Ever Thought of THIS Food Truck Side Hustle?!

Limited-time sale - Build + host your website for less than $3/month with Hostinger (Use code UPFLIP for an additional 10% off + get extra months): hostinger.com/upflip
Hot Box Pretzels hasn’t even finished its first year, and they’ve already expanded with a second truck. We’ll learn how they launched this unique food truck concept and their advice for how to start a food truck business in this episode.
Blake and Roman got the idea to start a food truck selling soft pretzels while waiting tables at a restaurant. The soft pretzels that the restaurant served were consistent crowd-pleasers-and there weren’t any food trucks selling them yet in the area. They seized on this unmet demand to start their food truck business, and their sales since opening prove it was a smart move.
Neither Blake nor Roman had any experience running a food business before they started. From their pretzel recipe to their workflow on the truck, they figured out everything as they went along.
In this interview, they’ll explain how they learned the necessary skills to become food industry entrepreneurs. We’ll also hear what mistakes they’ve made in the process and how they turned those into learning experiences to improve their product and operations.
One big issue the Hot Box Pretzels crew faced starting out was financing. Like many new businesses, their lack of experience prevented them from getting a bank loan.
They’ll explain how they secured the funds they needed to start their first truck, and how they managed their finances to expand the business within just a few months of making their first sale. We’ll also hear how they connected with customers to build their reputation and secure the events that have kept them busy since they opened earlier this year.
If you want to see more behind-the-scenes insight from food truck owners, check out some of our past interviews:
3 of 5 Food Trucks Fail…Ours Didn’t. Here’s How! ►
• 3 of 5 Food Trucks Fai...
$54K/Month Food Truck Business (What Did It Cost to Start?) ►
• $54K/Month Food Truck ...
Resources
hotboxpretzels.com/ - Learn more about the company on their website
www.upflip.com/academy - Start, Build & Grow Your Business
www.upflip.com/equipment-list... Premier Equipment List
Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
00:47 - Background
01:12 - Commissary kitchen
03:56 - The first event
05:59 - Developing the recipe
07:57 - Online presence
10:39 - Difficulties in getting started
11:10 - Startup costs
12:39 - Side hustles
13:30 - Revenue growth
14:22 - Overcoming fear of failure
15:21 - From idea to first sale
16:01 - Important equipment
17:02 - Fan blitz
18:00 - First time selling out
18:39 - Upgrading to a second vehicle
20:14 - Standing out from other teens
20:44 - Knowledge sources
21:34 - Pricing
22:53 - Best-seller
23:30 - Customer service do’s and don’ts
24:45 - Employees
25:42 - Digital marketing
26:37 - What they’d do differently
27:58 - Most units sold
29:09 - How entrepreneurship changed them
29:55 - Sourcing ingredients
31:26 - Guilty pleasures
32:00 - Tips for pursuing a unique niche
33:03 - Custom oven
34:55 - A helpful UpFlip video
36:18 - Outro
#foodtruck #foodtruckbusiness #howtostartafoodtruckbusiness

[@UpFlip]

The UpFlip Academy is now live! Learn from the best in the industry, join here: www.upflip.com/academy

[@jimmynguyen6162]

I was homeless but with a big goal to be an owner of a small vietnamese restaurant. Slowly I found work saved up for a few years and invested into my restaurant. I just so happen to open during the beginning of covid but fortunately, I survived for over 3 years and was able to sell my restaurant for the next big adventure. There was this quote I came across when I was homeless, *when you're on the bottom, there's nowhere left to go but up*

[@jamesdiamond5725]

What was your next adventure if you don’t mind me asking

[@thebtran1009]

Nine to meet you. I'm Vietnamese too

[@jerseynurse6878]

That’s amazing. Congrats 🎉

[@claudedupras2492]

What a place to start. A restaurant just before covid .

[@jota7000]

You did a fantastic job, but pretending homeless in America is the "bottom" is a joke. Thankfully you were homeless in this country and not another. We all need to acknowledge just how great a country we have.

[@hotboxpretzels]

Thank you so much for the feature Upflip. Such an awesome experience for us. Still can’t believe seeing us on the channel. Hope to work with you guys down the road. -Hot Box Pretzels

[@UpFlip]

You guys are amazing! Keep rocking! 🔥

[@CreativeJYN]

Such an amazing episode, thank you! Could I ask a question? Do vegans ever have an issue with one of the pretzels containing meat at all? I only ask as some will not eat food where meat has also been prepared.

