Startup Cost Calculator

Estimate total startup costs for your food business including equipment, permits, and initial inventory.

How Startup Cost Calculation Works

Plan your food business launch by calculating all startup expenses, from equipment and permits to working capital and contingency funds.

💡 Quick Tips:

•Add 20-30% contingency - unexpected costs always arise
•Food trucks: $75k-200k total, Catering: $25k-100k total
•Consider financing options early to preserve cash flow
•Break-even typically achieved in 6-18 months with proper planning

Startup Cost Inputs

Enter your estimated costs for each category

Equipment Costs

Food Truck Cost *

💡 Consider financing options to preserve cash flow

Kitchen Equipment *

💡 Buy quality equipment to avoid frequent repairs

POS System

💡 Choose system that integrates with your needs

Refrigeration

💡 Energy-efficient models save long-term costs

Safety Equipment *

💡 Required by law - don't skip this!

Branding & Wrapping

💡 Great branding attracts customers & builds brand

Permits & Licensing

Business License *

💡 Get this first - required for other permits

Food Service Permit *

💡 May require food safety training & test

Health Department *

💡 Schedule early - can take weeks

Fire Inspection *

💡 Required for propane & electrical systems

Annual Insurance *

💡 Shop around - prices vary significantly

Initial Inventory & Working Capital

Food Inventory *

💡 Start with 1-2 weeks supply

Supplies & Materials

💡 Include eco-friendly options for better branding

Uniforms & Apparel

💡 Professional appearance builds customer trust

Marketing & Launch

💡 Marketing is investment, not expense

Training & Certification

💡 Well-trained staff = better service & sales

Contingency Fund *

⚠️ CRITICAL - Unexpected costs ALWAYS happen

Monthly Operating Costs

Monthly Rent

💡 Many food trucks start with $0 rent

Monthly Utilities

💡 Include mobile hotspot for POS systems

Monthly Fuel *

💡 Use our Fuel Calculator for accurate estimates

Maintenance & Repairs *

💡 Better to budget too much than break down

Monthly Insurance *

💡 Annual payment often saves 10-15%

Other Monthly Costs

💡 Track expenses closely to optimize this