fish and chips truck

You could open a fish and chips truck.

Everywhere you go, there’s always someone selling food on the street. Whether it’s hot dogs in New York or tacos in Mexico, there’s no doubt that street food is a huge part of many cultures around the world. And it’s not just a popular tourist attraction – street food is big business. It’s estimated that the global street food industry is worth $1 trillion and is growing at a rate of 5% each year.

So, if you’re looking for a new and exciting business idea, starting your own street food business could be the perfect option for you.  Of course, there’s a lot to think about before taking the plunge – from what type of food you’ll sell to where you’ll set up shop. So if you are not sure where to start, here are four street food business ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.

Food Truck

Food trucks are a great option for street food businesses because they offer a lot of flexibility. You can move your truck to different locations to find the best spot for foot traffic or you can even take your business on the road and travel to different cities or events. And with so many amazing food truck recipes readily available online,  you’ll be able to whip up just about anything your customers could want. It is also relatively low-cost compared to other street food businesses. The only big investment you need to make it in the truck itself.

Stand-Alone Restaurant

If you’re looking for a street food business with a little more stability, opening your stand-alone restaurant could be the right option for you. Of course, this option requires a lot more investment than a food truck – you’ll need to find and lease a commercial space, buy or lease kitchen equipment, and hire staff. But if you do it right, running your restaurant can be a very lucrative business. The key to success with this street food business idea is to choose the right location. Look for high foot traffic areas like busy intersections or near popular attractions. And make sure your restaurant is visible from the street so people can easily spot it.

Street Cart

If you’re not ready to commit to a food truck or stand-alone restaurant, starting a street cart business can be a great way to test the waters. Street carts are less expensive than food trucks and they offer more flexibility since you can easily move them around to different locations. Like with any street food business, the key to success with a street cart is choosing the right location. Look for areas with high foot traffic and make sure your cart is visible from the street. You should also have a well-thought-out menu that offers something unique that will appeal to customers.

Kiosk

A kiosk is a great option for street food businesses that want to be able to move around easily but still have a more permanent presence than a street cart. Kiosks are typically found in busy areas like shopping malls or pedestrian areas. And since they’re enclosed, you’ll have more space to prepare food and store supplies. The downside of owning a kiosk is that it can be more expensive than other street food business options. But if you choose the right location, a kiosk can be a great way to grow your business.

restaurant food

What menu will you create?

While there are many different street food business ideas to choose from, these four are some of the most popular and successful. So if you’re thinking about starting your own street food business, be sure to consider one of these options. With careful planning and a dedication to quality, you can turn your street food business into a booming success.

Want to start your own food business?

Hey! 👋I’m Brett Lindenberg, the founder of Food Truck Empire.

We interview successful founders and share the stories behind their food trucks, restaurants, food and beverage brands. By sharing these stories, I want to help others get started.

If you liked this story, sign up for our newsletter that includes our food business startup kit and most popular interviews sent straight to your inbox.

Know someone interesting that should be interviewed on the website? Tell us about them here.