[@sze7648]

You guys are so inspirational. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my life. I’ve always wanted to do something with food. My goal now is to start a food truck thanks to you guys!!

[@ecaryn.]

@hotboxpretzels Can you share where you source your printed branded packaging supplies? The food wrap paper and pizza boxes? The pretzels look great!

[@besmart2350]

How much do I have to pay the owner of the land where I park my food truck?

[@qflower4982]

Love to see young people go hard and grind. These young men aren't sitting around waiting for success, they are chasing it. Well done

[@davidbenji1]

I think the interviewer does a GREAT job of asking questions and follow up questions to try to learn as much as possible. Impressive interviewer and businessmen!!

[@UpFlip]

Thank you so much for your kind words! We really appreciate your feedback and are thrilled that you enjoyed the interview. Our aim is to bring out the best insights from our guests, and we're glad it's working. 🙌

[@joshgen8533]

Impressive indeed bub

[@whoishereally4028]

100% agree! I love watching these. I am trying reopen and save for my first truck and then a brick and mortar. Very motivating videos. I love when he does food startups and small niche businesses, that a lot can actually do with little cost and then scale. those are my FAVORITE!!

[@rxn-iwnl-1024]

The oven idea is genius. These guys are on to really big things

[@UpFlip]

You're absolutely right! Their dedication to research has truly paid off. It's going to be exciting to see how they take their business to new heights! 💪

[@nikolbrown8417]

This video may be the reason I finally take a hold on my life for me and my daughter to do what I actually LOVE... FOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SEE YOU SOON!!!!

[@michaelandchristine9805]

I love these guys! I can feel that they genuinely wanted to share their knowledge and experience. Love, love, love it. Thank you UpFlip for asking every question that we could have about their business. I don’t have any plans on a food truck but their motivation and hustle is something I can incorporate in my life. Thank you so much 🙏☺️ I wish you all the best in life and businesses.

[@luatuiasosopo69]

Thank you so much UPFLIP for all the awesome content. I’ve been watching and love all of the success stories is pretty amazing. This right here, these guys are one of my fave UP FLIP success stories! I send a huge big cheehooooo and mahalo from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

[@UpFlip]

Mahalo for the love and support! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoy our success stories, and we truly appreciate your cheehooooo from Hawaii! We hope you keep watching us for more inspiring content 🙏

[@jdgoesham5381]

I've been in the food business and bar business for 2.5 decades and the number one thing(which they learned fast and good on them)is that keeping is simple is how you make the most money and have the most fun since you aren't killing yourself and don't have as much waste(obv waste is money). After the obvious like having a great product having a small menu(make a few or even one thing great), keep things small so costs are down, and don't make it hard for customers to buy your product are things many don't understand. These guys just have made so many good decisions so many I've seen make over and over and not listen to advice about.

[@user-cv1xl4om6j]

Man this was inspiring I just started a food trailer here in Jax Fl and seeing this on my suggested videos was exactly what I needed. Thanks 🙏🏾

[@UpFlip]

That's awesome! We wish you the best on your journey! Good luck! 🙏

[@ManuelHernandezMX]

This is simply the best KZbin channel I've ever subscribed to. Awesome content, super informative and uplifting. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@hotboxpretzels]

Hands down best KZbin channel!

[@jaimerivera7717]

100% Agree with you. This youtube channel is soooooo inspiring. I love all the videos.

[@theselector4733]

These boys are killing it. GREAT example to all young people.

[@nomad4k]

So happy to see young people figuring things out and getting successful ! Follow your dreams brothers ! 😊

[@UpFlip]

Best advice ever! 🙌

[@TjCox1993]

Legendary! Roman and Blake are inspiring

[@UpFlip]

They're a remarkable pair ❤️

[@foodtruckfreeks]

that the amazing thing about food trucks it can be side business weekends, special events catering etc

[@user-vl9lj1nw4s]

It’s so great to see successful stories Love videos UpFlip❤❤

[@potetstappe666]

Ah, another one of those "I wish I had balls" moments. Tip of the hat to these guys for jumping into it.

[@rodneypoole4252]

Great video!! Excellent interview!! No BS. Just great questions. Thanks for the valuable info!!

