How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck in Montana?

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Starting a Food Truck in Montana typically costs between $47,700 and $212,000, with a median estimate of $127,200. Montana’s cost of living runs 6% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Montana costs $70 to file. Most food truck businesses take 1-3 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Food Truck startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck in Montana?

Low

$47,700

Medium

$127,200

High

$212,000

National average: $45,000 – $200,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Food Truck in Montana

Budget:

Food Truck Vehicle

$63,600

Kitchen Equipment & Build-Out

$26,500

Licenses & Permits

$3,180

Commissary Kitchen Fees/mo

$742

Initial Food Inventory & Supplies

$5,300

Insurance

$5,300

POS System & Payment Processing

$1,590

Branding & Wrap

$4,240

Marketing & Website

$2,120

Working Capital Reserve

$15,900

Options

Include 3 months working capital (+$2,226)

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$127,730

Monthly Costs

$742

First Year Total

$136,634

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Food Truck Vehicle	$21,200	$63,600	$159,000	New custom-built trucks cost $75,000-$150,000. Used trucks in good condition run $20,000-$60,000.
Kitchen Equipment & Build-Out	$10,600	$26,500	$53,000	Often included in a custom truck build. Upgrading a bare truck adds $15,000-$40,000.
Licenses & Permits	$530	$3,180	$8,480	Require a licensed commissary kitchen in most states. Permits vary widely by city.
Commissary Kitchen Fees (monthly)	$318	$742	$1,590	Most cities require food trucks to operate from an approved commissary. Budget $300-$1,500/month.
Initial Food Inventory & Supplies	$2,120	$5,300	$12,720	Start conservative and scale up based on sales volume. Don't over-invest in perishables.
Insurance	$2,120	$5,300	$12,720	Food trucks need commercial auto AND general liability policies. Budget $150-$400/month.
POS System & Payment Processing	$530	$1,590	$3,180	Square and Toast are popular food truck options. Transaction fees typically 2.6% + $0.10.
Branding & Wrap	$1,590	$4,240	$10,600	A professional vinyl wrap runs $2,000-$5,000 and is your most visible marketing asset.
Working Capital Reserve	$5,300	$15,900	$31,800	Include fuel, commissary fees, restocking, and unexpected repairs in your reserve.
Marketing & Website (optional)	$530	$2,120	$5,300	Instagram and Facebook are essential for food trucks. Post your daily location every day.
Total Startup Cost	$43,990	$125,610	$291,500	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Montana

General Business License

Montana does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Montana Secretary of State and register with the Montana Department of Revenue for withholding taxes. Montana has no sales tax, which simplifies business registration. Some Montana cities and counties require local business licenses. The state's outdoor economy and tourism industry influence many licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food and Drug Establishment License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Food and Consumer Safety
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor Registration — Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Employment Relations Division
Cost: $70-$250 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Montana Board of Realty Regulation
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Outfitter License — Montana Board of Outfitters
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Child Care Licensing
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Beer or Liquor License — Montana Department of Revenue — Liquor Control Division
Cost: $400-$10,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Dealer License — Montana Department of Agriculture
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Montana face minimal regulation in rural and unincorporated areas, which make up most of the state's land area. Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls regulate home occupations through local zoning ordinances with standard restrictions on signage and customer traffic. Montana's cottage food law supports home-based food production. Remote home-based businesses are common in Montana's scattered rural communities.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Food Truck:

Low

$5,000/mo

Medium

$12,000/mo

High

$25,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$60,000 – $400,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

6-12%

Break-Even Timeline

6-18 months

How Montana Compares to Neighboring States

Montana is a higher-cost state for starting a Food Truck, with a cost-of-living index of 105.6 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring North Dakota ($118,800 median startup cost), Montana has higher costs for a Food Truck.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Montana (current)	$127,200	$70
North Dakota	$118,800	$135
South Dakota	$116,400	$150
Wyoming	$120,000	$100
Idaho	$123,600	$100

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Buying a used truck without a thorough inspection — hidden mechanical issues can cost $10,000-$30,000 to fix
2
Underestimating permit complexity — some cities have multi-year waiting lists for food truck permits
3
Skipping the commissary agreement until after buying the truck — not all areas have available commissary space
4
Launching with too broad a menu — focus on 5-8 items you can execute perfectly
5
Not tracking location performance data — know which spots generate sales and which are wastes of time

Next Steps to Launch Your Food Truck

1
Register your Food Truck as an LLC with the Montana Secretary of State ($70 filing fee)
2
Obtain a food handler's permit and mobile food vendor license from the Montana Department of Health
3
Secure a commissary kitchen agreement with an approved commercial kitchen in your operating area
4
Pass the Montana fire department and health department mobile unit inspections before your first service day
5
Get commercial auto insurance and general liability coverage for food truck operations ($2,000–$5,000/year)
6
Apply for vending permits for your target locations — farmers markets, business districts, and event venues
7
Set up your POS system (Square or Toast), online ordering profile, and social media accounts before launch
8
Order initial food inventory conservatively — start with your top 5–8 menu items and expand based on demand

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a food truck costs $30,000 to $180,000, with most operators spending around $80,000. A used truck with basic equipment can launch for $30,000-$50,000, while a brand-new custom-built truck fully equipped runs $100,000-$180,000.

Yes, but it's tight. For $20,000-$30,000 you can buy a used truck in fair condition, cover your permits and initial inventory, and launch a simple menu. Expect to operate with minimal working capital buffer, which adds risk.

Most cities require food trucks to operate from a licensed commissary kitchen for food prep, waste disposal, and truck storage. Commissary fees typically run $300-$1,500/month depending on your city.

Food trucks gross $60,000-$400,000 annually depending on location, menu prices, and operating days. Trucks at busy lunch spots in major cities can do $1,000-$3,000 per day. Net profit after all costs averages 6-12%.

You typically need a business license ($50-$200), food handler's permit for all employees ($15-$100 each), mobile food facility permit ($200-$1,000), commissary agreement, commercial auto insurance, and city-specific vending permits that vary by location.

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Start a Food Truck in Other States

See the national overview for Food Truck or browse all businesses you can start in Montana.