Last updated: 2026-01-29•9 min read

Food Truck Loan Malaysia 2026

Starting or expanding a food truck business? The food truck industry in Malaysia continues to grow, offering lower overhead than traditional restaurants. Here's how to finance your mobile F&B venture.

Quick Facts

Pro Tip

Food trucks have lower startup costs than restaurants but still require proper financing. Don't underestimate working capital needs for the first 3-6 months while you build your customer base.

What You Need to Finance

Startup Cost Breakdown

ItemCost RangeNotes
Food truck/vanRM30,000 - RM80,000New or used vehicle
Truck conversionRM20,000 - RM50,000Kitchen build-out
Kitchen equipmentRM15,000 - RM40,000Stoves, fryers, refrigeration
GeneratorRM3,000 - RM15,000Backup power essential
Initial inventoryRM5,000 - RM10,000First stock of ingredients
Licenses & permitsRM2,000 - RM5,000SSM, PBT, health permits
Branding & designRM3,000 - RM10,000Wrap, signage, menu
POS systemRM1,000 - RM3,000Payment and inventory
Working capitalRM10,000 - RM30,0003-6 months buffer
Total EstimatedRM89,000 - RM243,000

Equipment Essentials

Kitchen Equipment Checklist

  • Commercial stove/griddle (RM3,000 - RM8,000)
  • Deep fryer (RM1,000 - RM3,000)
  • Refrigerator/freezer (RM3,000 - RM8,000)
  • Food prep table (RM500 - RM2,000)
  • Ventilation/exhaust hood (RM2,000 - RM5,000)
  • Sink with water system (RM1,500 - RM3,000)
  • Fire suppression system (RM2,000 - RM5,000)
  • Storage containers & shelving (RM1,000 - RM3,000)

Financing Options for Food Trucks

1. Hire Purchase (Vehicle Financing)

Best for financing the truck itself:

How It Works:

  • Finance 70-90% of vehicle cost
  • Fixed monthly payments over 5-9 years
  • Vehicle serves as collateral
  • Available from banks and auto finance companies
ProviderDown PaymentRateMax Tenure
Maybank10-20%3-4% p.a.9 years
Public Bank10-20%3-4% p.a.9 years
Honda Leasing10-20%4-5% p.a.7 years
Toyota Capital10-20%3-5% p.a.7 years

Example: RM60,000 Food Truck

  • Down payment (20%): RM12,000
  • Financed amount: RM48,000
  • Monthly payment (7 years, 4%): ~RM655/month

2. TEKUN Financing

Ideal for Bumiputera food truck entrepreneurs:

TEKUN F&B Scheme

  • Amount: RM5,000 - RM100,000
  • Rate: 4% flat rate
  • Tenure: Up to 5 years
  • Use: Equipment, working capital, partial vehicle costs

Advantages:

  • Lower barrier to entry
  • No collateral required
  • Simpler documentation
  • Industry-specific assessment

TEKUN Requirements

  • Malaysian Bumiputera citizen
  • Age 18-60 years old
  • SSM registered business
  • Not a government employee
  • Not bankrupt
  • Viable business plan

3. SME Bank F&B Financing

Skim Usahawan Muda (Young Entrepreneur Scheme)

  • Amount: Up to RM100,000
  • Rate: Competitive rates
  • Target: Entrepreneurs under 40
  • Benefits: Mentorship program included

General SME Financing

  • Amount: RM50,000 - RM500,000
  • Rate: From 5% p.a.
  • Use: Full setup including vehicle, equipment, working capital

4. Equipment Leasing

Finance equipment separately from the vehicle:

Benefits of Leasing:

  • Preserve cash for working capital
  • Easier approval than loans
  • Equipment maintenance often included
  • Upgrade options
EquipmentLease Cost (monthly)Buy Cost
Commercial stoveRM150-300RM5,000-10,000
Refrigeration unitRM200-400RM8,000-15,000
Full kitchen setupRM800-1,500RM30,000-50,000

5. P2P/Fintech Financing

For faster approval, especially with limited credit history:

PlatformAmountApprovalRate
Funding SocietiesRM20K-500K24-72 hours12-20% p.a.
FundazticRM10K-200K24-48 hours10-18% p.a.
AlixcoRM5K-100K24-48 hours12-24% p.a.

