Vendor Resources

EVERYTHING YOU
NEED TO GET STARTED

We made it simple. Here's every permit, license, and resource you need to sell street food legally in Los Angeles — and how Gorge helps you do it.

Apply to join Gorge → View requirements

Gorge charges only 10% per order — vs 30% on DoorDash and Uber Eats. You keep more of every sale. No monthly fees. No setup costs.

Built for vendors like you
We built Gorge specifically for street food vendors — food trucks, carts, pop-ups. Not for big restaurants. Everything is designed to help you make more money with less hassle.
Only 10% fee
DoorDash and Uber Eats charge up to 30%. We charge 10% — deducted from your payout, invisible to customers.
Live location
Update your pin daily so customers always know exactly where to find you. Perfect for food trucks that move around.
Real-time orders
Orders come in with sound alerts. Confirm, prepare, and mark ready from your phone — no tablet required.
Free to list
No upfront cost, no monthly subscription. You only pay when you make a sale. Zero risk to get started.
Tips are yours
Customers can tip 10%, 15%, 20%, or custom amounts. 100% of tips go directly to you — we take nothing.
Earnings dashboard
See your real earnings, transaction history, and average order value. Payouts every 2 weeks via Stripe.
From application to first order
The whole process takes less than 10 minutes to apply. Here's what happens after.
01
Apply online in 3 steps
Create your account, tell us about your business, and set your operating hours. No paperwork, no phone calls. Takes about 5 minutes.
Free
02
We review your application
Our team reviews your application within 24-48 hours. We check that you have the required permits and licenses to sell food in LA.
24-48 hours
03
Get approved — set up your store
You'll get an email with your login link. Log in to your vendor dashboard, add your menu items with photos, set your prices, and drop your location pin.
Takes 15 minutes
04
Connect your bank & go live
Connect your bank account through Stripe to receive payouts. Toggle your store OPEN and start receiving orders. That's it.
Required for payouts
What you need to sell food legally in LA
Los Angeles has specific requirements for street food vendors. Here's every permit you need, where to get it, and how much it costs.

Important: Gorge requires all vendors to have valid permits before being approved. Operating without the required permits is illegal and can result in fines. We're here to help you get set up correctly — reach out to vendors@eatgorge.com if you need guidance.

Permit / License Where to get it Cost Status
LA County Public Health Permit
Required for all food vendors. Proves your food is prepared safely.
publichealth.lacounty.gov → $150–$800/yr
Based on operation type
Required
City of LA Business License
Required to operate a business in the City of Los Angeles.
finance.lacity.gov → $75–$200/yr
Based on revenue
Required
Food Handler's Certification
Certifies that you and your staff know safe food handling practices.
statefoodsafety.com →
Also available at LA County offices
$15–$25
Online course, 3 years valid
Required
Seller's Permit (CDTFA)
Required if you sell taxable goods. Most prepared food is exempt but register to be safe.
cdtfa.ca.gov → Free Recommended
Mobile Food Facility Permit
Required if you operate from a truck, cart, or trailer. Different from a fixed location permit.
publichealth.lacounty.gov → $200–$500/yr
Based on vehicle type
If mobile
Commissary Agreement
Food trucks must operate from a licensed commercial kitchen (commissary) for food prep and storage.
Find local commissaries at
Search on Yelp →
$400–$800/mo
Varies by facility
If food truck
CalSafe Food Manager Certification
Advanced certification for food managers. Required for some permit types.
servsafe.com → $125–$175
5 years valid
Recommended
General Liability Insurance
Protects you if a customer gets sick or injured. Required by many event venues and markets.
Hiscox → or Next Insurance → $300–$600/yr
1M coverage recommended
Recommended
Links that actually help
We've compiled every resource a street food vendor in LA needs — from permit applications to free business support.
LA County Environmental Health
Apply for your food facility permit, schedule inspections, and check your permit status online.
Visit site →
LA City Business License
Register your business with the City of Los Angeles and pay your annual business tax online.
Visit site →
California CDTFA
Register for your free seller's permit and learn about California sales tax rules for food vendors.
Visit site →
LA Street Vendor Program
The City of LA's official sidewalk vending program. Learn about vending zones and restrictions in your area.
Visit site →
SCORE LA — Free Mentorship
Free business mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs. Get help with business plans, finances, and marketing.
Visit site →
SBA Small Business Loans
The Small Business Administration offers loans and grants for small food businesses. Apply for funding to grow.
Visit site →
Find a Commissary Kitchen
Search for licensed commercial kitchens in LA where you can prep your food legally and affordably.
Search on Yelp →
QuickBooks Self-Employed
Track your income, expenses, and mileage automatically. Makes tax filing easy for independent food vendors and self-employed business owners.
Visit site →
Food Truck Insurance
Next Insurance offers affordable liability and commercial auto insurance specifically for food trucks and carts.
Get a quote →
Questions vendors ask us
When a customer pays $12 for a burrito, they pay exactly $12. Gorge deducts 10% ($1.20) from your payout, so you receive $10.80. Customers never see any platform fee — your prices are your prices. Tips are passed through 100% with no deduction.
Payouts are processed every 2 weeks on Fridays via Stripe. You need to connect a bank account through Stripe Connect to receive payments. Minimum payout rules follow Stripe's standard policies.
You have a limited time (shown in your dashboard) to accept or decline each order. If you don't respond in time, the order is automatically cancelled and the customer is refunded. After repeated missed orders your store may be automatically closed until a Gorge admin reviews and reopens it. Manually declining an order does NOT count as a miss.
Yes — the Gorge vendor dashboard works on any smartphone browser. You don't need to download an app. We recommend keeping your phone nearby when your store is open so you don't miss orders.
Yes — the vendor dashboard has a map where you can drop a pin at your current location. You can update it anytime. There's also a "Use my current location" button that uses your phone's GPS. We recommend updating your pin every morning before opening.
We accept food trucks, street carts, pop-up vendors, market stalls, and small food businesses. You must have a valid LA County health permit. We currently focus on Los Angeles but are expanding to other cities soon.
No contracts, no commitments. You can pause or close your store anytime from the dashboard. There are no monthly fees — you only pay the 10% fee when you make a sale.
If you decline an order, the customer is automatically refunded. For other refund requests, contact our support team at vendors@eatgorge.com within 24 hours and we'll handle it. Refunds typically process within 3-5 business days.
Yes — you can add modifier groups to any menu item. For example: "Choose your protein" (required, radio), "Add toppings" (optional, multi-select). Each modifier can have its own price. Customers see these options when they add an item to their cart.
Terms & Privacy
By applying or using Gorge as a vendor, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Terms & Conditions
Fees, payouts, vendor obligations, permits, and platform rules.
Read terms →
Privacy Policy
How we collect, use, and protect vendor and customer data.
Read privacy policy →
We're here for you
Getting set up as a vendor can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.
Email support
For permit questions, account issues, or anything else. We respond within 24 hours.
vendors@eatgorge.com →
Vendor terms
Read the full vendor terms of service — fees, payouts, responsibilities, and more.
Read vendor terms →
Ready to start?
Apply in 5 minutes. No upfront cost. Get approved in 24-48 hours and start taking orders.
Apply now →

READY TO JOIN GORGE?

Apply in 5 minutes. No upfront cost. Start taking orders within 48 hours.

Apply to become a vendor →