The food-truck market - Italy (2024)

1.2 The Global Market

The global food truck market has experienced significant growth in recent years and is expected to continue to expand. In ****, the market value was estimated at $*.** billion and is expected to increase to $*.** billion in ****, with a compound annual growth rate (***). This represents a **% increase in six years.

Global food-truck market value World, ****-****, in US$ billion Research&Markets

1.3 The Italian market

Currently, *,*** companies are registered in our territory operating under ATECO code **.**.**, this code identifies those activities that offer food services in itinerant form. Of these, *** are corporations, which shows a significant presence of more complex corporate structures than sole proprietorships or family businesses. The total turnover generated by these businesses amounts to **,***,*** euros. Assuming with the world compound annual growth rate (***) of *.*%, the value of the street food service market will reach the value of about ***.* ML € in ****.

Street food service market value Italy, ****-****, in ML of € TurnoverItaly

1.4 Inflation suffered by the industry

The restaurant industry, including fast food and takeaway services, has experienced significant inflationary pressures. Several factors, including rising raw material costs, difficulties in the supply chain and rising energy costs, have contributed to significant growth in consumer prices. This phenomenon is clearly reflected in the data of the consumer price index for the whole community:

Consumer price index for the whole community for fast food and take-away food services (***) - monthly data Italy, ****-****, index Istat

The consumer price index increased by **.* percent, from ***.* to ***.*. The period saw steady growth, with most marked acceleration in the early months of ****. After reaching ***.* in December ****, the index stabilized slightly, holding around ***.* in the early months of ****.

2.1 Characteristics of the Question

Changes in Spending on Fast Food and Take A way:

Average monthly household expenditure on fast food and take-away food services Italy, ****-****, in current &euro Istat

In **** the average was €**.**, remaining stable in **** at €**.*. In **** it decreased slightly to **.** euros. The impact of the pandemic is evident in ****, with a dramatic drop to €**.**. In ****, spending rose again to **.** euros; overall, however, there was a *.* percent drop from **** to ****.

Data for **** are not present with this expenditure item but only with "Restaurants, bars and similar, without table service," so the analysis may have variations.

Demand for food trucks in Italy is growing steadily, driven by several key factors. Italians, particularly young people, are increasingly preferring street food because of the variety of dining options, convenience, and casual experience it offers. This popularity is supported by a ** percent increase in street food consumption compared to other forms of dining (***). In addition, the effective use of social media to promote events and interact with customers has increased the visibility of food trucks, helping to spread their offerings to a wider audience. In particular, the fast food and quick-consumption segment has seen a remarkable increase, with ** percent growth, although the average spend on this ...

2.2 Demand Drivers

As the chart below shows, there are several reasons why Italians prefer street food. This phenomenon has come back into fashion in recent years thanks, certainly to the low cost and speed of preparation, but also to the increase in product quality and hygiene standards.

Main motivations in choosing street food. Italy, ****, percentage Red Prawn

Consumers are looking for more and more quality offerings, and an example of this is the Rosteria mobile application, designed to promote and facilitate the sharing of information regarding the sale of street food in Italy, as a street showcase of chefs and an interactive guide for consumers. Indeed, these can choose the type of meal sought such as pasta, pizza, fish, and many other categories. In addition, it is also possible to see food trucks near the current location. The app was reported by Apple as Best new app in **** and has several positive consumer reviews in the App Store.

In each restaurant's tab you will have a brief description with recommendations for the best dishes, as well as the ability to make a call, visit the website or start navigating to the location.

Several are then the starred chefs who have decided to propose ...

2.3 Trends in food-truck demand

Growing Popularity of Food-Truck in Italy: Analysis of Online Searches:

Trend of online searches for Food-Truck as a topic Italy, ****-****, index Google Trends, Businesscoot Processing

Starting from an index of ** in May ****, a significant peak is observed in September **** with an index of **.*, followed by a decrease in the following months, touching a low of ** in December ****. In ****, interest seems to recover gradually, with the index rising from **.* in January to **.* in June and then falling again to **.* in December. **** shows a consistent increase, culminating in an index of ** in May. Overall, interest in the topic increased by **.* percent from May **** to May ****.

Veneto emerges as the region with the highest interest, with an index of ***, followed by Trentino-Alto Adige (***) register relatively low interest. These data suggest a greater popularity of food trucks in northern Italy

2.4 The new trends

In recent years, traditional Italian street food has been undergoing a revolution spurred by the cultural ferment around food, healthy eating, and good food. Globalization and migration between countries around the world favor the meeting and mixing of culinary traditions.

In addition, the rise of street food and the quick meal on the go contributes to the emergence of new food preferences. In this context, the emergence of new dishes and the increasing demand for new and different dishes is not surprising.

