Food Truck Equipment Financing: Complete Equipment List, Costs, and Lender Comparison

If you're launching a food truck and researching equipment financing, you're already thinking strategically about capital efficiency. But here's what most food truck guides miss: they lump all "food trucks" together as if a taco truck has the same equipment needs as a mobile brewery or a catering operation. They don't.

A basic taco or sandwich truck needs very different equipment—and financing—than a full-service kitchen truck. And your financing strategy changes dramatically depending on whether you're working with a food truck chassis (truck only) versus adding commercial kitchen equipment versus purchasing a pre-built, fully equipped unit.

Let's break down exactly what food truck equipment actually costs, what gets financed, and how to structure financing to keep more cash in your business while getting operational fastest.

Food Truck Equipment Breakdown: What You're Actually Buying

Food truck equipment costs range from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on your concept, but let's start with the foundation: what does a food truck actually contain?

Core Commercial Kitchen Equipment

The heart of your food truck is commercial cooking equipment. Unlike home kitchen gear, this equipment must meet commercial health codes, handle high-volume production, and run 12+ hours daily.

Griddles and flat-top cookers: $4,000-$8,000. A commercial griddle is your workhorse for burgers, pancakes, grilled sandwiches, or any high-volume item. You're looking at 24-36 inch commercial-grade stainless steel with thermostat control.

Deep fryers: $2,500-$5,000. If chicken wings, donuts, fries, or fried fish are core menu items, you need commercial fryer capacity. Size determines price: a 40-pound capacity fryer (standard for mobile operations) runs $3,000-$4,500.

Convection ovens: $3,000-$6,000. For pizza, rotisserie chicken, baked goods, or anything needing enclosed cooking, commercial convection ovens are essential. Mobile-sized units (typically 3 or 4-deck) range toward the higher end because space is premium in a truck.

Prep tables and work surfaces: $2,000-$4,000. Stainless steel prep tables, cutting surfaces, and workspace aren't glamorous but they're non-negotiable. Health inspectors require prep surfaces separate from cooking surfaces.

Refrigeration and freezer units: $3,000-$6,000. You need commercial-grade refrigeration and separate freezer space. Mobile refrigeration is expensive because it has to fit tight spaces and maintain temperature while moving. Expect $2,000-$3,500 for quality refrigeration, $1,500-$2,500 for freezer units.

Ice maker: $500-$1,500. If you're serving beverages, you need commercial ice production capacity.

Hot holding equipment: $1,500-$3,000. Heated holding cabinets keep prepared food at proper serving temperature before service.

Total Core Equipment Range: $18,500-$38,500

Secondary Equipment (Health Code Required)

Beyond cooking, health departments require specific support equipment:

Three-compartment sink system: $800-$1,500. This is non-negotiable—required for sanitizing and washing in commercial kitchens. In a food truck, space is tight, so you're paying premium for compact commercial units.

Hand-washing station: $300-$800. Separate from cooking, required by health codes.

Grease trap: $400-$1,200. Required by most municipalities to prevent grease from entering the water system.

Water system and supply: $1,000-$2,500. Commercial water filtration, tanks, and supply lines to handle high-volume usage.

Waste management: $500-$1,500. Propane tanks, waste disposal systems, ventilation.

Total Secondary Equipment: $4,000-$8,500

Support Equipment and Point-of-Sale

Commercial generator: $500-$3,000. If you're not always parked where you can plug in, you need reliable power generation. Size matters: a 5,000-8,000 watt generator (typical for food trucks) costs $2,000-$3,000.

Point-of-sale (POS) system: $500-$2,000. Mobile-optimized POS terminals for payment processing and order management. This is increasingly essential for customer experience and real-time inventory tracking.

Shelving and storage: $500-$1,500. Commercial shelving for organized storage in limited space.

Food prep equipment (small): $500-$1,000. Cutting equipment, prep tools, scales—basics you'll add over time.

Total Support Equipment: $2,000-$7,000

Real Scenarios: What Actual Food Truck Concepts Actually Finance

Numbers matter more than categories. Let's look at what different food truck operators actually need and what financing looks like.

