Food Trucks Set To Become Just Another Franchise Option?
I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end… today’s Wall Street Journal has an article pointing out that more and more franchises are looking to food trucks as a way to expand their businesses. I didn’t think this needed to be said, but do we really need a Tasti D truck? (Ok, maybe it did need to be said!) In cities with unlimited permits this might not be as big a deal, but New York is limited to 3000 food truck permits. Every truck launched by Tasti D, or Sizzler, or Subway is one less truck available for something unique. Just saying…
Posted by Zach Brooks at 2:45 pm, October 28th, 2010 under Street Vendor Issues.
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7 Comments
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I don’t believe in enacting a law limiting “who” gets a permit. All we can do is hope and wait that these chains get over it.
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Hail to the Redskins, Hail Victory, Braves on the Warpath, Fight for old DC.
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How about a Shake Shake Truck FTW! ;P
As long as they aren’t Rickshaw. I’d welcome a McDonald’s truck peddling Big Macs. lol.
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I suddenly had visions of fat people running after the McD’s truck and like the Pied Piper, the truck leading them out of New York… /dreams
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…and right into New Jersey. Awesome!
Fat people don’t run. We waddle. Ha.
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This phenomena is not unique to NYC. Dunkin Donuts has FLEETS of trucks that hit sporting events and concerts (to the delight of my over caffeinated wife) and I have seen a Subway truck. As a former truck operator, I don’t like it. As a foodie I don’t like it either. The homogenization of our fast food culture is not a good thing; (good) street food is far better than McCrud, Taco Hell, or any of the other ubiquitous chains out there. Owners of brick and mortar joints have always had a hate/hate relationship with street food vendors-maybe the thinking is “if I can’t beat ’em, I’ll join ’em.”
Regardless of how you feel about it, they have the same right to navigate the permitting maze as the rest of us. If the trend disturbs you, don’t eat there. Unfortunately, many masses will and it will hurt the “little guy.”
I don’t want to see these chains gobbling up truck permits. Not only does that mean mediocre product but it could also be seen as a cynical ploy to curb (couldn’t resist) the competition. I just don’t know if there’s any way to stop this from happening. Maybe a compromise solution? Set aside a small percentage of permits for chains (what constitutes a chain to be defined later)?