How to book a food truck in 4 simple steps

Planning a party can be seriously stressful business. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Booking a food truck for your next event is the best move you’ll ever make—and best of all, it couldn’t be easier!

Food trucks offer versatile, professional and delicious catering services for any occasion, and serve a wide range of clients and events, from holiday parties at Fortune 500 companies to barbecues, birthdays and family reunions.

Whether you’re planning a client development lunch, an employee appreciation day, or an unforgettable holiday party, choosing a food truck to cater is the first step on the path to the easiest, best event you’ve ever thrown.

What’s the next move?

With a food truck on the job, it’s never been easier to deliver a crowd-pleasing event with headache-free logistics and exceptional service and food.

Booking a food truck to cater your next event is a simple process. Just follow these four easy steps:

Step 1: Have a quick chat

The first step on the path to an incredible party is picking up the phone or sending a quick email. Most food truck caterers offer free, no-strings-attached phone consultations, during which they’ll give you important information and talk through the basics of your event to get an idea of what you’re looking for:

What type of event are you having?

Food truck caterers specialize in corporate events and private parties of all kinds, including:

• Corporate Events
• Employee Appreciation Days
• Family Reunions
• Birthday Parties
• Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
• Fundraising Events
• Weddings and wedding after parties
• Cookouts and picnics
• Graduation parties

How many guests are you expecting?

Whether you’re planning a party for 10 or 1,000, a skilled caterer will have you covered.

Where and when will your event be held?
A sleek, state-of-the-art food truck is guaranteed to make any outdoor party the envy of the neighborhood—these rigs allow caterers to serve delicious food just about anywhere—but many caterers are also equipped to cater indoor events in venues of all sizes.

Most food trucks offer both onsite catering—with or without the food truck—as well as drop-off catering, staffed buffets, passed appetizers, plated meals, and dessert options.

What kind of food are you looking for?

These days, there is truly a food truck for every flavor and cuisine, from modern American classics to elevated Asian fusion to trucks specializing in inventive twists on a particular dish—from grilled cheese to tacos to dumplings.

Many companies have well-trained staff equipped for any event format, from passed hors-d’oeuvres to buffets to full-service dining.

Do you need servers, bartenders, or other staff?

You’ll want a food truck with a staff that is professionally trained, courteous, neat, and organized—the goal is to have everyone focused on making your event spectacular, and that starts with your caterer. Most caterers are happy to work with your event coordinator or provide one if you’d like, and many also have business relationships with equipment rental companies, DJs, florists, stylists, and venues. Good coordination among a team of skilled professionals helps ensure that your event is truly special.
What’s your budget?

After your conversation, your caterer will get back to you with a price estimate, often on the very same day!

Step 2: Design Your Menu

Food to fit the vibe

Food truck caterers work with each client to ensure that the menu fits the event’s unique personality and style. Look for a staff that offers elevated cuisine to fit any occasion, from elegant ballroom affairs to casual backyard cookouts.

With experience catering parties of all types and sizes, they’ll have the expertise to guide your towards choices that will make your event a true crowd pleaser.

Developing your menu

Your food truck’s team of expert caterers will help develop a gourmet menu with something for everyone. Planning an outdoor employee appreciation lunch? Your guests will love a crispy chicken sandwich, paired with delicious sides and a few dishes for guests who like to eat on the lighter side, like a homemade hummus platter or a Mediterranean salad. The possibilities are endless!

Flavors for every palate

Do some of your guests have dietary restrictions? No problem. Many food truck caterers offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options that are anything but an afterthought—even the hardcore carnivores and carboloaders at your event will be back for seconds.

Taste the difference

Food trucks add a special flair that not every caterer can provide. Having a food truck at your next event will give it the WOW factor you’re looking for. All ingredients are prepared fresh for your event and cooked right on-site for maximum deliciousness.

Step 3: Finalize and confirm

In the weeks leading up to your event, your caterer be in touch with you regularly to pin down all the details and do some final planning for the big day.

There are lots of moving pieces to consider, but a skilled caterer will help take the pressure off of you by taking care of all the major concerns—saving you time and headaches.

A few of the last things you’ll need to consider before the event:

Final headcount

Your caterer will need an updated count of how many guests you expect, usually at least a week or two before the day of the event. This headcount doesn’t have to be exact, but should be as close as possible—it will help your caterer be accurate with food preparation and staffing, and keep your final price per head as low as possible. Make sure you give your guests plenty of time to RSVP to their invitations!

Menu

You and your caterer will have worked out the basics of your event menu by this time, but you’ll still have a chance to review your choices and make any final small changes that you need. Maybe you fell in love with a side dish at your tasting and want to add it to the spread, or you found out a guest has a dietary restriction? Now’s the time to bring it up so that nothing is left unaccounted for!

Site logistics

Part of the beauty of food trucks is that they can operate just about anywhere, but they usually have a few minimum requirements to get up and running. A bit of flat ground in an area with space for good foot traffic will have most of your bases covered.

Your food truck will want to coordinate with other vendors, if you’re using any, about where to position tents, bars, serving tables, and other amenities. Your caterer may also want to schedule a brief walkthrough of the site to ensure everything goes off without a hitch on event day.

Step 4: Relax and enjoy the event!

The big day event is finally here! A party filled with fun, food, and friends that no one will soon forget—and best of all, with a food truck booked, there’s no need for any stress.

Hands down, the best part about having your party catered by a food truck is that on the day of the incredible event you’ll have next to nothing to worry about. A good caterer will take all of the pressure that comes with planning a party off of your shoulders, so that you’re free to mingle with your guests and have a great time.

On the day of the event, the food truck will drive up about an hour before guests are scheduled to arrive. The staff will begin setting up and prepping so that the food is ready to serve right on time.

At the end of the party, your caterer will clean up, gather the trash, and leave the venue spotless so that you’re not left with any chores after the guests head out.

Food trucks are entirely self-contained operations, making them clean, efficient, and fit for any venue or occasion. Whether the party’s in a public garden, office park, or your own backyard or driveway, food trucks are sure to please. After all, delicious food and fun go hand-in-hand.

From soup to nuts, a food truck caterer can help you throw the easiest, tastiest, most enjoyable party ever. What could be better than that?