Permits, licensing, health authority, costs, and veteran-business programs for launching a food truck in Georgia.
Permits & licensing
- Form a GA entity with the Secretary of State; obtain an EIN; register for GA sales tax with the DOR.
- Apply for a county mobile food service permit through the local env health office (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, etc.); submit plan review with truck schematics and commissary letter; pass pre-operational inspection.
- Obtain a city business license for each city of operation.
- Complete a ServSafe or equivalent Certified Food Safety Manager credential.
Health inspection
Inspections under Ch 511-6-1 cover water capacity, handwashing, three-compartment sink (category-dependent), temperature control, employee health, fire suppression for grease cooking, commissary docs. Common failures: undersized tanks, expired commissary letters, missing handwash signage.
Commissary requirement
GA DPH rules require mobile food service units to operate from a permitted base or commissary.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Used truck or trailer build | $35,000 | $100,000 |
| Permits + licenses (year 1) | $750 | $2,500 |
| Commissary (monthly x 6 mo) | $2,400 | $6,600 |
| Insurance (annual) | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Initial inventory | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Working capital reserve | $12,350 | $45,900 |
| Total | $55,000 | $165,000 |
Top metros to start in
-
Atlanta
Top-5 US food truck market, dense Midtown/Buckhead corporate catering.
-
Savannah
Tourism volume, strong weekend events.
-
Columbus
Fort Moore (formerly Benning) base-adjacent catering.
Common mistakes
- Operating only in Fulton and missing DeKalb / Cobb / Gwinnett - Atlanta spans multiple counties with separate permits.
- Underestimating Atlanta commissary costs.
- Building out-of-state without verifying GA tank sizing.
Related FAQs
How do I get a mobile food permit?
Apply through your county or city health department for a mobile food facility permit, plus a business license from your city clerk and a sales tax permit from your state revenue department. Most jurisdictions require a plan review, commissary letter, and onsite truck inspection before issuing.
How do I find a commissary kitchen?
Search "commissary kitchen near me" plus directories like The Kitchen Door, CloudKitchens, and your local food truck association vendor list. Tour at least three. Confirm 24/7 access, dry and cold storage, grease trap, potable water fill, and wastewater dump before signing a month-to-month agreement.
How much does it cost to start a food truck in 2026?
Total startup typically ranges from $50,000 to $200,000+ depending on used vs. new truck, market, and equipment. Food Truck Empire and Restaurant Business industry surveys consistently report most first-time operators land in roughly the $75,000-$150,000 range including truck, equipment, permits, and 90-day working capital.
How much should I budget for first-year operating losses?
Plan for 3-6 months of operating losses while you build a customer base, refine the menu, and lock in catering pipeline. A working reserve of 3 months of fixed costs — typically $15,000-$30,000 for a small operation — keeps you from making panic decisions in month two.
How do I write a food truck business plan?
A food truck business plan needs seven sections: executive summary, concept and menu, market analysis, operations (truck, commissary, staffing), marketing, financial projections (3 years), and funding request. Use the free SBA Learning Center template as your skeleton, then layer in mobile-specific details like service locations and event calendar.