10 Most Profitable Food Cart Items

If you’re looking for a business with low startup costs, minimal labor requirements and high location flexibility, starting a food cart is perfect. While many factors will contribute to your success, a revenue-generating menu is essential: that’s why we’ve put together a guide to the 10 most profitable food cart items so you can make your venture as lucrative as possible.

Hot Dogs

New York City has over 4,000 hot dog carts and stands for a reason: low costs, quick cooking and high demand make hot dogs one of the most profitable food cart items. If you want to stand out from competitors, specialize in regional variations: poppy seed buns, onions and relish in Chicago, chili sauce with onions and mustard in Detroit or perhaps bacon-wrapped Sonoran-style with pinto beans in the southwest.

Halal

According to a FinModelLab.com article, the US halal food industry is expected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2025. Halal food carts, which offer items prepared in compliance with Islamic law, are now part of the food scene in cities like New York and Houston. If you’re an entrepreneur, developing a menu centered on items like falafel and kebab with rice and salad would likely be very profitable.

Greek

Known for its lean meats, fresh vegetables and flavorful herbs, Greek food is some of the most profitable for food carts. In addition to the healthy Mediterranean ingredients, many items are portable: from pita-wrapped gyros and skewered souvlaki to individually-portioned tiropita and handheld koulouri, many Greek menu items are good for customers who are on the go.

Grilled Cheese

Made with just a few ingredients and cooked in only a couple of minutes, grilled cheese is sure to be a great money-maker for a food cart vendor. In order to maximize profits by selling complementary items, consider offering a soup and sandwich pairing: a sandwich with cheddar and tomato soup or a version with Swiss alongside French onion would be very well-received. 

Roasted Nuts

Common on concession stand menus, roasted nuts are perfect for food carts as well. Although plain toasted nuts are tasty, honey roasted or candied versions are irresistibly delicious. Warm nuts are a satisfying snack, especially in cold weather, so be sure to put your cart or stand outside busy department stores or packed city parks around the holidays.

Pretzels

Pretzels are a common street food for many reasons. Easy to eat and minimally crumbly, they’re perfect for those who want a quick snack without getting their hands or clothes dirty. That’s why it should be no surprise that mobile food vendor consultant Jason Brown knows an owner of a soft pretzel cart business who profits over $1,000 per week in a busy bar and nightclub area.

Street Corn

If you’re looking to get away from traditional food cart items like popcorn or pretzels, try Mexican street corn. Known as elote, its salty, tangy and cheesy flavor profile addicts the taste buds, creating customer demand that generates serious profits. Since a corn cob slathered in mayo and sour cream can be messy, you can offer esquites, a more convenient cup version.

Refreshing Drinks

From cold water in the summer to hot chocolate in the winter, drinks of all kinds are some of the most profitable food cart items. In addition to the significant markup on beverages themselves, most customers will buy a drink along with a food item, increasing revenue and thus profits. Be sure to offer complementary items, such as water and pretzels or coffee and donuts, in order to maximize your money-making potential.

Churros

Churro business profit margins range from 30% to 50%, making the long, thin pastries an excellent choice for a food cart vendor. Considering the importance of offering complementary pairings of food and drink items, selling crispy golden churros and rich hot chocolate on a cold day would definitely be a lucrative combination.

Fruit Cups

For customers who want a healthy yet tasty dessert, there’s almost nothing better than vasos de fruta, Mexican-style fruit salad with chile-lime seasoning or hot sauce. Even if chopping and portioning the fruit cups takes more labor than other snacks, fruit cups can be very profitable for food cart vendors on hot days when people are craving something light and refreshing.