How Much Does It Cost to Feed 50 People from a Food Truck? 2025

Feeding 50 people from a food truck typically costs $750-$1,750, depending on the menu and service style. That works out to roughly $15-$35 per person, which is often cheaper than traditional catering while being more interesting and memorable for your guests.

The range depends on what you're serving, where you're located, and how long you need service. Understanding what you'll actually pay and what affects the price is essential for budgeting.

The Quick Answer: Per-Person Pricing

Most food truck operators price catering by the person. For 50 guests, here's what you can expect.

Budget-friendly options run $15-$20 per person, totaling $750-$1,000 for 50 guests. This gets you simple menus like tacos, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, or pizza. You'll typically get one main item per person plus a side. Taco truck operators can charge $18 per person for 3 tacos, rice, and beans—that's $900 for 50 people including setup and service.

Mid-range options cost $20-$28 per person, totaling $1,000-$1,400 for 50 guests. This covers most food truck menus—gourmet burgers, BBQ plates, Asian bowls, Mediterranean wraps. You'll get a main item, side, and often a drink. A BBQ truck operator in a shared that he charges $25 per person for a full plate with two sides and a drink.

Premium options run $28-$35+ per person, totaling $1,400-$1,750+ for 50 guests. These are specialty trucks—lobster rolls, high-end fusion, gourmet grilled cheese with premium ingredients. You're paying for unique menus and premium ingredients. One seafood truck charges $32 per person for lobster rolls with fries and coleslaw.

Flat Fee vs. Per-Person: Which Is Better?

Some operators offer flat fees instead of per-person pricing. For 50 guests, you might see flat fees of $1,200-$2,000 for a set time period (usually 2-3 hours) with unlimited food.

Flat fees work better when you're not sure how much people will eat (like at a party where people might come and go), your guests are big eaters (sports teams, outdoor events), or you want the flexibility to let people go back for seconds.

Per-person pricing works better when you have an exact headcount, you want to control costs precisely, or your event is more formal with one serving per person.

One operator in a explained his approach: for parties under 75 people, he charges per person because it's simpler. For larger events, he switches to flat fees because it's easier to plan and guests appreciate unlimited food.

What's Included in the Price

When you get a quote for 50 guests, make sure you understand what's included. Most quotes cover food for 50 people (usually 1 serving per person), service staff (typically 2-3 people), paper goods like plates, napkins, and utensils, setup and breakdown time, and a service window (usually 2-3 hours).

What's often not included includes travel fees if your location is far from the truck's base, generator rental if your venue doesn't have power, gratuity which is typically expected at 15-20%, additional servings if guests want seconds, and drinks unless specifically mentioned.

One thing that trips people up: the quoted price usually assumes each person gets one serving. If you want unlimited food or expect people to eat more, ask about that specifically. Clients can be surprised when the food runs out at per-person events, because the price was based on 50 servings for 50 people.

How Menu Choice Affects Cost

The type of food you choose significantly impacts the total cost. Here's how different cuisines typically price out for 50 guests.

Tacos are one of the most affordable options at $15-$22 per person ($750-$1,100 total). Low food costs, fast service, and high customer satisfaction. Most taco trucks can serve 50 people in about 90 minutes.

BBQ runs $22-$30 per person ($1,100-$1,500 total). Meat is expensive, especially brisket and ribs. But BBQ is crowd-pleasing and filling. One BBQ operator said his food costs are higher, but portion sizes mean people don't need seconds.

Burgers cost $18-$25 per person ($900-$1,250 total). Classic crowd-pleaser with moderate food costs. Most burger trucks include fries, which adds value.

Asian cuisine (bowls, noodles, stir-fry) runs $20-$28 per person ($1,000-$1,400 total). Ingredients are affordable, but prep is more complex. Great for vegetarian-friendly events.

Gourmet and specialty trucks charge $28-$40 per person ($1,400-$2,000 total). Lobster, crab, premium steaks, unique fusion concepts. You're paying for premium ingredients and unique experiences.

Pizza is often the most affordable at $12-$18 per person ($600-$900 total). Low food costs, fast service, universally liked. Great for casual events and kid-friendly parties.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Beyond the food itself, budget for these common add-ons.

Travel fees apply if your event is outside the truck's normal service area. Most trucks include travel up to 20-30 miles, then charge $1-$2 per mile beyond that. Operators can charge $50 for any location within 30 miles of their base, then $2 per mile after that.

