How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck in Montana?
Montana has a cost index of 0.88x the national average for food truck businesses. Here is a complete line-by-line cost breakdown based on local data.
Line-Item Cost Breakdown
| Category | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC filing | $264 | $880 | $2,200 | LLC filing fee in Montana: $35. LLC fee varies by state ($35-$500). EIN is free. |
| Food truck or trailer purchase (used to new | $26,400 | $66,000 | $154,000 | Used truck with basic kitchen: $30,000-$60,000. New standard build: $60,000-$100,000. Custom premium build: $100,000-$175,000. Trailer option: $15,000-$50,000. |
| Cooking equipment | $4,400 | $13,200 | $35,200 | Often included in truck purchase price. Standalone: fryer $1,500-$3,000, grill $1,000-$3,000, refrigerator $1,500-$3,000, Ansul fire suppression $3,000-$6,000, generator $3,000-$8,000. |
| Mobile food vendor permit | $1,320 | $4,400 | $24,640 | Varies enormously by city. Indianapolis ~$590 total. Denver ~$580. Seattle ~$6,000. San Francisco ~$10,000. Boston ~$17,000. Houston $12,000-$25,000. Many cities require a commissary kitchen agreement ($500-$1,500/mo). |
| Food supplies | $1,320 | $2,640 | $5,280 | Smaller menu than restaurant. Weekly food costs typically $500-$2,000. |
| Custom vehicle wrap | $1,760 | $4,400 | $8,800 | Full vehicle wrap $2,500-$5,000. Partial wrap $1,000-$2,500. Logo/brand design $500-$2,000. Menu board $200-$800. |
| Commercial auto | $1,760 | $3,520 | $7,040 | Annual cost. Commercial auto $2,000-$4,000/yr, general liability $500-$2,000/yr, workers comp varies by state. Food truck-specific policies available from $150-$400/mo. |
| Website | $880 | $2,640 | $7,040 | Social media presence critical for food trucks. Website $500-$2,000. Event listing fees $50-$200/event. |
| Mobile POS system | $440 | $1,320 | $2,640 | Square/Clover mobile POS $300-$1,000. Monthly software fees $30-$100. |
| 3 months operating expenses | $5,280 | $13,200 | $26,400 | Monthly operating: commissary $500-$1,500, fuel $300-$800, food costs $2,000-$5,000, insurance $200-$400, parking/permits $100-$500. |
| Estimated Total | $44,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 | Adjusted for Montana's cost index (0.88x national avg) |
LLC Registration in Montana
To form an LLC in Montana, you file Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation) with the Secretary of State. The base filing fee is $35.
Note: Cheapest state to file at $35.
File online at: Montana Secretary of State
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is free from the IRS and required for any LLC with employees, multiple members, or that wants a business bank account.
Permits & Licenses in Montana
Food Truck businesses in Montana typically need multiple permits and licenses. Estimated total permit costs are around $2,000.
Varies enormously by city. Indianapolis ~$590 total. Denver ~$580. Seattle ~$6,000. San Francisco ~$10,000. Boston ~$17,000. Houston $12,000-$25,000. Many cities require a commissary kitchen agreement ($500-$1,500/mo).
Always check with your local city and county offices for specific requirements. Requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions within Montana.
Insurance Costs in Montana
A food truck in Montana should budget approximately $3,800/year for insurance coverage.
Annual cost. Commercial auto $2,000-$4,000/yr, general liability $500-$2,000/yr, workers comp varies by state. Food truck-specific policies available from $150-$400/mo.
| Coverage Type | Details |
|---|---|
| General Liability | Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims |
| Workers Compensation | Montana rate: $1.45 per $100 payroll (national avg: $1.03) |
| Property/Equipment | Covers business property, equipment, and inventory |
| Total Annual Estimate | $3,800 |
Equipment & Setup
Often included in truck purchase price. Standalone: fryer $1,500-$3,000, grill $1,000-$3,000, refrigerator $1,500-$3,000, Ansul fire suppression $3,000-$6,000, generator $3,000-$8,000.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food truck or trailer purchase (used to new | $26,400 | $66,000 | $154,000 |
| Cooking equipment | $4,400 | $13,200 | $35,200 |
| Food supplies | $1,320 | $2,640 | $5,280 |
| Custom vehicle wrap | $1,760 | $4,400 | $8,800 |
Working Capital
Plan for at least 3 months of operating expenses as working capital. For a mid-range food truck in Montana, that means approximately $13,200 ($4,400/month).
Monthly operating: commissary $500-$1,500, fuel $300-$800, food costs $2,000-$5,000, insurance $200-$400, parking/permits $100-$500.
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Food Truck Costs in Neighboring States
| State | LLC Fee | Permits | Insurance/yr | Cost Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $100 | $2,000 | $3,500 | 0.85x | Details → |
| North Dakota | $135 | $1,800 | $3,300 | 0.8x | Details → |
| South Dakota | $150 | $1,800 | $3,300 | 0.78x | Details → |
| Wyoming | $100 | $1,800 | $3,400 | 0.82x | Details → |