Food Truck Equipment Costs: $15K–$75K (2026)

New vs Used: Where to Actually Spend Your Money

85% of first-time food truck operators buy used equipment. The math makes it obvious. A new commercial flat-top griddle runs $1,200-$3,500. A used one in good condition costs $300-$800. For a full kitchen buildout, buying used cuts your equipment bill by 50-70%. That gap is your first three months of commissary rent. It's your working capital. It's the difference between surviving a slow week and not.

The exception is refrigeration. Buy new or near-new refrigerators and freezers. A used unit that fails during a lunch rush costs you inventory, a health inspection citation, and customers. Compressors on commercial units typically last 10-15 years, so a 2-year-old unit is fine. Anything older than 8 years, skip it.

Where to Buy Used Commercial Equipment

Restaurant auctions are the best source. When restaurants close (and they close constantly), their equipment gets auctioned off at 10-20 cents on the dollar. Sites like BidSpotter, AuctionZip, and local auction houses run restaurant liquidations weekly in most cities. You can walk away with a $4,000 Vulcan range for $400.

Restaurant equipment dealers are another option. They take trade-ins, refurbish them, and sell with a 90-day warranty. You'll pay more than auction prices, but less than new. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace work for smaller items. For anything with a motor or compressor, see it running in person before you buy.

Fire Suppression: Don't Skip It

Fire suppression systems run $2,000-$5,000 installed. Every city with a health department permit will require one if you're cooking with open flame or high heat. It's not optional. The inspection won't pass without it. And your insurance won't cover a fire claim if it's missing.

The Ansul system is the standard. Get it installed by a certified technician who provides the documentation your health inspector needs. Budget for annual inspection and service too: typically $150-$300/year. That's the cost of doing this legally.

POS System: Square vs Toast vs Everything Else

Square is the default for new food trucks. No monthly fee, 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction, free hardware with signup. It handles the basics: orders, receipts, sales reports, basic inventory. Toast costs more ($110-$300/month) but handles high-volume service better and has better kitchen display integration. Unless you're doing 200+ transactions per day, Square is fine. You can switch later. Don't spend $1,500 on a POS system on day one.