The business of local food trucks

Food trucks are a big business in a lot of major cities across the country, but starting the business in smaller towns can be tough.

There are only a handful of food trucks in Idaho Falls and each one has had its own ups and downs here.

Owner of Julio’s taco truck has moved from Rexburg and parked his truck in this lot on Broadway.

“The avenue can be really busy, but if you don’t have the right tools to advertise your business still people won’t see you,” said Julio, owner of Julio’s Authentic Mexican Food Truck.

The busy street may bring in business but customers have competition. The massive Sweeto Burrito truck is parked in the same lot.

Many think this is bad for business, but Julio and burrito boss, Jon Pierre Francia said it actually helps.

“The more great food that’s together, food has gravity and people come to it,” said Francia.

Francia started in North Dakota to feed the oil workers in the Bakken.

In Idaho Falls they’re testing the drive through.

“It was really interesting to watch going from hungry dude food, which is what we thought we were to watching ladies pull up in an Escalade, grandma’ coming back and getting a Sweeto Burrito every day. The diversity of our brand was tested here in Idaho Falls,” said Francia.

The business has sky rocketed across the country with nearly 400 locations that’ll be complete by next month, included a few brick and mortar stores.

“Like a Carl’s Jr. or Wendy’s or something like that that’s where we’re headed,” said Francia.

Heading across town on 17th Street, Mike Olson with Pyros Brick Oven Pizza has the same vision.

“I’d love to see it in a brick and mortar place here in Idaho Falls. It’s my home town,” said Olson.

The popular pizza place is famous for its five dollar pizzas made in a full size brick oven inside the truck.

Two years into the business, “I was thinking maybe i could do something else on the side, but its really demanded all my attention and energy,” said Olson.

Pyros is a food truck that can drive around, unlike Sweeto Burrito and Julio’s who can’t.

“We can park up to private parties, reunions, receptions,” said Olson. He added the drawback is that people don’t have a permanent spot they can depend on, like they can with Sweeto Burrito and Julio’s.

No matter where the food trucks are, success of any business depends on the response from the community, something these three say has been good.

Sweeto Burrito: http://www.sweetoburrito.com/

Pyros Brick Oven Pizza: http://pyrosbrickovenpizza.com/