Designing a food trailer is the first step to realizing your entrepreneurial dream. Whether you want to sell ice cream in the park on the weekend or offer morning coffee and breakfast for people rushing to work, a quality food trailer is a must. Before you start your business, you need to think carefully about the design of your trailer, as it is the foundation of a mobile catering business.
At Gastronova, we know that good food truck design is key to efficiency and comfort at work. That’s why we’ll go through your needs with you and help create a solution that maximises space, improves workflow and meets all hygiene standards.
6 factors to consider when designing a food trailer
This article covers everything you need to know about food trailer design and presents 6 main factors you should consider.
1. Basic information before designing the food trailer
The following four important aspects need to be identified before designing:
Menu – Determine your menu as it influences the choice of kitchen equipment.
Equipment – Select the equipment according to the menu and deploy it sensibly.
Budget – With a bigger budget, you may want to consider a larger food trailer. Many entrepreneurs later regret not taking more space.
Laws and regulations – Familiarise yourself with local and European standards to ensure your trailer meets health and safety standards.
2. Mobile kitchen layout
The logical layout of the kitchen facilitates the work of the staff and speeds up service. Working efficiently means shorter waits for customers, a better experience and higher sales.
Important aspects in kitchen design:
Work and storage areas – Must be sufficient to process raw materials efficiently and minimize clutter.
Hygienic zoning – Separation of raw and finished foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Sink – In the EU, there are strict regulations on the minimum number and dimensions of sinks for washing different types of kitchen utensils and hands.
3. Correct food trailer size
The size of the food trailer should reflect the needs of both the kitchen and the staff. The space should be sufficient to work comfortably, but not unnecessarily large so as not to waste space.
4. Materials used
The quality of the materials affects the durability of the food trailer. Recommended materials for the European market:
Floor – Aluminium anti-slip panels (rust and fire resistance).
Paint – Professional UV resistant automotive paint.
Frame and chassis – High strength galvanized steel.
Worktops and cabinets – Stainless steel for hygiene and easy maintenance.
5. Energy system (electricity and gas)
Every food trailer needs a reliable power source. Gas is suitable for high-demand equipment such as grills and fryers, while electricity covers other needs:
Power – Food trailers in the EU operate on 230V/50Hz.
Generators – Petrol, diesel or eco-friendly variants.
Solar energy – Supplementary energy source.
Gas system – Safe gas piping and valves for high loads.
Conclusion
The design of the food trailer should be practical, efficient and compliant. At Gastronova, we can help you find the ideal solution for your food business so that it is functional, efficient and meets all standards.