The most original street foods of recent years, as revealed in a VS study, almost always have the following in common:

They recover a tradition, local or otherwise, and revisit it with a modern twist; They combine ingredients and products from different culinary traditions; They employ high-quality raw materials; They take simple traditional dishes and modify them by making them more elaborate.

Innovations and Emerging Trends in Food Trucks(***).

They are increasingly integrating technology solutions into their operations. The use of mobile ordering apps, online payment systems, and GPS tracking is becoming commonplace to improve operational efficiency and customer experience. These technologies allow customers to order and pay quickly and securely, as well as easily find the location of ...

3.1 The market structure

Growth of Ambulant Catering and Ice Cream Enterprises:

Active enterprises under Ateco Code **.**.* "Ambulant catering and ice cream parlors" Italy, ****-****, in numbers Istat

The number of enterprises increased from *** in **** to **** in ****. After a steady increase until ****, there was a decline in ****, however, the sector saw an impressive recovery in the following two years, with a ** percent increase between **** and ****.

Expansion of Personnel in Catering:

Employees in active enterprises under Ateco Code **.**.* "Ambulant Catering and Street Ice Cream Parlors" Italy, ****-****, in numbers Istat In ****, there were **** employees, rising to **** in **** and **** in ****. There was a decrease to **** in ****, but in **** the number more than doubled to ****, continuing to grow to **** in ****. Overall, from **** to ****, there is a ***% increase in the number of employees. Legal form active enterprises under Ateco Code **.**.* "Street food service and street ice cream parlors" Italy, ****, % Istat

3.2 Value Chain

*. Inbound Logistics

Inbound logistics for food trucks focuses on procurement and management of raw materials.

Supplier Selection:

Local Sourcing: Food trucks often source fresh ingredients from local farmers and markets to ensure quality and support the local economy. For example, Bianco Bufala obtains fresh buffalo milk from local dairies for their mozzarella products (***). Specialized Suppliers: Some ingredients require specialized suppliers, particularly for niche products such as Sicilian ricotta for cannoli, used by Marchese Cannoli (***).

Inventory Management:

Perishability: Managing perishable goods effectively is crucial. Food trucks must carefully plan inventory levels to minimize waste and ensure they have enough inventory to meet demand. Storage Solutions: It is essential to have adequate storage equipment, such as refrigeration units, to maintain the freshness of ingredients, especially dairy and fresh produce.

*. Operations

Operations involve the preparation and cooking of food in the mobile kitchen environment.

Preparation:

Preparation of Ingredients: Includes preparation of vegetables, marinating of meats, and other preparatory tasks performed before cooking. For example, preparation of ingredients to make miasse at Farinel on the Road follows specific traditional methods (***). Standardization of Recipes: Standardization of recipes ensures consistency in taste and quality across different locations and events.

Cooking:

Cooking on the Spot: Food is ...

3.3 The Main Food-Truck

In Italy, the number of events set up and organized to allow food-trucks to sell their street food has increased dramatically in the years leading up to COVID-** and is expected to come back into vogue as soon as organizing crowded events poses no risk. Especially in the beautiful country, where food-related sociocultural innovations are very much present and loved by consumers. Food-truck events are usually organized in contexts such as festivals, fairs, food and wine events, and village festivals[***].

Recently, a few companies that operate through food trucks in Italy have stood out:

Ditta Eredi Nigro: This is a renowned Florentine company specializing in the preparation and sale of lampredotto and other traditional Tuscan dishes. Founded in **** by Luigi and Mara Nigro, the company began with a small lampredotto stand run by Mara, while Luigi transported offal throughout Tuscany. The culinary tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, now reaching the third generation with Lorenzo Nigro at the helm. The company is known for its authentic and traditional approach to preparing lampredotto, using family recipes and ancient techniques, such as slow cooking in broth with herbs and onions. Lampredotto is served in a sandwich, often accompanied by homemade ...

3.4 Other major market players

To see which companies are major we will divide the market into * parts:

*. Food-truck manufacturing workshops:

Streetfoody Srl: This is an Italian company specializing in the construction of street food vehicles, based in Terranuova Bracciolini, in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. Founded as a business unit of Resti S.p.A., it has more than sixty years of experience in the sector, devoting itself to the construction of vehicles for street food sales. The company stands out for the quality of its products, which are entirely built in-house. This allows StreetFoody to guarantee a high level of customization, meeting the specific needs of each customer. Among the various vehicles offered, we find the iconic Ape Car, food trucks equipped for different culinary needs, pizza trucks, ice cream trucks and coffee trucks(***).

