Metro

Food truck permits issued in NYC flat over last few years

After years in the fast lane, the city’s food-truck industry is finding itself stuck in neutral, as owners look to move beyond the daily grind of gourmet street food for more stable and lucrative ventures like brick-and-mortar locations.

The number of mobile-food-vending permits issued by the Department of Health to artisanal food truck operators has remained flat the past few years, according to Crain’s New York Business.

Many in the mobile-food industry believe that the slowdown could be because the cost of operating a rolling kitchen is no longer financially self-sustaining, and are looking to open traditional eateries.

“The cost of the permits is out of hand,” said John Orazco, manager of Dosa Royale. “Having a food truck used to be affordable. It isn’t anymore.”

Orazco said the Indian restaurant contemplated starting a food truck, but it would have required a $125,000 investment.

It’s not like you can just park your truck on the street and sell food,” he said. “For us, it worked out better just opening a restaurant.”