Scenario 1: Taco/Sandwich Truck (High-Volume, Simple Menu)

Equipment needed:

• One commercial griddle: $6,000
• Small prep tables: $1,500
• Refrigeration and freezer: $4,000
• Three-compartment sink: $800
• Portable generator: $2,000
• POS system: $800
• Water system basics: $1,000
• Small fryer (optional, but adds $2,500): Skip for tacos
• Shelving and storage: $500

Total equipment: $16,600

Why this financing makes sense: Most taco truck operators are already generating revenue quickly because margins are high (50-60%) and traffic to taco trucks is high. Equipment financing at $16,600 means monthly payments of roughly $330-$450 depending on loan structure (60-month term, typical equipment financing).

Lender recommendation: Equipment financing with 60-month terms, minimum credit score 600. National Funding or Triton Capital approved food truck operators with 6 months business history.

Total first-year cost: $16,600 equipment + $4,200 financing cost = $20,800 invested over 12 months

Scenario 2: Specialty Burger/BBQ Truck (Quality-Focused)

Equipment needed:

• Commercial griddle: $7,000
• Deep fryer: $4,000
• Smoker or outdoor grill setup: $3,500
• Commercial refrigeration: $5,000
• Prep tables: $2,000
• Three-compartment sink: $900
• Portable generator (larger, for smoker): $2,500
• POS system: $1,200
• Water system: $1,500
• Shelving: $800

Total equipment: $28,400

Why this financing makes sense: Burger/BBQ trucks typically have higher per-item pricing ($12-$18 per item vs. $2-$4 tacos) but lower daily volume. Equipment financing at $28,400 means monthly payments of $470-$650 (60-month standard term). The business model supports it because the higher average ticket covers the payment while still being profitable.

Lender recommendation: Equipment financing or term loan. Requires 6+ months business history and $250K+ annual revenue for 24-hour funding options. Otherwise, 5-7 business days for approval.

Total first-year cost: $28,400 equipment + $6,200 financing = $34,600 invested, typically breaking even within 6-8 months with consistent location and foot traffic.

Scenario 3: Upscale Concept (Fine Dining Mobile or Catering Truck)

Equipment needed:

• Multiple commercial cooktops: $8,000
• Convection oven: $5,500
• Deep fryer: $4,000
• Commercial refrigeration (dual units): $8,000
• Work tables and prep stations: $4,000
• Holding cabinets: $2,500
• Three-compartment sink system: $1,200
• Outdoor extension cooking equipment: $3,000
• Large generator: $3,000
• Advanced POS system: $2,000
• Water, waste, and utility systems: $3,000
• Premium shelving and organization: $1,500

Total equipment: $45,700

Why this financing makes sense: Upscale food trucks (farm-to-table, chef-driven concepts, catering-focused) command $25-$50+ per item and target events, private catering, and premium locations. Daily revenue is lower but per-transaction margins are 60-70%. Equipment financing at $45,700 means $750-$950 monthly payments. High margins support higher payment obligations.

Lender recommendation: Term loan or equipment leasing with 5-7 year terms. Requires strong personal guarantee, 12+ months business history, and minimum $300K annual revenue. Banks or specialized restaurant equipment lenders (which have more flexible approval for experienced food truck operators).

Total first-year cost: $45,700 equipment + $9,000 financing = $54,700 invested over 12 months

What Actually Gets Financed: Equipment vs. Truck vs. Chassis

Here's a crucial distinction: equipment financing covers the commercial kitchen equipment INSIDE the truck. The truck itself is typically financed separately. Let's be clear on what goes where:

Equipment financing covers: Griddles, fryers, ovens, refrigeration, prep tables, generators, POS systems, sinks, holding equipment—basically everything that isn't the vehicle itself.

Truck/vehicle financing covers: The chassis, cab, engine, transmission, suspension—the actual truck. This is vehicle financing, not equipment financing, and has different rates and terms.

