Concession trailers (as well as food trailers and vending trailers) are mobile units designed for selling goods, food, or services in locations where people gather. You’ll often find them at events like fairs, festivals, concerts, sports, or farmer’s markets - but also at locations with significant foot traffic like parks, attractions, business districts, or near bars and nightclubs. Many cities have become known for their food truck scene and others are following suit - creating special food truck parks to cater to the increased popularity of this type of dining experience.
Like food trucks, concession trailers are typically equipped with the equipment and amenities to prepare, display, and sell a specific type of product or service. They provide a convenient and flexible way for businesses to reach customers in different locations.
Concession Trailer Buyers Guide
Concession trailers are typically used to sell various goods, services, or food at different events or locations. As a result, they’re highly versatile and may serve different purposes, including food vending, retail sales, or service-oriented concessions. They are often customizable to your specific needs.
Concession trailers are a popular alternative to food trucks because they tend to provide more space and amenities at a lower cost. Though they do require a separate vehicle to tow them from location to location, this can often be beneficial because it allows the concession trailer to remain open while the tow vehicle is used to run errands (like resupplying the trailer). Moreover, if a food truck breaks down - the business is shut down until it’s repaired; by contrast, concession trailers can be hitched to a different vehicle and continue to operate.
Unlike other types of trailers where dealers keep significant inventory in stock, concession trailers tend to be built-to-order because of several factors:
- Federal, state and local regulations that govern commercial vehicles and mobile food businesses
- The wide variety of applications (and differing equipment needs)
- The diverse needs of customers and variety of event settings trailers may be used in
As a result, don’t be discouraged if you see fewer products “on the lot” at trailer dealerships (and in TrailerTrader’s listings). Experienced dealers like those that TrailerTrader works with will be able to help you design a trailer that will meet your needs and comply with state and local regulations. Fortunately the lower overall cost of concession trailers means that they’re more cost-effective to customize than concession trucks/food trucks.
Differences Between Concession, Food and Vending Trailers
Although the terms are often used interchangeably (even by manufacturers), there can be important differences between concession trailers, food trailers, and vending trailers.
Concession Trailers
"Concession trailer" is a broad category that encompasses most trailers designed to offer various goods, services, or food at different events or locations. Concession trailers can be highly versatile and may serve different purposes, including food vending, retail sales, or service-oriented concessions. They are often customizable to suit the specific needs of the vendor, allowing for various layouts and equipment configurations. A concession trailer could be used for selling food, merchandise, tickets, or providing information services.
Food Trailers
Food trailers specifically focus on the preparation, cooking, and sale of food items. They fall under the broader category of concession trailers but have a more specific purpose as food trailers are typically equipped with cooking appliances such as grills, fryers, ovens, refrigerators, and other tools necessary for food preparation.
One popular subset of food trailers is kitchen trailers, which are often used to add extra capacity for a restaurant or to make catering large events easier.
Vending Trailers
Vending trailers are often associated with the sale of goods, including snacks, beverages, or non-food items. While they can include food vending, the term is broad enough to cover various vending purposes. These types of trailers are more often focused on the sale of packaged or pre-packaged goods, such as snacks, drinks, or merchandise.
Complying With Regulations for Concession Trailers
As mentioned, mobile concession businesses are subject to regulations from potentially dozens of governmental agencies. As a result, it’s absolutely critical that you learn the requirements for the area you intend to operate to avoid the costly mistake of buying a non-compliant trailer you may not be able to use, or that may cost more to operate because it requires special permits.
Here are just some examples of the complicated patchwork of regulations that affect concession trailers (particularly those preparing food):
- At the federal level, the commercial equipment installed in food trucks and trailers must meet the requirements of the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF).
- At the state level, mobile food unit licensing varies: some states (like California, Florida, Michigan and New York for example) require food trucks or trailers to be associated with a commissary kitchen and return to that kitchen once every 24 hours (to properly dispose of waste, prep food, and restock essentials like clean water). Unique to Michigan, however, is the “Special Transitory Food Unit” (STFU) license which allows a food truck or trailer to operate without returning to a commissary every 24 hours if they meet other operating criteria.
- At the city level, some cities like New York City or Los Angeles have their own height or weight restrictions. In Madison, Wisconsin for example, the maximum size for a food trailer is 10 ft. x 12 ft.
- Los Angeles County specifies minimum size requirements for refrigerators depending on how much food preparation takes place.
- Many localities require concession trailers to pass fire safety inspections conducted by the local Fire Marshall.
One of the many advantages of working with an experienced dealer is that they can help you ensure you stay compliant with federal, state and local regulations.
