National Food Truck Day – Jun. 26, 2026

Categories:
Tags:
AppreciationCareersFast Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Last Friday of June
Holiday emoji:
🚚

National Food Truck Day rolls around on the last Friday in June, championing the innovative spirit of mobile eateries. It’s a special day to support the hardworking men and women whose culinary businesses bring diverse flavors to communities. Seek out your favorite local truck, try a new one, and share your delicious discoveries!

Want to sponsor National Food Truck Day? Learn how

Expected National Food Truck Day Deals

As National Food Truck Day approaches, many mobile vendors and related businesses will roll out special promotions. Expect local food truck parks to host festivals with discounted menu items, while individual trucks might offer buy-one-get-one deals or loyalty stamp bonuses. Keep an eye out for unique collaborations between trucks, or special limited-time menu additions. Brands like Roaming Hunger and Food Truck Pub often highlight regional events and deals. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 26 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Food Truck Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalFoodTruckDay. Share mouth-watering photos and videos of your favorite food truck finds and unique dishes.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalFoodTruckDay. Film a ‘day in the life’ of a food truck owner or create a compilation of the best food truck eats in your city.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalFoodTruckDay. Share local food truck events, review your favorite spots, and encourage community support.

Social Media Tips for National Food Truck Day

Individuals

Plan a lunch or dinner outing to a local food truck park or seek out your favorite mobile vendor. Share your experience and delicious meal on social media, tagging the truck.

Creators

Curate a 'food truck crawl' video, highlighting diverse cuisines and the stories behind the trucks. Interview owners or showcase the preparation of signature dishes.

Brands

Host a food truck rally at your business or sponsor a local food truck to offer free samples. Partner with a truck for a co-branded menu item or a social media giveaway.

Partners & Brands for National Food Truck Day

  1. National Food Truck Association

    The National Food Truck Association (NFTA) advocates for the mobile food industry, providing resources, support, and a unified voice for food truck owners across the United States. They work to promote best practices and foster growth within the sector.

  2. Kogi BBQ

    Founded by Roy Choi in Los Angeles in 2008, Kogi BBQ is widely credited with igniting the modern food truck movement. It pioneered the use of social media to announce locations and popularized Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine.

  3. The Halal Guys

    Starting as a hot dog cart in New York City in 1990, The Halal Guys evolved into a renowned food truck serving American Halal food. Known for its iconic white and hot sauces, it has expanded globally with brick-and-mortar locations.

  4. Roaming Hunger

    Founded in 2009, Roaming Hunger is a comprehensive platform connecting food trucks with customers and event organizers. It provides a directory of trucks, booking services for catering, and a marketplace for food truck sales and rentals.

  5. Sysco

    As a global leader in food service distribution, Sysco plays a crucial role in supplying ingredients and equipment to countless food trucks. They offer a vast product catalog and logistical support essential for mobile culinary businesses.

  6. Coca-Cola

    A ubiquitous presence in the food and beverage industry, Coca-Cola partners with numerous food trucks and vendors. Their diverse range of soft drinks and other beverages are a staple offering alongside many food truck menus.

  7. Square

    Founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey, Square revolutionized payment processing for small businesses, including food trucks. Its mobile payment solutions and point-of-sale systems enable trucks to efficiently accept credit card payments on the go.

National Food Truck Day Hero

Roy Choi

Chef Roy Choi is widely recognized as a pioneer of the modern gourmet food truck movement. In 2008, he co-founded Kogi BBQ, a Los Angeles-based food truck that combined Korean and Mexican flavors. Choi's innovative use of social media to announce the truck's locations created a sensation, transforming the perception of mobile dining and inspiring countless other food truck entrepreneurs.

History of National Food Truck Day

Food trucks are inspired by centuries-old food carts dating back to the 17th century. Vendors traded food from small carts or moveable mini kitchens, and the practice is still common today where they are found on street corners, in parks, and catering to hungry crowds at special events. Chuckwagons were the first types of food trucks. They sold edibles like beans, cured meat, coffee, and biscuits to ranchers and loggers in the southern part of the country.

