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In the hospitality industry, we spend a lot of time looking at the present situation of the industry and what we have to work on. The flip side, which we spend less time with in work solutions but can learn from, is the history of the industry. From the history of restaurants to the history of champagne, there is a lot we can learn.
In this BinWise blog, we’ll find out what we can about the history of food and beverage trucks and the food truck business industry. This conversation will range from the future of restaurants, including group dining restaurants like many food trucks, to how restaurant branding has helped food trucks along.
The history of food and beverage trucks and how the industry is growing is a look at these unique business models. It’s also a mirror for the food service industry as a whole.
The Timeline of the History of Food and Beverage Trucks
Here on the BinWise blog, we’ve been following food and beverage trucks in our series for a while, with information about:
- How to start a food truck business, as well as how to build a food and beverage truck business and food and beverage truck franchise building
- The best places to start a food truck, as well as the best food trucks around the country
- The cost to start a food truck and food and beverage truck profits
- All the types of food trucks you can own, and food truck regulations to cover your ownership
- Beverage food truck growth, including beverage food truck marketing
- How to rent a food and beverage truck to become an owner with ease
Now, it’s time to look back, to see where this growth and these industry shifts came from. We’re taking a walk through the history of food and beverage trucks. Read on for the earliest of the early days, to today, to the future we’re looking forward to experiencing.
The Early Days
The early days of food and beverage trucks started out back in the Roman era and the original food carts. From there, we trace food carts turning into supply wagons in the early days of America. They were referred to as chuck wagons and were used to supply food and drinks to loggers and cowboys.
The First True Food Trucks
The first mobile food service businesses that would be recognizable as food trucks by today’s standards came around in the late 1800s. Some notable food trucks from these days are hot dog stands around Coney Island and universities on the east coast.
From there into the 1950s, the popularity of these trucks grew, and ice cream trucks blossomed onto the scene. The ability to have a freezer in a truck made waves in the industry. In the coming years, everything from taco trucks on the west coast to chefs joining the industry country-wide rose up to be a major part of the food service industry.
The Rise of Food Trucks
In 2008, a major milestone in the food and beverage truck industry hit the streets with the arrival of chef Roy Choi. Choi, a Korean-American chef, opened his truck, Kogi BBQ, in Los Angeles. He is noted as one of the main voices in the movement of food trucks as a growing industry.
The Expansion of Beverage Trucks
The U.S. food truck industry was valued at $1.16 billion in 2021. It’s expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.4% from 2022 to 2030. These numbers show how the industry has expanded over recent years. The forerunners of the industry paved the way for growth in all areas, including trucks expanding what they can offer.
Food and Beverage Trucks In this Day and Age
The growth of food trucks has given space for beverage trucks as well. There are cocktail trucks, dessert trucks, mobile bars, and all sorts of different types of food and beverage trucks for every type of customer. There are even trucks with beer on tap! The history of food and beverage trucks has made room for all this growth we’re continuing to see in the industry.
"Key Takeaway: The U.S. food truck industry was valued at $1.16 billion in 2021. It’s expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.4% from 2022 to 2030. These numbers show how the industry has expanded over recent years. The forerunners of the industry paved the way for growth in all areas, including trucks expanding what they can offer."
Frequently Asked Questions About Food and Beverage Truck History
The history of food and beverage trucks inspires some delightful questions across the internet. For our answers to these frequently asked questions, we picked a range of questions. They’ll get you thinking about how food trucks have evolved over the years.
When Did Food Trucks Begin?
Food trucks, as we know them today, began in 1936. The first food truck that resembled the food trucks we have today was the Wienermobile of Oscar Meyer. The Wienermobile, now called the Frankmobile, has been touring the country since it was created by Oscar Meyer. In fact, the touring style of the Frankmobile is an inspirational option for other food and beverage trucks.
Who Started the Food Truck Trend?
Roy Choi, the owner of Kogi BBQ, is cited as one of the main people who inspired and gave life to the food truck movement. Choi started his truck with the goal of mixing good food, social media and community, and the world of street food. He still cooks to this day and works in many capacities to advocate for food trucks and the street food industry.
What Happened In 1866 Related to Food Trucks?
In 1866 a man named Charles Goodnight invented the first chuck wagon, which was an early predecessor of food trucks. The chuck wagon was a U.S. Army wagon with a “chuck box” attached.
The box had shelving and storage space for food and supplies, as well as a foldable cooking space. Food trucks have grown beyond this rudimentary design, but it remains a firm part of the history and evolution of food and beverage trucks.
What Were Food Trucks Called In the 1970s?
In the 1970s some of the common names for food trucks were roach coaches and taco trucks. Roach coach is an unflattering name referring to the often less-than-sanitary conditions of those early businesses. With strict food and safety regulations, we’re saved from these particular coaches nowadays.
Taco trucks are much more inviting in the name and have remained a staple in the food truck scene. Looking through the history of food and beverage trucks shows us trends. Many of the most popular trucks of different times show how we enjoy food in trends and as long-standing favorites.
What Has Changed About Food Trucks In the Last Five Years?
In the last five years (we’re writing this in July of 2023), food trucks have surged in popularity. The business model is accessible to many people looking for great food at a budget-friendly price. Food and beverage trucks are also a great source of community space for people looking to make connections. They work as so many types of businesses, and for different types of catering events. This popularity of the industry is expected to continue and grow.
Food and Beverage Truck History: The History that Keeps Rolling On
The history of food and beverage trucks is something you can proudly join when you open your very own food and beverage truck business. When you’re ready to open the window and start rolling, reach out to BinWise and BlueCart.
The BinWise Pro beverage inventory program, paired with the BinScan mobile app, eases the process when you take inventory. BlueCart’s order management software simplifies your order management system.