From street festivals to county fairs, food trucks are a great way to grab a quick — and tasty — bite on the go. But what’s the story behind these craveable street eats…and what do they have to do with propane? Satisfy your hunger for knowledge with these five little-known food truck facts from the MOBILE FOOD TRENDS AND INSIGHTS REPORT.
- They’re not just a fad. Although it may seem like the food truck craze started overnight, the concept of mobile restaurants is nothing new. The idea dates back to 1872, when entrepreneur Walter Scott started selling sandwiches and coffee out of a covered lunch wagon in Rhode Island.
- The trend is booming. Currently, food trucks are an $800 million industry — and they’re showing no sign of slowing down. As more consumers flock to these mobile eateries, the industry is projected to grow nearly 20 percent over the next year.
- The golden ticket? The Golden Coast. If you’re wondering where people love food trucks the most, look no further than sunny California. The state has the largest market for mobile food in the U.S., making it a prime spot for flourishing food truck entrepreneurs.
- Running a food truck is no cakewalk. It takes a lot of elbow grease to operate a food truck. On average, food truck staff work 12 to 16 hours per day. What’s more, before a food truck even opens, its owners need to complete an average of 45 different state and county procedures.
- The secret ingredient isn’t what you think. Love the taste of authentic food truck eats? That’s the result of cooking on an open fire. To create their flame-cooked eats, food truck vendors use propane to safely and reliably power their businesses. A single 100-pound tank can keep a food truck’s kitchen cooking all day long. Plus, propane’s portability makes it a great solution for these on-the-go business owners.
The next time you order a street taco or gyro, savor these bite-size tidbits. And if you find yourself craving your favorite food truck eats at home, fire up your grill anytime with PROPANE FROM CENEX.
Photo by Arturo Rey on Unsplash