There’s something about a food truck that makes passersby stop and grab a bite. People love mobile restaurants — some food trucks even have a loyal base of followers. And catering trucks are flexible, so they’re a wise option for events that take place outdoors, such as art fairs and cultural celebrations. No wonder adding food trucks to your attraction is such an awesome way to pull in patrons.

Want to know how to get a food truck at your event? Keep reading to learn about some creative ideas for when you’re seeking food trucks to hire for events and how you can pull off an attraction that draws in a crowd. Plus, hear from Eventbrite creator Youth Infusion, who gave us a few tips about how they successfully incorporated mobile dining into their attraction.

The main attraction of food trucks

Some people say that the very first food truck was a chuckwagon. These mobile wagons were filled to the brim with beans, cured meat, and coffee for American cowboys and loggers. Others may argue that the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile marked the inception of food trucks way back in 1936. The iconic hot dog-shaped car rolled around giving away — no surprise here — hot dogs!

Regardless of the food truck origin story you acknowledge, you can’t deny the impact these moving canteens have had on how we dine, especially in recent years. Today, it’s hard to walk down the street and not see a cart serving up goodness. Whatever your craving is, there’s probably a food truck that’ll satisfy it. But aside from their convenience and diverse offerings, what’s the reason behind food trucks’ booming popularity?

Convenience and flexibility

Before the pandemic, the food truck business was on the rise. However, restaurant closures and occupancy limits accelerated their prominence. And now, it seems as though consumers and event-goers are shifting their preferences from the typical dining experience to a mobile one.

Food trucks also give restaurateurs the room to experiment with a new business model. Mobile dining provides business owners more flexibility, allowing them to test out new menu items in a casual setting.

A draw for foodies

People love food trucks. Some mobile vendors even have their own loyal fanbase of foodies who follow their every move on social media — yet another reason to rent a food truck for an event. Partnering with a catering truck brings out the foodies who want bites from their favorite vendor.

Social media is a great place to get the word out about your event. So collaborate with your favorite food truck vendor to capitalize on their follower count. Then use Eventbrite Boost to help make social media marketing easier and to track multiple campaigns. And once RSVPs start rolling in, you can manage those with Eventbrite, too.

The Co-founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Youth Infusion relies on Eventbrite Boost to streamline everything from RSVPs to social media marketing posts and ads. After they offered entry into a tempting giveaway, which piqued interest among potential attendees, Youth Infusion used Eventbrite to help manage pre-registrations.

A chance for partnership

As an event creator, you know how stressful it can be to figure out the menu for your gathering. However, a food and drink partnership can take the load off.

For instance, when you hire food vendors for events, you won’t have to create a food safety plan. Since food trucks hold their own licensing, they’re responsible for community health. This way, you can focus on what you do best: planning incredible events.

How to add food trucks to your event

Whatever mood you want to set for your event, there is a mobile vendor that complements it. Below are some food truck event ideas to give you some inspiration.

Fresh and local

Hosting a home and garden event? Delight your guests with fresh green choices. Of course, the most obvious food truck vendor would be one that serves salads or other dishes that incorporate local fresh produce. You can also include plant-based and sustainably sourced items.

Family-friendly

Restaurants and kids don’t always make for the smoothest experience. Between wrestling with high chairs and patrolling table manners, dining can be stressful for families. So they may want to opt for a more fuss-free and straightforward dining experience.

Give families the opportunity to enjoy a meal out without the hassle by offering family-friendly options. Instead of grabbing a kids’ meal on the way, families can get a bite for their kiddos at one of your hired food vendors. Offerings can include the usual kid favorites like chicken fingers and sliders, but don’t forget about the parents. Include food trucks that serve options that grown-ups will enjoy, too.

New and different

The beauty of food trucks is that they introduce diners to new experiences. If you’re seeking to create a specific cultural atmosphere, scout food truck vendors that serve authentic dishes.

Take event creator Rockers Unltd for example. Their Rum Punch Brunch event celebrated Caribbean culture and included food trucks that served gourmet Caribbean eats. The purpose of the event was to bring the community together for an evening of dancehall and fun — food trucks were just a finishing touch that helped set the scene.

Consider hosting a regular food truck festival that highlights cuisine from different ethnic backgrounds. This can help promote diversity and inclusion — while honoring other cultures.

Competitive and fun

Don’t be afraid to have fun and center your event around food trucks. For instance, you can host a competition and invite local mobile caterers to showcase their finest creations. You can even encourage attendees to participate by having them vote for the winning dish. Intertwining this type of creativity is a great way to use food as a tourist attraction.

Hosting an art-themed event? Ask vendors to put an artsy spin on their signature items. For example, a pizza truck could experiment with unique toppings and recipes — like squid ink crust. (Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, it’s delicious.)

Event inspiration: How creator Youth Infusion incorporated food trucks

Wondering how to plan a food truck event? Take a page from Youth Infusion. This Eventbrite creator got in on the mobile dining trend with their Food Truck Fest fundraising occasion. Let’s take a look at their event planning process.

Their reason for organizing a food truck event

As we already know, a mobile food vendor brings in a crowd. So for Youth Infusion, the decision to hire food trucks was simple. “When looking to plan a fundraiser, we knew that food trucks were ‘in’ and trending, and of course, people just love food… so it was just natural to start planning a fundraiser that involved food trucks.”

Food truck recruitment

The team at Youth Infusion scouted food trucks in Northeast Pennsylvania, an area with an abundance of options. When you have so many vendors to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow them down and find a perfect match for your event. If you find yourself in this situation, think about the purpose of your event and the message you want to convey.

For Youth Infusion, diversity was a key factor in choosing the vendors for their event. “We are all about diversity and bringing flavor to the community, and the food trucks we selected do just that.”

Leveraging food trucks’ flexibility

After COVID-19 guidelines eased a bit, there was a shift in attitudes toward outdoor gatherings. Youth Infusions notes, “people just wanted to gather more, and food trucks are mobile and convenient.” Food trucks can park (almost) anywhere. So mobile catering gives you the freedom to host your event in a variety of outdoor spaces, including parks, college campuses, or the beach.

Make your event a hit with food trucks!

By now, your mouth is probably watering for a tasty snack from a food truck. But before you head out to find some mobile eats, check out Eventbrite Boost to take some of the stress out of the planning process.