While the appropriate number of items on your food truck menu will vary depending on certain critical factors, around 6 to 12 items is a good place to start. According to experts, this is a good range because it doesn’t overwhelm your patrons, and it ensures that they have enough to pick from.
Food trucks come in different sizes and concepts; nevertheless, it is imperative you consider your menu options extensively and ensure that the menu items you choose will come out in a way your patrons will relish and appreciate.
Food trucks have grown to become a mainstay in the culinary industry. Aside from the fact that they make meals easily accessible, they also offer a vast range of meals. Truth be told, every food truck is judged by its concept and the taste of its meals.
Owing to that, operators need to make sure that their menu suits the demographic they cater to and they deliver these items swiftly and deliciously.
Even though there are no industry laws or regulations guiding the number of items a food truck menu can possibly have, it is essential you extensively consider the needs of your target audience and the gap in the market. Have in mind that having more than 15 items, irrespective of the size of your truck, will overburden your clients and make it difficult for them to make a choice.
It will also impact the effectiveness of your truck and services because both you and your employees will have your hands full at numerous points of the day. Also, note that having below 6 items will constrain the choices your clients have and might even discourage potential clients. While it may be beneficial to present a big menu, most food truck operators limit themselves to 6 menu items.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Menu Items
The amount of items to have on a food truck menu remains one of the most vital and difficult decisions to make. Howbeit, below are certain factors to take into consideration when making those decisions.
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The kind of meal offered
When looking to decide the number of items to put in a Food truck menu, it is imperative you consider the kind of meal you intend to offer from your truck. Have it in mind that this is one important factor that will simplify the whole decision-making process.
Note that some meals, for instance, burgers or desserts, can be served with a vast range of combinations and flavors, and this will further increase the number of items placed on the menu. There are also other meals, like sushi, that will necessitate delicate ingredients and setup, limiting the number of items you can place on your menu.
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Your target audience
It is really necessary that you invest in well-detailed market research to understand your target audience as well as their needs and preferences. Even though there are no industry laws or regulations guiding the number of items a food truck menu can possibly have, it is essential you extensively consider the needs of your target audience.
If, for instance, you intend to operate your food truck in a business district or downtown region in your city, then it is important you consider offering meals that are quick to make and easy to consume. Such meals tend to be quite popular with people who are pressed for time.
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Size of the truck
Food trucks tend to come in different sizes and concepts; owing to that, it is essential to consider the size of your truck when choosing the number of items to add to your menu. Have it in mind that a bigger truck might also translate to bigger space to prepare meals or even bigger storage. Smaller food trucks will, in turn, entail fewer spaces and this will also restrict your movement or that of your workers.
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Ingredient and inventory
This is another very important factor to take into consideration when evaluating the number of items to put in your food truck menu.
Food trucks generally have very little room or space to make meals or even store supplies. Owing to that, food truck operators are always seeking ways to ensure that they can cater to the needs of their target audience whilst reducing wasteful consumption as well as operational costs.
The ingredients you need for a meal and how to store them when not in use will dictate if the item will get on the menu or not. Aside from that, you would want to keep a smaller inventory as it makes it easier to locate things and also know the things you have and what you need to place an order for.
Conclusion
While the ideal number of items your food truck menu should have will vary depending on the factors noted above, around 6 to 12 items is a good place to start. The phrase “doing more with less” should really be considered when deciding the number of items to list on your food truck menu.
Owing to that, take your time to research your market and find out what your target audience needs, then focus on offering them and offering them efficiently. Offering above 15 menu items doesn’t seem like a good idea particularly if you intend to operate only during midday.