Generator rental costs $100-$300 if your venue doesn't have accessible power. Some trucks have onboard generators, others need to rent one. Always confirm power availability with your venue.

Extended service adds $100-$200 per hour if you need the truck longer than the standard 2-3 hour window. Late-night events or events where you want food available all day will cost more.

Gratuity isn't usually included in quotes, but it's expected. Budget 15-20% for tip, which adds $150-$350 to a $1,000-$1,750 event.

Special dietary accommodations can add costs if you need significant menu modifications. Most trucks can handle vegetarian requests within their normal menu, but vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific options might cost extra.

Comparing Food Truck to Traditional Catering

For 50 people, food truck catering is often 15-30% cheaper than traditional catering, while being more memorable and interactive.

Traditional catering for 50 people typically runs $1,000-$3,000+ depending on the menu and service style. You get a wider menu variety and more formal presentation, but it often feels less special.

Food truck catering for 50 people runs $750-$1,750 with a more limited but focused menu. The experience is more interactive—guests watch their food being made, there's a casual vibe, and it creates conversation.

One event planner in a shared that food trucks have become her go-to recommendation for casual weddings and corporate events because they're more affordable and guests remember them. "Nobody talks about the chicken dinner at the last wedding they went to, but they remember the taco truck."

Tips for Getting the Best Value

Here are strategies for getting more value from your food truck catering.

Book for off-peak times. Weekday events, lunch instead of dinner, and off-season months often qualify for discounts. Operators often offer 15% off for weekday events because their weekends are always booked.

Be flexible on menu. Let the operator suggest their most cost-effective options. Their signature items usually have the best food cost ratios because they've optimized the recipe and sourcing.

Provide accurate guest counts. Overestimating means paying for food that won't be eaten. Underestimating means disappointed guests or scrambling to add servings at the last minute. Aim for accuracy, not cushion.

Ask about package deals. Some operators offer discounts if you book multiple trucks, add dessert service, or book for multiple events. Operators can give 10% off if you book two trucks for the same event.

Consider timing. Lunch events typically cost less than dinner events because portion expectations are smaller and food costs are often lower.

Skip extras you don't need. If your venue has plates and napkins, ask about bringing the price down by not including paper goods. Every little bit helps.

Minimum Requirements

Most food truck operators have minimum requirements for catering events. These exist because the time and effort to cater a small event is similar to a larger one.

Guest minimums typically range from 25-50 people. Below that, you'll often pay a flat minimum fee regardless of actual guest count.

Minimum fees usually run $500-$1,000. If you have 30 guests but the operator's minimum is $750, you'll pay $750. This protects the operator's time and makes the event worth their while.

Time minimums are usually 2-3 hours. Even if your event only needs 90 minutes of food service, you'll pay for the minimum service window.

One operator explained his minimum in a : "I have a $600 minimum because it takes me 3 hours to prep, 2 hours to get there and set up, 2-3 hours of service, and another hour to break down and clean up. That's 8+ hours of my day regardless of how many people you have."

What 50 People Actually Eat

Here's a reality check on quantities. For 50 guests at a food truck event, plan for about 50 servings if it's per-person pricing with one serving each, 60-70 servings if you want some people to have seconds, or 75-80 servings if it's a long event where people might eat multiple times.

The average guest at a food truck event eats 1-1.3 servings. Some people skip food (they ate before, dietary restrictions, not hungry), while others go back for seconds. It balances out.

One taco truck operator shared his rule of thumb: for per-person pricing, he prepares exactly 50 servings for 50 people. For flat-fee unlimited events, he prepares 70 servings for 50 people, and he rarely runs out.

The Bottom Line

Feeding 50 people from a food truck costs $750-$1,750 depending on the menu, with most events falling in the $1,000-$1,400 range for standard menus. That's $15-$28 per person for tacos, burgers, BBQ, or similar options.

Budget for the quoted price plus 15-20% gratuity, and confirm what's included (travel, power, paper goods). Book early for popular trucks, especially during peak season.

Food truck catering is typically 15-30% cheaper than traditional catering while being more memorable. For casual events, corporate lunches, and outdoor parties, it's hard to beat the value and experience.

Ready to find food trucks for your next event? Browse available food trucks on FoodTruckLease to see operators in your area with menus, pricing, and reviews from other clients.