In today’s fast-paced world, street food has become increasingly popular and food trucks are popping up everywhere in the USA, UK, Europe, and worldwide. It is one that is unlikely to slow down anytime soon and has become a part of our everyday lifestyle. Street food is well renowned for being at the forefront of food innovation. Its transient nature means it can keep up with ever-changing consumer demand for new textures, flavours, and winning combinations. Regional cuisine seems to be the most sophisticated way to go, along with various cuisines from Chinese, Indian, Asian, American, Korean, Vietnamese, and many more. The use of organic and fresh produce has become one of the defining characteristics of street food.  

Street food is a delicious and healthy food option at a much cheaper price. This transforms street food into providing an unparalleled experience for all those who take part. The popularity of these easy-to-grab meals for when you are on the go has given traders an opportunity to progress and build up a loyal following every step of the way.  Check out the most popular types of street food!

Where did it begin? 

Once common in Europe, the trend for street food took a dive when fast-food restaurants hit the big time and eating on the hop fell out of flavour, particularly in continental cosmopolitan cities. Today’s street food roots are in Asia. So, we are talking noodles, spiced dishes, sushi, curries, and many more mouthwatering dishes. The street food roots do go back further in history to Ancient Greece times. Greece is believed to be the first distribution of street food where they sold small fried fish on the street. The poor urban residents of ancient Rome consumed street food on a wider basis as they didn’t have hearths or ovens in their homes. Today, some street foods are regional, some are not, having spread beyond their region of origin.  

Why is street food so popular?

You have probably noticed street food trucks and carts popping up everywhere in every city or town in the country and worldwide. From the latest vegan foods to gourmet burger trucks, street food is on the rise. It is relatively cheap but very tasty and delicious food. However, there are many reasons for its growing popularity. 

• Street food is cooked to order in front of you

Cooking street food is handled and cooked in front of the paying customer. For many people, this offers peace of mind. In general, this also helps raise the standards of food and hygiene.  

• It is cheaper than restaurant food

With its generally low running and startup costs, it will make it a lot easier to have your street food business more competitively priced. There are no expensive bills, rent, or running costs compared to a restaurant. These savings can be passed on to the customers making street food a very attractive option.  

• The food is of great quality and very delicious

Small operations like food trucks can manage a lot easier in terms of the quality of the food compared to big restaurant chains where the quality and service and can vary. Most of the time the person cooking the food is the street food business owner so they will care a lot more about the food that they are producing and giving to the customers.  

• Street food is served on the go

Street food is made in front of you and served as a grab and go food.  

• It is a mobile business

Having a mobile on the go food truck means you can set up anywhere that there is a demand for food.  

• You can experiment with new and different food in one place

Street food trucks or vendors are usually set up in the same places, therefore, you can pick from a variety of food cuisines such as Italian, vegan, Mexican, and more to serve to your customers.  

Reasons for setting up your own street food business

Street food has seen a major rise in popularity in recent years as it offers consumers restaurant-quality cuisine at low-cost prices. If you are passionate about owning your own business, there is no better time to set up a street food truck business.  

• Startup costs are relatively low

Street food trucks are a costly business however they wouldn’t be as expensive as setting up a restaurant business. There are no bills or expensive rent and the general running costs are relatively low.  

• The popularity of the business

The street food business is growing and will continue to grow. A new generation of vendors has brought chic to the industry.  

• You can be your own boss

Being your own boss, you will be in control of all the runnings of the business. The food costs, menus, and social media platforms.  

• You don’t require much experience

If you are passionate about food and like to cook, work well with people, and can manage a business well, then you can run a successful street food business with little experience. Once you enjoy the work, you don’t need much experience. 

• You can move around to ideal locations

The location is a huge advantage with street food vendors. You don’t have to limit yourself to one location, you easily can move around to better locations as it is a mobile business. You can test out different locations at different times to find the perfect one for you. You might decide on one location for a lunch menu and another location for a dinner menu, depending on your customer base.  

• It is free advertising

On average, a business can spend between 7-8 percent of revenue on advertising. With a street food business, it is like a free advertisement moving billboard. When you drive around, your food truck can be seen by passing by trade. The more you move around, the more you will build brand recognition.  

Street food popularity is a huge growing trend and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. once there is a demand for innovative and creative foods. One thing is for sure, food is never going to go out of fashion!