Interested in starting a food truck in Rhode Island? Once you decide on your menu, you need to set up your business structure, acquire necessary permits and licenses, and protect your business with food truck insurance.
To make planning and set up a little easier, we’re here to help with our comprehensive guide to running your food truck in Rhode Island. From Woonsocket to Westerly, launch your business with confidence!
Learn the Food Truck Business Requirements
To obtain the licenses and permits Rhode Island requires for food trucks, have the following established first:
- Employer identification number (EIN): The IRS allows you to apply online for your EIN, a business ID they use for tax purposes.
- Business classification: There are many classifications for businesses in the U.S., but sole proprietorship and limited liability company (LLC) are the most common for food trucks.
- Business name: Your business needs a memorable name that makes it easy for customers to tell what kind of food you sell.
- Business plan: Think of your business plan as your road map for success. Keep in mind, you may need a business plan to register with various agencies or acquire a loan.
- Certificate of Insurance (COI): You may be asked to provide your COI to festival or venue managers, commercial kitchen owners, and other organizations you work with. It proves you have sufficient liability coverage.
Obtain Licenses for Rhode Island Food Trucks
Once you have the basics set up for your business, you need several licenses and permits to operate your food truck legally in Rhode Island. Bear in mind, it can take several months to a year to obtain all the licenses you need, so plan ahead and start early.
Mobile Food Establishment (MFE) Registration
- Permits you to operate a food truck in Rhode Island and allows you to apply for or renew municipal permits
- Cost: $50
- Where to get it: Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Mobile Food Service License
- Necessary for serving food from an MFE in Rhode Island
- Cost: Typically $100/year
- Where to get it: Rhode Island Department of Health
Mobile Food Establishment Fire Inspection Certificate
- Required if your food truck is equipped with certain features, including a gas, diesel, or electric generator
- Cost: Typically between $50–$100
- Where to get it: Office of the State Fire Marshal
Retail Sales Permit
- Also known as a sales tax permit or seller’s permit, this allows you to collect and remit sales tax
- Cost: $10
- Where to get it: Rhode Island Division of Taxation
Business License
- If your business is a corporation, partnership, limited liability partnership, non-profit corporation, or liability company, you need a business license
- Cost: $150
- Where to get it: Rhode Island Secretary of State
Trade Name Certificate
- If your business is a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you need this certificate for your Doing Business As (DBA)
- Cost: Varies by location, but typically around $10
- Where to get it: Your municipal government
Public Health Permit
- Necessary to avoid getting shut down by your local health department for not complying with Rhode Island’s health code
- Cost: Between $100–$1,000
- Where to get it: Your local public health department
Food Handler’s Permit
- Demonstrates your employees know proper food safety and handling procedures and have passed a qualifying exam
- Cost: $10 per employee
- Where to get it: Learn2Serve
Motor Vehicle Registration
- Your food truck must be registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Cost: Depends on vehicle weight and date of registration, plus annual fees
- Where to get it: Division of Motor Vehicles
Driver’s License
- Necessary for anyone who will drive your food truck
- Cost: $11.50 for the application, $26.50 for the license
- Where to get it: Division of Motor Vehicles
Learn Rhode Island Food Truck Laws
Food trucks in Rhode Island are subject to several statutes and regulations to ensure public safety. A few requirements to be aware of include:
- Municipal differences: Each city in Rhode Island has its own rules and regulations for food trucks, including registering the food truck in each city you plan to operate in
- Foodborne illness protocol: If you are aware your food truck is a source of foodborne illness, you must immediately cease operations and notify the Rhode Island Department of Health
- Health inspection requirement: All food trucks in Rhode Island are required to undergo regular health inspections for public safety
- Food safety managers: If you cook or store cooked food in your food truck, you must have one person working at all times who carries a food safety manager certification. Businesses with 10 or more employees are required to have two food safety managers.
Explore the Costs of Starting a Food Truck in Rhode Island
The permit, license, and insurance costs required to run a food truck are just some of the expenses to factor into your startup costs. Here are a few other standard operating costs to be aware of:
- Food truck
- New: $100,000–$200,000
- Used: $35,000–$100,000
- Cooking equipment
- Grill/griddle: $500–$2,000+
- Deep fryer: $300–$5,000, depending on size
- Oven: $500–$3,000, depending on the type
- Refrigeration
- Refrigerator/freezer: $1,000–$7,000, depending on size and brand
- Prep table: $1,500–$6,000, depending on size and brand
- Safety and Sanitation
- Commercial sink: $500–$1,500
- Handwashing sink: $200–$1,000
- Fire suppression system: $2,000–$5,000
- Technology
- Point of Sale (POS) system: $500–$2,000
- Inventory software: $30–$200/month
Pro Tip: To account for these expenses and ensure you make a profit, develop a strong food pricing strategy. Be sure to include the cost of ingredients, which can vary depending on the market and global shortages that affect availability.
Discover Food Truck Festivals in Rhode Island
Food festivals are a major opportunity for food trucks to reach new customers and rake in profits. Make sure you follow the city’s regulations for each festival and follow these tips to get your food truck into events!
To find popular food truck events in your area, join the PVD Food Truck Events Facebook group. This Rhode Island-based event organizer hosts multiple festivals across the state.
FAQs About Food Trucks in Rhode Island
Is a Food Truck a Good Business to Start in Rhode Island?
Starting a food truck in Rhode Island can be a profitable way to run a food business without limiting yourself to a brick-and-mortar location like a traditional restaurant. On average, Rhode Island food truck workers earn around $34,062 annually.
How Do I Make a Food Truck Business Plan?
A solid food truck business plan should include the following:
- Your business’ mission statement
- A market analysis showing how your business compares with competitors and who your target customers are
- Your marketing strategy
- Details regarding how you’re funding your business
Check out our guide to starting a mobile food business and get a free business plan template today!
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.
