How to Start a Coffee Truck Business in California

Start a Coffee Truck in CA

How to Start a Coffee Truck Business in California

There are many great reasons to start a coffee truck business in California.

The growing trend for street vending in cities and towns everywhere, including California, makes it appealing for coffee entrepreneurs to consider opening a mobile coffee business.

Additionally, local and state leaders in California are rediscovering the need to re-invigorate public spaces, parks, downtown metro areas, and streets to pedestrian traffic.

Coffee trucks and coffee trailers make an excellent addition to many cities' overall goals to spur local business activity, safety, and commerce. And they will be great in California.

In this post, we'll talk about how to start your coffee truck in California. For a more in-depth discussion, read our post, How to Start a Coffee Truck Business.

Further Reading: Do Coffee Trailers Make Money?

Mobile Coffee Business in California

How Much Does It Cost To Start a Coffee Truck in California?

The costs of starting a coffee truck in California depend on several factors that can add up quickly.

For example, the cost of the coffee truck or coffee trailer structure itself, building it out (remodeling) to serve coffee, and the contract labor, marketing, power, and installing equipment costs – all depend on how big you want to go.

Costs include:

• Coffee truck or trailer
• Building it out
• Coffee equipment
• Labor costs
• Marketing
• Inventory

Because of all these factors, you can easily have a wide spectrum of startup costs.

As you probably know, everything adds up. However, you can estimate that a typical coffee truck can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000. From our observations, the average used coffee truck (no equipment) is often skewed slightly towards the $35,000-$60,000 range. 

Available Now:

Get the Mobile Coffee Business E-book:

How to Start a Coffee Truck

Steps to Starting a Coffee Truck in California

Below is a list of key steps you will want to take to start your coffee truck business. Consider each of them as you set out to plan and launch your mobile coffee business.  

1. Decide on a Coffee Truck Concept.

There are a variety of mobile coffee concepts to choose from. Take time to discover what your options are. Start by visiting a few existing coffee trucks or trailers in your area. Even if you already have an idea, a real-world visit can help you determine what direction you would like to move towards.

Your concept is essentially the practical representation of your vision. In essence, it is recommended that you properly develop your mobile coffee vision before moving forward.

2. Your Coffee Truck Funding.

Your coffee truck will require startup funds. Ultimately, how much money your coffee truck will cost will depend on the concept you have decided to pursue. 

Consider exactly how much money you will have access to acquire your coffee truck and build it out. This coffee startup funding mix may be from your savings, a business account, investments, etc. 

If you have some money set aside for your coffee truck business but may need to borrow the rest (investors or loans), you will want to know approximately how much you'll need.

As you develop your plan and budget, you will want to determine how you will fund your mobile coffee business. First, consider all of your financial resources. Those resources are solidly in your possession, as well as other resources that you may have to borrow from. 

3. Your Coffee Truck Customers.

California is a vibrant state with different people with different interests and tastes.

When starting any coffee business, you want to stay focused on your customers throughout your entire process. For mobile coffee businesses, staying laser-focused on your target customers will be your biggest goal.

• Who do you imagine serving your coffee to?
• Will you work at private events, ticketed festivals, community farmers markets, or other special dates like weddings and anniversary parties?
• Will you be serving tourists or locals?
• Or any combination of these?

The California customers you plan to serve will have a significant impact on your menu. Likewise, your coffee menu will impact your need for coffee equipment. In turn, your coffee equipment will determine your need for physical space, and so on.

Indeed, your coffee business costs are never really independent of one another. They are all connected. Knowing who your ideal customer is will help you make some pretty important decisions.

Get The

Ultimate Mobile Coffee Business E-book

4. Your Coffee Truck Budget.

Now that you know your concept and customers, it's time to focus on your budget. The amount of money you have to put towards your coffee shop will either determine your coffee shop concept or alter it in some fundamental way.

Business concepts are all wonderful until they quickly hit the wall of financial constraints.

So, remember your entire coffee truck budget from the beginning because it will ultimately dictate how far you will go. Thinking and assuming that “The money will come to me somehow” may not be the best approach. 

