The Struggles of Food Truck Owners: Leasing Woes and Business Shutdowns
Food truck operators in Miami are grappling with severe challenges as issues arise with a leasing company that purportedly failed to provide suitable locations for their businesses. Many truck owners report significant financial losses after trusting a company that promised reliable leasing options.
Ronnie Horruitiner’s Dream Turned Sour
After years of dedicated service as a firefighter, Ronnie Horruitiner embarked on a new journey in August 2023 by launching his food truck, Mr. Chili 305. Eager to establish his business in a prime location, he enlisted the services of an online platform known as Trukado, which claimed to assist food truck operators in securing and renting spaces.
Initial Promises and Subsequent Issues
Horruitiner was in touch with Trukado’s owner, Andrew Priestman, and was convinced by the promises made during their interactions. “He talked a big game, a lot of promises,” Ronnie recalled. After paying a $3,100 deposit for a location in Wynwood, his hopes for success quickly dwindled when Miami Code Enforcement ordered the immediate closure of the area occupied by his truck.
Permits and Compliance Failures
The official notification indicated that the Wynwood lot lacked a temporary use permit and a valid business tax receipt—requirements that Horruitiner believes Trukado should have verified. Upon investigation, he discovered that Priestman had leased the property from its actual owner, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the agreement.
Following the Shutdown
In the wake of the shutdown, Priestman initially assured Horruitiner that the deposit would be refunded within 30 days. However, subsequent attempts to contact him went unanswered. “Never heard from him. To this day,” Horruitiner expressed, highlighting the impact of this loss on his business.
Reactions from Others Affected
Horruitiner is not alone in his frustrations; additional vendors also had negative experiences with Trukado. Meghan Browning and Alexander Ferzan, who provided portable toilet services for food truck locations in Fort Lauderdale and Wynwood, filed a lawsuit against Priestman for unpaid services totaled nearly $10,000. They succeeded in court and expressed determination to advocate for fair treatment of small business owners.
Browning stated, “For us, it was kind of more of like, ‘OK, we’re going to be the ones to champion this. We’ll be the civil justice warriors on this, because you don’t get to treat people like that.’”
Ongoing Concerns and Future Implications
Despite their legal triumphs, Ronnie Horruitiner shut down Mr. Chili 305, with the loss of the $3,100 deposit proving insurmountable for his business aspirations. In spite of assurances from Priestman to refund deposits, the lack of communication has left many previous clients in a precarious position.
Horruitiner hopes that actions will be taken to shut down Trukado before more dreams are compromised. “How do I feel? I mean, I feel cheated, pissed off,” he shared, illustrating the emotional toll of his experience.
As Miami officials confirm that Trukado did not possess the required permits to operate its food truck lots, the situation has raised alarms over the viability and regulation of such businesses in the vibrant food truck scene. With challenges like these, it’s clear that food truck owners must exercise caution when selecting partners and venues.
For locals interested in food truck operations, this unfolding story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of due diligence and the requirement for proper licensing and permits in business ventures.
