The Top 5 Food Truck Infographics of 2017

An infographic is a visual illustration of something that is complex. These images can help take something that is complicated like running a business and simply it into something that is easily understood. In 2017 there have been numerous of these infographics published that help better explain a variety aspects of the food truck business and operations.
As the popularity of mobile food has continued to grow in recent years numerous organizations have designed infographics that dive deep into different aspects of running this type of business like marketing, history of food trucks, and overviews of the industry as a whole. In an effort to help you in your own food truck journey we’ve organized a list of the top 5 infographics we’ve discovered on the topic and published them right here for your reading enjoyment.

Food Truck Industry Infographic

One of the best images that takes high-level data from the street food industry and produces a wonderful visual illustration is the What The Truck is That? graphic. This image does a wonderful job articulating the importance of the street food industry to the overall economy. At M&R Specialty Trailers and Trucks, we understand first hand the importance of this data because many of these 1,500 businesses created are from first-time business owners pursuing their American Dream.
It’s a tough reality that most food businesses require a lot startup capital ranging from $250,000 to start a restaurant on the low end to well over $1,000,000 in liquid capital for some franchise opportunities. Even if you save for decades working at a job this can be an unsurmountable amount barrier for even the most determined would-be restauranteurs. You don’t face the same challenges with food trucks, however, as you can usually get started all-in for under $100,000. While this is not small change with financing this is a goal that is attainable by most people living in more developed countries like the United States or Canada.
Here are a few other key data points we pulled from the infographic: 

• Mobile food has seen average annual growth of 8.4%
• $2.7 million dollars in annual industry growth by 2017
• Over 15,000 jobs have been created by the mobile food industry.

Hengehold Trucks Infographic Source

Food Truck History

There are many folks that cite the 2007 – 2008 recession at the start of the food trucks. While this is an important time period in the modern food truck movement, mobile food has been around for hundreds of years in different variations. As The History of Food Trucks infographic explains all the way back in 1691 New York first regulated street vendors to sell food in the city. In the 1800s a mobile diner was drawn in a horse powered wagon.
In addition to some fun historical facts, the graphic also dives into some revenue numbers for the business. For example, did you know that food truck customers spend an average of $9.80 at lunch? Check out the graphic below to learn more!
 

 
 

Social Media & Food Trucks

Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter have always been an important part of the modern food truck movement. They provide a no cost channel for entrepreneurs to get the word out about their food to new customers and also alert patrons where a trailer will be vending on a specific day. In addition to marketing tips, the infographic points out a jaw-dropping point from the United Nations that states street food is eaten by 2.5 billion people every day. Mobile food is by no means a business that is operating solely within the borders of the United States.
 

Creative Marketing Ideas

Looking for a creative and free way to promote your food truck? Running different types of creative special events can be a great way to attract attention for your business throughout the year. Some cool ideas listed within this infographic include creating a scavenger hunt, naming dishes each month after your best customers, and using hashtags within social media campaigns. This graphic is sure to get your creative juices flowing!

 

The Real Deal Behind Food Trucks

Our final infographic helps clear up some of the misconceptions of food truck ownership. For example, there’s a believe that food trucks are owned and operated by young 20-somethings just out of college.  While this is true in some cases it’s not the norm. Over 50% of all food trucks are owned by people over the age of 40. This is certainly true based on what we see from our customers at M&R Specialty Trailers and Trucks as well.
The graphic also points out how many different backgrounds concession vendors come from. About a third food truck owners come from like food industry like chefs or cooks at restaurants, but most don’t. Many are folks that used to work 9-to-5 office jobs in corporate America. Check out the graphic below from SmallFoodBiz.com for details.