Planning thoughtfully, protecting your business with food truck insurance, and obtaining necessary licenses and permits are all part of starting a food truck in Georgia.
As of 2022, food trucks can operate across all counties in Georgia. If you’re breaking into the food truck scene in The Peach State, follow our guide to set yourself up for success and take your culinary aspirations on the road!
Learn Georgia Food Truck Requirements
There are several initial tasks you need to complete before applying for mandatory licenses and permits:
- Decide on a business name: This should be simple and easy for customers to remember while accurately reflecting the type of food you serve.
- Get your employer identification number (EIN): The IRS issues EINs you can apply for online. An EIN is necessary to open a bank account, file taxes, and hire staff.
- Choose your business entity: Consider speaking with a legal or tax professional for help during this step, as each type of entity has its own regulations regarding management and filing taxes. It’s common for food trucks to operate as sole proprietors or limited liability companies (LLCs).
- Create your food truck business plan: This is the foundation for your business, from your mission statement to your financial goals and marketing strategy.
- Get your Certificate of Insurance (COI): When you buy a business insurance policy, you will receive a COI proving your business is covered from certain liability claims.
Note: Many venues and event organizers require proof of insurance (aka your COI) before they approve your vendor application. The same is true for commercial kitchen landlords. Plus, insurance is a must-have to protect your finances against common claims that could cost you thousands out of pocket.
Obtain Georgia Food Truck Licenses and Permits
You need to acquire several types of licenses and permits to legally operate a food truck in Georgia.
While many licenses are required statewide, certain cities and counties require specific permits that others don’t. Check with your local government to ensure you have all the necessary documentation to run your business.
Business License
- Authorizes you to operate your business in a specific county or city
- Cost: $75–$400
- Where to get it: Your county and/or city via the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Directory
Sales Tax ID
- Allows you to collect and remit sales tax on any goods you sell
- Cost: $0
- Where to get it: Georgia Tax Center
Mobile Food Service Permit
- Issued by your local health department after you meet specific requirements and submit your menu, a diagram of your base of operations/commissary and your truck, and pictures of the inside and outside of your truck
- Cost: $150–$400 per year
- Where to get it: Your county’s health department via the Georgia Department of Public Health
Food Handler’s Permit
- Certifies that your employee(s) completed a state-approved course and passed an exam on best practices for handling, preparing, and storing food
- Cost: $10 per employee
- Where to get it: Learn2Serve
Food Manager Certification
- Meets the state requirement that all food service establishments must have a certified food safety manager on staff at all times
- Cost: $65–$121
- Where to get it: Learn2Serve
Understand Georgia Food Truck Laws
Food trucks in Georgia are required to adhere to a number of laws and regulations designed to ensure they operate safely and don’t pose a threat to public health.
If you violate these laws, you may have your licenses or permits revoked, pay a fine, or be required to suspend or close your business. It’s critical to know both state and local laws to avoid facing these penalties.
A few noteworthy food truck laws in Georgia include:
- Commissary requirement: All food trucks in Georgia are required to have a commissary kitchen or a base of operations separate from your vehicle. You may prepare food here or in your truck, but you must return to your base of operations daily.
- Wastewater disposal: All wastewater from your food truck must be disposed of at your base of operations or commissary.
- Food storage: All food used in your operation must be stored at your base of operations or commissary.
- Parking and storage of vehicle: When not in use, your food truck must be parked at your base of operations or in a different location approved by your local health department.
- Restroom mandate: Wherever you park your food truck to sell food, there must be a functioning restroom within 200 feet of your vehicle. You also must obtain a written agreement from the property owner allowing you and your employees to use it.
Get Georgia Food Truck Insurance
Georgia food business insurance is a critical part of protecting your operations from the cost of common claims. You may be required to carry this coverage by your city or county, and many festival organizers and venue managers expect it.
Regardless of whether your city mandates it, the U.S. Small Business Administration strongly recommends that all businesses carry liability insurance. You may be held responsible for the cost of any bodily injuries or property damage you cause while operating your food truck.
For example, if a customer trips over the cord connecting your generator to your truck and injures themselves, or your truck leaks oil on the pavement of a venue, you can be financially liable. Insurance shields you from paying these costs out of pocket, protecting your bottom line.
Know the Cost of Starting a Food Truck in Georgia
Insurance costs and licensing fees are important expenses to factor into your budget, but they aren’t the only ones. Other expenditures to consider include:
- Food truck
- New: $75,000–$200,000
- Used: $30,000–$100,000
- Cooking equipment
- Grill/griddle: $1,500–$5,000
- Deep fryer: $1,000–$4,000
- Oven: $2,000–$8,000
- Refrigeration
- Refrigerator/freezer: $2,000–$6,000
- Prep table: $1,500–$4,500
- Safety and sanitation
- Commercial sink: $500–$3,000
- Handwashing sink: $300–$1,500
- Fire suppression system: $3,000–$7,000
- Technology
- Point of Sale (POS) system: $800–$2,500
- Inventory software: $50–$200/month
Find Food Truck Festivals in Georgia
Georgia has no shortage of food festivals where you can park your food truck and serve hundreds of hungry customers. Once you have the permits, licenses, and insurance coverage you need, the world’s your oyster.
Join Facebook groups like Georgia Food Trucks to stay in the know on upcoming events you may want to participate in. Always apply early to give yourself plenty of time to prepare!
Some of the most popular Georgia food truck festivals are:
- Georgia Picnic & Food Truck Festival
- Eastern Wharf Food Truck Festival
- Alpharetta Food Truck Alley
- Taste of RnB Food Truck Festival
Before you send in any applications, learn how to increase your odds of getting your food truck into festivals!
FAQs About Food Truck Regulations in Georgia
Do I Need a Health Department Inspection for My Food Truck in Georgia?
Yes, all food trucks are subject to inspections at the discretion of your local health department.
While you aren’t required to pass an inspection to get your mobile food service permit, your health authority may conduct regular and unannounced inspections. Stay prepared with this handy health inspection checklist!
Are There Specific Zoning Regulations for Food Trucks in Georgia?
Yes, food trucks must adhere to zoning regulations in Georgia. These can differ from one city to the next, so check with the local government in any area you operate your food truck.
For example, in Savannah, food trucks cannot park closer than 200 feet from a licensed restaurant or other eating establishment.
What Are the Fire Safety Requirements for Food Trucks in Georgia?
Specific fire safety requirements may vary across cities and counties, but you may be required to have any of the following:
- Fire suppression systems
- Regular fire inspections
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire drills for you and your staff
- Functioning exhaust systems
- Immediate access to fire lanes or hydrants while parked and serving food
Alex Hastings
Seattle-based copywriter and (WA) licensed insurance agent Alex Hastings leverages her experience as a lover of fast-casual food, baked goods, and iced oat milk lattes. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Before working at Veracity, she was a retail copywriter at Zulily and an English language teacher in South Korea. Alex is fully trained on FLIP insurance coverages and writes content that connects food and beverage business owners with the policies they need.
Seattle-based copywriter and (WA) licensed insurance agent Alex Hastings leverages her experience as a lover of fast-casual food, baked goods, and iced oat milk lattes. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Before working at Veracity, she was a retail copywriter at Zulily and an English language teacher in South Korea. Alex is fully trained on FLIP insurance coverages and writes content that connects food and beverage business owners with the policies they need.
Kyle Jude
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for food and beverage business professionals who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for food and beverage business professionals who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