What most food truck operators do: They finance the truck chassis through auto finance or a vehicle-secured business loan (often through banks at 5-8% interest). Then they separately finance equipment through equipment lenders (6-14% depending on credit and lender).

Strategic angle: Some operators negotiate all-in packages where a single lender handles both truck and equipment, treating the entire vehicle (with equipment inside) as equipment collateral. This can actually work in your favor because equipment financing sometimes has more flexible qualification requirements than vehicle financing.

Financing Options for Food Truck Equipment: Real Costs and Approval Timelines

Equipment financing is the most common path for food truck operators. Here's exactly what you're comparing:

Option 1: Equipment Financing (Specialized)

How it works: Lender approves based on the equipment value serving as collateral. You receive funds to purchase equipment, lender holds title until paid off. Once fully paid, you own it outright.

Key lenders:

• National Business Credit: $25K-$70K max for credit scores 600+, needs $120K annual revenue for larger amounts. Approves in 24 hours. Equipment interest rates start at 3.5%, typically 6-12% depending on credit tier and term length (1-6 years available).
• National Funding: Specialized in food trucks, $25K-$150K available. Minimum 600 credit score, 6 months business history, $250K annual revenue. Funding in 24-48 hours. Rates typically 7-14% depending on credit and equipment age.
• JR Capital: Equipment loans $5K-$500K+. Minimum 620 credit, typically 24 months business history. Funding in 48 hours. Rates 6-15% depending on profile.
• Triton Capital: Equipment financing for lower credit scores (580+). Funding in 1-2 business days. Rates 8-16% for credit scores 580-639, 6-12% for 640+.

Real math on $25,000 equipment at 10% APR over 60 months:

• Monthly payment: $529
• Total paid: $31,740
• Interest/cost: $6,740
• True monthly cost for business: roughly $30-35% of monthly revenue for a food truck doing $6K-$8K monthly

When this works: You have 600+ credit, 6+ months business history, $150K+ annual revenue. You want to preserve working capital and own the equipment.

When to walk away: Interest rate exceeds 14%, required down payment exceeds 20%, or prepayment penalties exist. Those are signs the lender sees you as high-risk.

Option 2: Business Term Loan (Traditional Bank)

How it works: Unsecured or equipment-secured loan for general business purposes. Funds used for equipment purchases or any business need. Traditional banks offer lowest rates but strictest requirements.

Requirements:

• Credit score 680+ (typically)
• 2+ years business history
• $250K+ annual revenue
• Collateral or strong personal guarantee
• Significant documentation (2-3 years tax returns, personal financial statements)

Typical rates: 5-8% for well-qualified borrowers (credit 700+, strong revenue, established history)

Real math on $25,000 at 7% APR over 60 months:

• Monthly payment: $491
• Total paid: $29,460
• Interest/cost: $4,460
• Savings vs. 10% equipment financing: ~$2,280 over loan life

When this works: You have established business history, strong credit (700+), and qualify for bank lending. You're refinancing or expanding an existing food truck operation.

When to walk away: Banks typically take 10-15 business days for approval, which is too slow if you need equipment running immediately.

Option 3: Equipment Leasing

How it works: You make monthly payments for the right to use equipment. At lease end, you either return it or purchase it at residual value. You never own it outright while leasing.

Typical structure: $25,000 equipment, 60-month lease

• Monthly payment: $400-$450
• Total paid: $24,000-$27,000
• Residual (option to purchase at end): $3,000-$5,000
• Tax advantage: Lease payments are 100% deductible

vs. purchasing (ownership after payoff):

• Monthly equipment financing: $529
• Lease monthly: $425
• Monthly difference: $104 (favorable to leasing short-term)
• Long-term: After 60 months, ownership costs $29,500 vs. lease costs $25,500 + $4,000 purchase option = $29,500 (same), BUT with leasing you can upgrade equipment without capital loss

When this works: You want flexibility (upgrade to newer equipment), tax benefits matter to your business, and you prefer predictable monthly costs.

When to walk away: Total cost exceeds ownership by more than 10-15%, or your business model requires owning equipment (resale value matters, equipment is core asset).

