Views: 957 Author: Yuliya Publish Time: 11-02-2026 Origin: ZZKNOWN
If you're planning to launch a burger food truck in the UK, your first serious question is probably:
“How much is this actually going to cost me?”
The short answer?
Anywhere from £15,000 to £80,000+
The real answer?
It depends on:
Trailer or van?
New or used?
Equipment level?
Compliance upgrades?
Import or domestic build?
This guide breaks down every cost category UK buyers must understand before investing.
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Basic older model | £18,000 – £5,000 |
| Good condition | £5,000 – £20,000 |
| Premium conversion | £20,000 – £45,000 |
⚠ Risk factors:
Unknown engine condition
Older wiring
Outdated kitchen layout
May require immediate upgrades
| Build Level | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Basic build | £5,000 – £8,000 |
| Mid-range | £8,000 – £18,000 |
| High-spec | £18,000 – £30,000 |
Why trailers are growing in the UK:
No engine maintenance
Lower insurance
Easier resale
No ULEZ compliance issues
Tow with existing vehicle
ZZKNOWN specializes in fully customized burger trailers built for export to UK buyers.
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry | £15,000 – £30,000 |
| Mid | £30,000 – £50,000 |
| Premium | £50,000 – £90,000+ |
Best for:
Permanent city locations
High daily turnover operators
Multi-staff setups
Your burger setup usually requires:
| Equipment | Estimated Cost (UK) |
|---|---|
| Flat top grill | £800 – £2,500 |
| Double fryer | £600 – £1,800 |
| Fridge | £700 – £2,000 |
| Freezer | £500 – £1,500 |
| Extraction hood | £1,200 – £3,000 |
| LPG system | £800 – £2,000 |
| Fire suppression | £1,000 – £2,500 |
Total kitchen equipment range:
£6,000 – £15,000
When built directly by a manufacturer like ZZKNOWN, equipment integration is done during production, reducing retrofitting cost.
Many first-time buyers forget this part.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gas Safe certification | £250 – £600 |
| Electrical certificate | £300 – £800 |
| Fire inspection | £200 – £500 |
| Street Trading Licence | £500 – £3,000/year |
| Food Hygiene registration | Free (mandatory registration) |
| Public liability insurance | £300 – £1,000/year |
Budget at least £1,500 – £5,000 for compliance + first-year licences.
Pros:
Easier communication
No shipping delays
Cons:
Higher labor cost
Limited customization
Longer waiting times in busy season
Pros:
Competitive manufacturing cost
Custom layout design
2D/3D drawings before production
Stainless steel commercial build
CE electrical compliance
Cons:
Shipping + VAT + import handling
Many UK buyers find importing a custom trailer still 15–25% cheaper than local builds.
Here’s what monthly costs typically look like:
| Category | Estimated Monthly |
|---|---|
| Food supplies | £2,000 – £5,000 |
| Staff wages | £1,500 – £4,000 |
| Fuel | £300 – £800 |
| Insurance | £50 – £150 |
| Maintenance | £200 – £500 |
Typical break-even period in the UK:
6–12 months (depending on location and branding)
Generator upgrades
Branding wrap (£1,000–£3,000)
POS system (£500–£2,000)
Event pitch fees
Seasonal downtime
Commissary kitchen rental
Planning a buffer fund of at least £5,000 extra is smart.
New trailer: £18,000
Equipment: Included
Licences & compliance: £2,000
Branding: £1,500
Working capital: £5,000
Total: ~£26,500
Trailer: £28,000
Equipment upgrades: £5,000
Compliance: £3,000
Marketing & branding: £3,000
Working capital: £10,000
Total: ~£49,000
Van conversion: £65,000
Premium equipment: £10,000
Certification: £4,000
Branding: £3,000
Launch capital: £15,000
Total: ~£97,000
Let’s do quick math:
Average burger price: £8–£12
Average daily sales: 100–250 burgers
Daily revenue range:
£800 – £3,000
At 40–60% gross margin, many operators recover full investment within 6–12 months.
Location matters massively:
London = higher pitch cost, higher revenue
Seaside towns = seasonal spikes
Events = high-margin days
Customizable burger trailer builds
Stainless steel commercial kitchen fabrication
CE-compliant electrical systems
LPG-ready installations
Export experience to Europe & UK
2D/3D layout confirmation before build
25–60 working day production
Buying correctly the first time saves thousands in retrofitting later.
The cost of a burger food truck in the UK depends heavily on:
Trailer vs van
New vs used
Equipment level
Compliance readiness
Import vs local purchase
But one thing is certain:
Choosing a properly designed, regulation-ready build from the beginning protects your investment and speeds up your launch.
Ready to calculate your UK burger truck budget? Contact ZZKNOWN for a custom quotation and layout plan.
