Prince George’s County has dramatically eased rules that have hampered food trucks from operating along the Route 1 corridor.
The county council recently eliminated its system of “food truck hubs,” which included designated spaces in Riverdale Park, College Park, Greenbelt and Mount Rainier.
Instead, food trucks will be allowed to operate in business and industrial parks, shopping centers, faith-based organizations, food halls, active construction sites, government buildings, golf courses and dog parks.
The only requirement is that they have a mobile food permit and explicit permission from the property owner or manager.
David Iannucci, president of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, said the new rules would support the “entrepreneurial spirit of the food truck community.”
Food trucks have been a crucial part of the local restaurant scene, serving as incubators for businesses like Little Miner Taco and expansions for places like Federalist Pig and Sugar Vault, and allowing places like Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. to offer food more easily.
In recent years, food trucks have become a big business, with the industry projected to soon cross the $1 billion mark.
They encourage entrepreneurialism, with the average food truck costing $55,000 to $75,000 to get started, compared to $250,000 to $500,000 to start a traditional restaurant.
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