Maximizing Storage Potential in Your Food Truck

When it comes to food trucks, space is at a premium - meaning unnecessary equipment and unorganized smallwares are a luxury you can't afford. Use our tips and tricks to make the most out of your storage space.

Create a Comprehensive Storage Plan

Preparation is key. Since you have so little space to work with, you will want to put together a detailed list of the items you need and where they will be stored. Doing this beforehand will allow you to identify problem areas - giving you time to figure out how to add more storage or reduce stock - and to develop procedures for each part of your operation (a good way to decide what items you will need for closing is by working through the process step by step in your head).

Each item should have its place, and it should be returned to that place every night. And to make it easier for you to serve customers quickly, all smallwares that are primarily used on a certain piece of equipment or to create a certain menu item should be stored near each other.

Keep in mind that organization planning shouldn't just apply to your tools and equipment - the storage space for each ingredient you will be using should be mapped out too, ensuring you have easy access to the most frequently used ingredients and reducing opportunities for cross contamination. This will help prevent food from being misplaced, as well as allow you to streamline your workflow. Scrambling to find ingredients during your rush hour could cause a delay that loses you customers!

Keep Your Food Truck Menu Simple

While it's tempting to provide a variety of options, keeping your menu fairly simple will benefit both you and your customers. Your customers will appreciate the higher quality of each dish, and you will appreciate the diminished inventory requirements.

For example, a food truck that serves a combination of pizzas and paninis will need a larger variety of smallwares and equipment than a food truck that serves just one of those options. We aren't saying that your food truck can only serve one type of food, but it will make it easier for you to stay organized if you limit the amount of different food variations you provide.

Choose Multi-Purpose Equipment & Smallwares

A good way to decrease the amount of storage space you will need is by choosing tools that work with multiple menu options. Instead of getting a panini grill, purchase a griddle that can also cook burgers or quesadillas. Along with freeing up valuable storage space, you will also find that choosing multi-purpose items can help consolidate your workflow.

Complete Kitchen Inventory Management

If you keep a thorough record of how quickly you go through your inventory, you should be able to adjust your on-hand quantities accordingly.

One benefit of this is that it could free up space in your refrigerator or freezer, allowing you to store more of the items you go through faster. If you have enough space, you might even be able to purchase in bulk, which will save you money.

You might also find you have enough space to add something new to your menu!

Join a Commissary Kitchen

If you just don't think you will be able to store all of the necessary items in your food truck, a commissary kitchen could be a viable option for you. A commissary kitchen is a type of shared kitchen where you can prepare food for your truck before you open. Not only does a commissary kitchen provide more space for prep work, but you will also have access to equipment you don't have room for in your truck. Some commissary kitchens even offer additional amenities such as overnight parking, grease disposal, and more.

Additional Tips & Tricks

• Add storage opportunities whenever possible: Extra shelving near the top of your food truck, pegboard on the back of your doors, bins that can slide under countertops - all of these can make a big difference in your storage situation.
• Labeling will go a long way: It's much easier to put things back in their proper place when everything is clearly marked.
• Talk to other food truck operators: Most will be more than happy to share how they stay so well organized.

Find the food truck storage supplies you need by exploring our Food Truck Storage category!