Food Truck for Rent in UAE

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. Every year thousands of visitors come to the UAE to enjoy the skyscrapers, sea, sand, desert, and food. In the UAE, especially Dubai, culture and tradition are mixed up, making it very popular. 

As a result, food business entrepreneurs are finding it the most suitable place for food businesses. Food trucks are one of the most popular and easiest ways to start a food business in the UAE. 

The food business owners are looking for food trucks for rent in the UAE. Because food truck rentals are easier and more accessible than buying one. This article is a complete guideline for how to get a food truck for rent in the UAE. So, let's get into details and start your food truck business right now. 

Why Rent a Food Truck Instead of Buying One?

People are more into renting instead of buying a food truck in the UAE. The cost of buying a food truck can be up to AED 150,000 to AED 400,000. And the cost can vary a lot based on the size, equipment, and other customizations. Moreover, there are so many other costs, such as license, insurance, maintenance, etc. So, the overall cost reached a very high point at last. On the other hand, renting a food truck is much easier and less costly. 

Here, we will go into more details about why renting a food truck instead of buying one is more popular in the UAE.

01. Lower Upfront Costs

Renting a food truck causes lower upfront costs. Buying one requires a handsome amount of money, so you need a large investment. And the costs depend on the customization and technology. 

So, while you are renting a food truck, it costs one-third of the money of buying one. You do not need any additional cost for inventory, marketing, utensils, or other costs. In that case, renting one is better than buying one.

02. Flexibility to Test Your Concept

Food businesses remain the challenging ones. If you are new and want to experiment with your food truck business, then renting a food truck gives you the flexibility. You can experiment with different types of food trucks, with different locations, business models, etc. 

But, you must ensure that you have chosen the right truck and best restaurant POS system in UAE. These both give you the flexibility to test your concept. As a result, you can easily switch your truck or concept if it does not work. It can lower your risk for the long run in food business management.

03. No Maintenance Costs

One of the major problems associated with food truck businesses is maintenance and repair. It is costly and takes time. So, while buying a food truck, you have to spend money on maintenance and cleaning. 

Moreover, if you go for renting, the maintenance and other costs are managed by the rental agreement. So, you do not worry about the maintenance and other costs. 

04. Access to Modern Equipment

When you buy a food truck, it comes very expensive. You have to purchase new equipment for the new food truck. On the other hand, when you rent a food truck, it often comes with fully equipped utensils and other equipment. 

Most of the time rentable food trucks are well decorated with modern kitchen accessories. It attracts the business owner. It is one of the major causes of renting a food truck, which is widely popular in the UAE, instead of buying one. 

05. Easier Expansion or Scaling

A food truck for rent in the UAE gives the opportunity for easier expansion and scaling. Which plays a crucial role in business progress. Suppose you can rent different types of food trucks for different festivals. 

While buying a food truck did not give you the opportunity. If you can rent multiple trucks at a time, it provides higher financial capacity. So you can easily expand your business. 

06. Ideal for Seasonal or Short-Term Events

Renting a food truck is ideal for seasonal or short-term events. So, if you want to run a seasonal food court business, then renting is the best option. This is also famous for festivals and pop-ups. In that case, owning a food truck can be more challenging and can waste your money or resources.

Types of Food Trucks Available for Rent in UAE

The UAE food market is very diverse, meaning you will find plenty of food trucks providing different menus. So, you must choose the right food truck based on your choice. According to your choice, you have to select the food truck based on the equipment, sizes, menus, and business goals for better operations. 

Let's find out the types of food truck design available for rent in the UAE.

01. Small-Size Food Truck

One of the most popular types of food trucks is the small-sized food truck. This type of food truck is suitable for beginners. If you target very simple menus and lower startup costs, then you can start with a small-sized food truck. 

A small-sized food cart is very easy to operate and requires fewer staff for management. 

Best For

• Burgers
• Hotdogs
• Sandwiches
• Popcorns and Snacks
• Fries, etc.

Why Choose

• Lower Rental Price
• Quick Setup
• Low Fuel Consumption
• Easy to Operate
• Suitable for Simple Menus

02. Medium-Size Food Truck

A medium-sized food truck is widely popular in the UAE. It is perfect for the casual food business. This type of food truck has more space and allows more kitchen equipment. 

Generally, you will find a medium-sized food truck on the Dubai beach and in other areas where casual food is popular.

