Summary
Choosing the right concession trailer size depends on more than the trailer’s dimensions. Your menu, cooking equipment, number of employees, storage needs, workflow, tow vehicle, operating location, and future growth should all influence your decision.
Kinema Trailer Depot offers a range of concession trailers, from small units to large commercial trailers. The right choice is the trailer that offers enough space without towing or parking problems.
Key Takeaways
- Start with your menu and determine the equipment it requires.
- Consider your crew size, workflow, storage, and utility requirements.
- Kinema offers concession trailer sizes from 6×12 to 8.5×26.
- Larger trailers offer more workspace but may increase towing and maneuverability demands.
- Consider future business growth before buying a concession trailer.
- A custom concession trailer can provide a layout designed around your specific operation.
What Are the Common Concession Trailer Sizes?
Concession trailer sizes vary based on length and width. Kinema Trailer Depot currently offers configurations including 6×12, 7×14, 7×16, 8.5×16, 8.5×20, 8.5×24, and 8.5×26.
The table below provides a starting point for comparing the available configurations. The best choice ultimately depends on your interior layout, equipment, crew, and business requirements.
| Concession Trailer Size | Space Consideration | Potential Business Use |
| 6×12 | Compact workspace | Focused menus and smaller operations |
| 7×14 | Moderate workspace | Small-to-mid-size operations |
| 7×16 | Additional interior length | More equipment and preparation |
| 8.5×16 | Wider working area | More developed commercial layouts |
| 8.5×20 | Larger workspace | More equipment and storage |
| 8.5×24 | Extensive interior space | Complex layouts and larger operations |
| 8.5×26 | Extensive workspace | Businesses requiring more equipment and work areas |
These dimensions are a starting point rather than a substitute for planning your actual floor plan.
What Size Concession Trailer Do I Need?
The size you need depends primarily on your menu, equipment, number of employees, storage requirements, workflow, towing capacity, and operating location.
Instead of choosing a trailer based only on its exterior dimensions, work backward from how your business will operate. List everything that needs to fit inside and consider how employees will move between each workstation.
Start With Your Menu
Your menu is one of the biggest factors affecting how much space you need.
A business serving beverages, snacks, desserts, or a limited selection may require fewer cooking and preparation stations. A business serving burgers, fried foods, barbecue, pizza, or several menu categories may need more equipment, refrigeration, preparation space, and storage.
Before buying a concession trailer, list each menu item and the equipment required to prepare and serve it. This gives you a more realistic idea of the workspace your business requires.
How Does Equipment Affect Trailer Size?
Cooking equipment can quickly use available interior space. Consider everything that needs to be installed, including:
- Grills, fryers, ovens, and other cooking equipment
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Preparation counters
- Sinks and water systems
- Storage cabinets
- Electrical equipment
- Ventilation systems
Equipment also needs access and working space. A layout may technically fit everything but still be difficult to operate if employees cannot move comfortably between stations.
When comparing trailers, review the proposed floor plan and consider where each piece of equipment will go.
How Many People Will Work Inside?
Your crew size also affects how much practical workspace you need.
A trailer designed around one operator may have a different workflow than one where several employees cook, prepare orders, restock supplies, and clean at the same time.
Think about the movement between:
Storage → Preparation → Cooking → Assembly → Service
The aim is to develop a process flow with no wasted movement, so employees don’t obstruct each other during peak hours.
Extra space does not necessarily mean better efficiency. Using available space efficiently is equally important.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
Storage is an important part of any concession trailer buying guide because the trailer needs to accommodate more than cooking equipment.
Depending on your operation, you may need room for:
- Ingredients
- Packaging and serving supplies
- Utensils
- Cleaning products
- Dry goods
- Refrigerated products
- Replacement supplies
Think about what you need during a typical service period and how much inventory you need to carry between restocking opportunities.
Planning storage early can help prevent your working area from becoming overcrowded.
What About Towing and Operating Location?
Before choosing a trailer, make sure your tow vehicle can safely handle its expected loaded weight.
Do not look only at the empty trailer weight. Consider the weight of equipment, ingredients, water, supplies, and other items you’ll carry during operation.
