In the fast-paced world of food trucks, wait times can make or break a customer’s experience. But how long is too long when it comes to waiting for a meal on wheels?

To get a better understanding, we surveyed 522 food truck and concession vendors across the continental United States, asking them what they consider an acceptable wait time for their customers. The responses were surprising, revealing that while a small percentage of vendors believe customers should expect their food in under five minutes, most think longer wait times are perfectly acceptable.

Acceptable Wait Times at a Food Truck

Here’s the complete breakdown of the data, showing both the percentage and the number of responses for each acceptable wait time category:

• Nothing less than 5 minutes was acceptable:
  • 136 responses (26%)
• 5 – 8 minutes was acceptable:
  • 214 responses (41%)
• 8 – 10 minutes was acceptable:
  • 68 responses (13%)
• 10 – 15 minutes was acceptable:
  • 47 responses (9%)
• More than 15 minutes was acceptable:
  • 57 responses (11%)

Food Truck Wait Times Survey.

Methodology:

The data was collected by reaching out to food truck and concession vendors through social media and email. Vendors were asked to fill out an online survey via SurveyMonkey, and the survey was limited to vendors located in the continental United States. This sample provides a snapshot of how food truck vendors perceive acceptable wait times for their customers.

Waiting In Line At Food Trucks

Understanding the psychology of waiting in line is a topic which is studied by industries that have constant lines of customers. In their research scientists have found some very interesting factors that make waits seem longer…

“Unoccupied time feels longer than occupied time,” says Sid Gauby, owner of Slow River Coffee in Boise. “When you have something to distract yourself, time passes more quickly.” This principle is key when managing customer expectations during a wait.

Add a Beeper System
Similar to what many restaurants use, a beeper system could alert customers when their food is ready. This allows customers to step away from the truck, enjoy their surroundings, and come back when the food is prepared. Giving them this freedom can reduce the anxiety of standing in line, making their experience more enjoyable.

Text Notifications
Another option is to adopt a text notification system. Customers place their orders, leave their phone numbers, and receive a text when their food is ready. This not only frees them from waiting near the truck but also gives them the flexibility to explore other nearby vendors or attractions. For food truck owners, it’s an easy way to keep the line moving without creating frustration.

Keep Them Engaged
Gauby’s advice about distractions holds true in this setting. Many successful food trucks keep large, clearly visible menu boards for people to browse while they wait. This is a tried-and-true method used in restaurants—giving customers something to do makes the wait seem shorter.

Even small additions like a well-placed chalkboard with fun facts, a daily special, or even trivia can help distract customers and improve their wait experience.

Alleviate Uncertainty
Customers often feel more at ease when they know how long their wait will be. According to Gauby, “Uncertain waits are longer than known, finite waits.” Letting customers know upfront that the wait time is 10 minutes, rather than leaving them guessing, can drastically reduce their perception of the time. This can be communicated with signs or by staff announcing expected wait times.

Explain Delays
Unexplained waits can make customers impatient. If there’s a delay, such as needing to prepare more ingredients, let customers know. A quick explanation can significantly ease their frustration. As Gauby points out, “We wait more patiently for the pizza guy when there’s a thunderstorm than when the sky is clear.” Transparency about why things are taking longer builds trust and reduces anxiety.

Ensure Fairness
“Unfair waits are longer than equitable waits,” Gauby notes. If customers see others being served out of sequence, their perceived wait time increases. Food truck owners should ensure they’re adhering to a clear “first in, first out” rule, but for exceptions—like pre-orders or call-in orders—it’s helpful to serve from a separate line or window to maintain fairness.

Encourage Group Engagement
Solo waits can feel isolating, but customers waiting in groups or interacting with one another tend to enjoy the experience more. Creating an environment that encourages conversation, such as communal seating or offering samples to those in line, can turn waiting into a social experience that enhances the atmosphere.

According to MIT queueing theorist Richard Larson, “There’s no such thing as the perfect line, the trick is to convince people they’re being treated fairly.” We hope that this article helps both the food truck owners in understanding the frustration their customers are feeling while waiting in line for their food, and for those same customers to help themselves learn how to ease the pain that waiting in line at a food truck can cause.

The best tip we can give those who hate to wait in line but want to eat from a popular food truck is to be patient. Once you have received your meal, you will forget completely about your wait, and will be willing to jump back in line just to get another chance to eat the fantastic gourmet food this mobile bistro serves.

Assuming you eat at food trucks regularly, do you agree with these wait times as a consumer? Obviously there are factors that play into wait times like what type of food is being prepared and how busy the truck is. I look forward to seeing your feedback on Facebook.