25 Fun Street Food Business Ideas For 2024
Are you thinking of opening your first street food business?
You’ll first need to decide on what type of street food you specialize in.
You can start many different street food business ideas in 2024. We put together 25 fun business ideas to give you a headstart.
Here they are:
1. Start a dessert boxes store
Gifting is a culture that cements how we relate to those close to us. Consumer goods stores have innovated various gifting methods and dessert boxes happen to be one of them.
If you love baking and you have a passion for entrepreneurship, starting a dessert boxes store can be a highly rewarding venture.
Here are some ideas for your inspiration.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Dick At Your Door is an e-commerce shop that grew almost 10x within the last eight months by selling anonymous pranks such as 5 oz chocolate penises, and its founder shares his journey that started as a joke to becoming a professional chocolatier.
2. Start an ice cream truck business
Do you have childhood memories of a neighborhood ice cream truck that reminded you anytime is a good time for ice cream?
An ice cream truck is one of the truck business ideas with great potential. So long as you choose high-traffic streets and a business strategy, an ice cream truck business could be profitable.
Starting an ice cream truck makes you your boss and helps you reach your financial goals. To start the ice cream business, research the nearby ice cream businesses and identify some potential gaps, prepare a business plan, customize your ice cream truck and launch your business.
3. Start a cupcakes shop
Opening a cupcake shop allows you to share your baking talents and decorate delectable bite-sized treats that will have customers coming back for more.
To start, source a small retail space with room for baking and decorating cupcakes onsite to entice passersby and develop mouthwatering recipes and frosting flavors that set you apart.
Then, market your shop on social media and offer specials to build local awareness, undercut competitors' prices initially to attract customers, and ensure top-notch customer service and consistency to convert them into regulars.
Consider diversifying into customized cupcakes for birthdays, weddings, and other events to boost revenue, and explore expanding your hours, delivery options, or online ordering to increase accessibility and sales.
If your cupcake shop offers high-quality products, excellent service, and attractive presentation, it can attract a large number of customers who are eager to sample its latest baked goods and consider it to be the best cupcake shop in town.
How much you can make: $4,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $285 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
From pastry chef to owner of a successful bakery, learn how Bradford Bakery achieved a 550% increase in SEO in just a few months through community outreach, building a website, and utilizing social media and advertising on platforms like Facebook and Groupon.
4. Start a smoothie business
Smoothie is a blend of whole fruits containing bananas, yogurt, honey, ice cream, and other ingredients.
Smoothie businesses attract health-conscious consumers, and their mass appeal has grown tremendously.
In the US alone, smoothie bars are a 3-billion-dollar industry. Therefore, starting your smoothie business can be a great idea from an entrepreneur’s standpoint. To start your smoothie bar, consider an ideal location, and ensure a proper shop format. The alternative smoothie shop formats include:
- Dine in Plenty of seating space: customers order and pay at the counter.
- Window only: Serves takeaway smoothies with customers ordering and paying at the counter
- Food truck: Mobile smoothie shop allowing you to connect with a more extensive customer
The rising popularity of healthy juices and the low startup cost makes the smoothie industry an appealing frozen food business idea.
How much you can make: $30,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Simple Green Smoothies boasts a free 7-day smoothie challenge that has helped over 2 million people take control of their health and generates revenue with programs ranging from a 21-day cleanse to a plant-based meal planner, bringing in as much as $30k a month and also working to help women farmers in Cambodia build mushroom farms through World Hope International.
5. Start a coffee shop
Starting a coffee shop is an exciting and rewarding venture. It's a business that can be started with relatively little capital, and there are many ways to make it profitable. Coffee shops feature a low-cost stock but are profitable businesses.
If you plan to open a coffee shop, you may purchase a franchise, buy an existing business, or start from scratch. Whichever the decision, ensure a strategic location and renovate the space to create an inviting atmosphere. Develop a fantastic offering and begin marketing the business even before you open.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
New Zealand-based Fernweh is a subscription service that offers subscribers a new coffee roaster featured in the country each month, delivering coffee, tasting notes, and a story about the producer in a unique package for around $40 a month.
6. Start a sushi stand business
Thinking of combining culinary flair with a business venture? A sushi stand business could be your next opportunity.
