How to Plan a Successful Food Truck Event!

Food trucks have been all the rage for several years now, and we don’t see this trend going anywhere soon.  Selecting a few different food trucks to provide the cuisine for your event is such a fun way to execute a more casual and “action station” style reception.  However, it does come with its challenges! Planning and executing a Food Truck style event successfully takes some extra thought and care.  We hope these tips and insights are helpful!

Staffing:
There is a reason that often times they are less expensive than a full-service caterer.  This is largely in part to the staff size and roles are significantly different.  The biggest challenge food trucks bring logistically to an event is staffing.  When you hire a full-service catering company, their staff is the largest labor component for your event.  Not only are they serving your food, they are also bussing, rinsing, re-organizing your rentals, cutting your cake behind the scenes, and a big part of the set up and break down labor needed as well.  They work HARD for you behind the scenes ;).  It is important to make sure that additional staff is brought in to help with these elements.  There are outside staffing companies that offer this service such as The Wait Staff, in Portland.

Timeline:
Another tricky logistical element is your dinner timeline.  If you are looking for a formal sit-down style reception, this may not be the best direction for you.  Food trucks are often made-to-order, and while they are used to providing speedy service, guests eating times will be very varied and they will not be able to eat at once and will need to stand in lines.  With this in mind, you also may want to allot extra time on your timeline for dinner service.

Electrical:
You will need to ask each truck coming what their power needs are!  They may need to be in a place where power can be run out to them.

Beverage Service:
Most any venue will ask that your caterer provides a liquor liability for your event.  You will likely need to bring in a separate bartending company to provide your bartending service for you as well.

Surprise Late Night Food Truck:
Who doesn’t love some good late-night food at the end of an event?  Surprise your guests with a food cart, savory or sweet!  It’s a fun form of entertainment and is always a talked about element.  A few of our favorites are Pips Donuts, Koi Fusion, and Salt and Straw.

Enjoy!!

XO,
Whitney and the WW&Co Team

Photography: Catalina Jean Photography
Venue: Maysara Winery
Food Trucks Pictured: Pips Donuts |  PDX Sliders  |  Koi Fusion  |  Maiale di Volo Wood Fired Catering