Higher Rates Warning

P2P rates are significantly higher than bank/TEKUN rates. Use only if you need fast approval or don't qualify for traditional financing.

Planning a food truck business? We can help match you to the right financing for your budget.

Financing Strategy by Budget

Budget Option (Under RM80,000)

ComponentOptionCost
Used vanCash or HPRM25,000
Basic conversionPersonal savingsRM15,000
Essential equipmentTEKUNRM20,000
Working capitalTEKUNRM15,000
TotalRM75,000

Mid-Range (RM80,000 - RM150,000)

ComponentOptionCost
New/newer vanHire purchaseRM50,000
Full conversionSME loanRM40,000
Quality equipmentEquipment leaseRM25,000
Working capitalSME loanRM20,000
TotalRM135,000

Premium Setup (Over RM150,000)

ComponentOptionCost
Custom food truckHire purchaseRM80,000
Premium conversionBank loanRM60,000
Commercial equipmentLease/loanRM40,000
Branding & techWorking capital loanRM15,000
Working capitalCredit lineRM30,000
TotalRM225,000

Licenses & Permits Required

Don't forget to budget for regulatory compliance:

Required Licenses

  • SSM business registration (RM60-1,000)
  • PBT hawker/mobile food license (RM50-500/year)
  • Food handler certificate (RM50/person)
  • Vehicle inspection (Puspakom) (RM50-100)
  • Fire safety certificate (if required)
  • Halal certification (optional, RM200-3,000)

Location Permits

Location TypePermitCost
Public areasPBT permitRM100-500/month
Private eventsEvent organizerVaries
Private lotsLot owner agreementNegotiated
Night marketsDBKL/PBTRM50-200/session

Revenue & Profitability Expectations

Banks assess your repayment ability. Here's what they expect to see:

Typical Food Truck Economics

MetricRangeGood Benchmark
Daily salesRM300-1,500RM800+
Operating days/month20-2624+
Monthly revenueRM6,000-39,000RM20,000+
Food cost25-35%Under 30%
Gross margin65-75%70%+
Operating costs30-40%Under 35%
Net profit margin20-35%25%+

Sample Monthly P&L

Revenue:           RM20,000
Food costs (30%):  -RM6,000
Gross profit:      RM14,000

Operating expenses:
- Fuel:            -RM1,500
- Loan payments:   -RM1,500
- Permits/fees:    -RM500
- Staff (if any):  -RM2,000
- Utilities:       -RM500
- Marketing:       -RM300
- Maintenance:     -RM500
Total expenses:    -RM6,800

Net profit:        RM7,200

Tips for Loan Approval

Strengthen Your Application

  • Prepare detailed business plan with menu and pricing
  • Research and document target locations
  • Show any F&B experience or training
  • Include market research on competition
  • Have contingency plan for weather/slow periods
  • Demonstrate working capital buffer
  • Get quotes from truck/equipment suppliers

What Banks Look For

FactorWhat They Want to See
ExperienceF&B background or training
Location planIdentified high-traffic spots
Menu & pricingProfitable margins calculated
Working capital3-6 months buffer
Backup planAlternative income or support

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Food Truck Financing Pitfalls

  • Underestimating total costs: Don't forget permits, insurance, and working capital
  • Overleveraging: Keep total loan payments under 30% of expected revenue
  • Skipping legal requirements: Unpermitted operation risks fines and seizure
  • No working capital buffer: First months are often slow while building customer base
  • Buying before planning: Choose locations first, then design truck for those needs

Alternative Paths to Food Truck Ownership

Start Smaller

  1. Food stall first: Build track record and savings
  2. Catering: Test menu and build following
  3. Partner with existing truck: Learn operations before buying

Shared/Rental Options

  • Rent a food truck: Some operators rent trucks daily/weekly
  • Shared kitchen: Prep in commissary, serve from simple setup
  • Ghost kitchen: Build brand before investing in truck

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Start Your Food Truck Journey?

The right financing can turn your food truck dream into reality. Let us help you find the best options.

Disclaimer: Interest rates, loan amounts, and eligibility requirements shown are indicative and subject to change. Contact the respective bank or institution directly for the latest rates and terms. Last reviewed: January 2026.

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