Option 4: SBA 7(a) Loan (Government-Backed)

How it works: Small Business Administration guarantees up to 90% of loan, reducing lender risk. Available through participating banks, typically with lower rates and longer terms than alternative lenders.

Requirements:

• Credit score 650+ (minimum, typically 680+ approved)
• 2+ years business history (some exceptions for experienced operators)
• $250K+ annual revenue
• Personal guarantee required
• Extensive documentation and underwriting

Typical rates: 5-8% for qualified borrowers Typical terms: 5-10 year repayment available (longer than equipment financing)

Real math on $25,000 at 6.5% APR over 84 months (7 years):

• Monthly payment: $420
• Total paid: $35,280
• Interest/cost: $10,280
• Advantage: Lowest monthly payment, spreads cost over longer period

Processing timeline: 3-4 weeks typical (much slower than alternative lenders)

When this works: You're established, have time for processing, and want the absolute lowest rate/longest terms. You're refinancing or adding to existing equipment.

When to walk away: You need funding immediately (SBA takes too long). You don't meet credit/history requirements. Alternative lenders approve you faster and save hassle even at slightly higher rate.

The Strategic Play: Matching Financing to Your Situation

Real operators choose their equipment financing based on their specific position:

You're startup with $150K+ annual revenue, 600+ credit: Equipment financing (National Funding, National Business Credit). Approval in 24 hours, rates 8-12%, no lengthy underwriting. Get operational immediately.

You're established (2+ years), $250K+ revenue, 680+ credit: SBA 7(a) loan if you have 3+ weeks to wait. Lowest rates (5-8%), longest terms (up to 10 years). Or equipment financing if you need 24-48 hour funding.

You have lower credit (580-620), but strong revenue: Triton Capital or National Funding. Approval despite lower credit because revenue proves ability to pay. Expect rates 10-15%, but still beats getting rejected by banks.

You need flexibility (upgrade/change equipment frequently): Equipment leasing. Higher total cost but flexibility to swap out equipment as your concept evolves.

The Cash Flow Angle: Equipment Financing as Strategic Capital Management

Here's the part most food truck guides miss: financing equipment actually preserves cash flow better than paying cash.

Example: $30,000 equipment purchase

Option A: Pay cash

• Cash outlay: $30,000 (immediately from your business account)
• Tax deduction: Equipment depreciates over 5-7 years (Section 179 allows full first-year deduction in some cases)
• Your cash position: Down $30,000 immediately
• Working capital impact: Severe—you're left with limited cash for inventory, payroll, initial operations

Option B: Finance equipment (10% APR, 60 months)

• Cash outlay: $6,000 down payment (20% typical)
• Monthly payment: $509
• Total paid: $36,540 (interest cost $6,540)
• Your cash position: Down $6,000 initially
• Working capital preserved: $24,000 stays in your business for operations
• Tax deduction: Full equipment cost PLUS interest payments are deductible (depreciation + interest expense)
• Net advantage: $24,000 preserved for critical first-year operations, better cash runway, financing cost ($6,540) offset by tax deductions

Translation: Most successful food truck operators finance equipment specifically to preserve working capital for the first 12 months when cash is tightest.

Common Equipment Financing Mistakes Food Truck Operators Make

Mistake #1: Financing too cheap equipment from restaurant supply auctions. Operators see used equipment for $2,000-$3,000 and assume financing isn't worth it. Problem: that equipment breaks down immediately. You end up spending $5,000-$12,000 on emergency repairs while still having the financed loan. Better strategy: finance quality new equipment with warranty coverage.

Mistake #2: Not understanding prepayment penalties. Some lenders charge 2-5% prepayment penalty if you pay off early. If your food truck becomes profitable fast (many do), you want to pay off equipment loan to free up cash. Check prepayment terms upfront.

Mistake #3: Financing with a low credit score when you shouldn't. Operator with 560 credit gets approved for equipment financing at 18-22% rates. "Better than nothing," they think. That's expensive. Build business revenue for 6 months instead, then refinance or finance with better lenders accepting 600+. The rate difference saves thousands.

