Commercial Kitchen on Wheels
Looking for a commercial kitchen setup without committing to a permanent lease? A custom food trailer can function as a fully equipped mobile commercial kitchen – designed for real production, real service, and real compliance.
This page helps you understand what a commercial kitchen needs, what equipment is typical, and how to plan a layout. When you are ready, you can build your own mobile kitchen in minutes using our 3D Food Trailer Builder.
Start in the 3D Food Trailer Builder
What “Commercial Kitchen” Means in Real Life
A commercial kitchen is a professional food prep space designed for safe workflow, proper ventilation, sanitation, and high-volume use. The same requirements can be met inside a food trailer when the layout and systems are designed correctly.
Core requirements most inspectors care about
- Food-safe surfaces and stainless work areas
- Proper ventilation hood and fire suppression (when required)
- Handwash and warewashing solutions
- Hot and cold holding that matches your menu
- Clean workflow from storage to prep to cooking to service
Commercial Kitchen Trailer vs Restaurant Kitchen
Why many operators start mobile
- Lower startup cost than build-out of a permanent location
- Faster path to launch
- Flexible locations for events, catering, and local service
- Scalable: add a second trailer before opening a second location
If your goal is to cook, serve, and grow without being locked into a long lease, a mobile commercial kitchen is often the most practical first step.
Plan Your Commercial Kitchen Layout
Good kitchen design is not about packing equipment in. It is about flow. In a trailer, flow matters even more.
Simple layout logic that works
- Storage: dry and cold storage close to prep
- Prep: clear counter space where most of the work happens
- Cook line: heat equipment grouped under ventilation
- Service: a clean handoff area to avoid congestion
- Clean-up: sinks placed so washing does not block prep
Typical trailer sizes for commercial kitchen setups
- 16 to 18 ft: compact menu, coffee, small prep, tight spaces
- 20 to 22 ft: the common sweet spot for most concepts
- 24 to 30 ft: higher volume, more storage, larger teams
The easiest way to feel what fits is to build it visually.
Build your layout in 3D
Commercial Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Your equipment list depends on the menu, but most commercial kitchen trailers are built around these categories.
Cooking equipment
- Griddle or charbroiler
- Range or hot plates
- Fryer
- Oven or holding cabinet (concept dependent)
Refrigeration and cold holding
- Reach-in refrigerator
- Prep table with cold storage
- Freezer (if your menu needs it)
Prep and production
- Stainless work tables
- Cutting and assembly space
- Dry storage shelving
Sinks and sanitation
- Handwash sink
- Warewashing setup (often a 3-compartment sink)
- Fresh and gray water tanks sized for your operation
Ventilation and safety
- Commercial hood system (when required)
- Fire suppression system (when required)
- Proper electrical and gas design
Design Your Commercial Kitchen Trailer in Minutes
Our 3D Food Trailer Builder helps you plan a real-world commercial kitchen layout. You can pick a trailer size, place equipment, and visualize the space before talking to a build specialist.
What you can do in the 3D builder
- Select trailer length and starting layout
- Add key equipment and work areas
- Visualize workflow and spacing
- Save your concept and share it with our team
Open the 3D Food Trailer Builder
Common Use Cases for a Mobile Commercial Kitchen
- BBQ and smoked meats
- Tacos and street food
- Burgers and comfort food
- Coffee and espresso
- Catering and private events
- Pop-ups and brand activations
FAQ
Is a food trailer considered a commercial kitchen?
When built and permitted correctly, a food trailer can meet commercial kitchen requirements and be approved for professional food service.
Do I need a commissary kitchen if I have a trailer?
Requirements vary by city and county. Some areas require commissary support even with a fully equipped trailer. We recommend confirming rules with your local health department.
How do I choose the right trailer size?
Start with your menu and your team size. If you want a safe default for most concepts, 20 to 22 ft is often a strong starting point. The 3D builder makes it easy to test options visually.
Ready to Build Your Commercial Kitchen?
If your goal is to launch a professional kitchen fast and stay flexible, build your mobile commercial kitchen in our 3D tool and start with a layout that matches your concept.
Start the 3D Food Trailer Builder