Concession Trailer Common Sizes and Weights
Generally concession trailers can be anywhere from 8 ft. to 53 ft. long, and are usually from 7 ft to 8 ½ ft wide (making them 1½ ft wider than food trucks on average). Most commonly they tend to fall between 14 ft. - 24 ft. long and 8 ft. wide.
As the adage in the mobile food industry goes - food trucks or trailers are never big enough, and it’s better to have space and not need it than to need space and not have it. However, the larger your trailer, the harder it is to maneuver (in a big city, for example).
Another factor that can add to the length of a concession trailer is externally-mounted equipment. To free up internal space, often generators or fuel sources like propane tanks are mounted outside the trailer - so make sure you’re factoring that into your planning.
The right size trailer for your business will depend on factors like:
- How many vendors are serving out of your trailer or how many employees you have
- The size/variety of your menu
- The type of equipment you need to prepare your products
- How many customers you need to serve (or how fast you want to serve customers)
- Whether you’re planning to grow your business
The weight of concession trailers is another important consideration because it will determine what kind of tow vehicle you need to move it around. Concession trailers can range from a tongue weight of 5,500 lbs. (actual weight 1,500 lbs.) for a smaller trailer up to 15,000 lbs for an extra large trailer.
Popular [Trailer Type] Brands
Some of the most popular manufacturers of concession trailers, food trailers, and vending trailers include: (Internal Links)
- Freedom Trailers
- Maximum Cargo Trailers
- Apollo Food Trailers
- Arete Trailers
Towing and Hitch Needs for Concession Trailers
Concession trailers tend to have one of two types of hitches: (1) a bumper-pull hitch, or (2) a gooseneck hitch. The type of hitch is usually based on the size of the trailer. Smaller trailers can use a bumper-pull hitch, but larger or heavier trailers will need a gooseneck hitch (also sometimes referred to as a 5th wheel hitch).
Concession Trailer Pricing
The price of a concession trailer can vary widely depending on whether you’re buying new or used, and what you intend to use it for. If you need more cooking equipment to prepare more complex dishes you could need $10,000 - $30,000 worth of equipment to build out your trailer.
A small trailer that will be used to sell a single product that is simpler to prepare, like coffee or shaved ice, could start around $10,000. As these trailers are smaller and lighter, they can typically be hauled with a car, SUV or half-ton truck.
For a mid-range 16 ft. concession trailer that can be used for a more complex menu could run you between $40,000 - $60,000. These trucks may require a three-quarter ton or one-ton truck to haul them around.
Extra large trailers that have ample space, multiple service windows, and amenities like air conditioning can cost $100,000 or more (and that doesn’t include the cost of a heavy-duty tow vehicle like a one-ton truck or semi that can haul them).
Concession Trailer Add-ons and Features
Concession trailers, food trailers, and vending trailers can be equipped with a dizzying array of equipment. Some equipment is required by law to get your trailer permitted to operate, while other equipment is optional (and improves your quality of life).
Required Concession Trailer Equipment
Equipment that is typically required to be present on a concession trailer includes:
- A three-compartment sink (for washing, rinsing and sanitizing)
- A separate hand wash sink (and sometimes a mop sink)
- Separate tanks for both clean water and wastewater (in some cases the minimum capacity of these tanks is specified)
- Storage shelving
- Prep tables
- Boiler system and water pump (for hot and cold running water)
- Refrigerator and/or freezer
- Power (usually provided by a gas- or propane-powered generator)
- Menu boards (some localities have specific size requirements for the lettering and logo)
- Ventilation systems like range hoods can be required if you need a range to prepare your food
Optional Concession Trailer Equipment
Some of the optional add-ons for concession trailers can include:
- Cooking equipment like grills, fryers, ovens, stovetops
- Refrigeration and cooling equipment: beyond a refrigerator or freezer, this can also include ice makers
- Serving counters with sliding or folding windows (which typically have glass and/or screens) - larger trailers can have multiple counters from which customers can be served to accommodate larger crowds
- Point of sale (POS) terminals or cash records for handling transactions
- Storage including cabinets and bins
- Solar panels - in areas where sun is plentiful, some concession trailers can lower utility costs with solar panels mounted on the trailer (though this carries a higher upfront cost)
- Lighting - both interior and exterior lighting (often LED lighting is used because it reduces electrical consumption and heat generation)
- Awnings or canopies to provide shade and shelter for customers
- Climate control such as air conditioning or heating systems
- Security features like surveillance cameras, alarms or locks for when the trailer is not in use
- Porches or dining rooms can be available on extra large trailers to serve customers inside the trailer
- Trash receptacles
- Pop-up tents to provide additional shade or shelter for your customers
- Display cases for showcasing products
- Fold-out counters to provide additional workspace
Food Trucks vs. Concession/Food Trailers
Entrepreneurs looking to start a mobile food, concession or vending business are presented with the choice between (a) a food truck, or (b) a concession trailer. Each has its own pros and cons, and ultimately the best fit will depend on the type of business and where it will be operating. Below we’ve outlined some of the pros and cons of each option.
