Mobile catering prices per head UK: what caterers charge, and how to price your events

TL;DR: One UK food van caterer's 2026 guide puts wedding food vans at £10–£25 per head plus VAT: about £10–£12 for burgers or hot dogs, £14–£18 for mid-range street food, and £18–£25 for premium menus. Minimum spends of £400–£600 are common. Price from your costs, and set a minimum so small events still pay.

These are guides published by caterers and a marketplace. They aren't a survey, so treat them as a sense check.

PremierPlus is a Surrey food van caterer. Its guide was updated on 3 May 2026 and covers weddings. Its own menus are £12.50, £14 and £18 per head plus VAT.

British Event Catering's guide is undated. It covers food trucks for all events.

British Event Catering says the per-head price falls as numbers rise:

That's because fuel, travel, staff and setup cost the same for 30 people as for 100.

British Event Catering says most food trucks need a minimum booking fee, usually £400 to £600+ per event, depending on the day and season.

Quick sum (our arithmetic from its figures): a £400–£600 minimum spread over 30 guests is £13.33–£20 a head before any food is counted. That's why its 30-guest band starts at £18.

Set your own minimum from your real costs for a day out: fuel, staff, gas, pitch, setup and clean-down.

Bark's 2026 price guide gives average prices per person for catering in general:

• business breakfast: £8
• cold buffet: £15
• hot buffet: £20
• evening grill: £30
• 3-course meal: £40

Bark also lists evening wedding food at £8–£15 per person, and staff at £15–£30 an hour each.

These help when a client is comparing you with a buffet caterer.

Check GOV.UK's VAT registration page to see when registering applies to you. If you're registered, read HMRC's VAT Notice 709/1 on catering and takeaway food or ask an accountant how your menus are treated.

Then say clearly on every quote if your per-head price is "plus VAT" or "including VAT". PremierPlus's guide shows how it looks: 100 guests × £14 = £1,400 plus VAT, or £1,680 including VAT.

1. Cost each dish per portion. Bun, protein, sauce, garnish, packaging, napkin. Add a waste allowance.
2. Add the event's fixed costs. Fuel, travel time, staff hours, gas, power or generator, pitch fee, cleaning.
3. Divide fixed costs by guests. Do it at 30, 50 and 100 guests to see how the price changes.
4. Add your margin. Then check the result against the ranges above.
5. Set a minimum spend. It's the fixed costs plus your margin for a short event.
6. Price extras separately. Extra service time, late finishes, travel beyond your area, extra menus.
7. Add VAT if you're registered. Show it as a separate line.
8. Write it into your terms. Deposit, final numbers deadline, cancellation, what happens if guests don't turn up.

PremierPlus says a complete quote should list the food, the van, the team and service time. It charges about £50 per 30 minutes to extend service. British Event Catering says standard service is usually 2 hours.

Your quote should show:

• per-head price and guest numbers
• menu choices and dietary options
• service time and the cost to extend
• travel and any area limits
• power, water and pitch needs
• minimum spend, deposit and VAT

The Mobile Catering Price List & Service Menu (£4.99) is a one-page A4 menu with 15 services in 4 categories, so enquirers see per-head and package prices upfront.

The Mobile Catering Pricing Calculator — Premium (£14.99) is an Excel workbook with 9 catering formats. Ingredients, staff, travel and pitch fees feed into the per-head or per-event price.

PremierPlus's 2026 wedding guide says £10–£25 per head plus VAT. British Event Catering says £8–£25+, depending on the menu.

British Event Catering says £400 to £600+ per event, depending on the day and the season.

Fuel, staff, travel and setup cost about the same for any event size. With fewer guests, each pays a bigger share.

If you're VAT registered, check VAT Notice 709/1 or ask an accountant how your menus are treated. Either way, say clearly if prices are plus VAT or include it.

All accessed 1 October 2026.

• PremierPlus, "How much does a wedding food van cost in 2026" (£10–£25 per head + VAT bands; own menus £12.50/£14/£18pp + VAT; 100 × £14 = £1,400 + VAT = £1,680; extension about £50 per 30 minutes; last updated 3 May 2026)
• British Event Catering, "Food truck catering cost per head UK: 2026 price guide" (tiers £8–£12, £12–£15, £15–£25+; minimum booking fee £400–£600+; per-head by guest count; standard service 2 hours; undated)
• Bark, "How much does catering cost 2026" (average per person by meal type; evening food £8–£15; staff £15–£30 an hour)
• GOV.UK, "Catering, takeaway food and VAT (VAT Notice 709/1)"
• GOV.UK, "VAT registration: when to register"

These figures come from caterer and marketplace guides and show typical ranges, not what you must charge. This article is general information, not tax advice. Check VAT with HMRC guidance or an accountant.