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Quick answer: A food truck in India costs about ₹6 lakh to ₹25 lakh to start: a used or new small commercial vehicle, a kitchen fitted inside it, and permits. You need RTO approval for the body change, FSSAI registration or licence, and a place you’re allowed to park and sell. A truck selling 200 meals a day at ₹150 can make ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh a month after costs.
A food truck is a kitchen on wheels. It costs more than a cart, but it can move to office parks at lunch, colleges in the evening and events on weekends. The hard part is rarely cooking. It’s finding a legal place to park, which is why permits come before buying the truck in the steps below.
Prices below are approximate 2026 market ranges. Get current quotes from dealers and fabricators before you buy.
Investment breakdown
| Item | Low (₹) | High (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle (used small commercial vehicle vs new) | 2,50,000 | 9,00,000 |
| Kitchen fabrication (steel body, counters, serving window, ventilation) | 1,50,000 | 6,00,000 |
| Cooking equipment (burners, griddle, fryer, refrigerator) | 60,000 | 3,00,000 |
| Generator or inverter and wiring | 25,000 | 1,50,000 |
| Water tank, sink, waste tank | 10,000 | 40,000 |
| Fire extinguisher and gas safety fittings | 5,000 | 20,000 |
| RTO, insurance and permits | 20,000 | 80,000 |
| Wrap, branding and menu boards | 15,000 | 75,000 |
| Billing app, first stock and working capital | 50,000 | 2,00,000 |
| Total | ≈ 5,85,000 | ≈ 23,65,000 |
The vehicle and the fabrication are most of the bill. A used chassis with a good fabricator usually beats a new vehicle with a cheap kitchen.
Step-by-step setup
- Find your parking spots first
Shortlist 3 to 4 places (office parks, colleges, event grounds) and confirm who gives permission to sell there.
- Fix a short menu
Five to eight items that cook fast in a small space: wraps, burgers, rolls, momos, pav bhaji or rice bowls.
- Choose the vehicle
Small commercial vehicles are easiest to park and register. Check the payload can carry the kitchen, water and generator.
- Get the body change approved
Turning a goods vehicle into a kitchen changes its body. Talk to your RTO before fabrication, not after.
- Fabricate the kitchen
Food-grade steel, an exhaust fan, a fire extinguisher within reach and a separate waste tank.
- Register with FSSAI and the city
FSSAI registration or licence, plus the vending, trade or event permission your city asks for.
- Do a soft launch
Run two weeks at one spot, track plates sold per hour, then add a second spot.
Licences and permits
Rules differ by state and city, so ask your RTO and municipal office early.
- RTO approval and registration: the vehicle must be registered for commercial use. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, a body change (goods body to kitchen) needs the RTO’s approval and must be entered on the registration certificate, so use a body builder your RTO accepts. Unapproved changes can bring fines and trouble with insurance claims. Keep fitness, insurance and pollution certificates current.
- FSSAI: Basic Registration (₹100 a year) if turnover is up to ₹1.5 crore a year, a State Licence above that. FSSAI raised this limit from ₹12 lakh on 1 April 2026. See the FSSAI registration guide.
- Selling permission: a vending certificate from your Town Vending Committee for public roads, a municipal or trade licence, or written permission from the private owner (office park, mall, event organiser). Some cities issue specific food truck permits.
- Fire safety: a fire extinguisher, a gas leak check and approved LPG fittings. Large trucks or event organisers may ask for a fire safety certificate.
- GST: needed once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh a year (₹10 lakh in some smaller states), and usually asked for by Swiggy and Zomato. See GST for food businesses.
Costing and profit example
Cost per meal
- Wrap, paneer and vegetables
- ₹38.00
- Sauces and seasoning
- ₹6.00
- Soft drink (bought in)
- ₹10.00
- Packaging
- ₹5.00
- Gas and generator fuel share
- ₹6.00
Selling the combo at ₹150 gives a food cost of about 43%. That’s higher than a stall because fuel and packaging add up, so price combos, not single items. Read how to price your menu to set your own numbers.
| Per day | |
|---|---|
| 200 meals × ₹150 | ₹30,000 |
| Cost (200 × ₹65) | ₹13,000 |
| Two staff | ₹1,600 |
| Vehicle diesel, parking and site fees | ₹2,500 |
| EMI, insurance and maintenance (daily share) | ₹2,500 |
| Profit | ≈ ₹10,400 |
Over 24 working days that’s about ₹2.5 lakh. A new truck selling 80 meals a day earns closer to ₹60,000 to ₹80,000 a month, so plan for a slow first three months.
Money tip
Recommended equipment
- Commercial two-burner LPG range for a small truck kitchen
- Flat griddle (tawa) plate for rolls, wraps and pav bhaji
- Under-counter refrigerator sized for a vehicle
- Portable silent generator or a large inverter battery
- ABC fire extinguisher, 2 kg
FAQ
How much does a food truck cost in India? About ₹6 lakh with a used vehicle and a simple kitchen, and ₹20 lakh or more with a new vehicle and full fabrication.
Is a food truck legal in India? Yes, but you need the vehicle registered for commercial use, RTO approval for the kitchen body, FSSAI registration and permission to sell where you park. Rules vary by city, so check with your RTO and municipal office first.
Which vehicle is best for a food truck? A small commercial vehicle is easiest for city lanes and parking. Larger trucks fit a bigger kitchen but cost more to buy, run and park.
Can I run a food truck and sell on Swiggy and Zomato? Yes, if you park at a fixed spot during set hours. The apps need a fixed address and usually GST, so read our cloud kitchen setup cost guide for how delivery commissions change your margins.
Food truck or stall: which is better to start with? A stall costs far less. If you’re new to food business, start with a stall like a momo stall and move to a truck once you know your menu sells.
Related: FSSAI registration guide · How to price your menu · How to start a momo stall
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