City of Madison, WI

10/29/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/29/2025 09:49

Results announced for 2025 City of Madison Food Cart Review

The City of Madison's annual Food Cart Review, which helps determine where food vendors will be located for the next vending season, has been completed and the final scores have been tallied.

This year's reviews were held between September 8, 2025, and October 5, 2025. A team of 26 volunteers conducted this year's review, which included a total of 43 vendors, 37 of which completed the review process and are eligible for a spot in the Mall/Concourse Vending Area.

In order to qualify for a spot, vendors need to score at least 70 or higher in the review process. Applicants were informed of the scoring results in the last week.

Volunteers were asked to score each food cart based not only on the food, but also a list of other criteria, including:

  • Design and Visual Impact (15 points)
  • Graphics and Signage (10 points)
  • Cleanliness and Maintenance (15 points)
  • Food Flavor (20 points)
  • Menu (10 points)
  • Presentation (10 points)
  • Originality and Creativity (10 points)
  • Total Experience (10 points)

Total scores are a combination of:

  • Raw Average Score: The average score after discarding the highest and lowest overall scores.

  • Adjusted Average Score: The Raw Average Score minus any demerit or violation points. Demerits include missing scheduled vending days and health code violation citations issued between September 1 and August 31 of the previous year.

  • Seniority: Adds bonus points for the number of years a food cart has been active in the Mall/Concourse Vending Area, up to 5 points.

The Adjusted Average Score determines eligibility for a spot in the Mall/Concourse Vending Area, while the Final Score determines the order in which carts will be able to choose their vending locations.

2025 Food Cart Review Rankings

Applicants will be offered a site according to their rank based on their first, second, and third-choice site preferences listed on an application form that will be available after the 2026-2027 Mall/Concourse Vending Site Map is approved.

City of Madison, WI published this content on October 29, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 29, 2025 at 15:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]