Best For

• Shawarma
• Tacos
• Grilled Chicken
• Noodles and Pasta
• Desserts, etc  

Why Choose

• Easy to Operate
• Suitable for High-traffic Areas
• Good Balance Between Cost and Capacity
• Ideal for Medium-sized Menus

03. Full-Kitchen Food Truck

A full kitchen or premium food truck is very popular in Dubai and the other regions of the UAE. It is suitable for multi-cuisine menus and for the established brands. 

This type of food truck comes with the full kitchen setup. A premium food truck provides all the advanced cooking equipment that a professional chef needs.

Best For

• Arabic Food Items
• BBQ and Steaks
• Biriyani and Rice Meals
• Seafood Items
• Multi-cuisine Menus, etc

Why Choose

• High Production Capacity
• Suitable for Large Events
• Supports Complex Menus

04. Coffee & Beverage Truck

A coffee and beverage truck is also known as a mobile coffee shop. It is designed for serving coffee, tea, juice, or any special drinks in the UAE. This type of truck comes with espresso machines, grinders, refrigerators, etc. 

A coffee truck is popular, as they serve instant drinks while maintaining premium quality. It is one of the popular food cart Dubai, where higher volumes of engagement occur. 

Best For

• Espresso
• Cappuccino
• Latte
• Milkshakes
• Cold Brews
• Fresh Juices
• Smoothies, etc

Why Choose

• Low Ingredient Cost
• High Profit Margin
• Easy to Operate
• Lower Staffs Required

05. Ice Cream & Dessert Truck

Ice cream and dessert trucks are some of the most popular food trucks in the UAE. It is designed for serving ice cream, waffles, cakes, etc. Moreover, they also provide a popular dessert item in the UAE. 

This type of food truck comes with very stylish decoration that reflects the beach view. It is a fully temperature-controlled food truck. So, it is a perfect food business if you want to provide sweet desserts to your customers. 

Best For

• Ice Cream
• Soft serve
• Waffles
• Desserts
• Cakes
• Cookies, etc

Why Choose

• High Customer Engagement
• Temperature-Controlled Setup
• Works Perfectly in UAE Climate
• Lower Investment
• Higher Profit Margin
• Suitable for New Startups

06. Food Trailer

Food trailers are the lower version of traditional food trucks. If someone starts with a lower startup cost, then food trailers are the suitable options. Food trailers, or towable trailers, are generally lightweight and easily moved from one place to another. 

It comes with the full kitchen system, where you will find a work table, storage area, ventilation, etc. So, if you target lower investment and low operational cost, you can start with a food trailer.

Best For

• Coffee
• Mini-donuts
• Simple Fried Food
• Shakes 
• Juices, etc

Why Choose

• Lower Investment Than Food Trucks
• Easy to Move and Set Up
• Low Operating Costs
• Strong Branding Opportunity
• Fast Setup, Fast Launch
• Suitable for Small Spaces

Food Truck Rental Prices in UAE

Food truck rental prices in the UAE depend on the locations, types of trucks, size, equipment, duration, and others. So, you must know the details of the rental plan if you want to start your food business. 

Moreover, you have to consider some other additional costs while operating a food truck. It includes licensing, boarding, staffing, etc. A proper understanding will help to keep the profit margin in control. 

The best way to rent a food truck is to contact the local food truck rental service provider in the UAE. You can communicate with them, they will guide you to get the best truck that suits your business concept.

Let's find out the renting price of a food truck in the UAE. 

Additional Costs to Consider

There are some other additional costs that you have to consider while going for a food truck for rent in the UAE. Most of the people missed those costs. 

Here are the additional costs that a food business owner should consider while planning for starting a food truck business in the UAE. 

1. Branding & Customization

After renting a food truck, you have to spend some additional costs for branding and customization. It includes exterior design, logo printing, LED signage, menu installation, etc. So, it can range between 1,000 and 5,000 AED, depending on the branding and customization. 

2. Licensing & Compliance Support

Licensing and compliance support is another important cost consideration for starting a food business in Dubai. It includes vehicle inspections, a driving license, a food safety license, etc. And the costs can range between 1,000 and 4,000 AED. 

3. Location Permit or Area Fees

In the UAE, you will find both government and private areas for running your business. Sometimes the government provides access for free spots, but the private locations accept charges for operating business. You have to pay 500 to 3,000 AED per day. On the other hand, the monthly basis location rental can charge between 5,000 and 20,000+ AED.However, the costs can vary deeply depending on the location and some other factors.

4. Staffing & Training

Staff and training cost a handsome amount of money in the food truck business. In the UAE, you have to spend a minimum of 1,500 to 4,000 AED or more for part-time staff. While full-time staff or chefs can charge between 4,000 and 10,000 AED per month. 

