Food Truck Movement Cruising in High Gear

WASHINGTONThe food truck revolution continues to take America by storm, as hungry foodies seek out updated culinary updates on burgers, wraps, burritos, sliders, hot dogs, desserts and more delivered in a convenient manner. Results of a recent National Restaurant Association survey confirm mobile foodservice sector is shifting into high gear with 59% of consumers saying they likely would visit a food truck if their favorite restaurant offered one, a 12% jump from just one year ago.

While many food trucks are manned by chefs and entrepreneurs, they also present opportunities for operators of established restaurants to expand their operations beyond the four walls of the establishment.

"Convenience is a major driver in restaurant growth, and food trucks are certainly a convenient option by essentially bringing the restaurant to the consumer," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. "Our research shows that in just one year, the number of consumers who say they would be likely to visit a food truck has increased significantly. We also found that food trucks have a more noticeable presence in communities in the West and Northeast than in other parts of the United States."

Survey results also showed 18% of respondents saw a food truck in their community this summer, and 28% who saw a food truck this summer made a mobile foodservice purchase. In terms of geography, 29% of consumers living in the West and 24% in the Northeast were much more likely than those in the South (15%) and the Midwest (9%) to see a food truck parked in their community this summer.

When asked how they typically found the food truck they visited, 73% said they just saw it on the street, 54% said they selected it from an area where food trucks typically gather, 39% found out from a friend, and 13% found it through social media.