STRATEGIC PARTNERS
June 22, 2017
Chicago's strict food truck rules have decimated the number of food trucks, but in several instances, the food truck owners have migrated to brick and mortar restaurants, according to bisnow.
The city has designated 37 food truck zones, but trucks can only stay parked in a zone for two hours at a time. Trucks cannot park within 200 feet of any business that sells food. Trucks must be equipped with GPS devices officials can track if they operate outside of the designated zones.
Food trucks also face stiff penalties for violating the ordinance's regulations. As a result, there are now around 70 licensed food trucks compared to five years ago when there were 130.
The restrictions and fines have led many food truck operators to incorporate a brick-and-mortar component to their business plans. Amy Le, founder of the Illinois Food Truck Association, operated the DucknRoll truck from October 2011 to December 2012, and then opened two South Loop restaurants, Saucy Porka and Spotted Monkey. Döner Men co-owners Shawn Podgurski and Phil Naumann opened DMen Tap, a bar in Avondale last year.
Beavers Coffee + Donuts owner Gabriel Wiesen, Illinois Food Truck Association president, opened a shop inside the Chicago French Market in 2012 and will open a second location this year.