[@UpFlip]

Much appreciated! 🙏

[@flowerchild1373]

Very informative video, thank you for sharing! These guys are awesome and very motivated. I wish them nothing but success! Great job guys! ❤️

[@vanlieu7590]

Yes sir. I subscribed. Thank you guys for your time and information

[@sakibqureshi7057]

Really enjoyed the content boys!

[@A-HotSauce]

Salute to these guys 7 months, Way to UpFLip your lives, Respect Mission passed. Just wrote your own ticket Bois. Dont sell it to these large corps.

[@hotboxpretzels]

Thank you!

[@nixsavage]

Got the opportunity to check out these guys in Jacksonville and they are awesome !

[@vinaykotturi1283]

This is really good content. I've been thinking of starting a food truck🚚 but I had a few doubts after watching this video I've found answers of few questions and it boosts my confidence

[@UpFlip]

That’s amazing! Don’t let anything stop you. Rise and make it happen! ☀️

[@merisae.9612]

This was one of the best! Super inspiring!

[@dictionplacement5467]

key is that they had some connects. a facebook, like all the things lined up yet some people are gonna do this and fail without people or social aspects. where are the stories of failure. Great to see people win but this is like showing people who win the lotto but never the ones who spend 50yrs spending money every week

[@donnapirnat5313]

I did notice they had a nice family member who was able to lend them 25k for the van when they couldn’t get a bank loan. It’s def easier to get into business when you have the privilege of ppl with capital incestors willing to back you. Not minimizing their grit and sweat… they def got it. I ran my pwn business 2 yrs, not food truck, but I have *not enough* business smarts, and it was… a learning experience. Opened for less than 10k (including 7k tuition for skills) and closed just breaking even. Would love to do a food truck. I think. Still deciding.

[@qjsmith7]

Thank you for this !! I’ve wanted a food truck and trying to figure out how to do it

[@melinnalopez1842]

I was told in COB all we do is elementary math and this proves it. Don’t over think it. I would take time to create an excel file with set formulas to test your margins per items and cost. Good luck everyone!

[@mybeloved1]

You can tell they come from a great family and have a great future ahead of them. Focused, disciplined and hard workers. Very rare now a days. God bless these guys!!

[@UpFlip]

They'll go places. That's for sure! ☺️

[@msjkramey]

How can you tell that?

[@rustyshackleferd204]

Amazing questions and answers, i learned alot. Very impressive.

[@UpFlip]

Glad it was helpful! We're you inspired to operate your own food truck biz?

[@audramarshall5784]

This is truly awesome!! Congratulations, young men 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@UpFlip]

Glad it was helpful! Were you inspired to start your own food truck business? ☺️

[@hotboxpretzels]

Thank you!

[@franknorth1573]

Blindly is the best way to go. You guys did great

[@robynw8223]

Great job guys 👏

[@jacobjames4966]

Please keep producing the food truck videos they are very motivating while I’m on my journey.

[@Lik3ToSing]

Such an inspiration

[@dennissaner2151]

I chuckled when the kid said something about the "need" for surfing. 🤣

[@erikainiguez2958]

Thanks for the the knowledge, I was hesitant about starting a food truck but after seeing this I’m definitely going to be saving up for a food truck

[@Fence-Dogs-More]

Start with a tent! Permits are easier. Save up for truck that way

[@daveginos]

UpFlip 🎉❤❤❤ the best YTchannel!! Love it so much!!

[@UpFlip]

Thank you so much! We appreciate all the love and support 🙌

[@brandonhodge2022]

Definitely impressed and interested in a oven for our food trailer! We would love to test one out. We had a donut oven for our mini donuts! Great job fellas

[@UpFlip]

That's cool! How long have you been in the food truck business? Those mini donuts sounds delish! ☺️

[@SorryIAteYourCookiesSanta]

I highly respect your hustle, guys. ✊🏽

[@hotboxpretzels]

Thank you!

[@rangerbat9295]

Young guys. What a great job.

[@UpFlip]

They serve as an inspiration! ☺️

[@badassdiva4753]

Love it! What year, make and model is your truck? What type of oven do you have in your truck?

[@mohabsd]

i love this . good job guys

[@UpFlip]

That's awesome to hear! If you ever decide to start your own food truck business, what food would you like to offer? 🤔

[@vulnerablemomentspodcast]

This is dope! This would be a great franchise model!

