Great Falls is Montana’s third-largest city (60,000 population) and a market with strong fundamentals that often gets overlooked by entrepreneurs looking for trendy locations. The city is anchored by Malmstrom Air Force Base (5,000 military personnel plus families), which provides year-round, consistent purchasing power. It’s also the central Montana hub for agriculture, manufacturing, and oil and gas operations. The Great Falls Farmers Market draws thousands every Saturday morning, and the city hosts regular festivals and community events. Unlike Bozeman or Missoula, Great Falls doesn’t have a college campus, but it compensates with stable employment, family traffic, and strong weekday business hours.

This is a market that rewards reliability and consistency over flash. Food truck operators who commit to regular service hours, solid food, and repeat customer relationships do very well. The military community in particular values dependability and quality. If you can build a reputation at Malmstrom, you’ve got a customer base that comes back week after week.

Why Great Falls 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.

Malmstrom Air Force Base is the economic anchor. With 5,000 active-duty military and several thousand family members, it’s one of Montana’s largest concentrated populations of working-age people with stable income. Food trucks are permitted to operate at Malmstrom (subject to base security protocols), and commissary access for military personnel creates a built-in customer base. Some successful Great Falls operators have standing lunch slots on base, literally seeing the same customers daily.

The Great Falls Farmers Market (Saturday mornings, May through September, at Civic Center Park) is the second major opportunity. This is the biggest family-friendly event in Great Falls, running 7:45 am to noon with free entry. Thousands of locals and tourists browse. Food trucks see heavy volume, and repeat weekend customers build loyalty quickly. Some operators do 15-25% of their weekly revenue in that single Saturday-morning window.

Great Falls itself has 60,000 residents with strong weekday traffic patterns. Office parks, light industrial, healthcare facilities, and retail areas all provide lunch-hour demand. Unlike tourist-driven markets where weekends are strongest, Great Falls weekdays are reliable and substantial.

The city also hosts summer events – the Montana State Fair (small but significant), outdoor concerts, community festivals, and private events (weddings, corporate functions) particularly during the spring-to-fall window. Event catering keeps trucks busy.

Year-round operation is more viable in Great Falls than in mountain towns. Winter is cold, but the city maintains infrastructure and foot traffic. Many successful Great Falls operators run 10-12 months per year, closing only during the slowest winter weeks.

Building for Great Falls’ Climate and Conditions

Great Falls sits at 3,100 feet elevation with a continental climate. Winters are cold – January lows reach 15-20 degrees, and the city gets 50-60 inches of snow annually. However, winters are shorter and less severe than mountain towns. Spring comes earlier, summer is hot and dry (90s are common), and fall is quick but pleasant.

Wind is the dominant environmental factor. Great Falls sits in the Missouri River valley and experiences significant spring and fall wind. Gusts to 30-40 mph are common, and sustained winds can exceed 20 mph regularly. Your truck design needs to account for wind load – low profile, secure side panels, and anchoring systems for outdoor fixtures like menu boards or awnings.

Summer heat is dry – low humidity makes it more manageable than eastern Montana, but temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees. Your HVAC needs to be solid, and it’s wise to run a truck with good shade coverage (awning or canopy) when parked.

Water availability is good – Great Falls has reliable public water and easy commissary access. Wastewater disposal is also straightforward. Winters are manageable with standard insulation and heating; you won’t need the extreme cold-weather equipment that Bozeman requires.

A unique Great Falls consideration: the City-County Health Department requires daily movement for mobile food units to ensure adequate water supply. This means you can’t park in the same spot for multiple days. You need to relocate daily – or at least move enough to demonstrate fresh water hookup. This is easily managed by committing to a regular route or daily location rotation.

The drive from Woodland Park to Great Falls is roughly 600 miles and 9 hours – very manageable for service visits and support.

How Zion Foodtrucks Builds for Great Falls

Great Falls trucks are designed for wind resistance, reliable year-round operation, and professional presentation. We build with:

Reinforced framing and wind-resistant design (low profile, aerodynamic panels, secure fixtures)
Year-round operability (good insulation, winterized plumbing, robust heating)
Reliable HVAC for summer heat management
Professional finish (clean, businesslike appearance – this market values professional presentation)
Standard commissary integration (Great Falls has good commissary options)
Portable awning or canopy options (many Great Falls operators use moveable shade structures)

We’ve built multiple trucks for Great Falls operators who run Malmstrom routes, farmers market operations, and general food truck services. If you’re targeting the base, we can confirm your truck meets Malmstrom’s specific security and safety requirements (no side access, secure fuel systems, etc.).

Permits and Licensing in Great Falls

Great Falls and Cascade County have a structured permitting process that’s fairly straightforward once you understand the requirements.

Mobile Food Unit (MFU) Permit

The Cascade County Health Department administers food truck permits. Requirements include a Mobile Food Unit permit ($85-115 annually, per state guidelines), plus a one-time plan review fee of $115. Your truck undergoes inspection before the permit is issued.

A key requirement specific to Cascade County: the health department requires that your mobile unit move daily to a new service location. This ensures you have access to adequate water supply (via new connection at each location). You can’t park at the same spot for multiple consecutive days unless that location has dedicated water/wastewater hookups. Plan your operating model around daily movement – either a regular rotating route (Malmstrom Monday, downtown Tuesday, farmers market Saturday, etc.) or positioning at a location with permanent hookups (commissary, hotel, event venue with utilities).

Contact: Cascade County Environmental Health Division, 115 4th St S, Great Falls, MT, 406-454-6950

City Business License

Great Falls requires a city business license ($50-150 annually depending on projected revenue). Apply at City Hall or online through the Great Falls website.

Fire Safety and Hood Suppression

If you operate cooking equipment that generates grease-laden vapors, you need a Type-1 hood and fire suppression system, inspected and certified annually. Initial certification $500-800; annual recertification $100-200. Great Falls Fire Rescue coordinates inspections.

Malmstrom Air Force Base Access

If you want to operate at Malmstrom, you’ll need to apply for base access (non-appropriated fund vendor permit). Contact Malmstrom’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) office. Process is straightforward, but there are security requirements – your truck will be inspected for weapons, you’ll need a background check, and certain design requirements apply (secure fuel systems, no side cargo doors, etc.). Worth doing if Malmstrom is your target, as the customer base is outstanding.

Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)

Montana requires at least one manager/supervisor with CFPM certification. ServSafe Manager is widely available in Great Falls.

Popular Great Falls Food Truck Spots and Events

Great Falls Farmers Market (Saturday 7:45 am-12 pm, May-September, Civic Center Park)

Biggest weekly event in Great Falls. Thousands of locals and tourists. Strong food truck presence and steady traffic. Many successful operators do 15-25% of weekly revenue here.

Malmstrom Air Force Base

Lunch operations during weekdays. Consistent customer base, year-round demand. Requires base vendor application but worth the effort.

Downtown Great Falls (Weekday Lunch)

Office parks, retail, and service businesses create steady lunch-hour traffic. Regular rotation builds repeat customer base.

Industrial/Manufacturing Areas

Light industrial parks and manufacturing facilities have significant lunch-hour demand. Workers appreciate convenient on-site food service.

Summer Events

Montana State Fair (August), outdoor concert series, community festivals, and private catering (weddings, corporate events) provide event opportunities May through September.

Great Falls Optimist Club Events

Various community charity events throughout the year often feature food vendors.

Our Food Truck Services in Great Falls

We build food trucks for Great Falls’ year-round operational market and stable demand base. Our service includes design consultation, fabrication, compliance certification, and delivery.

Services include:

Standard food truck builds optimized for Great Falls climate and operations
Malmstrom-specific customization (if targeting base operations)
Equipment upgrades and maintenance contracts
Annual inspection coordination with Cascade County Health
Financing partnerships

Most builds take 4-6 months. Can accelerate with simplified customization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I operate year-round in Great Falls?

A: Yes. Winter is slower than summer (expect 60-70% of summer volume), but many successful Great Falls operators run 10-12 months per year. Winter food concepts (hot soups, stews, comfort foods) perform well. Some operators close only the slowest 4-6 weeks in deep winter. Year-round operation is definitely viable here.

Q: What about the daily movement requirement?

A: Cascade County requires daily location changes to ensure access to fresh water. This is manageable and actually creates an advantage – you can work a regular route (Malmstrom area Monday, downtown Tuesday, etc.) and build repeat customer bases at each location. Or operate from a commissary or venue with permanent hookups and you’re good. Not a burden, just requires planning.

Q: Is Malmstrom worth pursuing?

A: Absolutely. Military personnel have stable income, consistent schedules, and they come back to the same vendor repeatedly. Lunch traffic at Malmstrom can be exceptional. You need to apply for base access and meet security requirements, but the customer base is worth it. Many successful Great Falls operators have a standing lunch slot on base.

Q: What food concepts do well in Great Falls?

A: Burger, taco, BBQ, Asian, and breakfast trucks do very well. The market values good food at reasonable prices with quick service. Higher-end or conceptual food is less critical than reliability and taste. If it’s delicious, quick, and affordable, you’ll find customers.

Q: Do I need a commissary?

A: Not legally required if your truck is fully self-contained. However, most operators use shared commissary space for prep, storage, and end-of-day cleaning. Great Falls has several good commissary options. Budget $400-800/month if you use one.

Q: How much is a truck going to cost?

A: Custom builds from Zion range $45,000-$125,000 depending on size and equipment. Most Great Falls operators work in the $60,000-$85,000 range. Used inventory available $25,000-$60,000. Tell us your budget and concept, and we’ll price it out.

Q: How do you support a truck 600 miles away?

A: Great Falls is our closest Montana market. We provide phone support anytime and make regular service visits. Your initial delivery includes a full 1-2 day on-site setup and training. For routine issues, local mechanics can help, and we’re accessible for more complex problems.

Get Your Great Falls Food Truck Built

Great Falls is stable, growing, and underserved relative to its population. There’s solid year-round demand, strong summer events, and an excellent Malmstrom customer base. If you’re looking for a market with less glamour but consistent, reliable income, Great Falls is worth serious consideration.

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