01/10/2026
Here's the Pitch! A food truck!!
A business that bridges my love for the food industry and supporting local communities through their local churches.
So, if this or other ideas don't seem money hungry enough, then just remember, money is the byproduct, not the goal.
First off, my family loves food. We've owned restaurants, but... we don't want that type of commitment again. But a food truck? or trailer? Now THAT sounds like a good time.
But food trucks #1 issue is where to set up. Most just look for the most foot traffic and fight over it. Tourist areas, festivals, and other events. Some very few, create their own foot traffic.
Churches have notoriously under-utilized parking lots. Most churches only fill their lots one day a week, sometimes 2.
So, partner with churches on weekday evenings when they have nothing going on. Market to their community, which brings additional visibility to their church.
Maybe they will tell their people about you as well.
Set up a circuit of 20 churches spaced out from town to town but not too far. Say 5-10 miles apart, and visit each one, one day per month. Ex. 2nd Tuesday of each month at Abc Church.
Start with building the circuit. Promote the calendar through social media. Push it hard and build up a following before even the first day.
Keep the menu simple. Low cost for you and for the customers. Build it so that the community will want it whenever you are in their neighborhood. Not, like they are paying high tourist prices.
Keep the menu FAST. No one likes standing in line for an hour to order and then have to wait 10 more minutes for their food.
Make the menu AVAILABLE. You want people to know what they want before even walking up. Do this through online posted menu's, and digital signage that can be read from the road.
Encourage the churches to make the day that you are in their parking lot a community outreach day. They don't have to, but why wouldn't they want to?
You are only in the area one day per week, for 3-4 hours. What does this build? Scarcity and anticipation. And you'll never wear out your welcome in a single spot. You'll be seen all over town. More people will talk. You'll start getting invited to the events.
I've picked soups and stews. Why? Aren't soups only for winter, and this is Florida?
Soups and stews can be sold affordably and still maintain a low food cost %.
Equipment needs are minimal if not barebones. Paper products to serve are also minimal.
They reheat nice and with a lid, have no issues with being sold in the rain to be eaten later.
Now about the seasonality. Not only is a gumbo, or chicken and dumplings, good any day of the year, but there are also plenty of warm weather options available that we can mix in.
There it is.
My next big idea.
What do I need now?
More churches to add to the list 5/20 so far. From Pensacola to Panama City is the range. Including Crestview, Niceville, Freeport, and other areas that might not be in the main coastal corridor.
A social media person to help build this up.
And lastly: the concession trailer itself.