Mistake #4: Mixing equipment and non-equipment in one loan. Some lenders say "yes, we'll finance $40K that includes $30K equipment plus $10K for permits and signage." Problem: equipment financing rates are lower because equipment is collateral. Non-equipment costs get bundled at higher rates. Separate the loan: equipment financing for equipment, working capital line for permits/marketing.

Mistake #5: Not accounting for high utilization from day one. Food truck equipment at 12-14 hours daily usage beats a brick-and-mortar restaurant's 8-10 hours. Commercial equipment designed for this use. But lenders don't always factor in that YOUR utilization rate is higher, meaning faster cash generation to cover payments. Play this to your advantage in approval conversations.

Equipment Financing Approval Timeline: Week-by-Week

Understanding the approval process helps you plan your launch timeline.

Online lenders (National Funding, National Business Credit, Triton Capital): 24-48 hours

• Application: 15 minutes online
• Initial decision: 2-4 hours
• Funding: 24 hours if approved, sometimes same day

Traditional equipment lenders (Bank of America equipment lending, JR Capital): 5-7 business days

• Application: Requires more documentation
• Underwriting: 3-4 business days
• Decision: 2-3 business days
• Funding: 1-2 business days after approval

Banks (SBA 7(a) loans, commercial banks): 3-4 weeks

• Application: Extensive documentation required
• Initial review: 1 week
• Underwriting: 1-2 weeks
• Approval and funding: 3-5 business days

The strategic play: If your equipment is available now and you want operational within 2-4 weeks, use online equipment lenders. If your equipment won't be available for 6+ weeks anyway (custom order, supplier lead time), you have time for bank approval and can capture better rates.

Bottom Line: The Food Truck Equipment Financing Strategy That Works

Smart food truck operators approach equipment financing as a capital efficiency decision, not a debt decision. Here's what works:

You're starting a basic concept ($18K-$25K equipment): Equipment financing through National Funding or National Business Credit. 24-48 hour approval, preserve cash, monthly payments $350-$450 support the business model.

You're launching a specialty concept ($30K-$45K equipment): Equipment financing or 5-year term loan, depending on your timeline. If you need equipment in 2 weeks, online lenders. If you have 4+ weeks and qualify for bank rates (680+ credit, 2+ years history), bank loan saves $1,500-$3,000 in interest.

You're upgrading an existing food truck operation: SBA 7(a) if you have time for 3-4 week processing and strong finances. Otherwise equipment financing for same-day to 48-hour funding.

You're uncertain whether you'll keep this concept: Equipment leasing. Higher total cost but flexibility to exit or upgrade without equipment asset liability.

The operators scaling fastest understand that equipment financing isn't an expense—it's a tool for managing cash flow during critical launch and growth phases. Strategic equipment financing gets you operational now, preserves working capital for inventory and payroll, and builds business credit for future expansion.

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Image Prompts for Gemini

Image 1: Food truck equipment interior layout "Create a detailed cross-section diagram of a food truck interior showing commercial kitchen equipment layout: griddle on left, fryer next to it, refrigeration units below, prep tables in center, three-compartment sink on right, POS system visible on counter. Professional commercial kitchen style, labeled equipment, natural lighting from window view."

Image 2: Cost breakdown visualization "Design an infographic comparing three food truck equipment packages: Basic Taco Truck ($16K), Specialty Burger Truck ($28K), and Upscale Catering Truck ($45K). Show stacked bars with equipment categories (cooking, refrigeration, prep, support, utilities) using different colors. Include monthly financing payment ranges below each option. Clean, modern design with bold numbers."

Image 3: Financing timeline comparison "Create a visual timeline chart comparing approval speeds for food truck equipment financing: Online Lenders (24-48 hours), Equipment Lenders (5-7 days), and Bank SBA Loans (3-4 weeks). Show calendar-style progression with checkmarks and icons representing each stage. Include interest rate ranges for each type. Professional business graphics style."