If you own a food truck, you already know the hustle is real.
You’ve got the delicious food, the catchy branding, and maybe even a loyal fanbase.
But sometimes, finding the right places to park and serve can feel like dating.
It’s exciting at first, but it’s also full of ghosting and last-minute cancellations.
(Looking at you, “maybe we’ll need food trucks for our event.”)
One of the best ways to secure more events and steady income is by partnering with local businesses and venues.
Whether it’s breweries, wineries, or event spaces, these places are constantly looking for ways to attract customers and keep them entertained (and well-fed).
Let’s dive into how you can make these partnerships happen and keep your schedule packed.
1. Find Your Perfect Business Match
Just like in any great relationship, compatibility is key.
You don’t want to park your taco truck outside a dessert café.
Unless they’re into taco-inspired milkshakes, in which case, proceed!
Here are some of the best places to connect with:
- Breweries & Wineries – They have drinks, you have food. Enough said.
- Event Venues – Wedding receptions, corporate parties, and private gatherings always need great food options.
- Farmers’ Markets & Outdoor Festivals – Perfect for high-foot-traffic opportunities.
- Hotels & Resorts – They often need food truck catering for special events.
- Gyms & Fitness Studios – Sounds odd, but post-workout food cravings are real (hello, protein-packed street tacos!).
2. Make the First Move (Without Being Too Pushy)
Nobody likes a hard sell, but a little charm goes a long way.
Here’s how to get a conversation started:
- Social Media Engagement: Follow, like, and comment on their posts before sliding into their DMs.
- Cold Emails (That Don’t Feel Cold): Personalize it! Mention why your food truck would be a great fit for their audience.
- Drop By in Person: Show up, grab a drink, and introduce yourself. Nothing beats face-to-face networking.
- Network at Local Events: Find the decision-makers, shake some hands, and let them taste your food!
3. Offer a Win-Win Deal
A business partnership isn’t just about what you can gain—it’s about what you can give too.
Show them how your food truck adds value to their business.
For example:
- Breweries and wineries don’t have full kitchens—so you’re solving a problem for them.
- Event venues love a variety of food options for their clients without the headache of managing catering.
- Local businesses can advertise that they have exclusive food truck nights to draw in more customers.
You could even offer:
- A schedule of guaranteed availability (so they know they can rely on you regularly).
- Special promotions (such as drink and food pairings for a brewery night).
4. Lock It Down with Clear Terms
Once you’ve wooed a local business and they’re on board, don’t just wing it.
Lay out expectations, responsibilities, and payment terms.
Some things to clarify include:
- How often you’ll be there (one-time event vs. ongoing partnership).
- Who’s responsible for marketing the event.
- Payment terms (flat fee, percentage of sales, or rental fee for the spot).
- Permit and licensing requirements (some venues may need to file paperwork for food trucks).
5. Promote Like Your Business Depends on It (Because It Does)
Once you’ve got a partnership in place, make sure people know about it!
- Cross-Promotion on Social Media: Share posts about the event and tag the venue (and vice versa!).
- Create Eye-Catching Flyers & Graphics: Share on Instagram Stories, Facebook, and even print a few for local bulletin boards.
- Email Marketing: Let your customers know where they can find you next.
- Loyalty Incentives: Offer a discount or freebie to customers who show up at your partnered location.
6. Keep the Relationship Strong
Like any good partnership, this isn’t a one-and-done deal.
Keep checking in, being flexible, and finding new ways to add value.
- Send a thank-you note after events.
- Offer special deals or event exclusives.
- Be easy to work with—show up on time, keep things clean, and be friendly.
7. Streamline Scheduling with Hivey
Managing all these partnerships can get overwhelming, but that’s where Hivey comes in.
Hivey is a tool designed for event spaces, helping them organize food truck scheduling with ease.
While it’s not a marketplace for food trucks to find gigs just yet, you can use it to simplify your event planning.
To get started, find or ask for an event venue’s custom Hivey URL.
This gives you access to their event calendar so you can apply for open dates.
If you work with breweries or event spaces that aren’t on Hivey yet, share this link with them to help streamline scheduling.
Here’s to better organization and booking more gigs in 2025! 🚀
Final Thoughts
Partnering with local businesses and venues isn’t just a smart way to book more events.
It’s a way to become the go-to food truck in your area.
With a little strategy, some outreach, and a few well-placed tacos (or burgers, or BBQ…), you’ll have a steady stream of gigs in no time.
Now, get out there and make some lifelong partnerships! 🚚💨
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I find local businesses to partner with my food truck?
Look for breweries, wineries, event venues, farmers’ markets, hotels, and gyms that may benefit from having a food truck serve their customers.
2. What should I do to approach a business without being too pushy?
Engage with them on social media, send personalized cold emails, drop by in person, and network at local events to initiate conversations.
3. What kind of deal can I offer to make partnerships mutually beneficial?
Offer to solve their problems by providing food options, guaranteed availability, and special promotions for events.
4. How can I establish clear terms in a partnership?
Clarify expectations like frequency of service, marketing responsibilities, payment terms, and any necessary permits or licenses upfront.
5. What are effective ways to promote my partnerships?
Use cross-promotion on social media, create eye-catching flyers, leverage email marketing, and offer loyalty incentives to attract customers.
6. How can I maintain good relationships with my partners?
Keep communication open, check in regularly, send thank-you notes, and offer exclusives to strengthen partnerships.
7. What is Hivey and how can it help my food truck?
Hivey is a tool that helps event spaces streamline scheduling with food trucks, making it easier for you to manage your events.
8. How can I use events to increase my food truck’s visibility?
Participate in events where you can attract high foot traffic, and utilize promotions to engage customers effectively.
9. Should I have a backup plan if an event falls through?
Yes, always have alternative locations or events to consider if a booked event gets canceled.
10. Why is it important to keep refining my partnerships?
Continuously improving partnerships enhances your reputation as a reliable food truck and increases your chances of securing more events.
