Essential Equipment for Your Street Food Business

A street food business is more than just great recipes—it’s about having the right tools to bring your vision to life. From the shelter you serve under to the fryer you rely on for those golden chips, your equipment is the backbone of your operation.

But with so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you invest in a catering van or stick with a gazebo? How do you choose the right cooking equipment? What about storage, hygiene, or payment systems?

This guide takes you through the essentials, breaking it down piece by piece so you can build a stall that’s efficient, professional, and ready for action.

Choosing Between a Catering Van and a Pop-Up Gazebo

The first decision every street food vendor faces is choosing their base. It’s where you’ll work, serve customers, and protect your food from the elements. Here’s a closer look at your options:

Catering Vans: Mobile Kitchens on Wheels

• The Good: Vans offer everything you need in one place—built-in cooking equipment, storage, and mobility. Perfect for vendors who want a self-contained setup.

• The Bad: They’re expensive to buy and maintain, with second-hand models starting at £10,000. Parking restrictions and space limitations at events can also be an issue.

• Best For: Full-time operators with a steady location circuit or a fixed menu.

Pop-Up Gazebos: Affordable and Flexible

• The Good: Affordable, lightweight, and quick to assemble. High-quality models like the Pro 50 are durable, weatherproof, and customisable with branding. As street food is a very visual industry, something like a yellow or pink gazebo might be just the eye-catcher you need, but there'll be a colour to match your branding available from Gala Tent.

• The Bad: You’ll need to transport and set up your cooking and storage equipment separately.

• Best For: New vendors, festival-goers, or those who want flexibility.

Pro Tip: Pair your gazebo with weights and sidewalls to handle unpredictable weather. Rain or shine, you’ll be ready to serve.

Gear to Bring Your Menu to Life

Every street food menu starts with a solid set of cooking tools. The specific equipment you need depends on what you’re serving, but here’s a breakdown of the essentials:

Universal Staples for Every Vendor

• Portable Stoves and Grills: Ideal for hot food like burgers, noodles, or stir-fries. Look for models with consistent heat output and easy-to-refill fuel options.

• Deep Fryers: Perfect for chips, doughnuts, or crispy tempura. Choose a model that’s compact and easy to clean.

• Food Warmers: Maintain serving temperatures with insulated containers or warming trays.

Specialised Tools by Cuisine

• For coffee vendors: High-pressure espresso machines and milk frothers.

• For sweet treats: Waffle irons, crêpe pans, or churro makers.

• For one-pot dishes: Large paella pans, slow cookers, or soup kettles.

Pro Tip: Always buy commercial-grade equipment to ensure durability during busy service periods.

Keeping Your Ingredients Fresh and Safe

Storage and hygiene are as important as cooking equipment. Poor organisation can lead to wasted ingredients—or worse, a failed food hygiene inspection.

Storage Essentials

• Refrigeration: Portable fridges or coolers keep perishables fresh. Look for models with battery or generator compatibility for outdoor events.

• Dry Storage: Airtight containers protect dry goods like flour, sugar, and spices from pests and moisture.

• Organisation: Label everything clearly to prevent mix-ups and reduce prep time.

Hygiene Must-Haves

• Handwashing Stations: Many councils require a portable sink with running water and soap.

• Sanitising Supplies: Stock up on disposable gloves, antibacterial wipes, and surface spray.

• Waste Management: Keep bins easily accessible for food waste and packaging.

Pro Tip: Invest in a collapsible prep table with easy-to-clean surfaces to maintain a tidy workspace.

Make It Easy for Customers to Pay

With fewer people carrying cash, a reliable payment system is essential for maximising sales and profits. Modern card readers are portable, affordable, and easy to set up.

Your Payment Options

• Card Readers: Devices like Square, iZettle, or SumUp are popular for their reliability and lack of binding contracts.

• Pay-by-Link Systems: Reduce transaction fees massively by offering a pay-by-link solution such as SOTpay, by Gala Technology.

• Digital Till Systems: Some card readers double as tills, allowing you to track sales, tips, and inventory.

Pro Tip: While cashless payments dominate, always carry a float of small notes and coins for emergencies—or those few customers who still carry cash.

Small Extras That Make a Big Difference

The devil is in the details when it comes to street food. These small additions can elevate your stall from functional to unforgettable:

Lighting for Evening Events

Battery-powered LED lights or solar-powered options ensure your stall stays visible after sunset.

Signage and Branding

Spectacularly printed gazebos, eye-catching menus, chalkboards, or even just branded banners can easily grab attention and guide customers through your offerings.

Storage and Prep Space

Tables, shelving, and racks help you organise ingredients and keep your workspace efficient.

Pro Tip: Personal touches—like handwritten signs or a quirky stall name—help create a memorable experience for your customers.

Ready to get your stall up and running? Explore our Best Gazebos for Street Food for the perfect base, or check out our Guide to Marketing Your Street Food Business to send your business to the next level early.

Frequently Asked Questions