Oink - A Case Study

It's a bit funny that we chose this month as the month to discuss new business start ups.  My husband is getting ready to graduate and get his business degree from Eastern Oregon University.  I feel like our whole family is graduating, it has been a long busy road for all of us, but I am so proud that he did it!  For his senior project, he has been tasked with writing a business plan for a business of his choice.

Anyone who knows my husband, knows he is a killer cook.  He is one of those that can just start throwing things into a pot and turn it into a masterpiece.  I love it, but my waistline does not.  We have always toyed with the idea of turning that into a business of some sort.  He doesn't want to start a full blown restaurant because he doesn't want to turn something he loves into an everyday thing and get burned out.  So, he has decided to write a business plan to start a food truck with some of his most famous recipes.  But, the genius part is that we will only take the truck out on weekends, or to festivals or special events.  So, it will not be an everyday thing.

So, I thought, what a great way to share tips and tricks about starting a business is letting you guys follow along the journey of getting this started.  Every once in a while I'll share some updates....and pictures of his delicious creations.  Here is what we have so far.

Truck Name: Oink
Concept: We will have two staple menu items and then rotate others seasonally.  The gimmick will be pork all sorts of ways.  We will get a whole pig and feature different cuts throughout the season.
Main Menus Items: 
Rolled Pork Tacos - pulled pork in a spicy Coke sauce rolled in a tortilla and flashed fried.  Topped with sour cream and homemade guacamole, served with homemade spanish rice.
Ground Pork Burgers - with a strawberry jalapeno sauce and asian slaw.
Bacon Bark in a Bag - for dessert candied bacon bark with a hint of spice.

I am drooling a bit just typing that out.  Oh, and the designer in me instantly came up with the logo above.  I know, jumping the gun a bit but I couldn't help myself.

We have decided to test the concept and one of the main recipes at the Mississippi Street Fair.  We have a fantastic friend who owns Mac! Mac and Cheesery and is going to let us tag along and use her kitchen as a commissary to prep for the day.  We will sell the rolled pork tacos and bacon bark in a bag.   This will be a great place to test the product and get some feedback from people who are not our families.

Stay tuned!

-Kristen