How to Start a Game Truck Business

Start a game truck business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Game Truck Business
2. Form your Game Truck Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Game Truck Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Game Truck Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Game Truck Business
7. Get Game Truck Business Insurance
8. Define your Game Truck Business Brand
9. Create your Game Truck Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your game truck business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Game Truck Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a game truck business?

Your business is mobile, so it’s not necessary to lease an actual storefront. Marketing and event booking can be done from the comfort of your own home, making your trailer your sole investment.

If you do not currently have a truck to haul the trailer, this will be one of your first investments. You’ll then need a sizable trailer - one large enough to seat approximately 25 people comfortably. Additional accessories include:

• 3M wrap for trailer
• 1 large commercial generator
• 4 - 7 televisions
• Gaming systems - Wii U, Playstation 4, Xbox One and Xbox 360
• LED lighting set-up
• Stadium seating
• Bluetooth-enabled sound bars
• Satellite
• A/C and heating system

Rockin’ Rollin’ offers full mobile game theaters ranging from $50,000 to $74,000, depending upon how large of a system you want. Should you choose to construct the build-out yourself, this gives you a good idea as to how much your initial investment will be.

What are the ongoing expenses for a game truck business?

As a game truck business owner, you’re facing low overhead expenses. Fuel and loan payments (should you have one) are your biggest costs. Below, we’ve listed the average monthly costs, which will vary slightly depending upon your region.

• Fuel $900
• Insurance $300
• Trailer parking/storage $75
• Advertising and website maintenance $220
• Payment/merchant fees $300
• New games/technology/truck upgrades and repairs $200

Who is the target market?

This is a highly niche community based on the concept revolving around gaming. The world of gaming, however, has realized rapid growth over the last decade, firmly planting its roots amongst generations both young and old. While your most common clients will be younger children, this unique event concept has quickly gained traction amongst adults as well.

How does a game truck business make money?

While fees vary depending upon the specifics of each party, your business will generate income through each booked and completed event. Successful game truck entrepreneurs host at least 10 parties a week and will need to book multiple events per day on weekends.

How much can you charge customers?

Clients are charged based on a service contract for a number of hours, agreed upon between you and the client. Game trucks typically generate between $250 and $400 per event.

How much profit can a game truck business make?

Game truck businesses that average 40 parties a month, with no truck/loan payment, realize an annual profit of approximately $109,000. The break even point, without a loan payment, is 6 parties per month. To calculate annual profit averaging 40 parties per month with a loan payment, multiply the monthly loan payment by 12 and subtract from $109,000.

How can you make your business more profitable?

There are several strategies you can implement to ensure a more profitable business:

• Add additional party options, such as laser tag.
• Offer snacks for purchase.
• Include options and services geared towards adults, such as a margarita machine.
• Partner with local establishments to provide additional party services, such as pizza and cake delivery.
• Increase weekday revenue by offering a mobile education center for schools who are looking to cut field trip spending.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your game truck business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a Game Truck business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Liquor Licensing

If you want to sell alcohol at special events for older participants, like corporate parties, you will need a liquor license from the appropriate state or local agency.

• A comprehensive list of laws by state (including necessary licenses, zoning laws, etc), curated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, is included here

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Gamers are the ideal candidate for this niche business. Not all gamers, however, are created equal. This profession also requires an individual who enjoys interacting with others, particularly children. Those who are children at heart will not only realize success, but will truly enjoy their new career.

What happens during a typical day at a game truck business?

Since the bulk of your business will be conducted on the weekends, Monday through Thursday can be dedicated to promoting your business, booking events, and prepping the truck for upcoming parties. On event days, you’ll deliver the game truck and host the party, ensuring attendees have access to the games they’ve requested.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful game truck business?

While it’s important to be knowledgeable about the different gaming systems and games they offer, prior knowledge isn’t required. Since you’ll be working with up to 24 people per party, many of them children, interpersonal skills and patience is critical. Remember, they’re paying you to ensure a great time!

Like any successful entrepreneur, you should be business-minded and competitive in nature, with a strong work ethic. One of the primary reasons small businesses fail is from a lack of listening. Be open to the suggestions of your clients. This will help you identify what’s working and what’s not, within your business, so you can adjust accordingly. This could make or break your business’ profitability.

Strong business management skills, physical stamina, and organizational skills are also beneficial to the game truck entrepreneur. Time management skills are important for ensuring your customers get the most out of their game party experience.

What is the growth potential for a game truck business?

When first starting out, it’s recommended to limit your business to one mobile game truck. While this limits your earning potential, it affords you the opportunity to gauge community response and the necessity for more trucks. Once you’ve determined this is a sound investment, you can then consider adding additional trucks. If your community is currently lacking in this industry, yet you don’t want to juggle multiple trucks, many businesses have found success franchising their organizations.