Unlock Your Food Truck’s Full Potential

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Drive More Profit with Smarter Menu Choices and Faster Service
Running a food truck means every order — and every second — matters. That’s why more food truck owners are learning to maximize their profits by making small but powerful improvements in their menus and operations. At FTO, we help you uncover the hidden opportunities already inside your business — all backed by real data, not guesswork.

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How to Find Your 20%: Focus on the Menu Items That Matter Most

The 80/20 Rule tells us that 80% of your revenue usually comes from just 20% of your menu. But how do you know which ones?
 

Here's what you need to track:

• Sales by Item — See what’s selling best, not just overall, but every day and event.
• Profit Per Item — High sales don't always mean high profits. Measure what matters.
• Trends Over Time — Identify rising stars and slow movers in your menu.
• Performance by Time of Day — Know what sells better at lunch vs dinner.
• Repeat Customer Favorites — Find out what keeps customers coming back.
 

Why It Matters:

✅ Simplify Your Menu — Focus on your best sellers, speed up prep time, and lower food costs.
✅ Boost Profits Without More Work — Small shifts in what you sell can unlock thousands in extra income.
 

Real-World Example:

If you serve 100 customers a day and shift just 5% more orders toward your high-margin best sellers (items making $5.00 profit vs. less profitable items making $1.50), you could earn:

5 extra orders/day × $3.50 more profit/order = $17.50/day → $6,387.50 in extra profit every year — just from smart menu management.

Download our whitepaper on how Mickey’s Hot Mess uses reporting to help their menu mix strategy and select their top sellers to promote on their truck.

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Get your Free Food Truck Profitability Assessment Today

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Your Last Dollar is Your Most Profitable One: Mastering the Add-On Game

Did you know that desserts, drinks, and sides often have the highest profit margins?
They’re small items — but they make a big difference to your bottom line.

What to Measure:

• Average Check Size — Track how much your customers spend per visit.
• Attachment Rate — See how often customers add a drink, dessert, or side.
• Profit Margins by Category — Identify which items deliver the most bang for your buck.
• Success of Bundles and Combos — Package add-ons in a way that’s irresistible.
 

Why It Matters:

✅ Boost Every Sale — Adding just one extra item per order can make a huge impact.
✅ Easy Wins — No need for big discounts or high-pressure sales. Just smarter offers.
 

Real-World Example:

If you simply increase your average ticket by $1.50 through profitable add-ons — serving 100 customers/day — you could gain:

$150 extra/day × 365 days = $54,750 extra revenue a year
Even small wins per customer add up to major gains over time.
 

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Faster Orders, Happier Customers: Why Turnaround Time Matters

The quicker you serve, the more customers you can handle — especially during peak times.
A Kitchen Display System (KDS) can help track and speed up your order prep, making every minute (and every dollar) count.
 

What to Track:

• Average Order Time — How fast you move from ticket to pickup.
• Peak Time Bottlenecks — Find and fix the slow spots before they cost you sales.
• Prep Time by Item — Know which menu items slow things down.
• Order Completion Rates — See how efficient your crew really is during rushes.
 

Why It Matters:

✅ Serve More Customers — Faster turnaround = more orders without adding staff.
✅ Improve Customer Satisfaction — Shorter waits = happier, repeat customers.
✅ Make Smarter Staffing and Menu Decisions — Staff right and streamline the menu based on real data.
 

Real-World Example:

Even operating just 4 days a week, if faster service helps you serve 10 to 15 more customers per day at an average ticket of $18:

• 10 extra customers/day = $180/day → $37,440 more per year
• 15 extra customers/day = $270/day → $56,160 more per year
 

All by simply shaving minutes off each order — no new marketing required.

Download our whitepaper on how Dick’s Dogs in Idyllwild CA uses their KDS system to ensure quick turnaround times and keep their customers happy even when the lines get really long!

Get your Free Food Truck Profitability Assessment Today​

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Why Food Truck Owners Love This Approach

✅ Work Smarter, Not Harder: Grow profits without needing more hours or bigger trucks.
✅ Data-Driven Decisions: Take the guesswork out of your business moves.
✅ Stay Competitive: Deliver faster service and a better menu than the truck next door.
✅ Maximize Every Sale: Turn every customer into a higher-value customer.
 

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Ready to Unlock Hidden Profits in Your Food Truck?

FTO is here to help you tap into the money already flowing through your business — with the tools and insights you need to thrive.
 

Get your Free Food Truck Profitability Assessment Today​

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can a POS system help me apply the 80/20 rule?

• A modern POS system automatically tracks sales by item, profit margins, and trends over time. It gives you easy-to-read reports showing exactly which menu items are making you the most money — and which ones are slowing you down. With this insight, you can fine-tune your menu to boost profits without working harder.

Can a POS system help me increase my average ticket size?

• Absolutely. Many POS systems allow you to set up suggestive selling prompts — like offering a drink, dessert, or combo option during the checkout process. This helps staff remember to upsell and makes it easy for customers to say "yes" to profitable add-ons. Plus, reporting tools let you measure attachment rates and average ticket growth over time.

How does a POS system help me speed up order turnaround times?

• POS systems that connect to a Kitchen Display System (KDS) speed up service by sending orders straight to the kitchen electronically — no handwritten tickets or miscommunication. You can track how long orders are taking, identify bottlenecks, and make changes that keep your lines moving and customers happy.

Is a POS system complicated to use in a food truck?

• Not at all. Food truck-friendly POS systems are designed to be simple, mobile, and fast. Many run on tablets, don’t require much space, and can operate even with limited Wi-Fi or cellular service. Plus, they can handle things like dual pricing, cash discounting, and surcharging if you choose to offer those options.

Will a POS system really pay for itself?

• Yes — and usually much faster than you might think. When you use a POS to improve your product mix, boost average tickets, and serve more customers per hour, the added profits can quickly outweigh the small monthly cost of the system. It’s an investment that helps you keep more of every dollar you earn.
   

What should I look for in a food truck POS system?

• Look for a system that offers: • Easy menu management and reporting

• Real-time sales and profitability tracking

• Fast, reliable order processing

• Kitchen Display System (KDS) integration

• Flexible payment options (cash, card, contactless)

• Offline capability if internet connections are spotty

• Transparent pricing and low or zero-cost processing options
   

Still have questions?

We’re here to help you find the best setup for your truck, your menu, and your goals — and to make it as simple as possible to start seeing the results.

Book A Demo