Operating a food truck business can be complex, but sometimes we as owners / operators make things more complicated than they need to be. One simple way I've found to make things easier to operate is by cutting back on the number of suppliers I work with. If you can narrow the number of suppliers you use, you can drastically simplify your life (not to mention your bookkeeping). For example, at one point, we had a sandwich menu that used six different types of bread.  The rye and the sourdough were easy; they came from a commercial bakery and could be [...]

Stories are introduced to us almost immediately when we are born. These parables help us to learn important lessons, remember things easier and entertainment us. Even the simplest and best children's stories have the power to be passed along and retold for generations. Even though this form of communication is natural and effective, most of us don't think about sharing our story in our businesses, especially in the food truck industry. But it's essential that we do. By taking some time to reflect on our personal journey starting a business, we can use those experiences to help connect on a [...]

Feeling stressed? We get it. As a food truck owner you're being pulled in 101 different directions at once. You're probably wearing a couple dozen hats in the business as well. From CEO to chef, customer service to strategic marketing director and driver. You can do it all! But after awhile this type of ongoing responsibility will weigh on anyone. If you're feeling the pressure of being a small business owner, you're not alone. Running any self-funded business is extremely stressful, especially in the critical first year of the business when you don't have everything figured out yet and are [...]

Growing in popularity across the country, but especially in the South, are food truck parks. In the city of Austin alone there are more than seven food trucks parks you can dine at. Food truck parks are locations that a group of food trucks gather together to operate in one spot. Often there are permanent spots for diners to come and sit down on park benches and tables. These locations also have regular hours of operation much like a restaurant so customers know exactly when and where their favorite spots are serving. One good comparison is that these places are [...]

While the web has replaced the need of business cards for sharing basic information like telephone numbers, email addresses, and menus there are still situations where this form of marketing can benefit BBQ catering businesses. Places like vendor fairs, networking events, or even when you're out serving the public can provide an opportunity to distribute cards to connect with folks interested in future catering events. Not only can these cards help prospective customers remember your brand, they still add a level of professionalism when executed right. There's been a lot of disruption in the business card industry making it easier [...]

Stressed out trying to find a memorable name for your competitive BBQ team? We've got you covered. In this post, we outline specific approaches you can use to come up with a name that's totally unique to your squad. Some of these name ideas are serious. While others are down right laugh out loud. Follow the tips provided in this post and you'll have an original team name in less time than it takes to smoke a rack of ribs. Let's get started! If you're in the market for a BBQ truck or smoker trailer for your team, check out [...]

When you're preparing to get a new food truck build, it's natural to invest time planning the kitchen layout or exterior wrap. Don't get me wrong, these are critical aspects of the food truck build process. But there are less "exciting" aspects of the build process that are equally important, such as the electrical requirements and plumbing. The plumbing of your food truck is a crucial part of the operations. Vendors will need a reliable water source for cooking as well as maintaining health standards. You'll need hot and cold water on demand to wash dishes, spoons, or pans. You'll [...]

A swelteringly hot August day, on a quiet street anywhere in suburban America. The kids are too hot to even muster the energy to turn on the sprinklers, and the adults are losing patience with the incessant whines of “I’m bored,” as Summer vacation enters what feels like it’s 1000thday. The familiar tinkle of an ice cream truck horn is heard in the distance, and just like that, all of the bickering and activity stops; as the jingle gets closer, the kids start begging for a few dollars to buy a Rocket Pop, or a King Cone, or a soft [...]

Spring is finally here! If you live in the northern United States or anywhere in Canada, May is the month you can be certain no more white stuff will hit the ground until fall. In addition to warmer weather, it's the beginning of the busy season for food truck vendors. The spring and summer after all is when the annual outdoor events happen: outdoor concerts, food truck rallies, weddings, baseball games, farmer's markets. If your food truck has been locked in storage all winter, it's time to get the unit deep cleaned for service in advance of your first event. [...]