Olivia Barredo
April 21, 2023

Starting a food truck business in the country can be an exciting and rewarding venture. With the country’s rich culinary heritage and the increasing demand for on-the-go meals, setting up a food truck offers an excellent opportunity to showcase your culinary skills and creativity while reaching a diverse market of hungry customers. However, like any business venture, launching a food truck requires careful planning, research, and execution to ensure success. Thankfully, we’re here to provide you with key considerations and steps to help you start your own food truck business. 

How to Start a Food Truck Business in the Philippines

Unlike other brick and mortar businesses, starting a food truck business in the country seems to come out a lot easier and more convenient. It’s a straightforward process that can either be a family-owned operation or franchise, and deciding between the two will depend on your goals and needs. 

While requirements may differ per city, here is a general list of steps you will need to apply for a food cart or food truck business:

• Register your business entity with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

• Register your food cart or truck

• Obtain a Mayor’s Permit from your city

• Obtain a sanitation permit from the Department of Health

• Get a clearance from the Bureau of Fire Protection

• Get a clearance from the Food and Drug Administration

Food Truck Business Ideas

Fresh Juice and Shakes

Consuming refreshing and hydrating drinks especially in the Philippines is an excellent food truck business idea for multiple reasons. Other than giving customers the opportunity to combat the heat, it is also healthy, and can leave a positive impact on local farmers especially when the fruits and vegetables are locally and ethically sourced. Putting up a juice and fruit shake food truck can also make use of the variety of fruits only available in the Philippines, and can easily become an avenue to explore what the country’s fruits have to offer. Because of its mobility, it can easily cater to different locations, events, and people who are constantly on the go. 

Filipino Street Food

Filipino street food is both delicious and an integral part of Filipino culture. For many Filipinos, street food bites like like isaw, kwek kwek, and fish balls are nostalgic, bring back memories of school life, and are overall enjoyed by many. By serving a variety of street foods in a food truck, business owners can both reach a wider audience due to its mobility and offer comfort meriendas for customers. 

Mexican Food

Mexican cuisine has been gaining a fair amount of popularity in the country in recent years, and a food truck is a good idea to capitalize on this trend. The variety of Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas can provide a unique and delicious experience for customers. Additionally, because of the nature of food trucks being flexible and mobile, it allows for creative and versatile menu offerings that can cater to different preferences and maybe even dietary needs. 

Crepes and Waffles

If you’re leaning more towards going for desserts, then perhaps opting for a crepes and waffles food truck might be the right choice for you. A versatile option, while customers may enjoy the standard sweet crepes and waffles, providing savory options on the menu will surely give your food truck business an edge worth checking out. Moreover, crepes and waffles are relatively simple to make and prepare, allowing the food truck to serve a large volume of customers quickly. 

In conclusion, food truck businesses have yet to be tapped into in the Philippines, but they offer entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their creativity and culinary skills. Whether it’s FIlipino street food, Mexican cuisine, crepes and waffles, there are many food truck ideas that can cater to the diverse tastes and cravings of the Filipino people. Overall, food truck businesses in the Philippines offer an exciting and lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs who are passionate about food and want to provide customers with a unique and convenient dining experience.