Billings is Montana’s largest city with a population over 120,000, and it’s a serious food truck market that often gets overlooked. Unlike Bozeman (tourism-driven) or Missoula (college and outdoor culture), Billings is an economic hub. It’s the regional center for healthcare, agriculture, oil and gas, and transportation. That means year-round office workers, shift workers at major employers, families, and consistent weekday and weekend foot traffic. There’s less of the mountain-town vibe and more of the blue-collar hustle. Food trucks that serve that market – affordable, filling, reliable – do very well.

Billings also hosts MontanaFair, the state’s largest fair, drawing 200,000+ visitors over nine days every August at MetraPark. For food truck operators, MontanaFair is one of the top regional catering opportunities. A successful MontanaFair run can generate $15,000-$30,000 in revenue in a single week, and you’ll meet hundreds of people who’ll become repeat customers year-round.

12ft funnel cake trailer we built for a Billings operator

Why Billings is a Smart Market for Food Trucks

Recent Montana Builds

Real rigs we have built and delivered to Montana operators.

16ft Burger Food Truck

Bozeman, MT

Read the video transcript: Bozeman Burger

Hello and welcome to Design Food Trucks. Today we have this beautiful 16 ft food truck that we are shipping out to Montana. Let's check out its many features. We start on the inside today just because the outside is a little chilly. Right up here is the plumbing unit that has the three compartment sink, hand wash sink, the water tanks, and the water heater. You'll notice that um wherever there is a gap, we have filled that in with coke. Make sure that water does not get in between. Also, there is a splash guard between the handwash sink and the three compartment sink. Of course, there's a shelf on top. Soap dispenser, towel dispenser, refrigerator. All equipment of course are mounted to the floor with washers and all equipment stay six in above the ground to make sure they're compliant with code. So you can put a broom underneath or like a mop underneath and clean it. Right next to that is a freezer. Small work table. Another table that is the freshwater tank that you're looking at. goes the ABC fire extinguisher. That's the K series fire extinguisher. That is the egress in this food truck. Right up there is the junction box. As with all our trucks, every piece of equipment has its own breaker. It's not been labeled yet, but it will be soon. Fire suppression system is of course labeled and tagged. You'll notice all the is inside conduits, not inside the walls areas that um the walls of the truck, they flex when they drive and uh chafe it. This of course prevents that. Plus, it's easy to access that as well. Sandwich prep. Oh, before that, the generator door turned a box which we make into a workt. Nice work table. So, we can do all your prep there if you want to. Floor is aluminum diamond plate. Sandwich prep, steam table. This one's electric. Under that is the chef base, two fryers, each of them, two basket, and a griddle. It's not just a griddle. There's a it's a range. So, there is the oven right under that. Of course, a two on a stove. You'll see all the walls are stainless steel and uh and inside the walls is 1 in of insulation, 9/16 in of uh plywood. Forgot to show you this one. This is the uh self-closing window. You lift up the product and close by itself. Let's go see outside. And this, of course, started out as a 16 ft Freightlininer diesel truck. There's a shelf, outside shelf for the service window. Let's have you fill the water. The outside access door. Truck's not been wrapped yet, but it will be. customer decided to do that themselves. Uh so we'll ship it and uh they will wrap it themselves. That of course is the generator which you'll notice is in a nice tray. That's the shore power plugin. Of course, you'll notice the hood on top. Sorry, hood fan on top. Look at that. beautiful 16 ft food truck that we are shipping out. If you have any questions or if you would like one like this yourself, do contact us through our website designuttrros.com. Thank you. Have a nice day.

16-foot custom burger food truck built for a Bozeman operator.