Food Trucks Pros and Cons
Pros
- Maneuverability: typically food trucks are easier to move around than trailers - especially in dense urban areas
- No tow vehicle required
- Easier setup/teardown: because food trucks are mostly self-contained units, there’s less involved with setting them up than trailers (which need to be parked, secured and leveled)
Cons
- Cost: food trucks typically cost much more than trailers of a similar size
- Less space: because everything for the truck needs to be contained in the truck (including driver and passenger seating), there’s less interior space because components like the power generator and fuel sources need to be stored on-board (whereas they can be mounted outside of a trailer)
- Downtime: if the truck breaks down, it shuts down the business until it’s fixed - and you’ll need a commercial mechanic to work on a truck
- Less flexibility: it’s harder to leave a food truck at a location (like an event) for several days at a time
- Maintenance: commercial trucks require more maintenance than trailers
Concession Trailers Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cost: concession trailers typically cost much less than food trucks and provide more space
- Space: concession trailers typically offer more space overall, and are usually 1½ ft. wider than food trucks
- Separate tow vehicle: although trailers require the expense of a separate tow vehicle, this can have a couple of advantages - (1) once the trailer is set up, the tow vehicle can be used to run errands (like resupplying the trailer), and (2) if the tow vehicle breaks down, you can use a replacement vehicle to keep the business running
- Flexibility: it’s much easier to leave a concession trailer parked at an event for several days than it is for a food truck
- Less maintenance: a trailer requires less maintenance than a commercial truck
Cons
- Maneuverability: trailers are more difficult to maneuver than food trucks which can be a concern in urban areas
- Setup/teardown: trailers can take more time to set up and tear down than food trucks because the trailer needs to be secured and potentially leveled
- Tow vehicle required: trailers need a separate vehicle to haul them - particularly for larger trailers this may necessitate the purchase of a heavy-duty truck or semi
Types of Concession/Vending Trailer Businesses
Some of the popular food businesses that entrepreneurs use trailers to operate have increased in variety over the years. It’s no longer just county fair food like nachos, soft pretzels and cotton candy. For example:
- Asian Cuisine: Stir-fries, noodle dishes, sushi, or Asian fusion cuisine.
- Barbecue/BBQ: Smoked meats like ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken or barbecue sandwiches and bowls.
- Breakfast Foods: Breakfast burritos, sandwiches, pancakes, or waffles.
- Burgers: Gourmet or classic burgers with various toppings and sauces.
- Coffee and Beverages: Gourmet coffee, iced coffee, smoothies, boba/bubble tea, or fresh juices.
- Crepes: Sweet or savory crepes with a variety of fillings.
- Desserts: Cupcakes, donuts, ice cream, churros, or gourmet desserts.
- Ethnic Cuisine: Food trucks specializing in specific ethnic cuisines like Indian, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean.
- Fries and Street Food: Loaded fries, poutine, or international street food options.
- Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese: Mac and cheese with unique toppings and flavors.
- Gourmet Popcorn: Flavored popcorn with unique seasonings.
- Grilled Cheese: Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches with various cheeses and fillings.
- Hawaiian and Poke Bowls: Poke bowls with fresh seafood, rice, and vegetables.
- Healthy Options: Salad bowls, grain bowls, or wraps with fresh and healthy ingredients.
- Hot Dogs/Brats: Gourmet hot dogs with a variety of toppings and unique flavors.
- Mexican Cuisine: Burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or Mexican street corn.
- Noodle Bowls: Asian-inspired noodle bowls with different proteins and sauces.
- Pizza: Wood-fired or traditional pizza with a range of toppings and crust options.
- Sandwiches: Grilled cheese, paninis, subs, or specialty sandwiches.
- Seafood: Fish tacos, shrimp rolls, or seafood baskets.
- Shaved Ice and Ice Cream: Shaved ice with flavored syrups or artisanal ice cream.
- Southern Comfort Food: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, or soul food dishes.
- Tacos: Street tacos with a variety of fillings such as beef, chicken, pork, or fish.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Plant-based burgers, tacos, bowls, or vegan desserts.
