Why Food Trucks?
To cover local food trucks in Panama City is like covering a secret society of underground food lovers. The clientele is different, the food is unique, and the trucks are mobile. What makes food trucks so different from your regular mom and pops restaurants? The way they can to travel anywhere at any time separates them from the rest. You may see a truck set up by the highway, in your neighborhood, or even at your school.
Food Truck Growth
The food truck market across America has been proliferating over the past ten years. In 2012, the market size was around $524.2 Million. The latest polls show that in 2021, the market size for food trucks in America is now approximately 1,162.3 Million. That is double the market size in less than ten years within the food industry. That streak is not only phenomenal but shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
A Little History
A few food trucks have been around Panama City for almost ten years now. A few old-school local food truck owners include The Prime Rib Guy, Temperley’s British Eatery, and HaolePino. For locals, food trucks around town have been around Panama City but were never a cornerstone of the city. With local popularity rising over the past few years in local areas, more chefs and business owners began to hatch ideas about expanding their foodservice industry into the mobile food truck industry.
How did they become so popular?
The biggest breakthrough for local food trucks began in March of 2020. As Covid-19 spread through America at an unbelievable rate, things began to change across the country. Businesses had to lower the amount of people allowed in their establishments, masks were enforced, dine-in eating was shut down throughout multiple counties, and travel bans were bring enforced. As terrible of a time that this was for businesses, one need that began to arise. A place to eat that didn’t have to deal with lower seating rules.
The new normal
With this need, we started to see a rise in local food trucks and food trucks from surrounding areas starting to grow. With the mobility of food trucks, people began to not go out as much which meant housing units, bars, and local attractions needed to bring the food to the people. As of the latest poll, there are over 40 local food trucks with almost 20 local trucks in surrounding areas with new trucks opening their doors daily.
Kurtis Hall
Student Writer - Spring 2022
Kurtis Hall is in his final year at GCSC. This is his last semester towards his Bachelors degree in Digital Media Studies with a focus in Web Development Specialization.