A sushi stand offers freshly made sushi to customers, utilizing minimal space while promising high customer turnover. This business model is particularly appealing as it merges the art of sushi-making with the vibrant street food culture. Imagine setting up in bustling city spots or local markets, drawing in people with the allure of fresh, quality sushi at reasonable prices.
Investing in a sushi stand means focusing on sourcing fresh ingredients, mastering sushi preparation, and snagging the perfect location. It's a venture that demands dedication and a passion for delivering excellent food. If you love the artistry of sushi and interacting with people, this business can be both rewarding and profitable. Consider diving into this niche market and serving up rolls that people will keep coming back for.
How much you can make: $1,800,000/month
This case study is about the founder of a 9-location sushi restaurant group, generating annual sales of $20 million, who started his business by focusing on building superfans through superior customer service and expertly prepared cuisine.
7. Start a shaved ice business
Shaved ice is a popular item for children and parents alike. It can be found at most street fairs, carnivals, amusement parks, and sporting events.
The shaved ice business can be very profitable because it has no overhead costs and little investment needed to get started.
Shaved ice is also very easy to make, so you don’t have to have any special skills or training to start a shaved ice business.
8. Start a fruits store
Starting a fruit store can be a rewarding and lucrative business idea for those who love working with fresh produce and helping customers lead healthier lives. As a fruit store owner, you will be responsible for sourcing and selling fresh fruits and vegetables to your customers.
To start a fruit store, you must secure a physical location with adequate space to store and display your products. This may be a standalone store or a kiosk within a larger retail space. You will also need to secure a reliable source of fresh produce to sell, which may involve working with local farmers or wholesalers.
In addition to sourcing and selling fruits and vegetables, you may also consider offering other related products, such as smoothies, juices, and prepared fruit salads. To run your fruit store successfully, you will need to have excellent customer service skills and be able to keep track of inventory and pricing.
Marketing and advertising your fruit store will also be crucial to attracting and retaining customers. This may involve creating social media profiles, running promotions, and participating in local events and farmer’s markets.
Starting a fruit store can be a challenging but rewarding business venture. With the proper planning and execution, you can build a successful fruit store that helps your customers lead healthier, happier lives.
9. Start a salad bar business
There is nothing better than a delicious healthy salad served first. If you love trying different creative salads, starting your salad bar can be a significant business venture. According to statistics, healthy fast food is a booming industry. With more people choosing a healthy eating lifestyle, the demand for healthy salads has increased tremendously.
Therefore, you may want to start your salad bar focusing on the health-conscious population. To start, find a reliable supply of fresh salads and ensure a strategic location for your business. then, advertise your business widely so you can reach as many customers as possible.
10. Start a seafood grilling stand
Do you love seafood? Seafood outlets range from casual to affordable to upscale establishments that cater to the affluent consumer. Owning a seafood grilling restaurant or joint can be fun and a lucrative business opportunity. However, it also comes with challenges as you have to find quality seafood.
To start a seafood grilling joint, pick the type of seafood you want to start grilling. You can determine the best seafood for your business by researching what customers around you prefer most. Then, set up the seafood grilling restaurant within a high-traffic street, so you maximize customer reach.
11. Start a candy kiosk
Do you love candy-making and looking for a profitable but low-capital business to start? Candy kiosk is an easy-to-go business venture you may initiate with less capital.
Candy sales kiosks thrive in busy areas where there is high foot traffic. The best locations can be next to a bus stop, college, hospitals, or other places where you may find impulse buying consumers. To increase sales, consider offering a free delivery service.
12. Start a snack food kiosk
A snack kiosk is a small to medium-sized booth for holding, preparing, and selling confectionery, quick-service food, and beverages. If you plan to start a snack food kiosk, identify a strategic location with high traffic.
Selling high-quality snack foods will help you attract more customers and retain them.
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
13. Start a barbecue stand business
A recent market report showed that the global barbeque grill market size is approximately $5 Billion. The report is a testament that barbeque has a wide appeal across the globe. Therefore, starting a BBQ stand can be a great business venture.
Luckily, you do not have to pay rent to start a BBQ stand. You can venture into the street food business by putting up a BBQ stand on busy streets.
14. Start a snow cone business
Snow cones are paper cups filled with ice and flavored with candy. A snow cone business has the potential to earn you a high-profit margin.
