Buying a coffee truck in Montana? Focus on a build that’s winter-ready, health-code compliant, and power-balanced from day one. Prioritize a chassis that can carry a quiet 6–7 kW generator (or 48V LiFePO4 battery/inverter) and insulation, tank heaters, and heat-taped lines to prevent freeze-ups at subzero temps; espresso machines typically need 208–240V at 20–30A, so spec a 50A panel and shore-power inlet. Choose NSF/UL equipment, a 3-compartment sink plus hand sink, potable/wastewater tanks (at least 30/40 gal), and commit to filtered water (target 50–70 ppm hardness, 40–70 ppm alkalinity) to protect boilers. Before purchase, secure a commissary agreement and plan review with your county health department (e.g., Gallatin, Missoula, Yellowstone); they issue the Retail Food Establishment license and require wastewater disposal and potable refills. Expect fire requirements: Type K extinguisher and hood only if producing grease-laden vapors. Business-wise, Montana has no state sales tax, but some resort towns (Big Sky, Whitefish, Red Lodge, West Yellowstone) levy local resort taxes—price accordingly. Verify parking rules and private lot permissions; many cities require a separate mobile vendor permit. Budget: used trucks $35k–$95k, pro builds $120k–$200k; add commercial auto, general/product liability, and workers’ comp. At elevation, retune grinders and temps for consistent extraction quality.
