Starting a food truck business is indeed an exciting venture. However, running one is more than just picking a theme and hitting the road. One of the most overlooked aspects of your truck is the floor plan. In this guide, we’ll walk through different food truck layouts based on the kind of food you’re serving. You’ll get actual guidance on how to split up your truck’s limited space, what equipment to prioritize, and how to design for speed, safety, and efficiency.
Why your food truck needs a proper floor plan
As co-founder of YXE Street Food, Chad Reynolds puts it, “Food trucks will remain popular because they provide one of the most important experiences in modern business: FUN!” And that fun starts behind the counter, with a well-thought-out space that lets you serve great food with energy, speed, and style.
Food trucks are tight on space, obviously, but what’s less obvious is that a bad layout can actually ruin service speed, cause staff collisions, and limit your menu options. You’re not just designing a kitchen but building a tiny factory that needs to run like clockwork during peak hours.
That’s why it’s smart to look at different floor plans, plural. You might need one configuration for prep, one for service, and another backup layout if you expand your menu later. Or maybe you operate seasonally with changing equipment. Either way, thinking in “plans” keeps you flexible and scalable.
Food truck layouts based on concepts
Every food truck idea has its own unique rhythm, and your layout needs to match it. Whatever your food truck idea is, the setup inside your truck will shape how quickly and efficiently you can serve your customers. Let’s break it down and see how different types of food trucks call for different setups.
Taco Truck Floor Plans
Design priorities: Fast service, quick-assembly meals, hot/cold station separation.
Equipment needed:
- Flat-top grill or flattop griddle (for meats)
- Warmers for tortillas
- Cold prep table with ingredient pans
- Steam table (optional)
- Undercounter refrigerator
- Overhead dry storage racks
- Prep sink, 3-compartment sink
Floor plan setup:
For a taco truck, start by installing your flat-top grill on the driver’s side wall. This becomes the heart of your cooking operations. Right next to it, place the tortilla warmers and any steam tables if you’re using them. This keeps all hot items in one zone.
Opposite the cooking line, set up your cold prep table and ingredient bins. This is where you’ll build the tacos, adding toppings like guac, pico de gallo, or shredded lettuce. Mount your service window just in front of the cold side so customers can interact with your team and pick up their orders efficiently.
Don’t forget under-counter refrigeration to store proteins, sauces, and toppings within easy reach. Overhead racks are great for dry goods like taco shells, napkins, and to-go containers. The aisle down the center should be at least three feet wide so two staff members can move without crashing into each other.
Here’s a sample layout from Prestige Food Trucks. This floor plan design for food trucks follows a straight, linear flow that makes your kitchen efficient and your service fast. The cooking station sits right next to the service window, which makes it easy to move tacos from grill to handoff without breaking your stride. Midway through the truck, there’s a topping and prep area that keeps your sauces, veggies, and add-ons close by.
Ice Cream Truck Floor Plan
Design priorities: Visibility, clean display, cold storage.
Equipment needed:
- Freezer chest or dipping cabinet
- Soft-serve machines (if applicable)
- Refrigerator for milk, toppings, and cones
- Topping station (with sneeze guard)
- Service window near display
- POS system
Floor plan setup:
Place your freezer chest or dipping cabinet right by the service window. This helps draw customers in with a clear view of the flavors. Next to that, install your POS terminal and a small counter where you can take orders and payments. If you’re using soft-serve machines, mount them on the opposite side of the truck, making sure they’re close to power outlets and ventilation. Use the back corner for your toppings station, like marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and syrups, complete with sneeze guards for hygiene. Your refrigerator should be under the counter or to the side, stocked with cones, milk, and whipped cream.
Use overhead storage for cups, napkins, and dry goods. Leave enough room to move freely from one end to the other while serving multiple customers in a rush.
To give you a glimpse, here’s an example from Concession Nation. This setup is all about cold storage and eye-catching presentation. Most designs put a dipping cabinet or soft-serve machine front and center, right behind a wide service window. There’s also usually a toppings station close to the window, with storage tucked neatly above or below the prep area. The layout gives you both function and flair, especially if you’re serving in family-friendly or high-traffic spots.
Coffee & Pastry Truck Floor Plan
Design priorities: Barista workflow, customer interaction, dry storage.
Equipment needed:
- Commercial espresso machine and grinder
- Water filtration and holding tank
- Prep table
- Small display fridge (for bottled drinks)
- Pastry case (front-facing)
- POS system
Floor plan setup:
A coffee truck is usually 12 to 16 feet long, offering enough space for both baking and brewing stations. Place your service window and pastry display case near the front passenger side. That’s where you’ll pull customers in. Right behind that, dedicate a counter to your espresso machine and grinder. Ideally, the barista should be able to pivot between grinding, pulling shots, and steaming milk without moving more than a few steps.
