Analysis
NAICS 722330 is the 2022 national industry for mobile food services, part of 72233 (Mobile Food Services). Census lists 12 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 109% and employment rose 137%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 12,487 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 38,438 people at an average annual payroll of $25,920 per employee (2nd percentile of national industries). 81% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include beverage stands, nonalcoholic, mobile, canteens, mobile, coffee carts, mobile and concession snack stands, mobile, among 12 in all.
For example, selling a specialty snack (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, popcorn) or nonalcoholic beverages, except from mobile vehicles, for consumption on or near the premises are classified in 722515 (Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars) instead.
Census lists 1 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 722515. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in preparing and serving meals and snacks for immediate consumption from motorized vehicles or nonmotorized carts. The establishment is the central location from which the caterer route is serviced, not each vehicle or cart. Included in this industry are establishments primarily engaged in providing food services from vehicles, such as hot dog carts and ice cream trucks.
Illustrative Examples:
Ice cream truck vendors Mobile food concession stands Mobile canteens Mobile refreshment stands Mobile food carts and trucks Mobile snack stands
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Selling a specialty snack (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, popcorn) or nonalcoholic beverages, except from mobile vehicles, for consumption on or near the premises | 722515 Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
Index entries (12)
- Beverage stands, nonalcoholic, mobile
- Canteens, mobile
- Coffee carts, mobile
- Concession snack stands, mobile
- Food carts and trucks, mobile
- Food concession stands, mobile
- Ice cream truck vendors
- Lunch wagons
- Mobile food stands
- Refreshment stands, mobile
- Snack stands, mobile
- Street vendors, food