5. Fuel, Gas & Utilities

A food truck needs fuel, gas, and other utilities. So, while you are starting a food truck business, you must include all the costs, including fuel, gas, utilities, etc. And the cost can be anywhere between 500 and 3,000 AED per month. 

What to Look for When Renting a Food Truck in UAE

What to look for when renting a food truck in the UAE is the most common question a food truck business entrepreneur asks. As we know, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are places where food truck businesses bring opportunities to start. 

But, due to lack of and insufficient knowledge, lots of food businesses fail at the start. Renting a food truck is an excellent way to enter the business industry with low costs. Below, we discuss those important things that you must look for while renting a food truck in the UAE. 

These are very important to business success and customer satisfaction.

01. Choose the Right Type of Food Truck

The most important task before renting is choosing the right types of food trucks. Not every food truck is equally effective, so you must choose the best food truck based on your menus and types of food business. Here are some other things you should check while renting a food truck.

• Space inside the truck
• Equipment layout system
• Storage space availability
• Fire safety protocol
• Sustainability for the cooking

02. Check Kitchen Equipment and Layout

You must check the kitchen equipment and layout of the food truck. The right food truck is a great turn-on for your business. Here are the important things you need to check while renting a food truck in the UAE. 

List of Equipment To Check

• Gas burners or induction stove
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Griddles, fryers, ovens, or toasters
• Coffee machines (for cafe trucks)
• Dessert freezers (for ice cream trucks)
• Stainless steel worktops
• Safe exhaust system
• Water tanks (fresh & waste)
• Proper ventilation

Need To Investigate

• Is all equipment fully functional?
• When was the last maintenance done?
• Does the truck include LPG safety certification?

03. Hygiene and Food Safety Compliance

Hygiene and food safety compliance are the major things that need to be closely observed. The UAE food market is very diverse and strictly follows the food safety standard. So, when you decided to rent, you checked the food safety protocol. If the truck does not follow the food safety rules, you will not get permission for serving food businesses. 

Core Features To Check For Safety Standard

• Clean, stainless-steel surfaces
• Handwashing sink
• Pest-free environment
• Food-grade materials
• Temperature-controlled storage
• Adequate ventilation 

04. Licensing Support from the Rental Provider

Different companies use different protocols while providing food trucks for rent in the UAE. Many companies offer licensing support, but many do not. So, you need to ask the rental provider company about the licensing support. If the company helps to get the license support, it will be much easier to start your business. 

05. Truck Size and Operational Comfort

Good food comes from a good kitchen. So, if the truck does not have sufficient space and comfort for the staff, they will not be able to deliver the right food on time. As you are planning to start your business in the UAE market, you should check that the truck goes with the UAE climate. 

Need To Check

• Staff capacity
• Truck width
• Work triangle for prep, cook, serve zones
• Air-conditioning availability inside the truck
• Ventilation and heat flow

06. Condition and Maintenance History

Condition and maintenance history investigations are mandatory for food truck rental. When a truck is well conditioned and maintained, it can run smoothly during operations. Moreover, a truck that is not maintained properly can face problems anytime, such as shutdown, food spoilage, safety hazards, etc.

Need To Investigate 

• Recent electrical, mechanical, and gas safety reports
• Any history of breakdowns
• Condition of tires, engine, brakes

07. Rental Cost

The major problems one faces come down to the price for the rent. However, the renting price depends on various factors. It includes the type of truck, size, equipment, etc. So, you have to ensure there are no hidden costs. Moreover, you should also look for the security deposit, cleaning fees, rental duration, etc. 

08. Branding and Customization Options

Branding and customization should be checked and observed closely. Basically, a food business is run based on the brand promotions. So, you must promote your brand effectively. It plays a crucial role in customer attractions. In that case, you asked the truck provider about the branding capability and customization options. 

Conclusion

In the UAE, renting a food truck is one of the most economical ways to launch or grow a food business, particularly in areas like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. A rental truck helps you avoid the high upfront costs of purchasing a food truck. 

It is suitable whether you're testing a menu, establishing a new brand, or serving at pop-ups, corporate events, festivals, or beaches. You can operate legally and smoothly anywhere in the United Arab Emirates by selecting the appropriate truck type. 

It involves making sure that it has approved hygiene standards, inspecting the equipment quality, and confirming that the rental provider supports licensing and permits. In addition, a professionally maintained, fully furnished, and authorized food truck increases client confidence and revenue.