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Downtown Fayetteville Resources

Food Truck Requirements

Required Permits & Licenses

Section titled “Required Permits & Licenses”

Business Licenses

Section titled “Business Licenses”
PermitAgencyDetails
Business LicenseCity of FayettevilleRequired for all businesses
Mobile Food Vendor PermitCity of FayettevilleSpecific to mobile vendors
Sales Tax NumberNC Dept of Revenuencdor.gov

Health & Safety

Section titled “Health & Safety”
RequirementAgencyDetails
Food Service PermitCumberland County HealthRequired for food service
Food Handler CertificationState-approved programAt least one certified person
Fire InspectionFayetteville Fire DeptSuppression, gas lines, extinguishers

Commissary Requirement

Section titled “Commissary Requirement”

You need a signed commissary agreement to get your permits.

Operating Locations

Section titled “Operating Locations”

Parking Permits

Section titled “Parking Permits”

Depending on where you operate, you may need location-specific parking permits.

Private Property

Section titled “Private Property”

Operating on private property requires:

  • Property owner permission
  • May still need city permits

Public Events

Section titled “Public Events”

For 4th Friday and other events:

  • Apply through event organizer
  • Additional event-specific permits may apply

Contact: Cool Spring Downtown District

Application Process

Section titled “Application Process”
  1. Register your business with NC Secretary of State
  2. Get your EIN from IRS
  3. Secure a commissary agreement
  4. Apply for Mobile Food Vendor Permit from City
  5. Schedule Fire Inspection
  6. Get Health Department permit
  7. Apply for specific location permits

Costs Summary

Section titled “Costs Summary”
ItemEstimated Cost
Business Registration$125
Mobile Vendor PermitVaries
Health PermitVaries
Fire InspectionIncluded
Commissary Rental$200-500/month
Insurance$1,000-3,000/year

Insurance Requirements

Section titled “Insurance Requirements”

Most locations require:

  • General liability insurance
  • Vehicle insurance
  • Workers compensation (if employees)

Best Days to Operate Downtown

Section titled “Best Days to Operate Downtown”

Based on foot traffic data:

DayTraffic ScoreRecommendation
Monday16/100Skip - very slow
Tuesday23/100Optional
Wednesday29/100Lunch crowds building
Thursday33/100Decent evening traffic
Friday63/100Best day - dinner rush
Saturday54/100Great all day
Sunday54/100Good afternoon

Event Opportunities

Section titled “Event Opportunities”

4th Friday (Monthly, March-October)

Section titled “4th Friday (Monthly, March-October)”

Major opportunity with 2-3x normal foot traffic from 6-9pm.

2026 Dates: Mar 27, Apr 24, May 22, Jun 26, Jul 24, Aug 28, Sep 25, Oct 23

Apply: visitdowntownfayetteville.com

Major Annual Events

Section titled “Major Annual Events”
EventWhenAttendance
Dogwood FestivalLate April250,000
Folk FestivalLate September70,000
Dickens HolidayFriday after Thanksgiving20,000

Private Events

Section titled “Private Events”

Corporate events, weddings, and parties often seek food trucks.

List your truck in:

  • Downtown Guide
  • Event directories
  • Social media

Resources

Section titled “Resources”