If you’ve ever dreamed of launching a food truck, allow us to introduce you to its most underrated ingredient: RED TAPE.
We’re talking piles of paperwork, dotted lines to sign on, long lines to wait in, getting signatures, submitting forms, re-signing and re-submitting, and of course – paying double what we planned.
Here’s what all we’ve wrangled and straight wrassled into submission so far:
DMV: 4 Visits Deep
In the past week, Chris made not one, not two, but FOUR glorious field trips to the happiest place on earth, better known as the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles.
Turns out, registering a trailer from out of state when you weren’t the ones who brought it here isn’t exactly a drive-thru experience. But, after several confusing conversations, and only a few minor meltdowns, we finally have the tags, and we’re told the new title is in the mail.
Spice Dreams (Delayed but Still Delicious)
Next up was a drop-in visit to everyone’s other favorite hangout – the Health Department – wooooo! We submitted our cottage food application so we can start cranking out our signature spice blends in our home kitchen – but surprise! – they’re backlogged by a few weeks so processing time on applications is running long.
To be fair, they were super friendly and helpful, and they seemed pumped about our spice line-up. They’re especially curious how we’re cramming all the iconic flavor of a Chicago-style hotdog into a spice shaker…
Bet you’re wondering too – and as soon as they let us f*ck around, you can come find out! Fingers crossed we get the green light just in time to join the Cary Farmer’s Market as their newest vendor in July.
The Paperwork Parade
- LLC? Filed.
- State of IL biz authorization? Check.
- Tax accounts? Established.
- Food safety certification? Got it.
- Insurance? Secured.
- Our sanity? Status pending.
The headline here is – we’re officially official on a lot of levels, and that’s way more complicated than it sounds. They really don’t make this stuff easy – but hey, nothing good ever is.
Up Next: Backstage Trailer Tour
Next week, we’re taking you behind the aluminum siding for a backstage tour of our trailer in all her raw, unfiltered glory – before she gets her big glow up.
We’ll also share a sneak peek of our blueprint and build-out vision. See where the sammy station goes, how we’re tricking out the inside, and where Chef will stash his emergency snacks.
Here’s a quick teaser:
Spoiler alert – yeah, we basically bought an empty box on wheels.
We’ve got a blank canvas, big ideas, and ZERO clue if all this will work. But we’re building this thing – even if all she runs on right now is adrenaline, caffeine, and dreams.
That’s a wrap for now, Snack Squad but – stay tuned, the full trailer tour drops next week and you won’t wanna miss this behind-the-scenes bash!