Crazy about the food truck craze? Here’s one truck owner’s account of taking to the streets.
Meet Wes Jones. He owns Honeysuckle Gelato — a Gelateria on wheels that touts it’s whereabouts on Twitter.
As the fleet of Atlanta-based food trucks increases, we wanted to know a little more about the process (especially in a city that’s making in difficult for vendors).
Check out what Jones told What Now Atlanta Tuesday:
I’ve been a business owner for three and a half months now and, in retrospect, I’m sure my career choice appears crazy to everyone but me.
I finished graduate school, had a great job with steady pay, excellent benefits and great bosses, and I left all of that during a recession to start Honeysuckle Gelato with two friends.
I never had the illusion that this would be easy. I’d always wanted to own my own business but starting a food truck in Atlanta has been quite an exercise in patience.
Most people ask if it’s difficult to open a food truck. Quite honestly, it’s been a lot harder than I could have ever anticipated. Two months ago, we finished construction on our production facility– a kitchen is one of the requirements for a food truck and we don’t quite have the space to make everything in our fancy 1992 box truck.
Then came the permitting process. In all, we had to acquire permits for dairy manufacturing from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health permits for the truck from Fulton and Cobb Counties, wholesale and retail business licenses (yes, we need both) and a vending permit.
And of course, there are some of legal barriers we’ve encountered. Outside of any organized events in which we participate, we are only allowed to operate in two locations per county.
Additionally, food trucks are not allowed to set up within 1,500 feet of a restaurant with a similar menu. If you don’t think that’s a barrier, try walking 1,500 feet anywhere in the city without seeing a restaurant.
Luckily, Councilman Kwanza Hall recently proposed legislation to ease the restrictions I mentioned above. In my opinion, Atlanta would greatly benefit from the success of food trucks. They provide tax revenue, employment and seem to create a great sense of community wherever they set up.
Obviously, I hope that the restrictions ease. If you agree, please voice your opinion to the City Council and come out and support any and all of the great food trucks in Atlanta!
While the road is tough and still uncertain, I love every minute of what I’m doing. Why wouldn’t I? I get to eat and serve delicious Gelato every day! It is the best in town, and I want everyone to try it!
