Food trucks have lost ground in Bengaluru when business has taken a hit post-Covid

Once a popular option for urban diners, food trucks have dwindled in number over the years. These exclusive dining options with fully equipped kitchens were once the go-to for students and corporate employees. But mobile restaurants have seen a sharp drop in business following the pandemic, truck owners said.

“During covid we were asked to return to our native village or stay at home until the situation is under control. We have no alternative source of income,” said M Basavaraju, a food truck owner. Many small truck owners continue in the business.

However, mobile restaurants come with several inherent advantages such as lower monthly rents and expenses. In addition, owners can be flexible about the environment. “I have been in the food business for decades. Owning a restaurant was extremely expensive and boring. Bengaluru’s rent is exorbitant, due to which we don’t make any profit,” says the owner of Gowdru’s Mane Biryani.

Owners like Negaraj also talk about the difficulties they face in pleading with civic officials to keep their businesses running despite the losses they suffered during the outbreak.

Sheikh Rihal, founder of the “Two to Tango” truck, says the food truck scene in Bengaluru has declined significantly in recent years. In the year In the peak years of 2014-2016, the city operated about 48 food trucks, but that number is now down to just 10. Riehal attributed the decline to changes in truck locations.

“If a truck stops at Koramangala for a few days and the customers return there another day and don’t find it there, their interest dies. Eventually, there will be only a handful of customers. Another reason may be the limitation of space. Some neighborhoods complain about reduced parking spaces and litter on the roads. The licensing process is also difficult,” says Rihal.

Rihal highlights a difficult issue food truck operators face – parking management. Customers park their vehicles without considering the flow of traffic, and when asked to move, they can be upset. This creates a difficult situation that operators must navigate carefully.

For Kiran, co-founding a food truck company called ‘Urban Chole Bhatoore’ was a dream come true. “We were IT professionals based in Mumbai. Bored with the monotony of our jobs, that’s when we decided to move back to Bengaluru and work in the food business. “We now have an online presence and have received positive feedback from happy customers. This is more complete and pocket-friendly for us and our customers.”