Snow cone stands have low startup costs and low overhead, making them a great business opportunity with supplemental revenue. If you are starting a snow cone business, choose an appealing snow cone concept and an ideal business model.
Choosing a great location can help you build a successful business model. Snow cones, however, are a warm-weather treat, so summer is their bestselling season.
15. Start a hot beverage stand
The consumption of hot beverages is increasing rapidly, especially due to the changing weather conditions. In addition, organic hot drinks have become increasingly popular as people realize the health benefits they offer.
A hot beverage's demand is also determined by taste, convenience, and price. A hot beverage stand selling different products in a convenient location can be a lucrative business venture.
16. Start a gourmet popcorn business
The gourmet popcorn business is one of the fastest-growing snack food businesses in the world. Businesses that sell gourmet popcorn do not require as much capital as other businesses.
Gourmet popcorn businesses are recession-proof because people will always consume snacks regardless of the economy. To start a gourmet popcorn business, you must invest in equipment and cooking supplies. You can also make your popcorn home and sell it on the street.
17. Start a drive-thru donuts business
Is the idea of opening a donut business instilled into your passion for entrepreneurship? You can start a drive-thru donut shop.
A drive-through donuts business is a type of take-out service provided by a company that allows customers to purchase donuts and enjoy them without leaving their cars.
Starting a drive-thru donuts business doesn't have to be complex. To minimize operational costs, you can bake donuts from home and open a drive-thru shop at a more convenient location.
18. Start a shawarma business
Shawarma is one of the most favored foods sold on the streets. While shawarma originates from the Middle East region, many customers enjoy shawarma irrespective of their countries of origin or age groups.
Therefore, given the high demand for starting a shawarma business on the streets can be a profitable venture.
19. Start a pizza store
The global pizza market share is expected to reach $5138 Billion, and the market growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.11%. One of the key factors driving growth in the pizza markets is the availability of innovative and exotic flavored pizzas, which drives are more prominent among the millennials.
Moreover, the growing desire for convenience foods and customization of food products will facilitate the pizza market growth. Therefore, starting a pizza store in 2024 can be a profitable business venture. To start, find an attractive location where your business will be visible to customers.
20. Start a drive-thru ice cream and frozen yogurt business
According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of American consumers prefer frozen yogurt to ice cream and other cold treats.
Experts report that the demand for frozen yogurt has experienced a huge surge because it is considered a healthier alternative.
Therefore, starting a drive-thru frozen yogurt business stands a huge potential for multiplying your profits. If you plan to start a frozen yogurt business, define the target market and choose a strategic location where they can reach you.
21. Start a hard kombucha business
Kombucha is a fermented, carbonated drink containing living microorganisms. The drink originated in Eastern Asia, but its popularity has spread globally thanks to its health benefits.
Consumers are increasingly interested in healthy products, which makes opening a kombucha store a lucrative business venture. If you want to start a business selling kombucha, you can prepare it at home and sell it at a drive-thru.
22. Start a taco stand business
A taco stand or taqueria is a food stall, cart, or restaurant specializing in tacos. Mexican tacos are a popular light snack. As customers' tastes change, American chefs adapt regional flavors and seasonal ingredients to cater to their needs.
The key to starting a successful taco stand is to choose a unique location and ensure proper branding. Making appetizing tacos requires a strong concept for your taco stand.
23. Start a cookie dough cafe business
Edible cookie dough shops sell dough free of eggs and pathogens. The low-fat cookie dough has health benefits, a factor that has increased cookie dough growth rate. Starting a cooking dough business in [[current_year]] could be a great business venture.
If you plan to start a cookie dough business, define your target market and choose a strategic location where your customers can easily reach your café.
24. Start a French fry stand
Demand for fast food is high across the globe. Tthe4 growth is because today’s consumers prefer convenience foods, on-the-go snacks, and ready-made meals. One such food type is French fries.
Starting a French fries stand can be a great business venture. Starting a French fry shop can be a profitable venture.
A French fry shop is a low-capital business with a high-profit margin.
25. Start a noodle business
We live in a fast-growing world where people prefer instant and fast-food preparation. As a result, the noodles market potential has tripled in urban and rural areas. The noodles market level is increasing daily due to the increase in customers. This trend makes the noodles business a lucrative opportunity for people of all ages.
Noodles business may consist of production, wholesale, and retailing service.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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