Food Truck Business Setup in Dubai | A Complete Guide

Food truck business in Dubai is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to enter the UAE’s food industry. Dubai is known for its vibrant food scene, with people from all over the world enjoying diverse culinary experiences. A food truck offers a flexible, cost-effective way to serve delicious food to both locals and tourists. 

In this blog, we’ll explore

Why Start a Food Truck Business in Dubai?

Benefits of Starting a Food Truck Business in Dubai

What You Need to Start a Food Truck Business

Cost of Starting a Food Truck Business

Steps to Obtain a Food Truck License in Dubai

Where you can buy a food truck Business

With the right planning, your food truck business can be very successful in Dubai. Let's break down the process of establishing a food truck business in Dubai and obtaining the required licenses.

Why Start a Food Truck Business in Dubai?

Dubai is a city full of business opportunities for investors and locals. Many tourists and locals love to eat out, making it a worthy place to start a food truck business. Food trucks are popular because they are unique, slightly cheap and offer a wide variety of food. Unlike traditional restaurants, a food truck can move to different places, allowing you to reach more customers. 

As the food truck industry in Dubai has been growing continuously since 2017, it implies that the market is expanding, and there is an increasing demand for food trucks. So, opening a food truck business now can give you a strong start. 

Benefits of Starting a Food Truck Business in Dubai

There are many benefits to starting a food truck business in Dubai. 

One of the biggest advantages is the low cost compared to opening a regular restaurant. You don't need to pay high rent or spend a lot of money on fancy decorations. 

A food truck also offers flexibility. You can choose where and when to operate, which can help you find the best spots with the most customers. 

In addition, food trucks allow you to experiment with different types of food without much risk. You can quickly adjust your menu based on what your customers like.

What You Need to Start a Food Truck Business

To open a food truck company in Dubai, you need to plan carefully. 

First, you will need to submit well-written business plan to the DED (Dubai Economic Department). This should include what kind of food you want to sell, your target customers, and how you will market your truck business. 

Next, you will need to buy a new or used food truck. The truck should be in good condition and meet all the health and safety standards of Dubai Municipality (Food Control Department). You will also need cooking equipment, ingredients, and supplies. 

Lastly, you need to hire staff who can help you run the truck smoothly, especially during busy hours. This includes:

• Hiring chefs to prepare and cook delicious food items for your customers.
• Recruiting supporting workers to assist with customer service, cash handling, and other tasks.
• Employing a licensed truck driver to safely operate the vehicle, especially if you're not driving it yourself.

Cost of Starting a Food Truck Business

A food truck business in Dubai is a good option with low investment. It lets you sell food in busy areas without the high costs of a restaurant. With Dubai’s love for street food, you can attract many customers with the right menu and location.

The cost of starting a food truck business in Dubai can vary. The biggest expense is usually the food truck itself, which can cost anywhere from AED 100,000 to AED 300,000, depending on the size and features. 

You will also need to budget for licenses, permits, and insurance, which can add another AED 10,000 to AED 20,000. 

Other costs include buying cooking equipment, ingredients, and marketing materials. Overall, you should expect to spend between AED 150,000 and AED 400,000 to get your food truck business up and running.

Steps To Get a Food Truck License in Dubai, UAE

Getting a food truck license in Dubai involves several steps. First, you need to create a business plan and choose a good location for your truck. Then, you must apply for a trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). 

After that, you will need to get approval for your food truck license from the Dubai Municipality. They will inspect your truck to ensure it meets all health and safety standards. You will also need to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to park your truck in certain areas. Once all these approvals are in place, you can start your food truck business legally in Dubai.

Where You Can Buy an Established Food Truck Business

If you want to start a food truck business without going through the hassle of setting up everything from scratch, buying an established food truck business could be the right choice. This option allows you to take over a business that’s already running, complete with a fully-equipped truck, an existing customer base, and all the necessary licenses.

To find such businesses, you can visit our list of 100+ businesses for sale in Dubai. By purchasing a running food truck business, you can save time, reduce initial setup costs, and start earning from day one.

Starting a food truck business in Dubai can be a profitable venture if done right. With the right planning, investment, and effort, you can build a successful business in one of the world's most dynamic cities.