Lincoln food trucks get creative to keep up sales during frigid temps

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The capital city is home to many food trucks that value serving the community.

But because of the winter weather, a lot of these businesses are not seeing the customer numbers they are used to.

Glenn Cox, the owner of Golden Goat Pizza, told Channel 8 that he is just trying to keep his head up.

He took a different approach to the food truck business by creating an open space so that customers can feel more a part of the process.

“I set up tables in front, stretch the pizzas out, top them and cook them in front of everybody,” he said. “Slice them up and box them in front of everybody so they can kind of feel like they’re entertained and part of the process. It gives a little bit more while they wait. The wait doesn’t seem as long when you’re watching somebody hustle and actually do the work.”

Many of these small businesses cater special events or host workshops, granting them more exposure and offering customers a fun alternative to sitting in a restaurant.

And in the winter months, getting creative with events and location is the key to seeing more crowds of people.

“So in the winter, you do have to get a little bit more creative with how you generate some revenue and keep customers coming back,” Cox said. “Not everybody wants to wait out in the cold, so over the last couple years, I’ve done dough making classes, I’ve set up at vineyards and breweries, even apartment complexes in the little community area.”

The owner of The Parthenon, George Kazas, said the weather is something he keeps a close eye on.

“If it’s freezing out, nobody wants to come out to a food truck,” he said.

Kazas said fortunately, he’s been so busy catering that he hasn’t had to worry about the cold weather yet.

“But we’re getting to the point now where we’re like, ‘OK what’s next week’s weather look like,’ and if so, we’ll pop up and start doing stuff,” he said.

Cox told Channel 8 that collaborating with local breweries and businesses helps him increase sales.

He also plans to open a physical location later this year.

You can see where The Parthenon and Golden Goat will be headed next by following their Facebook and Instagram pages.