[@330DKNY]

This is not a side hustle this is a job.

[@KeeGotMunchies]

I’m here for all the food truck videos. Keep posting! I’m learning still . It’s 1am and I’m here learning on advices and see what other people experiences are and things I can work on

[@UpFlip]

That's amazing! Are you currently running your food truck? How're things going so far?

[@KingOfDeadMemez]

go to bed dude XD

[@KeeGotMunchies]

haha im up now working on a breakfast menu @@KingOfDeadMemez

[@Trennycakes]

@@KeeGotMunchies dude your cajaun shrimp pasta looks so fkn good

[@KeeGotMunchies]

@@Trennycakes thank you it’s 🔥 top seller

[@martyshmanka]

Great job kids!

[@BeefSupreme-vk9sz]

Sending this video to my 17 yr old , he has ideas for his own business and will be graduating early next year

[@UpFlip]

That's fantastic news! Hope he kicks off this venture with great success!

[@Noway673]

Those guys are smart.

[@laurieladolcevita1733]

Great job!

[@UpFlip]

Glad you love this video! Your appreciation means a lot to us and motivates us to continue producing content like this. 🙏

[@Mrclean431]

Sounds like a great way to make sure you have to work weekends.

[@RayGee3000]

Love this video! Very informative and inspiring! It’s a blessing to have a friend and partner! Wish you much success and hope you guys hit $25k goal 👏🏼👏🏼❤️💯

[@UpFlip]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel! It sure is a blessing to have a business partner as dedicated as you are! ☺️

[@hotboxpretzels]

Thanks so much! We were so close to hitting our goal in October.

[@jonlubwama9552]

This channel is awesome!

[@UpFlip]

Thank you so much! We appreciate the support ❤️

[@pickens922]

Great video. They seem like great kids. The next time I'm down in Florida, I'm looking for their food truck. 😂

[@UpFlip]

Please do! It's worth the visit! ☺️

[@kathrinekerns8398]

Awsome. 👍👍👍and at such a young age. Fantastic.v

[@UpFlip]

Absolutely! It's incredibly motivating to see young individuals like them making waves. We can't wait to catch up with them in a couple of years to witness their continued success! 💪

[@JoyFay]

I’m so inspired by this young men.

[@june_bro]

I like this pretzel business it's great 👍💯

[@Jammer411]

YOU NEVER SHOWED US THEIR SELLING MENU AND PRETZEL PRICES!!!

[@kanew123]

What van are they using to get it built out for such a relatively low price?

[@rr186650]

great channel. the big question I have is how did they pass their inspection on their food van? All the criteria that i'm reading on county websites state that the food truck has to have much more equipment and safety elements than what was retrofitted in the van that they have. Before I buy a cargo van and spend thousands retrofitting it, how do you know it will pass inspection? I didn't see an overhead exhaust vent, for example, in their food van? I want to sell soup and all i would need is a fridge, a burner, and sink... What advice is there for that? Thanks!

[@downey416Toronto]

good content love from Toronto

[@UpFlip]

We appreciate your support. Sending positive vibes back to you! 🇨🇦

[@downey416Toronto]

np bro! you guys are one of my favorite upload notifications let's goooo @@UpFlip

[@blesswillw8629]

Smart guys

[@jbswoodfiredpizzas]

in the process of building out a pizza truck! You guys did awesome!

[@UpFlip]

That's awesome! Wish you all the best with that! 👊

[@djwashx]

Great guys they will succeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@UpFlip]

That's for sure! 💪

[@Thejasonrogers]

I like the interviewer he lets the speaker speak

[@FUNNYMANERICWHITE]

Awesome!

[@Noway673]

My first pretzel pizza that got from Sam's Club.A person gave me one on a plate and it was good.I actually got full of that pretzel.

[@CxdyCxdy]

yuh!!!!!!

[@UpFlip]

We hope you enjoyed the video - thank you for watching! ☺️

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

You guys ROCK$$$$🎉🎉🎉

[@UpFlip]

Thank you! Were you inspired to start your own food business? ☺️

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

@@UpFlip YES! Ours will be a restaurant at our hotel! Thanks!

[@JnATravelVlogs]

I own 3 foodtrucks in Jax Florida as well. Im also in my 20s I would love to be featured on your channel.

[@hotboxpretzels]

What food trucks do you own?

