For qualifying public and private gatherings, guests order and purchase their own meals directly from the truck while the organizer provides the right place, timing, and audience.
At a Guest-Pay event, attendees purchase their meals directly from the truck. There is no catering invoice for food service: Paddy Wagon operates as an on-site restaurant while the organizer provides the place, timing, and audience. If you plan to cover the meals, explore our Columbus food truck catering.
01
Inquiry
Share the event details
Send the date, location, timing, estimated attendance, parking plan, and any other food vendors. We review the fit and confirm availability.
02
Coordinate
Build the service plan
We align on placement, menu structure, beverages, and online ordering when requested. Most events do not require a sales minimum; if a guarantee is needed, we tell you before the date is reserved.
03
Event day
We operate independently
Our crew arrives early and sets up efficiently, then handles ordering, cashless payment, cooking, service, and operating-area cleanup while you focus on hosting.
Built for smooth service
A restaurant on wheels. Ready where you are.
Staff lunches, school festivals, fundraisers, HOA gatherings, appreciation days, public festivals, churches, and nonprofit events can all be a strong fit.
Service capacity
Up to 150
Guests per hour
Selected Guest-Pay menus and ordering flows may serve up to approximately 150 guests per hour under suitable conditions.
Typical service
3
Hours standard
We review the right service window case by case.
Self-contained operation
Parking space is all we require.
No water hookup, generator support, or kitchen access. If electricity is available, we can use it—but we do not rely on it.
Guest checkout
Tap. Pay. Eat.
We accept credit, debit, and mobile pay through a modern cashless point-of-sale system.
Optional convenience
Order ahead
For certain events, we can provide a custom online ordering link before service.
Schools + nonprofits
Raise funds. Feed the crowd.
Paddy Wagon regularly supports schools, PTO and PTA groups, churches, nonprofits, and community charities with a simple Guest-Pay fundraiser model.
$27,000+raised in Central Ohio as of 2026.
Fundraiser eligibility and the donation percentage are confirmed in advance. The donation applies after the event reaches $750 in total sales.
From the people we serve
“Wonderful addition to our event. We enjoyed the interaction of the crew with all of our guests.”
— Paddy Wagon client
Good to know
Plan for buyers, not just attendance.
Purchase rate
Expect roughly 30–40%
At non-food-centered festivals, community days, and fundraisers, historical planning data suggests roughly 30–40% of total attendees purchase food. A vendor generally needs 50–75 guests in the service window.
Vendor balance
Match trucks to turnout
Under 200 attendees: usually 1 vendor. For 200–400: 1–2. For 400–600: 2–3. At 600+, we help scale carefully so variety, sales volume, and wait times stay balanced.
Promotion
Tell people to come hungry
Promote the truck lineup on social media, include food details in newsletters, and post menus in advance. Clear, early promotion makes food part of the experience and strengthens turnout.
Ready when you are
Bring us the details. We'll bring the truck.
Share the date, location, guest count, and service style you have in mind. We'll confirm availability and turn it into an operating plan.
Book a Truck