In 1936, the Wienermobile became the first official modern food truck. These were vehicles shaped like a hot dog on a bun that traveled the country selling hot dogs at parades, schools, and hospitals. By the 1950s, ice cream vans were a familiar sight in many neighborhoods across the United States. The kids loved the cheerful tunes and frozen treats. Even adults would sometimes indulge in the pleasure. The year 2008 arrived with a great boom for the food truck business, with increased online popularity and customers never seen before, with the likes of Kogi BBQ and New York’s Rickshaw Dumpling Bar thriving.

In 2016, a holiday for food trucks kicked off, spearheaded by the organization Roaming Hunger. Its goal was to prompt people to frequent food trucks run by small local businesses. Initially called National Eat at a Food Truck Day, it was renamed National Food Truck Day in 2018. The date of the celebration also changed from October to June.

Food trucks have changed into reputable businesses serving innovative menus offering trendy cuisine that cater to budgets both big and small, often using locally sourced ingredients. National Food Truck Day is not a national holiday and has no constitutional backing, but an opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy a treat at the same time.

National Food Truck Day timeline

1936
The Food Truck Tour

Described as a true example of Americana, the Wienermobile tours America, selling hot dogs.

1950s
Kids Love Ice Cream Trucks

Americans grow fond of ice cream trucks and their frozen treats.

2016
The First Food Truck Holiday

National Eat at a Food Truck Day is born.

2018
A New Name and Date

Food truck booking service, Roaming Hunger renames National Eat at a Food Truck Day and moves the celebration to June.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Food Truck Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Food Truck Day by inviting a rotating selection of food trucks to their premises throughout the week leading up to the holiday. Offer special parking or a designated ‘food truck zone’ for easy access. Retailers could partner with a truck for a joint promotion, offering discounts to customers who show a food truck receipt, or host a ‘taste of the city’ event featuring several local vendors. Restaurants might even create a special ‘food truck inspired’ menu item for the day.

National Food Truck Day FAQs

When is National Food Truck Day?

National Food Truck Day 2026 falls on Friday, June 26. This annual observance takes place on the last Friday of June, making it a perfect end-of-week treat.

How many food trucks are there in the U.S.?

The number of food trucks in the U.S. has grown significantly, with estimates often exceeding 30,000 active trucks nationwide. This thriving industry continues to expand, reflecting consumer demand for diverse and accessible dining options.

How popular are food trucks?

Food trucks are incredibly popular, with the industry generating billions in revenue annually. Many consumers appreciate the convenience, unique culinary offerings, and often lower prices compared to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants.

What are the most popular types of food trucks?

While regional tastes vary, some of the most consistently popular food truck cuisines include tacos and Mexican, gourmet burgers, BBQ, and various Asian fusion options. Dessert trucks, offering everything from ice cream to cupcakes, also enjoy widespread appeal.

National Food Truck Day Activities

  1. Support a food truck

    Frequent your favorite food truck business and treat yourself to a few of your favorite delights. You may even get a special holiday discount on your meal or drink.

  2. Download the food truck tracking app

    The Roaming Hunger app helps you find food trucks in your area and makes it easier to find the one you desire. You can also keep track of all the food trucks participating in the event.

  3. Share your food online

    Sharing pictures of your food truck food online shows support and is a great way to celebrate. Use the #NationalFoodTruckDay hashtag and remember to tag the truck.

5 Interesting Facts About Food Trucks

  1. The chuckwagon

    Charles Goodnight invented the chuckwagon in 1866 as a mobile kitchen.

  2. There are good event caterers

    Food trucks are popular for catering special events such as weddings, movie shoots, and corporate gatherings.

  3. Millennials love food trucks

    At least 47% of Millenials have eaten from a food truck at some point.

  4. Food trucks get good ratings

    In a survey, over 90% of diners rated food-truck food quality as excellent or good.

  5. It costs $50,000 for a food truck

    The average startup cost for starting your own food truck business is $50,000.

Why We Love National Food Truck Day

  1. The great food and good prices

    The many food trucks around our city make it possible for an interesting variety of food at really good prices. It is a rare opportunity for us to satisfy our various delicious cravings.

  2. To support small business owners

    National Food Truck Day supports local chefs and their food. We get to frequent their business and help promote them on our online pages.

  3. It’s a chance to connect

    The day brings people together. It is an occasion to meet new people and bond over meals.

National Food Truck Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 June 26 Friday
2027 June 25 Friday
2028 June 30 Friday
2029 June 29 Friday
2030 June 28 Friday