There are many permits you need to have before opening your food truck. The Arkansas Department of Health requires you to be approved before opening, be approved for a Food Service Permit, LLC licensed and tax IDs, a seller’s permit (to buy wholesale food items), an employer ID number, and a state employer ID for your employees. A Food Truck is also subject to all health and safety regulations that regular restaurants must adhere to. You must also have a valid license to drive the truck. Your food truck may require upgrading your driver’s license to drive a trailer. If you plan to sell alcohol along with food there are more permits required that relate specifically to the sales of alcohol.
The cost of starting a food truck can be anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000. You need to purchase the truck, have food inventory, pay for permits and uniforms as well as cleaning and safety tools, utilities, insurance and legal fees. There are many hidden costs when opening any type of business but restaurants have to follow even more regulations than other types of businesses, so it’s important to research costs relating specifically to the food selling industry.
How Much Does a Food Truck in Arkansas Make Per Year?
According to salary.com, the average salary of a food truck owner/operator is around $96,100 annually. The average hourly rate for a food truck manager comes in around $12 to $15 per hour. Some food trucks are more profitable than others. Profitability varies based on location and if the food truck is seasonal. This makes the average gross income of a food truck around $100,000 per year. It is important to note that the average salary of a food truck in the US is around $30,000 per year.