FoodTruckr School - How to Start, Run and Grow a Successful Food Truck Business

Welcome to a special episode of FoodTruckr school! Today, we’re happy to welcome Tommy Marudi to the show, one of the three chefs on the champion food truck from this past season of The Great Food Truck Race.

After seven weeks on the road, Middle Feast took home the gold (and their food truck + $50,000!) in a well-deserved win in front of food truck fans watching from all over the world. City by city, challenge after challenge (and lesson after lesson), Tommy, his sister Hilla Marudi and friend Arkadi Kluger kept pushing forward and eventually winning the contest, but also our hearts.

Today, Tommy shares with us his excitement for the truck moving forward after the win (they don’t even have their truck ready yet!), as well as what it was like as a chef on a food truck for the first time ever, and some awesome behind the scenes info about the show.

My favorite part is when Tommy talks about his inspiration – what truly helped him get through all the tough times while on the road – his daughter, who was waiting at home for him. Having a daughter myself, I could definitely relate, and again it’s just one of the many reasons why we all loved that Middle Feast came out on top this season.

Listen in, enjoy, and remember if you’re looking to start your own food truck dream, check out How to Start a Food Truck: The Definitive Guide, created by us! Use the coupon code itunes during checkout to get 20% off!

Links and Resources from the Show:

• Middle Feast on Twitter
• Middle Feast Facebook Page
• How to Start a Food Truck: The Definitive Guide

Right-click here to download the MP3 file

Thanks for Listening, and if you enjoyed it...

Please leave a rating and review on iTunes, and share with your friend and family if you’d like! Thanks so much, and we’ll see you in the next episode of The FoodTruckr School Podcast!

photo credit: Food Network

In this episode of FoodTruckr school, we’re happy to welcome Patrice Perkins, a Chicago-based attorney who blogs at Creative Genius Society and also Creative Genius Law.

Patrice gives us the low-down on all things legal when it comes to your food truck. Although law isn’t a topic food truck owners typically love to discuss (primarily because it’s the law in different cities that makes it difficult to operate a truck sometimes!), Patrice drops incredible knowledge bombs about things we should all be paying attention to.

Here are some of the questions addressed in today’s episode:

• What can food truck owners do to support positive legal changes in their own cities?
• What are the most common laws that aspiring food truck owners should keep in mind?
• What are the most common mistakes food truck owners make legally? (Hint: most food truck owners aren’t doing what they should!)
• Where can one find affordable legal services and help? (Including free legal help!)
• What should one do when action is taken on them legally?

Hopefully you won’t ever need to worry about that last question, but it’s important that you know what to do just in case.

Right-click here to download the MP3 file

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Creative Genius Society
• Creative Genius Law
• Street Food Artistry Chicago
• SCORE.org

Thanks for Listening, and Please Help Out the Show!

Please be sure to subscribe to FoodTruckr School on iTunes so you can get new episodes directly downloaded to your mobile device or computer! You can subscribe easily by clicking here.

If you’d like to help us out real quick, please leave an honest review and rating in iTunes here.

Thanks again, and we’ll see you in the next episode of FoodTruckr School! Cheers!

Note: This article is based on a podcast recorded in 2015. Some of the business owners we spoke to at the time are no longer in business. While the insights remain valuable, keep in mind that some details may have changed.

Pat Flynn is the founder and CEO of FoodTruckr. He’s a regular ol’ Joe and happy family man who happens to be a successful online entrepreneur. When he’s not building companies, engaging fans, or (most likely) chasing his kids around the house wearing something ridiculous, he’s tracking down a buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwich from the Urban Eats truck in San Diego. Twitter is his favorite hangout—say hi to Pat @PatFlynn.

In this second episode of FoodTruckr School, we chat with Chris Adams from Rocketman Creative, a branding expert and strategist who helps food trucks new and old establish their identity and focus or re-focus their branding efforts for maximum impact.

It’s so much more than just designing a cool logo – there’s an entire culture that can be created based on how well your brand is established. Think about brands like Apple or Starbucks – powerful brands with cult-like followings that people are proud to support, and will often go out of their way to.