Where you set up your vending sites is also important, taking into account:
- Parking
- Turnaround Space
- Road Access
- Restrictions at the event site
- Setup space
- Utilities available
The commercial food service trailer needs to be functional not only for working in but for transport and setup at your usual operating locations.
Should You Choose a Custom Concession Trailer?
A custom concession trailer can be useful when a standard layout does not match your menu, equipment, or workflow.
With concession trailer customization, you can plan the placement of cooking equipment, refrigeration, preparation counters, storage, service windows, electrical components, and other features around your business requirements.
If your company has unique equipment or a special process flow, customization may prove beneficial. You don’t have to force your process into an existing setup; instead, you can build one around your own process flow.
Businesses looking for a more specialized setup can also consider a premium concession trailer configuration based on their equipment and operating requirements.
The goal should be to create a functional workspace, not simply add features because they are available.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Concession Trailer
Choosing Based Only on Size
A bigger trailer provides more workspace but also increases towing and parking demands.
Selecting a Trailer that is Too Small
The trailer may fit your current needs but will be too small when you include additional equipment, menu items, or personnel in the future.
Failing to Consider Storage Space
While cooking equipment takes priority in most cases, it is easy to neglect considering the need for storage space.
Ignoring Workflow
A trailer can have enough equipment and still be inefficient if the layout forces employees to cross paths constantly.
Not Checking Towing Requirements
Always make sure your tow vehicle can handle the trailer’s expected loaded weight before you buy.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Concession Trailer
When buying a concession trailer, you should consider:
- What am I selling?
- What kind of equipment is required to make that?
- How many people will work in there?
- How much preparation room do I need?
- What utilities and ventilation systems do I need?
- What is the rating of my towing vehicle?
- Where will I use the trailer?
- How much parking room will I need?
- Is my business going to expand in the future?
- Will a standard design suffice, or do I need concession trailer customization?
This list will help you choose the right option, based on your operational needs.
Explore Mobile Kitchen Trailers
Once you understand your menu, equipment, workflow, and towing needs, explore available mobile kitchen trailers to compare configurations that fit your business.
Kinema Trailer Depot offers different trailer sizes and models, giving customers the chance to choose the best fit for their space needs before buying. You can always customize your trailer if needed.
Selecting the Proper Trailer for Your Business
Choosing the right concession trailer size can help you promote your business without limiting yourself. This will be easier if you consider several factors.
Do not choose a trailer simply because it is the largest option available. At the same time, avoid choosing a compact setup if your equipment and workflow require more room.
If you expect your business to expand, consider how future equipment, employees, or menu changes could affect your space requirements. When a standard configuration doesn’t meet those needs, a custom concession trailer can offer more flexibility.
For businesses comparing trailer options, Kinema Trailer Depot offers configurations for different operating needs and can help you evaluate the setup that fits your business.
FAQs
What is the best concession trailer size for a food business?
No single size works best for every food business. The appropriate concession trailer size depends on your menu, equipment, crew, storage needs, towing capacity, and operating location.
What concession trailer sizes are available at Kinema Trailer Depot?
Kinema Trailer Depot currently offers concession trailer configurations including 6×12, 7×14, 7×16, 8.5×16, 8.5×20, 8.5×24, and 8.5×26.
Is a 7×14 concession trailer big enough?
A 7×14 may provide sufficient workspace for an operation with a manageable menu and equipment list. The space you need depends on your floor plan, equipment, storage, and number of employees.
Is an 8.5×16 concession trailer suitable for your needs?
The 8.5×16 offers extra floor space for equipment and employee maneuverability. Whether it suits your business depends on your needs.
Should I choose a larger concession trailer for future growth?
Planning for growth may be a good idea if you plan to add equipment, staff, or menu items. But don’t forget the towing, parking, and other considerations that come with a bigger trailer.
What role does the trailer’s size play in hauling?
The larger the configuration, the more it will weigh and the more capable a hauler it will require. When buying, always compare the trailer’s expected weight with your vehicle’s hauling capability.
Can I customize a concession trailer?
Yes. Concession trailer customization lets you plan the layout, equipment placement, storage, service areas, and other features around your business requirements.
About Author:
