SDE multiples · business value

Food Truck Valuation Calculator

Estimate what your food truck business is worth using SDE multiples and revenue benchmarks.

Food truck valuation drives buy-sell decisions, SBA loan applications, and partnership buyouts. This calculator applies industry-standard SDE multiples plus equipment asset value to estimate market value.

  • Estimated Value = SDE × Industry Multiple (typically 1.8x–2.8x)
  • SDE = Net Profit + Owner Salary + Add-backs
  • Median mobile food business sells at ~2.25x SDE

Built for food truck owners planning an exit, buyers evaluating acquisitions, and brokers pricing listings.

Source: BizMetricsHQ 320+ food truck operators (2025–2026). Methodology

Business Financials

Estimated Value

$263,250

Range: $210,600$327,600

At 2.25x SDE on $117,000 SDE

SDE-Based Value

$263,250

Revenue-Based Value

$165,000

Industry Multiples

  • Revenue Multiple

    0.4x – 0.7x

    Median 0.55x

  • SDE Multiple

    1.8x – 2.8x

    Median 2.25x

  • Asset + Goodwill

    Truck + routes

Frequently Asked Questions

How are food trucks valued?

Most food trucks are valued using SDE multiples (1.8x–2.8x) plus partial equipment asset value. A truck with $117K SDE at 2.25x would be worth ~$263K before adjusting for truck condition and transferable permits.

What is a good SDE multiple for a food truck?

The median SDE multiple for food trucks is 2.25x. Trucks with recurring catering contracts and transferable permits command 2.5x–2.8x. Owner-dependent street routes may sell at 1.8x–2.0x.

What is SDE for a food truck?

SDE equals net profit plus owner salary and discretionary add-backs. For an owner-operator earning $75K salary with $42K net profit, SDE is approximately $117K before depreciation and interest add-backs.

How much is a food truck with $300K revenue worth?

A food truck with $300K revenue and $117K SDE typically sells for $210K–$328K (1.8x–2.8x SDE), with a median around $263K at 2.25x. Actual value depends on truck age, route contracts, and permit transferability.