How Much Profit Does a Food Truck Make? Full Breakdown
The short answer: most food trucks generate $5,000-$12,000/month in net profit, with net profit margins of 15-25%. But the range is wide — some operators struggle to break even while others clear $20K+/month. What separates them? This guide breaks down the numbers.
Food Truck Revenue Averages
| Metric | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Orders | 20 | 50 | 80+ |
| Average Ticket | $10 | $14 | $18+ |
| Monthly Revenue | $5,200 | $18,200 | $37,440+ |
| Monthly Net Profit | $0-$2,000 | $5,000-$8,000 | $12,000+ |
| Net Profit Margin | 0-10% | 15-20% | 25-35% |
The Biggest Expenses
Your biggest variable cost. Keep it under 30% for healthy margins.
$4K-$7K/month for 1-2 staff. Often the hardest cost to control.
$300-$800/month for kitchen rental and parking.
$300-$800/month — varies hugely by territory size.
$200-$600/month for liability + vehicle coverage.
$200-$1,000/year depending on your city.
Together, food cost and labor account for 60-70% of total operating costs. If you can keep both under control, you'll be in the top tier of profitable trucks.
Break-Even Analysis: How Many Orders Per Day?
Most food trucks need 30-50 orders per day to break even. Here's the math for a typical setup:
That's only about 3-4 orders per hour in an 8-hour shift. Most well-located trucks hit this by lunch alone.
What-If Scenarios
Small changes compound dramatically. A 60% increase in daily sales (50→80) more than triples your net profit because your fixed costs stay the same.
Calculate Your Exact Profit
Enter your own numbers — daily sales, ticket size, and expenses — to see your projected profit, break-even point, and what-if scenarios.
Use the Profit CalculatorDisclaimer: Profit ranges are industry averages. Your actual results depend on location, menu, operating costs, and local market conditions.