Show Notes: 

Introduction

In this episode, Tim sits down with Brian Stone, CEO & CTO of Premium Sides and co-founder of the food truck Mr. Top Hat’s Tasty Taters.

What started as a father helping his son evaluate the cost of opening a restaurant turned into a deep dive into food truck entrepreneurship, operational strategy, event math, municipal negotiation, and product innovation.

This conversation blends business fundamentals, food truck startup lessons, and tech solutions built specifically for mobile operators.

Key Themes & Highlights

Restaurant vs. Food Truck: Follow the Math

• Brian challenged his son to build a full business plan for a restaurant.

• After researching rent, overhead, staffing, and startup costs, the numbers were overwhelming.

• A second business plan for a food truck revealed:

  • Similar workload

  • Significantly lower overhead

  • Greater flexibility

  • Asset ownership instead of long-term lease liability

Lesson: Run the numbers before you commit. The math often clarifies the right starting point.

Navigating Local Regulations (Without Burning Bridges)

After moving to St. Cloud, Florida, they encountered resistance toward food trucks.

Instead of reacting emotionally, Brian:

• Asked questions

• Sought clarity

• Identified the city’s real concern (permanent parking-lot setups, not mobile event trucks)

• Proposed compliant “mini-event” models

Result:

• Approval to operate

• Event partnerships with the city

• Stronger working relationships

Lesson: Stay curious. Understand the rule before fighting it.

Event Economics & Minimums

Brian emphasizes:

• Not all 1,000-person events are profitable.

• If 1,000 attendees are split among 8 trucks, realistic sales projections shrink fast.

• Fuel, prep time, labor, generator costs, and opportunity cost must be factored in.

Strategy:

• Negotiate hybrid models (minimum + revenue share).

• Align incentives with event organizers.

• Adjust minimums based on timing and demand.

Lesson: Event math beats ego every time.

Menu Strategy: Focused but Flexible

Mr. Top Hat’s Tasty Taters specializes in:

• French fries

• Tater tots

• Baked potatoes

• Potato-based desserts

• House-made potato ice cream (including sweet potato & peppermint variations)

Truck design intentionally included:

• Extra burners

• Larger hot tables

• Expansion flexibility for future pivots

Lesson: Build for today, but allow room for tomorrow.

Designing the Truck for Workflow

Brian applied manufacturing and telecom process-flow thinking to truck layout:

• Minimize steps

• Avoid crossing paths

• Create zones

• Physically mock up layout before building

Advice:

• Talk to multiple builders

• Research equipment thoroughly

• Plan longer than you think

• Don’t rush build decisions

Lesson: Layout efficiency impacts profit more than people realize.

Tech Innovation Born From Frustration

The Connectivity Problem

At their first event:

• POS connected fine at home base

• Two miles away → zero internet

• Had to tether manually

• Risked lost transactions

Brian discovered:

• No company specifically focused on food truck connectivity

• Offline POS payments carry risk

• DoorDash/Uber Eats require stable connections

Premium Sides Solutions

1. Multi-Carrier Internet System

• One device

• AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile in a single box

• AI-driven automatic carrier switching

• Ruggedized hardware built for mobile environments

• Plans from $25/month to high-data enterprise tiers

Benefits:

• Reduces offline payment risk

• Maintains DoorDash/Uber connectivity

• Avoids manual toggling between networks

2. Shelf Saver (Refrigerator Shelf Reinforcement)

Problem:

• Standard commercial fridge clips bend.

• Shelves collapse during transit.

• Food avalanche on arrival.

Solution:

• 3D-printed, food-safe PETG reinforcement insert.

• Wire tie locking system prevents clip pop-out.

• Dramatically increases load stability.

Available via: PremiumSides.com (Amazon coming soon)

3. Food Truck Website Builds

• Custom-built (not cookie-cutter templates)

• $250 build

• $20/month hosting

• Designed specifically for food truck needs

• Focused on legitimacy, clarity, and simplicity

4. Business Phone Systems

• Dedicated truck phone number

• Call routing

• After-hours voicemail protection

• IVR options for catering, management, etc.

• Creates professionalism without constant personal interruptions

DoorDash & Marketing Strategy

Rather than maximizing profit through delivery apps:

• Marked up pricing appropriately

• Treated DoorDash as a marketing channel

• Inserted physical coupons in orders

• Designed multi-step return incentive strategy

• Focused on converting customers to direct orders

Lesson: Use third-party platforms strategically, not emotionally.

Mindset Lessons

• Not every customer will love your food — don’t overcorrect.

• Stay calm with municipalities.

• Negotiate intelligently with event organizers.

• Research before spending.

• Overbuild slightly for flexibility.

• Protect your revenue systems.

Actionable Takeaways

• Run full financial projections before choosing restaurant vs truck.

• Mock up your truck layout physically before finalizing design.

• Don’t rely on single-carrier internet at events.

• Reinforce fridge shelves before they fail.

• Treat delivery apps as marketing tools, not just revenue streams.

• Stay collaborative — it opens doors.

Resources

Premium Sides
Connectivity systems, Shelf Saver, food truck websites, phone services
 https://premiumsides.com

Mr. Top Hat’s Tasty Taters
St. Cloud, Florida