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America’s tastiest road trip is back — and this time, it’s got even more heat under the hood.
The Great Food Truck Race 2025, hosted by longtime favorite Tyler Florence, has officially rolled into its 17th season. Airing every Sunday night on Food Network and streaming the next day on Max, this high-energy culinary competition brings together nine food truck teams from around the country. They’ll battle it out for bragging rights, business boosts, and the coveted $50,000 grand prize.
But this isn’t just about cooking. It’s about hustle, heart, and the heat of the road.
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What Makes The Great Food Truck Race So Addictive?
Since its debut, The Great Food Truck Race has built a loyal following by blending the excitement of a road trip with the grit of entrepreneurship. Each week, teams face real-world challenges: cooking under pressure, adapting to local tastes, and turning food into fast profits. One team is eliminated in each episode, bringing intense drama and emotional highs and lows.
It’s not just reality TV — it’s a masterclass in small business survival.
“This isn’t just a show about food. It’s about what it really takes to make your dream work on wheels,” Tyler Florence shared in a recent interview.
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Meet the Contestants: Bold, Diverse, and Hungry to Win
This year’s lineup is one of the most diverse in the show’s history, showcasing food cultures from every corner of the U.S.
Team Highlights:
- Smokin’ Seoul (Houston, TX): A father-son team serving up Korean street food with a Southern BBQ twist.
- Gnocchi Gang (Brooklyn, NY): Old-school Italian flavors, modern attitude.
- Hot Chick Express (Phoenix, AZ): Nashville hot chicken with a spicy Southwest spin.
- Rollin’ Vegan (Los Angeles, CA): Proof that plant-based cooking can be bold, rich, and roadworthy.
Each truck brings something unique to the table — and only one will drive away with the prize.
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What’s New in Season 17?
This season raises the stakes right out of the gate with a double elimination in the first episode — a first in the show’s history. But that’s not all.
Notable Twists:
- Secret Menu Challenge: Teams must build a pop-up menu around mystery ingredients in just one hour.
- Local Legends Cook-Off: Contestants prepare meals for food critics and local celebrities.
- Themed Sales Days: Think “Taco Tuesday” in Denver or “Southern Soul Sunday” in Nashville.
- Mobile Ordering Goes Digital: A new QR-code based system forces trucks to think like tech-savvy marketers.
These fresh twists push chefs beyond the kitchen — demanding social skills, business savvy, and split-second decision-making.
Where the Road Takes Them: 2025 Route
From sunny shores to soulful cities, the journey is as scenic as it is savory.
| Episode | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | California |
| 2 | Flagstaff | Arizona |
| 3 | Denver | Colorado |
| 4 | Tulsa | Oklahoma |
| 5 | Memphis | Tennessee |
| 6 | Atlanta | Georgia |
| 7 | Charleston | South Carolina |
| 8 | Finale (TBA) | Likely California |
The finale location hasn’t been announced, but whispers suggest a West Coast showdown, possibly in Los Angeles.
Why Fans Keep Watching Season After Season
Ask any loyal fan, and they’ll tell you — it’s about more than just the food. It’s about the people, their stories, and the relentless pursuit of a dream on wheels.
Viewer-Favorite Elements:
- Raw, real-time food truck hustle
- Emotional stories behind the chefs
- Creative challenges with high stakes
- Tyler Florence’s no-nonsense guidance
And viewers are tuning in. According to Food Network, the 2025 premiere drew 1.4 million viewers, a 9% jump from last year.
How to Watch The Great Food Truck Race 2025
New episodes drop Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network. If you miss it, full episodes are available the next day on Max Streaming.
What’s Next? Season 18 Teasers
While Season 18 hasn’t been officially greenlit, Florence recently teased in Variety that international destinations might be on the menu in 2026. Think Tokyo street food or the night markets of Bangkok. If fan engagement stays high, there’s little doubt we’ll see another season.
Key Takeaways
- Season 17 features 9 unique teams bringing diverse flavors.
- Filming spans cities from San Diego to Charleston.
- New twists include QR-code ordering and surprise menu challenges.
- Watch weekly on Food Network or stream on Max.
- A possible international season could be on the horizon.
Sources
Muhammad Ahtsham is the founder of EatLike.Blog, where he shares real-world advice on clean eating, high-protein meals, and healthy weight loss. With hands-on experience in nutrition and food blogging, his recipes and tips are practical, tested, and made to help real people see results.