12ft Funnel Cake Trailer

Billings, MT

Read the video transcript: Billings Funnel Cake

Hello and welcome to Zan Food Trucks. Check out this cute little doughut and ice cream trailer that we are shipping off to Montana today. This one is of course for this organization. Um, and it is 12 ft long. It's small, but it has all kinds of features. Let's go check it out. Outside of course is the you can see our seamless construction, which means you would not see any rivets on the outside. makes the trailer a lot longlasting and uh well the wrap doesn't bubble around it so the wrap lasts a lot longer as well. Of course uh you can't forget the wrap on the outside. Check out the clarity on this. Let me show you the the features. You can actually see each of the grains of the wheat. Something we are very very proud of. Of course, also outside are two LED lights. Well, four of them in two sets. outside shelf and the um serving window which is of course self-closing. That is how it do it look when it is in operation. On this side of course that's how you drain the water. That's how you fill the water and that's the shore power connection. This has a donut fryer inside. Therefore has propane tanks. And you can see the propane going under the floor of the trailer. Very important. Um it is required by code in many places also. Um it's much safer 10 years from today if it leaks it leaks outside. Giant bowls you see are holding up the fire suppression system. Of course like all trailers that we built the this is also double axle heavy duty of course. You can see the that was the exhaust fan with the grease catch pan of course. Let's go inside. To prevent the doors from fluttering around, there is a little catch there. Floor is aluminum diamond plate. Cooking wall of course is stainless. You can see the large doughut fryer up there. This was supplied by the customer. And the ice cream machine. little ice cream machine, but works really well for them. Three compartment sink, hand wash sink. Hand wash sink of course has a splash guard. They haven't labeled the um the breakers yet, but we will of course before shipping. And you can see every single piece of equipment has its own breaker, soap dispenser, towel dispenser, and the fire suppression system is of course um you can see has tags. Between every panel there is a um there is a trim piece to prevent grease from going inside and whatnot. The hood of course slightly oversized. idea is that tomorrow they might want to add another piece of equipment. So we picked a rather large cylinder for this richen freezer and refrigerator. Both will open completely of course. And uh here is one of the highlights of our construction. Every all our wiring is inside conduits. This way, this trailer lasts for as long as it needs, 20, 25, 30 years. If we we were to put it inside the walls, the wires would eventually chafe due to the motion of the trailer and you would develop short circuits. You also see how every piece of equipment has its own breaker. That brings us to the end of Oh, before that, let me show you this thing. You see how every piece of equipment is bolted to the floor with washers. If you have any questions um or if you would like a trailer or truck like this, please do contact us through zonfuttras.com. Thank you. Have a nice one.

12-foot funnel cake trailer built for a Billings operator.

Start with the sheer population. Billings has 120,000 residents, with metro area approaching 200,000. That’s significantly larger than Bozeman (53,000) or Missoula (75,000). More people equals more demand for quick, affordable meals. Lunch crowds are predictable and substantial. Dinner and weekend traffic varies but follows a regular pattern.

Major employers drive consistent daytime foot traffic. Billings Clinic (the largest private employer in Montana with 5,000+ employees), Rocky Mountain College, Eastern Montana University, and multiple oil and gas operations mean office parks and industrial areas full of workers looking for lunch. These aren’t tourists – they’re repeat customers who’ll remember where to find your truck.

MontanaFair is the crown jewel. The fair runs nine days each August (usually the second week), hosts 200,000+ visitors, and includes a dedicated food truck court. Operators typically station 3-5 trucks and run extended hours. Revenue during fair week often exceeds normal monthly income. Even smaller operators do $15,000-$20,000 during the fair.

Billings also has strong summer events. The Strawberry Festival (largest vendor fair in the city, 100+ vendors, significant food truck presence), Magic City Blues Festival (food trucks and beer gardens), Downtown ArtWalk, and various community events keep food truck demand consistent May through September.

The Farmers Market (Saturday mornings downtown) has a strong food truck component, and weekend foot traffic in the downtown and Old Town districts is solid year-round.

Building for Billings’ Climate and Conditions

Billings sits at 3,100 feet elevation on the Yellowstone River. The climate is milder than mountain towns but with extremes. Winters are cold but not as severe as Bozeman – January highs around 38 degrees, but lows reach 15-20 degrees. Snow is moderate (10-12 inches January and February combined). Summer is hot – highs routinely reach 90-95 degrees, and humidity is low. Spring and fall are variable and windy.

Wind is the primary design consideration. Billings sits on the edge of the Great Plains, and spring winds can gust to 30-40 mph regularly. Your truck needs solid aerodynamics – low profile, rounded corners where possible, and secure everything that’s exposed. We reinforce side panels and roof sections for wind load.

