What each food truck menu needs: equipment, power and propane
Ten common menus, each with the kitchen our 3D studio lays out for it, priced and loaded with the same models the studio uses. Use it to see how the menu you choose drives the generator, the propane and the budget.
Key findings
Across 10 common menus, the equipment alone runs from $14,610 (smoothies) to $24,860 (ice cream). Coffee, breakfast and ice-cream menus need the biggest generators (12 kW for coffee) because their main machines are electric, while hot grill menus need less power but burn 11.9 to 44.6 lb of propane in an 8-hour day.
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| Menu | Equipment cost | Equipment weight | Running load | Generator | Propane / 8 h day | Hood needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacos | $15,050 | 1,322 lb | 5,160 W | 7 kW | 29 lb | Yes |
| BBQ | $18,490 | 1,552 lb | 5,760 W | 9 kW | 34.2 lb | Yes |
| Pizza | $17,030 | 1,537 lb | 3,840 W | 5.5 kW | 11.9 lb | Yes |
| Burgers | $16,810 | 1,477 lb | 5,160 W | 7 kW | 44.6 lb | Yes |
| Gyro | $16,030 | 1,382 lb | 5,280 W | 7 kW | 29 lb | Yes |
| Wok | $15,800 | 1,287 lb | 6,960 W | 9 kW | 43.8 lb | Yes |
| Ice cream | $24,860 | 1,345 lb | 7,800 W | 15 kW | None | No |
| Smoothies | $14,610 | 1,090 lb | 6,360 W | 9 kW | None | No |
| Coffee | $22,220 | 1,105 lb | 9,360 W | 12 kW | None | No |
| Breakfast | $23,020 | 1,305 lb | 8,280 W | 12 kW | 13.4 lb | Yes |
| Menu | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Tacos | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Sandwich prep table 48 in, 36 in griddle, 40 lb gas fryer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Heated holding cabinet, Class K extinguisher |
| BBQ | Reach-in fridge, 2 door, Cabinet smoker, 24 in radiant charbroiler, 40 lb gas fryer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Heated holding cabinet, Class K extinguisher |
| Pizza | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Pizza prep table 67 in, Pizza deck oven, 2 deck, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Stainless work table 48 in, Class K extinguisher |
| Burgers | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Sandwich prep table 48 in, 36 in griddle, Twin fryer bank, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Heated holding cabinet, Class K extinguisher |
| Gyro | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Sandwich prep table 48 in, Vertical broiler (gyro / shawarma), 24 in griddle, 40 lb gas fryer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Heated holding cabinet, Class K extinguisher |
| Wok | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Sandwich prep table 27 in, Wok range, 2 chamber, Rice cooker, 50 cup, on counter, 40 lb gas fryer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Steam table, 3 well, Class K extinguisher |
| Ice cream | Reach-in freezer, 2 door, Soft serve machine, twin twist, Chest freezer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, POS service counter, Shaved ice machine on counter, Stainless work table 30 in |
| Smoothies | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Sandwich prep table 48 in, Under-counter ice maker, Chest freezer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, Blender station, 2 blenders, POS service counter, Stainless work table 30 in |
| Coffee | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Under-counter fridge 48 in, Dual coffee brewer, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, 2-group espresso station, Espresso grinder station, POS service counter |
| Breakfast | Reach-in fridge, 1 door, Sandwich prep table 48 in, 36 in griddle, 3-compartment sink + drainboards, Handwash sink, 2-group espresso station, POS service counter, Espresso grinder station |
How we built this
Each menu uses the equipment set our studio's "plan it for me" layout places for that menu: cold storage and prep first, then the cook line, with a handwash sink, a 3-compartment sink and a POS counter. Equipment prices, weights, electrical draw and gas ratings come from our studio catalogue, compiled from manufacturer spec sheets and published builder price lists.
Running load adds every electric appliance at 120 V, a 12,000 BTU air conditioner, lights and, for grease menus, a hood fan. Generator size keeps the running load under 80% of the generator rating and covers the start-up surge of the largest compressor. Propane assumes 8 hours open with burners firing 40% of the time.
These are modelled planning figures for a typical build, not measurements of a specific truck. Builders quote the equipment you actually choose; prices exclude the trailer or truck itself, installation and tax.