The rise of the food truck phenomenon: an integrated model of consumers' intentions to visit food trucks

Abstract

Purpose

In recent times, the market for food trucks has been growing due to customers seeking convenient food options. However, not many studies have been carried out to understand why consumers choose to visit food trucks. Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand consumers' intentions to visit food trucks through the theoretical lenses of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the theory of consumption values (TCV).

Design/methodology/approach

A purposive sampling method was utilised to gather data from 203 food truck customers through a cross-sectional online survey. Data were evaluated using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings indicate that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control have a significant positive impact on consumers' intentions to visit food trucks. Furthermore, taste value, health value, emotional value and epistemic value have a significant positive effect on attitudes. However, neither price value nor interaction value has a significant impact on attitudes.

Originality/value

This study represents a pioneering effort in combining the theoretical perspectives of the TPB and the TCV to investigate consumers' intentions to visit food trucks. The resulting integrated model provides a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence consumers' decisions to visit food trucks. The findings are expected to furnish food truck vendors with valuable insights on crafting efficient marketing and operational tactics to retain their existing customer base and entice new consumers.

Citation

Koay, K.Y., Cheah, C.W. and Ganesan, N. (2023), "The rise of the food truck phenomenon: an integrated model of consumers' intentions to visit food trucks", British Food Journal, Vol. 125 No. 9, pp. 3288-3303. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1092