No matter what kind of food truck business you’re planning to open, you still need to go through the steps of making a business plan, planning your budget, hiring employees, and getting that first food truck to get your business off the ground. There’s no question that having a food truck lets you be more flexible than when you have a conventional restaurant. After all, you can change locations when you wish, making it easier to attract potential customers at the same time.
When looking for, say, a legit Peterbilt semi truck for sale, there are instances where it’s better to buy a used one compared to one that’s new. The same goes for purchasing a food truck. In some cases, you’ll be better off buying a new truck; otherwise, it’s best to buy a used one. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of both.
Buying a New Food Truck
For those with the budget for it, a new food truck is worth the investment. It can be tailored to your needs and to really reflect your business, and you won’t have to worry about it breaking down every now and then. This means you won’t have to shell out for costly repairs, and you can look forward to a good, if not great warranty. Last, but not the least, a new food truck will look fresh and clean, and will have a highly polished look.
However, the biggest drawback to a new food truck, besides the substantial financial investment, is that you’ll have to wait a long time to get the truck if you have a lot of customizations made. This means it will take longer for you to start earning back what you spent on the truck. Also, the initial expense will lead to difficulty making any future changes should you need to expand or build on the truck’s capacity.
Buying a Used Food Truck
If you can’t afford the costly investment that comes with a new food truck, a used one is always a viable option and an acceptable alternative. Aside from being cheaper than a new truck, a used food truck is already fitted with counters, shelves, and other fixtures necessary for such a business. You can immediately see if the layout works for you, and if you need any additional customization, it won’t take long.
However, a used food truck brings with it a higher risk of more expensive repairs and maintenance work necessary, and you may have to do without a warranty. Plus, you won’t know how long you’ll be able to use the truck, both because of its age and because of any wear and tear you may have missed when you first inspected it.
Given the advantages and disadvantages of new and used food trucks, it’s clear that the final decision depends on your circumstances, the kind of business plan you have, and the kind of business you want to build.
If you don’t mind the wait between when you purchased a truck and when you can start using it, and you don’t expect to expand the business soon after starting it, then it’s best for you to go with a new food truck. However, if you want to get your business running and expand it as soon as possible, then you’ll want to get a used one.