Portland's Food Truck Heaven: How a New Kind of Fast Food Brings Jobs, Flavor, and Walkability

[KurtNYC]

4. "a way to rise in local economies" = $80,000+ for the truck

I love food trucks but the owners are gambling with big dollars. In my way of thinking, people who $70 to $120K to spend on a food truck have already "risen" in their local economy.

In addition to the truck, most must have a food prep and storage facility (eg deal with a restaurant). The trucks have less than 40 gallons of water on board and that ain't much for washing hands, utensils and anything else that needs washing. They can't wash plates and utensils so the huge diesel burning trucks are full of single-use paper products -- the article sells that as eco-friendly "walkability".

80% of the expenses of running a restaurant but no revenue from booze or delivery. It isn't as easy as they make it sound.