The Rising Popularity of Food Trucks In Australia. Image: Adobe Stock
In recent years, the Australian food industry has grown exponentially. It’s now estimated that there are over 5,000 food trucks across Australia, and the industry continues to grow despite the COVID-19 lockdowns that forced many businesses to close.
Due to a change in consumer food preferences, there’s a massive demand for high-quality food at affordable prices. This is a need that food trucks have been able to address quite effectively. Also, the fact that they allow entrepreneurs to enter the food industry with an initial investment that is much lower than opening a traditional café or restaurant means that you can expect to see more and more food trucks in Australian cities and urban centres.
In Australia, most cafés and restaurants – be they traditional brick and mortar or mobile food trucks – are independently owned, as opposed to national or global food chains which are common in other western countries like the United States. Food trucks as a dining option have gained widespread popularity across Australia, with almost two-thirds of the population eating out at least once every month.
There are now numerous mobile apps and online listings that are dedicated to showcasing what food trucks and food options are available in different locations across the country. Moreover, just like a conventional restaurant, a mobile catering business or a food truck is an excellent option for potential investors who want to enter the food and beverage industry.
In comparison to a restaurant, it does not require you to incur costs in terms of initial and operating expenses. You spend way less on inventory, furniture, utilities and rent (which is often an annual lease). However, investing in a food truck will still require you to own or buy a vehicle, which can increase the starting costs significantly. You also need to spend money on hiring a few staff, some inventory, fuel, car insurance, permits and licences to operate.
Nonetheless, the initial investment in a mobile catering business or a food truck is still much lower than that of opening a restaurant at a fixed location.
Profits for food truck owners are dependent on many factors including cost of fuel, staffing levels, food quality, pricing, location and more. Currently, many food truck owners in Australia double up as cooks and chefs in their mobile catering businesses in order to save on labour costs.
To thrive and be profitable in the food truck industry in Australia, one has to have a good grasp of issues like ingredient availability, food popularity and hot trends. The following characteristics can best describe Australian food trucks:
– The food is delicious.
– The pricing is affordable.
– The menu is simple.
These characteristics are one of the main reasons why food trucks have become so popular across the country. But there are many other reasons that we can attribute to the growing popularity of food trucks in Australia.
They have become very popular especially after the COVID-19 lockdowns because people can eat out like before. People love them mainly because of their convenience and the experience they offer. They also provide a great avenue to meet new people and be involved in the local community.
So, what makes food trucks so attractive in Australia? Here are some of the reasons:
1. They Have an Amazing Atmosphere
Food trucks without a doubt have an amazing allure and atmosphere. Most mobile restaurants have seating areas where customers can enjoy their meals while mingling and enjoying the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. Some food trucks even have activities and games for adults and kids who want to hang out with their friends without spending a lot of money.
2. They’re Unique
When you visit your local food truck, you’re getting a unique, chef-prepared meal from an origin that’s not your run-of-the-mill fast food restaurant. People enjoy trying out different cuisines as compared to eating the same thing over and over again. On top of this, it’s just super exciting to eat something that you can see being made in front of you.
3. They’re Super Affordable
Another reason why food trucks have become so popular across Australia is that they are cheap! Most mobile restaurants offer a wide variety of menu options from hot dogs and fries all the way up to full meals like steak sandwiches and fish tacos. Food trucks give people a way to fill their bellies without emptying their wallets.
In fact, most food trucks serve meals under $10, which makes them a really cheap option for people who don’t want to spend $100 on a meal or those who just want to get a quick meal before heading back home after school or work.
4. They’re Convenient
As already mentioned, food trucks are extremely convenient. If you want something tasty but don’t want to wait in line or drive around looking for parking, then getting your meals from a food truck is a convenient way to get what you want. Most trucks have mobile apps with their locations listed so that customers can easily find where they are parked for the day. This makes them extremely easy and convenient to access.
5. They’re Fun
Food trucks are quite common in events, festivals and other social gatherings where people gather to have fun and socialize. This means both food trucks and the events they cater to are extremely fun. People enjoy trying out new foods in a relaxed and casual setting as they enjoy some music or any other form of entertainment. Some mobile restaurants even include contests, games, live music and other kinds of entertainment that make people want to keep coming back for more.
Food trucks have become a hit with Australians because the food they serve is better tasting and unique than your everyday fast-food restaurant. Australian food truck manufacturers have since a huge increase in sales in recent years. Food options are also cheaper because a food truck doesn’t have all of the operating expenses of a fixed-location restaurant. The future of food trucks in Australia is most definitely bright!
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