Summer heat means your HVAC needs to be robust. Equipment generates significant internal heat, and outdoor temperatures can exceed 95 degrees. We design Billings trucks with oversized ventilation, insulated walls, and sometimes outdoor shade structures or awnings to reduce sun load on the truck itself.

Billings dust can be aggressive in spring and early summer, so sealing around doors, vents, and equipment is important. The valley floor sees agricultural dust, construction dust, and wind-blown particles. Quality air filters and sealed vents are non-negotiable.

Winter is manageable for year-round operation if you have good heating and winterized water systems. Many Billings operators run year-round, particularly if they focus on comfort foods in winter (hot soup, stew, warm sandwiches) and shift to lighter fare in summer.

The drive from Woodland Park to Billings is roughly 600 miles and 9-10 hours. It’s the shortest of our Montana service areas, which means faster response times for service and support.

How Zion Foodtrucks Builds for Billings

Billings trucks are built for reliable, high-volume operation in variable weather. We focus on:

Heavy-duty wind-resistant design (reinforced framing, low profile, aerodynamic panels)
Oversized HVAC and ventilation for summer heat management
Robust dust sealing and filtration systems
Equipment for high throughput (Billings crowds are hungry and in a hurry)
Year-round operability (good insulation, winterization-ready plumbing)
Professional finish (Billings is not a “quirky artisanal” market – it appreciates clean, businesslike presentation)

We’ve delivered multiple trucks to Billings operators, including festival-specific builds for funnel cake, roasted corn, and other fair food concepts. If you’re planning a MontanaFair-focused operation, we can design a truck that’s optimized for fair volume and quick service.

Permits and Licensing in Billings

Billings and Yellowstone County are fairly straightforward. RiverStone Health (the local health authority) handles all food truck permitting and inspections.

Mobile Food Unit (MFU) Permit

RiverStone Health requires a Mobile Food Unit permit ($85-115 annually, depending on employee count, per state guidelines). One-time plan review fee is $115 when you submit your truck for approval. Your truck will be inspected before the permit is issued and annually thereafter.

RiverStone is professional and cooperative. They have significant experience with food trucks, particularly given MontanaFair traffic. Most operators report smooth permitting if documentation is complete.

Contact: RiverStone Health, 123 S. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101, 406-247-3350

City Business License

Billings requires a city business license. The fee depends on projected gross revenue but is typically $50-150 annually. Apply at the Billings Planning Division.

Special Permit for Stationary Operations

If you’re operating at the same private location for more than three days consecutively, Billings requires a Temporary Use Permit ($150) from the Planning Division. This is common for festival operations, farmers markets, and event catering. Most Billings operators need this permit for their regular spots.

Fire Safety

Type-1 hood suppression is required for any cooking equipment generating grease-laden vapors. Initial inspection and certification costs $500-800; annual recertification is $100-200.

Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)

Montana requires at least one manager or supervisor to hold a CFPM certification (ServSafe Manager, National Registry, or Prometric). You can obtain this with a one-day course and exam ($150-200). Highly recommended even if not operating in Billings.

Popular Billings Food Truck Spots and Events

MontanaFair (August, MetraPark)

Nine days, 200,000 visitors, dedicated food truck court. This is the marquee event. Most successful operators book a booth weeks or months in advance. Fair management coordinates vendor space and logistics. Revenue potential is enormous.

Strawberry Festival (June, Downtown Billings)

Largest vendor street fair in Billings. 100+ local vendors, strong food truck presence, significant foot traffic. Single-day event, but very well-attended.

Magic City Blues Festival (May/June, MetraPark)

Local and national blues artists, food vendors, beer gardens. Multiple food trucks coordinate. Good catering opportunity.

Downtown ArtWalk (May-September, Downtown Streets)

Monthly evening event with live music, street performers, food trucks. Regular vendors do well here.

Billings Farmers Market (Saturday Year-Round, Downtown)

Consistent Saturday market with food truck presence. Winter market is smaller, but summer is robust and well-attended.

