Food Truck Rental Questions
What to Consider When Renting A Food Truck
Here are some things to consider when renting a food truck:
1. Maintenance Schedule
It is typically the responsibility of the truck owner to handle the regular maintenance of the truck. Prior to renting we strongly suggest you work out a plan for the upkeep of the truck and where the work will be done. If you are drafting a lease agreement, be sure to separate the responsibility of the repairs due to wear and tear (i.e. oil changes) vs. damage caused by the lessee.
2. Insurance
It is up to you if you want to include the insurance on the food truck you are leasing. Renters often provide basic auto insurance and leave it to the lessee to obtain supplementary insurance if they wish to do so (general liability, workers comp, etc.). Be sure to clearly define what you will and will not offer.
3. Security Deposits
Even if insurance will cover any major damage to the truck, a security deposit can come in handy. It can be used to cover any unpaid traffic or parking violations, unpaid claim deductibles, or small repairs that may not warrant an insurance claim. It also helps to ensure renters take good care of your truck.
4. Mileage Limits
Including limits for mileage in your lease agreement helps ensure the truck will be kept local. Due to the weight of the kitchen, food trucks don’t usually do well with long haul travel. It’s up to you if you want to make exceptions for lessees who want to attend festivals and events out of town. If it is more than 50 miles we recommend shipping the truck via flatbed.
5. Alterations / Modifications
In most cases your renter will have chosen your truck because it has all the equipment he/she requires to operate. If you agree to allow modifications to the interior of the truck, be sure to check with your local health department. Changing the equipment may cause your current permits to be voided. Exterior modifications, like the installation of a graphic wrap, do not affect the permits of the truck but they can cause underlying paint damage. It’s a good idea to get a small deposit for paint touch-up if a wrap is to be installed. You can refund the money if the truck is returned with no external damage.
6. Licensing
Every city, county, and state have their own rules for licensing food truck businesses. Typically both a business license and a food truck-specific permit are required to operate. As the county operating permit is usually linked to the truck, truck owners usually take care of permits for the main county where the truck is used. Additional permits (for nearby counties or special zones) are left to the renter to secure.
7. Commissary / Parking
Some counties require that food trucks be registered with a licensed commissary. It’s a good idea to use a commissary even if it is not required by law. Commissaries are usually secured parking areas, you’ll have access to proper cleaning facilities and you typically have easy access to propane and ice to restock. This type of parking does have a cost and it may be one that your renter tries to avoid. It’s a good idea to discuss what you require for truck storage when it is not in use.
8. Lease Agreements
We always recommend you have any renter sign an agreement so that both parties can be protected and have a clear understanding of what is expected. If you’re serious about renting or leasing your food truck you can purchase a sample food truck lease and checklist for $99. This package is specific to the food truck industry and includes options for all the above categories.
9. Price
We left this last because it's probably the first thing you've already thought about. Make sure the pricing and payment schedule works for you. Renters pay daily, weekly, monthly, or any combination. There's no set formula. We recommend making sure payment is at least daily or weekly, so that no one gets in a financial hole that's hard to dig out of.
For additional legal counsel or business consulting relating to your food truck business or marketing campaign, we recommend Hiller Counsel
How Do I Use This Food Truck Rental Website?
FOOD TRUCK OWNERS: Simply click the "List My Truck" tab above and create your food truck rental profile. All inquiries on your truck will go direct to you, it's all in your hands. There is no fee to list or receive rental inquiries. Yes, it's free.
FOOD TRUCK RENTERS: You can contact any food truck owner direct. To search our database you have three options
1) "View All Trucks": Simply click "view all trucks" in the search box.
2) Postal Code: You can enter a postal code and all food trucks will appear in order of proximity to that postal code.
3) Description: You can search for keywords in truck descriptions (like type of equipment, model, etc.) and we'll find all of our trucks that match your keywords.
For any truck you see, simply fill out the "Contact Truck Owner" form and your inquiry will be sent directly to that truck owner. No middle man involved.
For Owners and Renters, we do supply a checklist and sample rental agreement for $99. If you're interested please visit our Rental Checklist page.
-For corporate and agency clients, please Contact Us to talk through your activation / marketing campaign. We can assist and advise from start to finish if you wish to handle your promotion direct with various truck owners. Or, we can handle your activation turn-key. We're happy to talk through options.
Why List My Food Truck?
Why List My Food Truck? Well, there are lots of companies, entrepreneurs, chefs, advertisers, schools,and creative business people looking for food trucks to rent. This is a great way to make extra money if you own a truck. You can rent it out for a day, a week, a year, whatever you like. It's up to you. Just list your truck here and all inquiries on you food truck will be emailed direct to you. You negotiate all terms direct with your potential renter.