[@j7cars182]

Young hustlers... got to respect it 🥨

[@culinary_crafters]

What model Van is in the video???

[@kamma44]

Running a food truck is NOT a side hustle?! That is a full time job and then some!

[@FindYourFree]

good stuff

[@hawkBerlin]

Brizza is the new hit at Octoberfest 2023 in Munich. It's a combination between Bretzel and Pizza.

[@UpFlip]

Wow that sounds delish! Didn't know they had one of those. 🥳

[@hotboxpretzels]

Gotta check that out. Sounds delicious.

[@stevebrown8223]

Any chance of buying in? Franchising?

[@Juan-mt7wl]

Happy for you guys

[@leninrodriguez4102]

We would like video about welding 👍

[@ausnoworg]

Good on ya guys!!! Next step - Leverage yourselves out of the business, work on franchising vans to different areas

[@masophinphan696]

If only we could do this in canada, quebec , permits and law is not making sense for food truck

[@alfonsohamilton2561]

I can take this idea and make upgrade it to the maximum

[@UpFlip]

The sky's the limit for you! 🙏

[@paintingwithtastefromcanva7165]

Whats the size of your trailir?

[@joemorgenstern9846]

You young men are strides ahead of me when I was your age. Vegan butter ruined the concept for me but I am glad it works in your area.

[@bartycrouchjr.8831]

these guys are amazing i hope they grow their business and become a millionaire

[@chriscb]

This isn't a "side hustle" . . . this is a full time job. SMH.

[@thai33oz]

Ok... What's your point?

[@davilakarlos]

​@thai33oz Read the title. If it's a full time job then the title is false.

[@thai33oz]

@@davilakarlos ok, did you lose your job? Did they steal your 401k? How has the false title affected you in any way? Unless you quit your job to go down this route and find out it's not a side hustle, then it shouldn't matter to you.

[@robertpouvi9836]

It's still good money but there are cons in this business if ur brand new to it.

[@johnwayne7383]

Who hurt you? ​@@thai33oz

[@corail53]

Food trucks are work not a side hustle.

[@antising8834]

1:14 Nice

[@warrior4christ777]

Here's an idea for an ad for you guys have a bunch of food trucks around and not a big event or something and say hey there's a hotbox pretzel truck up there and have everybody wear and then go over there and everybody starts running to the HotBox pretzels

[@UpFlip]

That's a great idea for an ad! Thanks for sharing and of course, watching! 🙏

[@AwakenedOne.]

Guess it’s time to buy a truck and get started!!!!

[@GIOVANNYGARCIAHOLGUIN]

this is amazing

[@UpFlip]

Glad you like it! Feeling inspired to kickstart your own food truck venture?

[@velafresh]

Gotta sell beer with the pretzel

[@hotboxpretzels]

This is something we are looking into soon!

[@BadKittyNoMilk]

Love the love the vegan butter idea. Maybe they can do a vegan cheese too. Thanks for offering vegan butter options

[@manifestingsanctuary]

[@silenthill4]

you should do some videos on failed trucks. gotta balance that survivor bias

[@fringestream990]

Yes, that would be interesting. Because I seen it mostly as a fad. And prices are typically similar to little mom and pop restaurants which are better in my opinion.

[@itsfelicia]

This is not a channel about failure, it's here to uplift , inspire & educate.

[@user-cy9qr2ne4j]

Blessings ❤

[@cbg4567]

This isn't a side hustle.

[@mr67927]

If you don’t do it every day it is. Like having a side hustle or a side partner 😂😂

[@TundeEszlari]

You are a very good KZbinr.

[@UpFlip]

That's truly heartwarming! If you haven't already, we hope our content inspires you to start your own business journey. 🙏

[@BadKittyNoMilk]

i love this idea and thank you for sharing. I was curious. what it costs to maintain the truck monthly.i feel if these guys lived in their own homes with a mortgage/rent car payment maybe and bills. their fear of starting a business may be different, of course, i don't really know. its just an opinion. I don't get tHE "WHAFF" WORD AND THE egg crushed by the letter "W" Can anyone explain this? I don't think i caught this bit in the video. thanks again. Smart kids.

[@Superliegebeest0]

For everybody seeing dollar signs, u need to work ur ass of. It's not easy money selling food. But as u can see it can pay off.

[@user-pu8wr9nb2u]

When you say MMmmmm before it barely hits your mouth...