Food Truck Rental is ‘All the Rage’

Simply Food Trucks owner Paige Nathan has made hosting food trucks at events simply fun. Partnering with more than 75 of the coolest food trucks, she serves up cuisines from South of the Border, Southern, All-American and Asian, to dessert and coffee trucks. She also works with Atlanta’s two kosher food trucks.

Nathan said, “Food trucks are a fun and creative solution for corporate meetings and events. Leaders want to do more than order pizza for their team. Instead, they want to up their culinary game and bring in one or multiple food trucks. This way, employees can get out of the fluorescent-lit lunchroom and enjoy their lunch outdoors. Hosting multiple trucks satisfies different palates and serve quickly.”

COVID certainly made room for this already burgeoning outdoor festival and mitzvah staple.

Get The AJT Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

Native Sicilian Giancomo Iassaro owns Buon Fornello in Sandy Springs and Kalura pizza oven food truck.

“During the pandemic, corporate events came to a halt,” she said. “Fortunately, food trucks pivoted, created an online ordering system, and implemented COVID practices to ensure the safety of their guests. But demand is stronger than ever with offices reopening and business meetings resuming.”

Simply Food Truck has done some of the most “out-of-the-box” events. In July 2021, they organized a Food Truck Block Party for a wellness company for 10,000 guests with more than 40 trucks and five companies, including kosher EB Catering.

The sponsoring company ensured all the menus met their dietary guidelines – mostly lean proteins and vegetables which brought Nathan a big challenge with food and logistics.

Other significant events have included Super Bowl LIII, the Miss Universe Pageant, countless film and television productions, and Atlanta United and Falcons events for players and fans. She also provides trucks for mitzvahs, Shabbat dinners, and other celebrations.

Nathan with C-Bo’s BBQ owners Tonya and Charles Archie

Not knowing how to even go about hiring a food truck, to how the execution will flow, clients can count on Nathan to make sure no truck runs out of food, and heaven forbid, not show up. Simply Food Trucks handle all the details for the host to be confident that the event is successful, and guests love the food, by working with the best and most sought-after food trucks in the Southeast.

Nathan started the idea in 2016, after a long career in fundraising and special events. She was ready for a change and wanted to focus her passion for food and community. She reached out to her corporate meeting and event planners, marketing, and human resource partners who planned large events, and was welcomed as someone who could help arrange a food truck experience from conception to completion.

Nathan says to consider food trucks as caterers on wheels with a lower price point.

Having organized events from 50 people to 10,000 people, she rattled off upbeat concepts on trucks like Tacos and Tequilas, Bento Bus, Not As Famous Cookie Company, Sunshine Alchemy, and Sweet Jeanius. Watching the hip diverse operators hashing out the food is also part of the fun.

Nathan provides some tips on food truck success:
• Limited menus that cater to dietary restrictions are the best way to go.
• Have a backup weather plan. Discuss this in advance! There are several options, including serving the food indoors, truckless catering, or using tents so guests can still enjoy the food.
• Understand cost; as in-demand as food trucks are, they can also be cost-effective. The average food truck runs $10-$25 per person, depending on menu items and popularity.
• Compare food truck purchases to buffet-style catering, which will run $20-$50 per person. Traditional event catering, which starts at $50 per person and can go as high as $120+ per person, minimums are $1250.00 plus 20% service charges.

Nathan arranged food trucks for 10,000 guests at the Home Depot Backyard fronting the Atlanta skyline.

She concluded, “I’m passionate about building communities through food and believe everyone deserves to enjoy and have access to delicious and healthy food.

“We’re committed to giving back and supporting many non-profits at events and have worked with many, including Rock the Vote, World Central Kitchen, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and The Arthur Blank Foundation. We’ve also proudly donated to several food-related organizations, like Second Helping Atlanta, The Giving Kitchen, and Wholesome Wave.”

Paige Nathan drew on her experience in the hospitality industry to ride the food truck popularity wave.

Refer to Nathan’s most recent blog post: www.simplyfoodtrucks.com/post/why-you-should-book-a-food-truck-for-your-next-event

Contact Info:
Email: paige@simplyfoodtrucks.com
Website: www.simplyfoodtrucks.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simply_food_trucks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyfoodtrucks