FOLLOW THAT FOOD TRUCK!

By now, you’ve probably happened-upon one of those unique food trucks traveling around your city. You’ve also probably noticed the long lines of people waiting outside the truck to get a taste of whatever it is they’re serving. 

Did you ever wonder how those people in line knew where the truck would be? Or what menu items the truck would be selling? The answer 9 times out of 10 is “they follow the truck.”  Huh? You mean they drive around town behind it all day? No – they use free software for their computer and/or smart phone to keep in touch with their favorite mobile food trucks. Continue reading for more info on this interesting subject.

So how do I “Follow” a truck and what does that mean?

Typically, food trucks have a presence on Twitter, Facebook, or both locations. This is how they let their customers know when/where they’ll be each day. In order to “follow” a truck, you first need to have your own Twitter or Facebook account, then following is as easy as clicking “+ Follow” on a truck’s Twitter page  or “Like” on a truck’s Facebook page  or “+1 Add Friend” if their business is listed under their personal Facebook account. (FYI – Facebook has been known to shut down trucks’ accounts because their terms & conditions state that a business cannot run itself under a personal page. Read more here: http://mobile-cuisine.com/marketing/social-media/don%E2%80%99t-get-your-food-truck-business-banned-from-facebook/)

What will the truck tell me if I follow them?

Each truck is different, but typically the trucks will let you know where they’re going to be each day, when they’re going to be there, along with their menu (if it changes or if they have specials.) They might also share food truck industry news with you, information about events in your town or other things that might interest their customers/followers.

Are there any “bonuses” to following a truck on Facebook or Twitter?

There sure are, but it depends on the truck. Some trucks have been known to run specials by posting things like “Mention this Facebook post/Tweet and get $2 off your purchase!!” And in places like LA where trucks have thousands of people following them, it’s actually become a “challenge” to be able to eat from them each day. The truck will tweet something along the lines of “We’ll be at Seneca & Main for the next 35 minutes! Come and get it!” and then it’s up to their followers to get there in time to grab some of their food before they close up and head to the next location. (Sounds fun & exciting to me!)

Can I interact with the trucks via Facebook or Twitter?

ABSOLUTELY! Trucks love receiving feedback and interacting with their customers, whether it’s as simple as you retweeting one of their tweets or by clicking “like” to one of their Facebook posts. You should also feel free to post feedback regarding your visit to their truck via Twitter or on Facebook—both positive AND negative comments are welcome. The only way the trucks are going to know what's working or where they can improve is if someone tells them! And if something wasn't quite right with your visit, chances are the truck will make it right for you the next time you visit.

So there you have it, following a food truck doesn’t mean you have to become a stalker or buy special software for your phone or computer—you simply need to know whether the truck is on Facebook or Twitter, then it’s as simple as clicking a button.  Happy Food Truck Following! :-)