trucks in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS OD4322Revenue
$2.4bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
63,018
Businesses
58,064
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Food Trucks in the US industry analysis
Food trucks have seen significant growth over the last five years, cementing their position as a standout in the broad food services sector. Notably, this expansion is largely due to evolving consumer tastes shifting in favor of unique, gourmet cuisine offered at prices lower than those in traditional sit-down restaurants. The industry has thrived, with cities like Portland, LA, and Austin passing regulations and establishing designated areas for this new wave of culinary delights. Despite the economic pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the industry revenues stayed resilient. Industry revenue is expected to reach $2.4 billion, with an annualized growth rate of 10.3% over the five years to 2024.
Trends and Insights
- Food trucks are dependent on foot traffic. Consumers returning to urban areas and back to the office will drive sales growth.
- Younger adults are more adventurous and have the disposable income to spend at food trucks. Aging consumers are more apt to go to sit-down restaurants for the atmosphere.
- Food trucks gravitate toward cities with easing regulations. High fees and expensive licenses and permits deter food trucks from setting up shop there.
- Food trucks compete to attract customers by providing the best quality and taste. Convenience is another way to compete, by offering a quick, satisfying meal at optimal locations.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 10.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $2.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Food trucks adapt to health-based and event-driven trends
- Astute food trucks are adjusting to the shift in consumers' dietary preferences, favoring healthier options. These vendors are now introducing an array of wholesome choices in their menus, bringing cuisines that cater to vegan and vegetarian consumers. This adaptation diversifies an eclectic culinary scene and taps into a market segment that street food retailers have largely overlooked.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Refined tastes and health trends steer successful food truck offerings
- Discerning customers demand more from curb-side dining, pushing food trucks to deliver quality and healthy options. The rise of high-quality street food is particularly evident in affluent urban locales.
Biggest companies in the Food Trucks in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($short_0)
2024 | Profit ($short_0)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|
There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Food Trucks in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including American, Central and South American and Other. American is the largest segment of the Food Trucks in the US.
Trends and Insights
The ‘burger trend' strikes gold for American-style food trucks
- Food trucks are independent vendors offering cuisine emphasizing quality and customizability. The current trend of 'better burgers' fits seamlessly into this space, enabling vendors to capitalize on the demand.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Chain Restaurants in the US
- Single Location Full-Service Restaurants in the US
- Food Service Contractors in the US
- Caterers in the US
- Street Vendors in the US
- Coffee & Snack Shops in the US
- Fast Food Restaurants in the US
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- Street Vendors in Canada
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in preparing and serving meals from a mobile truck. Food is normally prepared, stored and cooked on the food truck. The food truck may or may not use the same location each day and does not sell alcoholic beverages.
What's included in this industry?
Preparing and serving food from a mobile truckPreparing and serving beverages from a mobile truckPreparing and serving dessert from a mobile truckServing prepackaged food and beverages from a mobile truckCompanies
Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BRICK AND MORTAR POINT OF SALE (POS) GASTRONOMYIndustry Code
NAICS 72233 - Food Trucks in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Food trucks are dependent on foot traffic. Consumers returning to urban areas and back to the office will drive sales growth.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Younger adults are more adventurous and have the disposable income to spend at food trucks. Aging consumers are more apt to go to sit-down restaurants for the atmosphere.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Food trucks gravitate toward cities with easing regulations. High fees and expensive licenses and permits deter food trucks from setting up shop there.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Food trucks compete to attract customers by providing the best quality and taste. Convenience is another way to compete, by offering a quick, satisfying meal at optimal locat...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
No food truck controls more than 5.0% of market share because of the sheer number of operators. The low barrier to entry enables new entrants, growing the fragmented industry...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
Detailed analysis
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Food trucks are largely dependent on consumer trend. Shifts in consumer preferences and confidence play a major role in performance.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Food trucks depend on labor-intensive roles to function. During periods of high demand, hiring of employees can drive up wages.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States is $2.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Food Trucks in the US industry in 2024?
There are 58,064 businesses in the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 15.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 10.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What does the Food Trucks in the US in United States include?
Preparing and serving food from a mobile truck and Preparing and serving beverages from a mobile truck are part of the Food Trucks in the US industry.
How competitive is the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Food Trucks in the US industry in United States.