Office Parks and Industrial Areas

Lunch crowds around Billings Clinic, downtown office parks, and industrial areas are extremely reliable. Many successful Billings operators have regular lunch rotation routes – Clinic area Monday, downtown Tuesday, different park Wednesday, etc. Repeat customers and predictable volume.

Residential Neighborhoods

Billings has well-established residential areas with strong weekend foot traffic. Weekend dinner service in neighborhoods (Friday-Sunday evenings) is very productive for some operators.

Our Food Truck Services in Billings

We build food trucks customized for Billings’ climate, market demand, and event-oriented revenue model. Our service includes design consultation, custom fabrication, compliance certification, and on-site delivery.

Additional services:

Event-specific builds (if you’re targeting MontanaFair with a specialized concept like funnel cakes or roasted corn)
Multi-truck fleet planning (some operators run 2-3 trucks across different locations)
Seasonal operation planning
Annual maintenance and inspection contracts
Equipment upgrades
Financing through preferred lenders

Most builds take 4-6 months. Expedited timelines available with simplified customization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is MontanaFair worth the effort?

A: Absolutely. A single MontanaFair week generates more revenue than many operators make in a month. Even if you’re new to the market, having a food truck for the fair is a smart entry strategy. You’ll meet thousands of customers, build a local reputation, and establish connections with other vendors. Budget for application fees, booth rental (typically $300-600), and increased inventory, but expect strong returns.

Q: Can I operate year-round?

A: Yes. Winter is slower than summer, but Billings’ population base supports year-round operation. Many operators reduce hours or shift concept (warmer foods, comfort dishes) in winter. Some close December-January but reopen February-March. Plan conservatively for 70-80% of summer volume during winter months.

Q: What’s the best concept for Billings?

A: Burger, taco, BBQ, and Asian cuisine perform well. Breakfast/brunch trucks do strong weekday traffic. Specialty events trucks (funnel cakes, corn roasting, kettle corn) are perfect for MontanaFair. The market doesn’t require high-end or conceptual dishes – reliable, affordable, delicious food is the ticket. If it’s quick, tasty, and reasonably priced, Billings will buy it.

Q: Do I need to commit to regular locations, or can I roam?

A: Both models work. Some operators commit to regular lunch routes (Clinic area, downtown, office parks, neighborhoods) and build repeat customer bases. Others roam between events and farmers markets. Many successful Billings operators do a mix – regular weekday lunch route plus weekend events and farmers market on Saturday. Talk to other Billings operators to understand the rhythm before you launch.

Q: What’s a realistic budget?

A: A custom Zion truck costs $45,000-$125,000 depending on size and equipment. Add 20-30% for permits, commissary (if needed), initial inventory, and insurance. All-in startup budget: $60,000-$180,000. Used trucks available $25,000-$60,000 if you want to start smaller.

Q: Do I need a commissary?

A: Not legally required if your truck is fully self-contained with water and wastewater systems. Many Billings operators operate independently. However, some prefer shared commissary space for end-of-day cleaning, prep storage, or to have a professional business address. Budget $300-800/month if you go that route.

Q: How much do you charge for a truck?

A: Custom builds range from $45,000 (basic 16ft truck) to $125,000+ (large truck with premium equipment). Most Billings operators work with us on trucks in the $60,000-$85,000 range. We also have used inventory $25,000-$60,000. Get in touch with your concept and budget, and we’ll give you a specific number.

Q: How do you support trucks from 600 miles away?

A: Billings is our closest Montana market. We provide full phone support and make regular service visits. Most issues can be diagnosed and fixed via phone or with help from local mechanics. Your initial delivery includes a full 1-2 day on-site setup and training visit. We’re accessible when you need us.

Get Your Billings Food Truck Built

Billings is hungry, growing, and genuinely underserved by food trucks relative to its population. If you’ve got the hustle and capital, we can build you a truck that runs hard and profitable year-round. MontanaFair alone might justify the investment, but consistent weekday and weekend traffic is where long-term success lives.

Call us at 719-722-2537 or email info@milehighfoodtrucks.com. Let’s talk timeline and design.