After listening to this episode, you’ll know exactly what it takes to create a brand that succeeds, and have a marketing education that will help you stand out from the crowd. And the best part – this podcast, as always, is free!

More Specifically, in this episode you’ll learn about:

• The important elements that need to exist before even a logo or any designs.
• 4 core elements of an outstanding, memorable logo.
• The true definition of brand and the most important word that you need to know that relate to it.
• Characteristics of food trucks with poor branding, so you don’t make these same mistakes.
• The importance of the “tone” and “flair” that you have within your brand.
• The exact step-by-step process Chris uses to help food truck owners shape their brand.
• How to validate your food truck business idea before you spend money on a truck.
• Positioning and developing your “unique offering” and personality as a food truck.
• How to craft your menu to truly support your brand and message.
• The secret of “easter eggs”.
• Plus so much more...

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Position by Al Reis and Jack Trout (Amazon.com Affiliate Link)
• Boston’s Baddest Burger

Right-click here to download the MP3 file

Thanks for Listening!

Thank you again, for listening to this episode of FoodTruckr School. Truly, we hope you don’t just listen, but you also take action and actually think about your brand, what it means and how you might be able to improve it. Thanks to Chris once again for his expertise and strategies, and if you have a moment, please let us know what you think about this episode in the comment section below!

FoodTruckr School will be on iTunes in a couple of weeks, and at that point you can leave a rating and review on iTunes too.

Until our next episode, thank you for your support. We’re here for you!

Today’s guest has made a big splash in his Atlanta community, thanks to some wildly popular ice pops and one stunning brand.

The team behind King of Pops knows how to make an impression. They’ve developed a huge social media following and built a community around creative tie-in events, all while staying true to their personality, message, and passion for creating great pops.

Steven Carse is with me today to share some of his strategies for keeping customers coming back, leveraging social media and local press, and building a loyal following.

King of Pops’s creative approach to their business is something every FoodTruckr needs to hear. Let’s get to it!

Links and resources from the show:

• King of Pops on Facebook

Right click and save-as to download the podcast MP3 file

Thanks for listening, and if you enjoyed it...

Please leave a rating and review on iTunes, and share this podcast with your friends and family. Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The FoodTruckr School Podcast!

Image credit: William Frank Fox

Note: This article is based on a podcast recorded in 2015. Some of the business owners we spoke to at the time are no longer in business. While the insights remain valuable, keep in mind that some details may have changed.

I’m so excited to introduce you to the mastermind behind some of the best-designed food trucks I’ve seen. He’s Jeremy Adams, founder of Prestige Food Trucks.

The folks at Prestige design and build custom food trucks and mobile kitchens, working with each aspiring food trucker to create a totally unique truck experience every time. They’ve tackled some wild and amazing requests—everything from roof-mounted LED frog eyes to a fully-functional lighthouse. They’re pros, and they’re full of smart advice on how to make your food truck unforgettable.

Jeremy breaks down the must-have visual elements for any food truck, as well as tips for working with your truck designer. Jeremy’s a firm believer in making your truck a destination, not just a convenient spot to pick up a bite to eat. Listen in for his advice for making your dream truck a reality!

Links and resources from the show:

• Prestige Food Trucks

Right click and save-as to download the podcast MP3 file

Thanks for listening, and if you enjoyed it...

Please leave a rating and review on iTunes, and share this podcast with your friends and family. Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The FoodTruckr School Podcast!

Note: This article is based on a podcast recorded in 2015. Some of the business owners we spoke to at the time are no longer in business. While the insights remain valuable, keep in mind that some details may have changed.

Pat Flynn is the founder and CEO of FoodTruckr. He’s a regular ol’ Joe and happy family man who happens to be a successful online entrepreneur. When he’s not building companies, engaging fans, or (most likely) chasing his kids around the house wearing something ridiculous, he’s tracking down a buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwich from the Urban Eats truck in San Diego. Twitter is his favorite hangout—say hi to Pat @PatFlynn.