If you are planning an event in Houston and considering a food truck, you are in good company. Food trucks are now among the most popular catering choices for weddings, corporate events, private parties, school functions, and festivals throughout Greater Houston. They offer diverse menus, appealing presentation, and food that often surpasses traditional catering. However, many first-time clients are surprised by the pricing structure when they receive quotes.
As someone who has worked in the Houston food truck industry for years, I have seen the same questions over and over: Why is there a minimum? Why does Saturday cost more than Tuesday? What exactly am I paying for? This in-depth 2025 guide will walk you through every factor that affects the final cost so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Almost every reputable food truck in Houston uses one of two primary pricing structures (or a combination of both). Understanding these models is the key to predicting your final invoice.
 

1. The Catering Minimum (Also Called the “Buyout” or “Guarantee”)
When you book a food truck privately, you reserve the entire truck, crew, and equipment for your exclusive use during a specific time window, usually 2 to 3 hours of active service. The truck is giving up public vending opportunities (street corners, breweries, office parks) that might have been more profitable or less labor-intensive. The catering minimum is the guaranteed revenue the operator requires to justify taking your booking.

Typical 2025 catering minimums in Houston:
- Monday through Thursday: $1000 to $1400
- Friday and Sunday: $1400 to $2000
- Saturday: $1600 to $2800 (prime wedding and event day)

High-demand trucks (especially those specializing in weddings or gourmet cuisine) frequently quote $2500 to $3500 on peak Saturday dates from March through June and September through November. (Best Houston Food Trucks for Catering, 2025)
 

2. Per-Person Pricing
After the service window begins, guests order individually. The truck tracks head count and charges a set price per guest. This price almost always includes one entrée and one or two sides. Drinks and dessert are typically extra unless explicitly included. 

Average per-person pricing in Houston (2025):
- Tacos, sliders, or basic grilled items: $12 to $19
- Burgers, barbecue, or pizza: $18 to $28
- Mediterranean, Asian fusion, or seafood: $22 to $35
- Gourmet or luxury (lobster rolls, wagyu, truffle items): $35 to $55+

The Golden Rule: You Pay Whichever is Higher

The final base food charge is calculated as the greater of the catering minimum OR the per-person total.
Example with a popular barbecue truck:
Catering minimum: $1800 (Saturday)
 

Per-person rate: $24
- - 60 guests × $24 = $1440 → You pay the $1800 minimum
90 guests × $24 = $2160 → You pay $2160 (minimum is now satisfied)

This structure protects the truck at low-turnout events while rewarding the client when attendance is strong.

Houston’s food truck scene is one of the most diverse in the country. Here are updated average costs based on quotes collected from more than 80 trucks operating inside the Beltway 8 and immediate suburbs in early 2025.
 

The base food cost is only part of the equation. Smart planners add 30 percent to 40 percent on top for taxes and fees. (Fee Structures for Event Planning Businesses, 2025)

1. Service Charge / Administrative Fee / Gratuity

Most trucks add an automatic 18 percent to 22 percent service charge. Some break it into “gratuity” (which goes directly to the crew) and “administrative fee” (which covers insurance, credit card processing, permits, etc.). This line item alone can add $400 to $800 to a typical wedding.

2. Texas Sales Tax – 8.25 percent
Food trucks must collect sales tax on prepared food. This is non-negotiable and applies to the entire subtotal (food + service charge).

3. Generator Fee (if no power is provided)
The large diesel units needed to power a food truck produce 68 to 74 decibels, which is noticeably loud, not a whisper, yet clients still pay 150 to 300 dollars for it.

4. Overtime Charges
The standard service window is 2 to 3 hours, from the first guest served to the last. Overtime cannot be billed in 30-minute increments at $250 to $400 per hour. That rate would mean $125 to $200 for only half an hour, yet food trucks rarely offer a discounted half-hour price. In reality, the $250 to $400 charge applies as a flat fee for each full hour (or any part of an hour), making the "30-minute increments" claim misleading or contradictory.

5. Payment Processing Fee (if paying by card)
Some trucks add 3 percent to 4 percent when clients pay by credit card instead of ACH or check.

6. Late-Night Fee
Events ending after 10 PM or starting after 8 PM often incur an additional $200 to $500 staffing charge.
 

Small Corporate Lunch – 65 employees (Wednesday)
Truck: Gourmet taco truck
Per-person: $17
Minimum: $1200
Food total: $1200 (minimum applies)
Service charge 20%: $240
Sales tax 8.25%: $99
Travel (inside Loop): $0
Total: ≈ $1639 or $25.22 per person all-in
 

Backyard Graduation Party – 110 guests (Saturday afternoon)
Truck: Burger & fries
Per-person: $23
Minimum: $1800
Food total: $2530 (per-person exceeds minimum)
Service 20. 20%: $506
Tax: $208
Travel to Katy: $125
Total: ≈ $3369 or $30.63 per person
 

Wedding Reception – 180 guests (Saturday evening)
Two trucks: Taco truck + gourmet slider truck
Taco per-person $18, minimum $2000
Slider per-person $28, minimum $2600
Food subtotal: $3240 taco + $5040 slider = $8280
Combined service 20%: $1656
Tax: $683
Travel (venue in Cypress): $175 each = $350
Generator fees: $500
Total for food trucks: ≈ $11,469
Per-person all-in: ≈ $63.72

1. Be flexible with your date. Switching from Saturday to Friday or Sunday can save $500 to $ 1,500 instantly.
 

2. Consider Thursday evenings. Many companies now host “Thirsty Thursday” events, and pricing is still weekday level.
 

3. Book during the slower months (January, February, July, August) when trucks are hungry for business.
 

4. Offer to pay by ACH or check to avoid credit-card surcharges.
 

5. Provide 220V power, and you eliminate generator fees.
 

6. Use one truck with a broad menu instead of two specialized trucks when possible.
 

7. Ask about “drop-off” or “limited service” packages for smaller budgets. Some trucks will pre-make trays and deliver buffet-style for 30 percent to 40 percent less than full service.
 

8. Lock in 2025 dates now. Most popular trucks are already 60 percent booked for spring and fall 2026.

Hiring a food truck in Houston typically costs between $25 and $70 per person all-in, depending on day of week, guest count, cuisine, and location. The average wedding with 150 guests now spends $8000 to $12,000 on food truck catering when everything is included, which is still competitive with traditional venues charging $90 to $150 per plate plus service fees. The most important step is to request itemized quotes from at least three trucks and compare apples to apples. Ask specifically: “What is included in your minimum? What fees are added on top?” Reputable operators are transparent and happy to walk you through the math. A great food truck does more than feed your guests; it becomes part of the entertainment and the memory. When you understand the real costs up front, you can make informed decisions and throw an unforgettable Houston event without breaking the bank.