Merchant Account for a Food Truck
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A food truck takes cards in person from a mobile reader, so published card-present rates and hardware terms matter most. This page uses Visa's categories and the rates providers publish. It does not promise approval.
Nothing on this page is an approval or a guarantee. Each provider decides on its own whether to open an account and on what terms, and it can change its policies at any time.
What Visa calls this business
Visa assigns each merchant a four-digit category code. This is Visa’s own wording, from its Merchant Data Standards Manual (April 2026).
MCC 5814: Fast Food Restaurants
Merchants classified with this MCC sell prepared food and beverages for consumption either on the premises or packaged for carry-out. Orders are typically made and paid for at a counter, kiosk or drive-through window. This MCC includes food delivery for Merchants qualifying for this MCC.
Source: PDF page 76.
MCC 5812: Eating Places and Restaurants
Merchants classified with this MCC prepare food and drinks for immediate consumption, typically on the Merchant’s premises. These Merchants typically provide table service and may include alcoholic beverages on the menu. This MCC includes food delivery for Merchants qualifying for this MCC.
Source: PDF page 76.
MCC 5499: Miscellaneous Food Stores – Convenience Stores and Specialty Markets
Merchants classified with this MCC sell specialty foods not classified with a more specific MCC.
Source: PDF page 67.
Search all merchant category codes
Card-present basics from Visa
Because every sale is made with the card in hand, Visa's card-present practices apply directly.
For card-present sales Visa’s best practices say not to complete a transaction without an authorization, and not to complete it if the authorization was declined.
Visa: Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants (June 2024)· Checked 2026-10-15
Visa says that if you must key in a card-present sale you should make an imprint of the card, because without one a fraud dispute can be sent back to you even if the sale was authorized.
Visa: Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants (June 2024)· Checked 2026-10-15
Visa says cardholders must be able to recognize your name on their statements, and tells merchants to check with their acquirer that the doing-business-as name, city and state are correct.
Visa: Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants (June 2024)· Checked 2026-10-15
A mobile business and your statement name
Customers have to recognize a charge from a truck on their statement. Visa tells merchants to check the name, city and state their acquirer has on file.
Visa says cardholders must be able to recognize your name on their statements, and tells merchants to check with their acquirer that the doing-business-as name, city and state are correct.
Visa: Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants (June 2024)· Checked 2026-10-15
Questions to ask a provider before you apply
These are questions, not claims about any provider. Get the answers in writing.
- What is the card-present rate, and what does a tap-to-pay or reader cost?
- Does the reader work without a stable internet connection? Ask the provider directly; we do not state this for any provider.
- How fast do funds reach your bank account?
- What is the dispute process, and does the provider hold funds?
- Can you add a second location or event setup without a new contract?
Frequently asked questions
What is the Visa category for a food truck?
Visa describes MCC 5814, fast food restaurants, as merchants selling prepared food and beverages for consumption on the premises or packaged for carry-out, and MCC 5812 for restaurants that prepare food for immediate consumption. Your acquirer chooses the code that matches your primary business.
What does a card cost on a $40 sale?
It depends on the provider. Our fee calculator compares published card-present rates side by side.
Are food trucks high risk?
Visa’s published high integrity risk list does not include them. Providers set their own policies.
Sources for this page
- Visa: Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants (June 2024) (Checked 2026-10-15)
- Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual (April 2026), Section 2: Merchant Category Code Listing (Checked 2026-10-15)