The Story
Building Hot Chix: A Food Truck Journey of Sacrifice and Success
Hot Chix Hotcakes and Chicken was years in the making, from the initial idea to our first food truck. I had no real restaurant or food service experience, which is important to note because it highlights just how big of a leap of faith this endeavor truly was.
The idea first came to me in 2014. I have always loved breakfast food, especially chicken and waffles. During a conversation with a friend about my love for this sweet and savory combination, I had a "light bulb" moment: "What if you could have that same great taste without needing a fork and knife?" My friend literally laughed out loud, and I responded, "Like a pancake-fried chicken taco!" In that moment, I declared, "I'm going into the chicken and pancakes business, and I'm calling it Hot Chix."
As a designer by trade, I went home and immediately began working on the logo, branding, and even a mock-up of a potential truck design. I had always been a big fan of food trucks, but with four kids who weren’t exactly interested in Korean BBQ, dumplings, or other adventurous foods, I knew we needed something that would appeal to everyone—something they already loved: pancakes and chicken.
After pitching the idea to family and friends, the response was overwhelmingly positive. By the end of 2016, I decided to make Hot Chix a reality. At the time, I was working for a non-profit, so I made sacrifices and put everything I could into getting my first truck (actually a trailer) built. I tackled the many regulations, insurance requirements, fees, permits, and unexpected expenses that come with starting a food truck business. It was a steep learning curve, and I were surprised by just how much we didn't know.
I submitted all our paperwork in February of 2017, and by May of that year, our truck was approved. However, in June, my wife lost her job. As a new startup, we couldn't afford to pay her—or anyone else—a salary. Once again, I sacrificed and hustled, seizing every opportunity that came my way. The food truck business proved to be far harder and costlier than I had anticipated, but I pushed through with determination.
My dream for Hot Chix Hotcakes and Chicken is to prove the concept and eventually expand by adding additional trucks. Our ultimate goal is to develop a successful franchise model that is affordable, unique, simple to operate, and profitable. Who knows? One day, you might just find yourself selling a pancake-fried chicken taco.
Hot Chix Hotcakes and Chicken is a creative concept from James Bennett and the team at Bennet Brands LLC. Check out our other concepts.
Winnies Mini Cakes https://www.instagram.com/winniesminicakes
LQUD LOVE www.instagram.com/lqudlove/
Luxury Franks https://www.instagram.com/luxuryfranks/
The idea first came to me in 2014. I have always loved breakfast food, especially chicken and waffles. During a conversation with a friend about my love for this sweet and savory combination, I had a "light bulb" moment: "What if you could have that same great taste without needing a fork and knife?" My friend literally laughed out loud, and I responded, "Like a pancake-fried chicken taco!" In that moment, I declared, "I'm going into the chicken and pancakes business, and I'm calling it Hot Chix."
As a designer by trade, I went home and immediately began working on the logo, branding, and even a mock-up of a potential truck design. I had always been a big fan of food trucks, but with four kids who weren’t exactly interested in Korean BBQ, dumplings, or other adventurous foods, I knew we needed something that would appeal to everyone—something they already loved: pancakes and chicken.
After pitching the idea to family and friends, the response was overwhelmingly positive. By the end of 2016, I decided to make Hot Chix a reality. At the time, I was working for a non-profit, so I made sacrifices and put everything I could into getting my first truck (actually a trailer) built. I tackled the many regulations, insurance requirements, fees, permits, and unexpected expenses that come with starting a food truck business. It was a steep learning curve, and I were surprised by just how much we didn't know.
I submitted all our paperwork in February of 2017, and by May of that year, our truck was approved. However, in June, my wife lost her job. As a new startup, we couldn't afford to pay her—or anyone else—a salary. Once again, I sacrificed and hustled, seizing every opportunity that came my way. The food truck business proved to be far harder and costlier than I had anticipated, but I pushed through with determination.
My dream for Hot Chix Hotcakes and Chicken is to prove the concept and eventually expand by adding additional trucks. Our ultimate goal is to develop a successful franchise model that is affordable, unique, simple to operate, and profitable. Who knows? One day, you might just find yourself selling a pancake-fried chicken taco.
Hot Chix Hotcakes and Chicken is a creative concept from James Bennett and the team at Bennet Brands LLC. Check out our other concepts.
Winnies Mini Cakes https://www.instagram.com/winniesminicakes
LQUD LOVE www.instagram.com/lqudlove/
Luxury Franks https://www.instagram.com/luxuryfranks/