5. Your Coffee Truck Equipment.

Once you've determined your concept, your target customer, your budget, and your coffee truck menu, you will be able to focus on your coffee equipment. 

Your coffee equipment is the bread and butter of your mobile coffee business. Without it, you will be hard-pressed to provide coffee to your customers. 

6. Your Coffee Truck Power Needs.

When you are in a coffee truck or coffee trailer, you'll have to figure out how you will power your coffee operation. Indeed, it will take power to run your equipment. Will you use an extension cord and power up to an available power outlet? Will you hook up to a generator instead?

The power and wattage you'll need are essential considerations for any mobile coffee business. Each piece of equipment will draw power. Hopefully, you'll know what kind of power you'll require before building out your coffee bar and buying your coffee equipment.

7. Write a Coffee Truck Business Plan.

Having a well-written mobile coffee business plan will make life easier for you as you move forward with your mobile coffee business. Now that you have the information from our tips above, you should be ready to write your coffee business plan down. 

Your investment in time and effort to write your business plan will certainly pay off – likely saving you money, time, and future headaches.

8. Your Coffee Truck Health Department Regulations.

California will have health code regulations you need to abide by. Knowing the requirements mandated by your local health department is something you need to determine long before you decide which coffee truck to buy and certainly before you build it out.

Our strong recommendation is that before you buy your new or used coffee truck, you should also review the regulations of your local health department in the jurisdiction you plan to do business in. Unfortunately, it's quite common to invest a lot of money in your setup only to have it unable to pass inspection.

9. Get Your Mobile Coffee Truck.

Getting your mobile coffee truck is the exciting part! Now that you have written your plan, develop your budget and consider your funding. Then, it's time to procure your coffee truck.

You have a few options to set up your coffee truck for your business. You can either refurbish or retrofit an existing truck, or you can buy a coffee truck or coffee trailer.

There are plenty of options to find used trucks on sites like Craigslist, where you can buy a used truck. There are also food truck manufacturers that can produce a coffee truck to your specifications. 

10. Get Barista Training.

Serving great coffee to your customers is a must. If you have not been a barista, it might be helpful to get barista training. Most likely, you will be the primary person serving coffee. That is until you hire someone. In this case, your responsibility for training your employees will be an essential part of your job.

Even if you have had experience as a barista, refreshing your barista skills will improve your overall coffee business. It will enhance customer experience, as well as eliminate waste. If you decide to hire baristas, one of your main jobs as a coffee shop business owner is to hire amazing baristas. They will ultimately be the face of your business and will either drive or hurt sales.

Open a Mobile Coffee Business in California

11. Your Coffee Truck Marketing Plan.      

Coffee can be a competitive business. You need to stand out. So, as you start your coffee truck business, you'll want to have a marketing plan to help generate buzz.

The basics of a marketing plan require you to develop a brand, logo, and position in your niche. You want to support your brand with a coffee business website, cards, and social media accounts. Face-to-face networking and community outreach are also important.

How to Start a Coffee Truck in California

Understand Your Requirements and Permits Needed

Before your mobile coffee business can serve any coffee in California, you must get a permit through your local or county agencies.

Depending on your location, this process could be more cumbersome in some locations than others.

For starters, I would recommend working with agencies in the locale you are planning to do business in – and not necessarily the city where you live (unless, of course, you are also planning to do business there).

If you plan on working in several cities or counties, you should decide where exactly you will be early on in the process of planning your coffee truck business. Once you determine where you operate your mobile coffee business, you'll need to determine all the requirements you'll need to satisfy before you are issued permits and licenses.

Establish Your Coffee Truck Business in California

You’ll want to set up your coffee truck or coffee trailer business as a legal entity in your state. This is usually done through the California Secretary of State's office.  While you will have several options, it's our observation that many coffee businesses appreciate the benefits of establishing an LLC.

