Equipping a food truck from scratch costs anywhere from $40,000 to $175,000 depending on the concept, vehicle condition, and equipment quality. Making the right choices the first time saves tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the truck.
Budget pick: Avantco FF2000 ($895–$1,100)
The Avantco FF2000 is a workhorse two-basket countertop fryer with 50 lb oil capacity. Parts are widely available; the heating element ($45–$80) and thermostat ($35–$65) are stocked by most restaurant supply distributors.
Mid-tier pick: Vulcan 1ER50D ($2,800–$3,400)
Vulcan's commercial-grade fryer is the step-up choice for high-volume operations (300+ covers per day). NSF and ETL certified for all US jurisdictions.
Budget pick: Star 624HA ($720–$950)
A 24-inch chromium steel griddle with manual thermostats on two independently controlled zones.
Mid-tier pick: Garland ED-30S ($1,400–$1,800)
Stainless steel griddle surface, infinite controls, and a 30-inch cooking area. Garland food truck customers report 4–5 year service lives with monthly maintenance.
Best overall: Wolf C36C-6B ($2,200–$2,800)
A 36-inch, 6-burner commercial range with heavy-duty cast iron grates. Wolf ranges are the most requested piece of equipment among food trucks serving elevated cuisine. Propane conversion kit included.
Budget pick: Atosa ATCS-48 ($1,200–$1,600)
A 48-inch sandwich prep table with a 12.4 cu ft refrigerated base and 12 full-size pan capacity. The compressor handles ambient temperatures up to 100°F.
Mid-tier pick: True TSSU-48-12 ($2,400–$2,900)
True's sandwich unit runs quieter, uses less electricity (important for generator load management), and the door gaskets are rated for 5+ years.
Best overall: Honda EU7000iS ($4,000–$4,800)
The gold standard for food truck generators. Runs at 58 dBA at quarter load, produces clean sine wave power, and burns 0.6–1.5 gallons per hour.
Budget pick: Champion 4500W Dual Fuel ($850–$1,100)
Handles most single-fryer, single-refrigerator truck setups. It is louder (68–72 dBA) but gets trucks on the road for under $1,100.
Mid-tier pick: Generac GP8000E ($1,200–$1,600)
Electric start, 8,000 watts peak, and a 7.9-gallon tank that runs 12 hours at 50% load.
Best hood system: Captive-Aire Type I Hood System ($2,500–$6,500 installed)
A properly sized Type I hood is required by code in all US states for trucks with open flame cooking. Budget $2,500–$4,000 for a single-compartment 8-foot truck setup.
Best POS terminal: Clover Station Duo ($600–$800 hardware)
Customer-facing screen, receipt printer built in, and IP66 splash-resistant design. Software at $49.95–$114.85/month.
Best mobile POS: Square Terminal ($299)
No monthly software fee on the base plan; payment processing at 2.6% + $0.10 per tap/swipe.