How Much Does A Burger Food Truck Cost in The UK? (Full 2026 Cost Breakdown)
Publish Time: 2026-02-11 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.
1️⃣ The Base Vehicle Cost in the UK
Option A: Used Burger Van
| 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Outdated kitchen layout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
Option B: New Burger Trailer (Most Popular UK Choice)
| 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.
Option C: Brand-New Burger Van
| 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
2️⃣ Kitchen Equipment Costs
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.
3️⃣ UK Compliance & Certification Costs
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.
4️⃣ Importing vs Buying Locally in the UK
Buying Locally
Pros:
Easier communication
No shipping delays
Cons:
Higher labor cost
Limited customization
Longer waiting times in busy season
Importing (Example: ZZKNOWN Export Build)
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.
5️⃣ Operating Costs After Purchase
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)
6️⃣ Hidden Costs Most Buyers Don't Plan For
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.
7️⃣ Example UK Startup Budget Scenarios
Budget Startup (Festival Trailer Model)
New trailer: £18,000
Equipment: Included
Licences & compliance: £2,000
Branding: £1,500
Working capital: £5,000
Total: ~£26,500
Mid-Level City Operation
Trailer: £28,000
Equipment upgrades: £5,000
Compliance: £3,000
Marketing & branding: £3,000
Working capital: £10,000
Total: ~£49,000
Premium Burger Van Setup
Van conversion: £65,000
Premium equipment: £10,000
Certification: £4,000
Branding: £3,000
Launch capital: £15,000
Total: ~£97,000
8️⃣ Is It Profitable in the UK?
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
9️⃣ Why UK Buyers Choose ZZKNOWN
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.
Final Thoughts
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.