Below that counter, install your water tank and filtration system. You’ll need easy access for cleaning and refills. Use the opposite side wall for a small prep table where you can plate pastries or make simple breakfast items. Keep your POS terminal right next to the display case so transactions are efficient. Overhead shelving works well here for storing beans, filters, cups, and lids. The flow should feel like a compact version of a full coffee shop, with zero wasted movement.
Here’s an example of a typical Coffee and Pastry truck layout that includes the basics. If you want to serve breakfast on the go with a smile and a strong shot of espresso, something close to its layout is what you want.
Pizza Truck Floor Plan
Design priorities: High-temp oven safety, dough prep, topping flow.
Equipment needed:
- Commercial pizza oven or wood-fired oven
- Dough roller/press
- Prep table with topping pans
- Refrigerated ingredient drawers
- Storage for pizza boxes
- POS terminal
Floor plan setup:
Start by placing your pizza oven against the back wall of the truck. If you’re using a gas-fired or wood-fired model, it needs to be properly vented and balanced so the truck stays stable. In front of that, install your dough press or roller, followed by a refrigerated topping station that includes all the essentials: mozzarella, tomato sauce, pepperoni, veggies, and more.
The flow should be natural; press the dough, add toppings, slide into the oven. A proper hood and ventilation system is a must here, especially with high-heat ovens.
Use the wall across from the prep table for your POS station and service window. That way, the final hot pie can be boxed and handed off immediately. Store pizza boxes in a vertical rack near the window for quick grabbing. Overhead shelves can hold herbs, spices, and non-refrigerated toppings. Keep your walking path clear, as hot ovens and fast movement don’t mix.
If you’re more of a visual thinker, here are some templates of food truck layout plans of 16 feet, which is ideal for a Pizza Truck. Pizza ovens take up serious space, so the layout is usually built around them. You’ll find the oven at the back, a prep line with built-in refrigeration in the middle, and a slicing or boxing station up front near the window.
Burger Truck Floor Plan
Design priorities: Speed, griddle-to-wrapper flow, fryer ventilation.
Equipment needed:
- Flat-top griddle
- Deep fryer (with basket holders)
- Refrigerated drawers
- Hot holding unit or bun toaster
- Toppings station
- Service window
Floor plan setup:
Begin with your flat-top griddle mounted on the driver’s side wall. This is where the patties get cooked. Right next to that, place your deep fryer, with a proper hood and fire suppression system. Keep refrigerated drawers directly underneath for patties, cheese, and bacon. Install your bun toaster or warming drawer at the end of the cooking line.
Across from the grill station, on the passenger side, set up a prep counter for assembling the burgers with lettuce, tomato, sauces, and pickles. Place your service window right next to that, along with your POS terminal.
The workflow should be fast and direct: grill > build > wrap > hand-off.
Above the prep area, install shelves for dry goods and packaging. Always leave enough clearance between hot zones and cold storage to avoid temperature conflicts.
Check out this custom template of a burger truck layout that supports a steady, high-volume workflow. These floor plan designs can also accommodate bulkier equipment like smokers and warmers, where the smoker often goes at the rear or is trailer-mounted, while steam tables and prep stations flow forward to the serving window. These designs help you serve large orders fast without crowding your crew.
Improve your workflow with the proper layout
Your food truck floor plans aren’t just about squeezing equipment into a tight space but about building a workflow that supports your team and keeps your customers happy. You want each part of your operation, from chopping veggies to handing out orders, to feel smooth and natural. When everyone on your team can move efficiently and knows exactly where everything is, service feels less like a scramble and more like a rhythm.
If you’re already thinking ahead to the next challenge, like hiring and scheduling staff, even if you’re only working with one or two people, you’re on the right track. It’s never too early to put structure in place. Following best practices for restaurant scheduling can help you avoid burnout, stay consistent during peak hours, and create a work environment that’s actually enjoyable. Tools like 7shifts can help you build efficient, fair schedules with less guesswork and more time for focusing on what matters most: serving great food
Rebecca Hebert, Sales Development Representative
Rebecca Hebert
Sales Development Representative
Rebecca Hebert is a former restaurant industry professional with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience leading teams in fast-paced hospitality environments. Rebecca brings that firsthand knowledge to the tech side of the industry, helping restaurants streamline their operations with purpose-built workforce management solutions. As an active contributor to expansion efforts, she’s passionate about empowering restaurateurs with tools that genuinely support their day-to-day operations.
