In our quest to keep our readers up to date with the latest stories relating to the food truck industry has compiled a list of the stories that hit the wire this weekend from Washington DC, Indianapolis, Denver, Chicago and Tennessee.

OTW Logo

Jan 27

José Andrés Will Launch His First Food Truck in DC – Washington DC – Last week, José Andrés first revealed that he’s been keeping a secret food truck named Pepe right here in Washington and has been quietly running tests. At the time, it wasn’t quite clear what connection that truck had to the one he previously announced he was launching in Miami. But now, the Spanish chef confirms to Eater that not only is this truck a totally separate thing, but also that it will launch first — perhaps as soon as late-February, though the date is still to be determined.

The truck will be running only in the District proper and only at lunchtime. And, given its name and the chef behind it, Pepe is going to be rolling with a Spanish-influenced menu.

Find the entire article <here>

22 food trucks already feeding hungry football fans downtown – Indianapolis, IN – Twenty-two licensed food trucks took turns lining up along the northwest quad of Monument Circle downtown Friday morning to start serving hungry football fans on the go.

Find the entire article with video <here>

Jan 28

Food Trucks: New Trend Equals New Risk – Popping up in metro areas across the country, popular food trucks have triggered festivals, a reality show, even lawsuits.

Food truck operators have filed lawsuits in Georgia, New York and California protesting bans on mobile eateries, while brick and by mortar establishments have also sued, complaining of competition and reduced sales.

Despite the challenges of dealing with a new market and its potential risks, Chartis, along with Matthew Carlson, vice president of Risk Strategies Co., a national retail brokerage firm, recently developed a food truck program that includes insurance coverage for general liability, automobile, business interruption, crime, mobile equipment and food spoilage losses.

Find the entire article <here>

Centerplate Debuts Blue Bear Burgers BBQ Truck at SIA Snow Show – Denver, CO – Most of Denver’s food trucks have gone into hibernation this winter, but the Blue Bear Burgers and BBQ truck is out and about, making its debut appearance in the shadow of its 40-foot-tall inspiration, just outside the SIA Snow Show at the Colorado Convention Center. Centerplate, the largest hospitality partner to North America’s premier sports stadiums, convention centers, and entertainment venues, is using an array of locally sourced ingredients for the Blue Bear Truck.

Find the entire article <here>

Jan 29

Food truck pop-ups slinging chicken and waffles, tamales and wine – Chicago, IL – Pop-up dinners have become a great way for many of Chicago’s food trucks to elevate their business and show off the chops that led many mobile purveyors into a career as a street food vendor. This winter, a few of these trucks have partnered with bars, whiskey distilleries, and even wine shops, bringing together food with sponsored drink pairings. Even though the weather is frigid, making outdoor dining obsolete, Chicagoans can still experience the best of Chicago’s street food with these upcoming pop-up food truck events.

Find the entire article <here>

Urban food truck to test-drive market – Williamson County, TN – The Grilled Cheeserie, a hit concept among Nashville’s growing fleet of food trucks, is planning to carry its mobile comfort food concept south.

The Grilled Cheeserie plans to serve lunch in Williamson County no later than March, announcing its location through social media.

Crystal De Luna Bogan, owner of the Grilled Cheeserie, said the amount of requests to come to the area, along with the number of Williamson County residents who have gone to Nashville to buy lunch on the weekends, prompted the decision to begin serving the county.

Find the entire article <here>