Start a Coffee Truck in California

California State Business Links

Setup Your Business Structure in California
California Business Formation

Register Your Business in California
Register your California Business

California  Food Handler’s Card
California Food Handler's Card

Southern California Food Vendors Association
Southern California Food Vendors Club

Food Truck Association of California
FB California Food Truck Association

Further Reading: How to Open a Coffee Shop in California

Best Locations to Operate a Coffee Truck in California

California has a massive population and a strong coffee culture, making it one of the best states for mobile coffee businesses. Here are some prime locations to set up your coffee truck:

• Tech & Business Hubs – Cities like San Francisco (Silicon Valley), Los Angeles, and San Diego have thousands of professionals looking for a quick, high-quality coffee fix. Set up near co-working spaces and business districts.
• Tourist Attractions & Beaches – Santa Monica Pier, Golden Gate Park, Disneyland, Yosemite National Park, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Lake Tahoe are filled with visitors who appreciate unique, local coffee options.
• University Campuses – Schools like UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UC San Diego have large student and faculty populations who consume coffee daily.
• Farmers Markets & Food Festivals – California has some of the best farmers markets in the country, like the Santa Monica Farmers Market and Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco. Food festivals such as the 626 Night Market in Southern California are also great for exposure.
• Sporting Events & Entertainment Venues – SoFi Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Oracle Park, and Staples Center offer high-foot-traffic locations for coffee sales, especially before and after events.
• Commuter Hotspots – Many Californians rely on public transit, so placing a coffee truck near BART stations in the Bay Area or Metro stations in Los Angeles can be lucrative.
• Outdoor & Adventure Areas – Locations like Joshua Tree, Big Sur, and ski resorts in Mammoth attract adventurers looking for a warm or refreshing drink.

Because California cities have strict mobile vending laws, check local regulations and permits before setting up in any of these high-traffic areas.

Seasonal Considerations for Running a Coffee Truck in California

California’s climate varies greatly, from hot deserts and beaches to cool coastal and mountain regions. Here’s how to adjust your mobile coffee business throughout the year:

• Summer (June–August)

  • California summers can be hot, especially inland, so focus on iced coffee, cold brew, nitro coffee, and fruit-infused teas.
  • Set up near beaches, outdoor concerts, and national parks to target tourists and weekend crowds.
  • Offer vegan and dairy-free options, as California has a large health-conscious customer base.

• Fall (September–November)

  • Football season kicks off—setting up near NFL and college football stadiums can bring in huge crowds.
  • Introduce seasonal drinks like pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apple cold brews, and cinnamon mochas.
  • Consider festivals such as the Apple Harvest Festival in Julian or wine events in Napa Valley.

• Winter (December–February)

  • While coastal California has mild winters, Sierra Nevada and Northern California experience cold weather, making hot drinks like lattes, mochas, and spiced chai popular.
  • Target holiday markets, Christmas tree farms, and ski resorts for great seasonal sales.
  • Offer holiday specials like peppermint mochas or gingerbread lattes to boost interest.

• Spring (March–May)

  • Spring is one of the best times for outdoor festivals, including Coachella, Stagecoach, and farmers markets.
  • Offer light, floral flavors such as lavender lattes or honey rose cold brew to match springtime cravings.
  • Many California residents focus on health and fitness, so adding low-calorie, plant-based, and energy-boosting drinks can appeal to customers.

By tailoring your coffee truck’s menu, location, and strategy to California’s diverse seasons and markets, you can maximize profits while staying relevant year-round.

Other CSSU Articles:

Start A Coffee Truck in California

Steps to Start a Coffee Truck Business

1. First, Decide on a Coffee Truck Concept.
2. Next, assess your current financial resources.
3. Consider who your customers are.
4. Develop your budget around your coffee truck concept.
5. Consider which coffee trailer equipment you will need.
6. Consider your power needs.
7. Write your mobile coffee business plan.
8. Understand local health department regulations.
9. Get your mobile coffee truck.
10. Get barista training.
11. Develop your mobile marketing plan.

Mobile Coffee Business Coaching

Starting a coffee truck is a great option for many would-be coffee entrepreneurs. Yet, starting a coffee truck requires you to consider several important factors before spending significant money.

We offer you an affordable mobile coffee consulting service that can help get your coffee truck off the ground. To get a consultation, contact us at contact@coffeeshopstartups.com.

Buy The

Ultimate Coffee Trailer Business E-book

Delivered Instantly