The Economics of Everyday Things 53. Food Trucks
Jun 24, 2024
Mariel-Leona Edwards, Matthew Geller, and Evan Kidera discuss the evolution and economics of food trucks, the challenges of running a successful food truck business, obtaining necessary permits, regulations, transitioning to brick-and-mortar restaurants, and the unpredictable nature of sales in the food truck industry.
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Food Truck History
- Food trucks, initially called "roach coaches," served niche communities like construction workers.
- They later gained popularity through social media and community events, becoming trendy.
Food Truck Startup Costs
- Starting a food truck costs less than a restaurant, but still requires significant investment (around $60,000-$250,000).
- Factor in ongoing costs like commissary kitchen rental, gas, propane, labor, insurance, and food supplies.
Senor Sisig's Beginnings
- Evan Kidera and Gil Payumo, inspired by an LA food truck, started Senor Sisig.
- They spent months finding a used truck and invested $55,000 to retrofit and brand it with a distinctive Filipino-Mexican fusion menu.