Mobile Food Services NAICS 722330

Feb 14, 2026 - Rough Road Ahead for Food Trucks

• Limited‑service restaurants, including food trucks, face a difficult 2026 as rising food costs, volatile trade policies, and weakening consumer spending squeeze margins, Restaurant Dive reports citing research and strategy firm BTIG’s forecast for 2026. With beef prices expected to climb and tariffs disrupting supply chains, operators will have little room to raise menu prices without losing traffic. To remain competitive, restaurants will need aggressive cost‑control strategies, menu innovation around affordable proteins like chicken, and customizable sauces or limited time offers that signal value without deep discounting. Health‑focused and high‑protein items will remain important as GLP‑1 users and wellness‑minded diners reshape demand. Value expectations are intensifying, with consumers comparing the price of eating out to grocers, c‑stores, and even casual dining. Labor retention will also be critical as immigration crackdowns tighten staffing.
• Rising minimum wages in 19 states starting this month will provide a pay hike to an estimated 8.3 million workers, The Wall Street Journal reports. The increases will significantly raise labor costs for restaurants, including food trucks where wages make up a large share of operating expenses. Washington’s new $17.13 rate and local increases such as Los Angeles’ upcoming $30 wage for hotel and airport workers illustrate how quickly labor floors are rising in major dining markets. These increases will pressure eateries to adjust menus, raise prices, reduce hours, or adopt more automation to offset higher payroll costs. Economists note that restaurants often have limited ability to absorb wage hikes, which can slow hiring. With more states moving toward $15-plus minimums and consumers still sensitive to price increases, restaurants face a challenging balancing act between maintaining margins and retaining staff in a tightening labor environment.

• As rising licensing and event fees become a major financial burden, Illinois food truck operators are rallying behind HB 1052 (aka the Food Truck Freedom Act), WTVO reported in January. Under current rules, trucks must obtain separate permits for every city and county they operate in (often paying both) at $100 to $350 per jurisdiction. For many owners, this adds up to thousands annually; some report spending around $5,000 a year just on permits, before event fees. The proposed bill would replace this patchwork system with a single statewide license and annual inspection, lowering operating costs and making it easier for trucks to participate in larger events and expand their service areas. Wisconsin, Florida, and Texas already use statewide systems, prompting some operators to shift business across state lines to save money. If passed, the bill could improve profitability, reduce administrative barriers, and support growth across the food truck industry.
• Employment by catering and mobile food services grew 8.7% in November compared to a year ago, while the average industry wage rose 5.4% over the same period to a new high of $24.72 per hour, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Both employment and average wages were at or near all-time highs in November, with restaurants continuing to add workers despite a cooling US job market. Still, the restaurant industry, food trucks included, continues to struggle with an industry-wide labor shortage. According to the BLS, the accommodation and food services sector is expected to add 553,600 jobs between 2024-2034.