The opportunity to start a food truck in downtown Phoenix has never been better, Phoenix Street Food Coalition chairman Brad Moore told a crowd of more than 70 people Tuesday.
Moore, who owns and operates the Short Leash hot-dog food truck with his wife, joined a panel of fellow foodies for the first discussion in the Small Business Incubator Series. The series, hosted by the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, features speakers and panels on topics of interest to small-business owners, as well as people with an interest in starting a business.
The panel focused on issues related to the food-truck enterprise, which has gained traction in Phoenix over the last few years. Since the coalition started a year ago, the number of member food trucks has jumped from seven to 32.
“There’s a ton of support, and there’s a ton of interest,” Moore said, noting that Food Network has helped popularize the food-truck business.
Moore added that the channel also did food-truck owners a disservice by making the business seem easy.
“I always say, ‘It’s the most difficult work I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most gratifying,’ ” he said.
Panelist Brian Webb of the Hey Joe! Filipino Street Food truck said a unique concept and a strong work ethic will make a food truck profitable.
“You really have to bring the food to the people,” Webb said.
The coalition serves as a resource to connect food-truck vendors with job opportunities and a network of support, Moore said. The coalition received more than 156 job leads over the last year.
“It’s like a band of brothers — it helps you get on the road,” Webb said of the coalition, adding that a group of food trucks often will bring more customers to a location.
“It creates a destination,” said Jason Fimbrez, a panelist and the policy director of the coalition.
MaryBeth Scanlon, who sat on the panel with her husband, Tim, said the food-truck culture has a bright future in Phoenix.
“The more (people) experience it, the more they want it,” Scanlon said. She and her husband own and operate the Pizza People food truck.
The coalition provides a chance for food-truck owners to work together and cross-promote, which helps grow their individual businesses and the industry, Moore said.
“Our focus as a group is just to grow the overall awareness of street food,” he said.
Brendan McCaskey, 26, said he enjoyed the chance to “pick the brains” of the food-truck owners. With a degree in culinary management, he said that he might consider starting a food truck someday, though it isn’t in his immediate plans.
“The idea of running a food truck sounds slightly appealing,” McCaskey said, adding that having the coalition as a resource is nice for those considering the opportunity.
Andrea Pederson, special events coordinator for the Roosevelt Row CDC, said she was thrilled with the turnout for the first event of the year, which drew more people than any of last year’s events.
The speaker series started last year, but this year the events are going to be more consistent, Pederson said. The series will feature two events each month, with the next event on Jan. 31.
“There’s a lot of change coming downtown,” she said. “It’s exciting to be a part of it.”
Contact the reporter at mauro.whiteman@asu.edu