Vs Special Design Srl: Also known as VS Special Vehicles, is a leading manufacturer of customized food trucks and special vehicles for mobile catering. Founded in **** in San Mauro Torinese, this company has established a reputation for combining innovation, design and functionality, creating unique and highly efficient vehicles that meet customers' specific needs. One of its main strengths is customization. Each food truck is custom-designed to meet customers' individual ...

4.1 Type of supply and price trends

The consumer price index for fast food and take-away food services in Italy increased by **.*%, from ***.* to ***.*. This steady growth reflects the gradual increase in prices in the industry, in particular, **** saw a significant increase in the index of *.*%, followed by a further increase of *.*% in ****.

Consumer price index for fast food and take-away food services [***] for the whole community (***) - annual averages Italy, ****-****, index Istat

The success of a food truck depends largely on its geographic location. Choosing where to station can significantly affect customer flow and profits, this requires a good understanding of the local market and consumer preferences. Practical examples include:

Areas with high foot traffic, such as shopping streets and financial districts, are ideal for food trucks. Taceaux Loceaux in New Orleans, for example, frequently locates in vibrant neighborhoods such as the Central Business District and the French Quarter, where foot traffic is heavy due to tourists and local workers. This presence ensures a steady flow of customers and maximizes the food truck's visibility.

City parks and plazas are excellent for attracting customers seeking a relaxing outdoor experience. Green Truck in Los Angeles often operates in public parks such as Griffith Park and Echo Park, where ...

4.2 Prices and costs

To start a food truck, several initial expenses and operating costs must be considered. The purchase of the food truck is one of the largest expenses, costing between €**,*** and €**,***. Added to these are costs for permits and licenses, which average €**,***. These permits are essential to operate legally and include health licenses, parking permits, and other local permits. Kitchen equipment is another significant component of the initial budget. Although some equipment may be included in the cost of the truck, it is often necessary to make modifications or add tools specific to the type of cooking offered. This equipment may include stoves, fryers, refrigerators, and other professional kitchen tools. Once started, the food truck faces various operating costs. Labor costs are a major item, with owners earning an average of €** per hour. In addition to this, one must consider the cost of supplies and raw materials, which vary depending on the type of food offered. Vehicle maintenance and repairs are variable expenses, dependent on the wear and tear and daily use of the truck. Insurance is also a significant expense, necessary to cover possible damage to the vehicle and liability. A food truck's annual revenue can vary widely, with figures ranging from ...

4.3 Innovation Focus: Street Food Catering

Practical and Concrete Examples of New Trends in Food Trucks:

Green Truck: This food truck uses an electric vehicle to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, all packaging is biodegradable and ingredients are sourced from local, organic farms. This approach not only reduces environmental impact, but also attracts sustainability-conscious customers(***). ECO-FRIENDLY TACOS: They offer tacos with organic ingredients and use compostable tableware. They work with local farms to ensure that all ingredients are fresh and sustainable. BurgerBot Truck: This food truck uses an automated burger cooking system, reducing wait times and ensuring consistent quality. Customers can order through a mobile app that offers personalized recommendations based on their food preferences(***). Smart Ordering: They use advanced POS systems to monitor the profitability of each dish and to manage inventory in real time, optimizing operations and reducing waste.

Taco Heaven: This food truck has a strong presence on Instagram and TikTok, where they post behind-the-scenes videos of the preparation of their tacos and updates on their locations. They have also launched interactive social media campaigns, such as contests for the best new flavor suggestions(***). Food Truck Fridays: Every Friday, they post on Instagram where they will be located and offer discounts to followers who ...

5.1 Regulatory framework

The first steps in starting the business of selling foodstuffs see, first of all, goodwill and ethics of entrepreneurs and then the application for a permit to the municipality with jurisdiction. As a professional requirement, it is necessary to have attended a course called EX-REC, also known as the SAB (***) will be identified in your company a Manager in possession of the above requirement.

Subsequently, for the specific case of the activity of itinerant commerce, the regulations in force are governed by Legislative Decree No. *** of March **, **** (***) "Bersani Reform" and also by the regional legislations, to which the same decree refers the definition of the particular provisions.

it is useful to keep in mind that, street trading activities in public areas, can only be carried out by individuals or duly established partnerships, i.e. Limited Partnerships (***).

Finally, moving food-truck on public roads requires a B-type license for smaller vehicles such as the apecar, C for trucks and trailers.

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6.1 Market segmentation

• Streetfoody S.r.l.
• Street Food Mobile S.r.l
• VS SPECIAL DESIGN S.R.L.
• CEREDA ANITO S.R.L.
• SCAMINOX S.R.L.
• WOKI SRL
• Buffalo Beer Srl
• Truck Queen Agency