One of the
things I have enjoyed most about the food trucks is meeting people, not only
the other customers but those who are bringing the trucks to life each day. These
men and women are incredibly passionate about what they are doing and the food
they are serving. I was also noticing that they all had a story of how their
truck came about and how their life evolved in to being a part of one of the fastest
growing small business concepts, not only in DFW but in the US. Each week I will
share these stories in “Truck Talk Tuesday”.
1. What did you do
before you were a food truck owner?
Answer: First half of my life, I was a
restaurant Manager, Bar Manager and owner of a high end catering service and
the last 20 years, I was a financial analyst for several global investment
firms.
2. How did you come
up with the name for your business?
Answer: Gandolfo's is a franchise
operation that has been around for 20 years. The name was easy; I developed the
whole food truck operation for Dallas, which was the first in the nation for
Gandolfo's. I am a bit of a maverick in that I run my truck like a mom and pop,
but as the master franchiser for DFW I use a franchise system to run the
financials and operations. I also use my truck as a branding tool for the
brand and also to locate future brick and mortar locations.
3. What made you
decide to have a food truck rather than a brick and mortar restaurant?
Answer: First of all, I am an adrenaline
junkie and a new way to operate a restaurant appealed to me on every level. As
I said above, the truck is also a tool for divining new locations for brick and
mortars for myself.
4. What is your
favorite menu item?
Answer: I am a traditionalist when
it comes to delis and love a great pastrami on rye with either our spicy
mustard or homemade Russian dressing.
5. What has been
the biggest reward of having a food truck?
Answer: Being face to face with our
guests!
6. What has been
the biggest challenge of having a food truck?
Answer: We are writing
the book on food trucks. Operations are a constant exercise in discovery.
7. Most marketing
for food trucks is through social media, do you see that as a benefit or
challenge to you and why?
Answer: Most is the key word, but not all
of the marketing is social media. Understand that and you have won half of the
battle. Anything too easy sends warning signs up to me. Thinking that Social Media
is easy is a big mistake. It is a time consuming exercise done correctly. I
don't see it as a challenge, unless you don't give it the attention that it
deserves. Running a food truck is harder than a brick and mortar, make no
mistake!
8. You spent most
days of this summer on a food truck, where can we find you when you aren’t on a
truck?
Answer: When I am not on a food truck, I
am marketing the food truck. Otherwise, I am looking for adrenaline challenges
to keep my interest. I participate in Highland Games competitions now and lift
weights. I have a bucket list a mile long which lists items like mountain
climbing, backpacking, fly fishing, flying planes, diving underwater caves and
pursuing the best bourbon and cigars on the planet!
9. If you could
only cook one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Answer: That is not possible for me. I am
a huge lover of food and would never want to burn myself out on anything. But
given some choice, it would be simple...grilled rare steak, served with our
sour cream potato salad from Gandolfo's!
10. What would you
like to see in the DFW food truck scene in the next two years?
Answer: More private business owners
willing to let food trucks invade their parking lots and bring more
customers/attention to their businesses. A partnership that actually works for
both parties. No contracts or fees, just good old effective business tactics
that are a win/win/win for the business, truck owner and consumer.
This is also true in the food catering industry. It is always a pleasure to meet people who are telling good things about the food and services.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting business. They should get restaurant insurance to protect their investments.
ReplyDelete