Starting a food truck: here is your checklist

The food truck market 

Food trucks are extremely popular in the Netherlands. You see them in many kinds of locations. The number of food trucks in the Netherlands has doubled since 2017. 

This means that you will be starting out in a market with a lot of competition. So, make sure you stand out with a unique concept. Do market research and think about your marketing plan.

How much does a food truck cost?

The purchase costs of a food truck may vary widely, depending on a variety of factors, including whether you buy a new or a used food truck. Renting is also a good way to test the waters and see whether your product appeals to the public and whether the day-to-day business of running your own food truck suits you.

In addition to the purchase costs of the truck itself, you will be faced with the following expenses:

• Maintenance and inspection
• Fuel
• Storage
• Insurance
• Inventory
• Refrigeration
• Electrical facilities, gas, and water
• Mobile POS terminal

Earning money with your food truck

There are 3 ways to earn money with your own food truck:

1. Taking part in a festival or event. Sometimes you will have to pay a fixed fee and a charge for electricity. Visitors usually buy tokens, which you exchange with the organisers for the agreed amount afterwards. In addition, you must usually pay a percentage of your sales to the organisation. Usually, the percentage is between 15% and 25%. At large festivals, this contribution can even reach 40-50%.
2. Selling directly to consumers: cash or POS terminal (debit card). If you are using a cash register, you must make sure it complies with the  requirements of the Netherlands Tax Administration (Belastingdienst, in Dutch).
3. Being contracted by a client. For a wedding, for example. In this case, you can agree on a fixed price in advance or bill your client based on actual costs after the event.

Rules on plastic and containers

There are rules for packaging. For example, you are not allowed to give free single-use plastic cups or containers to your food truck customers. You must also offer a reusable choice, such as a deposit cup. And you may not use plastic packaging for food and drinks that your customers eat or drink right away. For example, at a festival.

Safety and insurance

There are risks involved in starting your own food truck. The risk of fire is higher than for many other businesses and you are vulnerable to damage from burglary or storms. Therefore, when starting your business, list the risks. Arrange insurance for the risks whose financial consequences you cannot bear.

You are responsible for the safety of your staff and guests. So, you should have fire extinguishers in the food truck. The fire brigade often comes to check this at events. Make agreements with your employees about working safely and provide protective shoes and  work clothing.

Permits for food trucks

Which permits you need depends on what you plan to do exactly. Since the rules may vary depending on the city or town where you are based, you should contact your local council to ask what rules apply to your specific situation. Some items that may be relevant to your situation:

• Permits for mobile trade

  A standplaatsvergunning (mobile food-vending unit permit) allows you to park your food truck on a public road or site and sell your products. A marktvergunning (market permit) allows you to park your food truck at an established market and sell your products.

• Hygiene

  Depending on what you are selling, you will be required to follow the rules of the Netherlands Authority for Food and Consumer Product Safety NVWA, including hygiene and food safety (in Dutch), such as the hygiene code for the hospitality industry (HACCP).

• Buma/Stemra

  If you plan to play music in your food truck, you will need to deal with music rights. Ask Buma/Stemra (in Dutch) about the costs involved.
• Zero-emission zone
  Do you enter the city centre with your foodtruck? As of 1 January 2025, you are only allowed to enter several city centres if your foodtruck does not emit harmful substances. A company van or truck that is fueled by diesel, petrol, or LPG is not allowed in these zero-emission zones.  

• Event permit

  Will you be at an event or festival? Check with the event organiser if they have arranged all the necessary permits and insurance or if you have to apply for these  yourself.

Staff

Employees aged 16 and over are permitted to independently serve and sell alcohol to people aged 18 and older. You must make sure that they always have a supervisor who is at least 21 years old. This person must hold SVH Diploma Sociale Hygiëne (Diploma in Social Hygiene, in Dutch) or certificate of competence in order to register with the Register Sociale Hygiëne (Social Hygiene Register).

What type of driving licence do you need?

A category B driving licence allows you to operate a vehicle with a maximum weight of 3,500 kilograms. If the vehicle itself is heavier, or if you use your vehicle to pull a trailer or semitrailer, you may need a different type of licence (category BE, C, or C1).

General information for starting businesses

As a starting business, you will need to arrange several matters:

• Pick a suitable business name 
• Taxes 
• Write a business plan
• Bookkeeping and administration
• Take out insurance