What Equipment Do Food Trucks Need to Finance?
A food truck's commercial kitchen is compact but capital-intensive. Unlike a fixed venue, every piece of equipment needs to be mobile, durable and certified for commercial use. The key items operators typically need to finance include:
- Generator - the power source for everything. A reliable commercial generator is non-negotiable.
- Commercial fryers - single or double basket, countertop or freestanding
- Commercial flat top grill or griddle
- Commercial refrigeration - under-bench fridges, chest freezers, cool boxes
- Commercial coffee machine - for trucks serving espresso-based drinks
- Commercial bain-marie or food warmers
- Ventilation and exhaust hood system
- Point-of-sale (POS) system and EFTPOS terminal
- Food prep equipment - slicers, mixers, processors
- Water storage and filtration systems
- LPG equipment and gas fittings
How Much Does Food Truck Equipment Cost in Australia?
| Equipment | Typical cost range |
|---|---|
| Commercial generator (petrol, portable) | ,000 to ,000 |
| Commercial generator (diesel/inverter, heavy duty) | ,000 to 5,000 |
| Commercial deep fryer | 00 to ,000 |
| Commercial flat top grill | ,500 to ,000 |
| Commercial under-bench fridge | ,500 to ,000 |
| Commercial chest freezer | 00 to ,500 |
| Commercial coffee machine | ,000 to 5,000 |
| Exhaust hood and ventilation system | ,000 to ,000 |
| POS system and EFTPOS terminal | ,500 to ,000 |
| Full kitchen fitout (new truck) | 5,000 to 0,000 |
Finance Options for Food Truck Equipment
Business Loan (most flexible option)
An unsecured business loan is the fastest and most flexible way to fund food truck equipment. No restriction on supplier, new or used equipment, or what the funds are spent on. Borrow up to 50,000 without property, repay weekly over 1 to 3 years, approved in 24 hours.
Equipment Finance / Chattel Mortgage
For larger, single-asset purchases - particularly a commercial generator or refrigeration system - a chattel mortgage may offer a lower rate because the lender takes security over the asset itself. Generally better suited to new equipment sourced from a dealer. Takes slightly longer to arrange than a business loan.
Business Overdraft (for emergency replacements)
If a generator or fryer fails the night before a major event, a business overdraft lets you act immediately. Having a facility established before you need it means equipment failures don't have to cost you revenue.
Equipment finance at a glance
Eligibility Requirements
- ABN active for at least 6 months
- Monthly revenue of ,000 or more
- Equifax credit score of 550 or above
- Australian citizen or permanent resident (owner/director)
- 6 months of business bank statements
Certifications and Compliance Costs Worth Financing
Beyond the physical equipment, food truck operators face a range of compliance costs that are often overlooked in startup budgeting:
- LPG compliance certificate and gas fitting inspection
- Electrical compliance certificate for the fitout
- Food safety supervisor certification
- Council trading permits (vary significantly by council and state)
- Commercial vehicle registration and roadworthy
- Public liability insurance and food product liability insurance
A business loan can cover all of these alongside the physical equipment purchase, giving you one streamlined finance arrangement rather than multiple funding sources.
Finance Your Food Truck Equipment Today
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Check eligibility nowFrequently Asked Questions
Can I finance a used generator for my food truck?
Through a business loan, yes - there are no restrictions on whether the equipment is new or used. Chattel mortgage products may require new or dealer-sourced assets.
Do I need to show a supplier quote to get approved?
For a general business loan, no. Funds are paid directly to your business account. For a chattel mortgage, lenders typically require a supplier invoice or quote for the specific asset.
Can I include compliance costs in my equipment finance?
Yes, through a business loan. Unlike asset-specific finance products, a business loan can be used for any legitimate business purpose including permits, certifications and insurance alongside the physical equipment.