It’s Halloween night 2023 in Connecticut. There’s a chill in the air, and the streets are full of children in costumes with their parents chasing after them. In between the cries of “don’t forget to say thank you” and “just one piece”, there’s pop music in the air. Off in the distance, a lit-up food truck comes cruising. The embodiment of joy and delight, the truck slowly passes by, and the adults gasp in wonder. “Did the side of that truck say coffee or were we dreaming?” Grown-ups stop to snap pictures, desperate to learn more about the mysterious vehicle promising a caffeine kick. A little online sleuthing turns up the answer: it’s a Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck!
Just a week prior, Robin Sieczkowski and her sister, Kristen Beers, had driven their brand-new Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck from Kentucky back to Connecticut. They weren’t yet open for business on that Halloween night, but their cruise through the crowded streets of Norwich proved fruitful. When stopping at a friend’s house for a bathroom break, a line formed for the truck! Additionally, the social media accounts she created before officially getting the truck began to blow up with mentions. This brilliant marketing stunt was the start of something special. We got to chat with Robin about her first year of ownership at Travelin’ Tom’s to hear what it’s like to enter this highly rated mobile franchise.
Meet the Team Behind the Two Trucks
Robin and her sister are not strangers to the food business. With previous management experience at Domino’s and a variety of other food marketing experience, these two sisters really took the bull (truck?) by the horns. Robin handles marketing, booking, and often operates the truck while Kristen handles cleaning, maintenance, and vehicle upkeep. Their first employee was their 72-year-old mother, who still loves running the truck. About a year into running, a family friend, Karen, stepped into co-ownership alongside the sisters. Karen is in charge of HR, paperwork, and payroll. Together, these three women make an incredible leadership team, hoping to expand their fleet. They’ve got their first truck, Lucy and added Ethel mid-2026. They’re hoping to add a Ricky!
The First-Year Numbers: What It Actually Costs (and Pays)
When Franchise Business Review gets asked, “How Much Money Can I Make Owning A Franchise“, we use our data from tens of thousands of franchisees to answer. Yet, when we give prospective franchisees the answer (and we have a specific answer), we have a critical caveat. When looking at income potential, we exclude franchisees with less than two years of ownership under their belt. This is because the first two years are often about establishing your business and hitting your breakeven point.
For the first year of owning their Travelin’ Tom’s truck, Robin and Kristen agreed not to pay themselves hourly. Instead of pulling an official paycheck from their business, they relied on tips instead, which were often $100/each a day. Robin says, “We paid back our initial investment to start the franchise and the truck paid its own bills with no help from our personal savings. Which is pretty remarkable!”
Travelin’ Tom’s has a franchise fee of $15,000, with royalties at $3k per year (for the first few years). Franchisees also purchase their trucks, which cost $171,750. Travelin’ Tom’s assists with financing options once they complete the initial credit check and receive the deposit. As far as typical food franchise costs go, this mobile coffee truck is quite affordable.
A Day in the Life on the Truck
What struck me most when speaking with Robin was how much she enjoys running her truck. Often, Robin will operate the truck on her own. Even with a long line, she prides herself on moving through customers efficiently, always pausing to make sure they’re happy with their purchase. I was lucky enough to get a virtual tour of her truck! It’s about 12 feet from the cab to the back door and is designed to be run by one person if needed. The layout is made with the operator in mind. Everything is within reach and the locations just “make sense”. It’s wild to me that one person could manage a huge crowd of people ordering complicated coffee and other beverages. Yet, according to Robin, it’s a typical day of a Travelin’ Tom’s franchisee.
Why They Added a Second Truck
While I mostly discussed her first year of coffee truck ownership, I did learn that Robin and her partners purchased their second truck in mid-2026. Even though this didn’t happen during the first year, it is helpful to know how long it took them to begin scaling. The second truck ensures they can show up for booked events, like a wedding, even if something mechanical happens to the truck. Since they’re booking events out for a year in advance, it felt prudent to invest in a second truck.
What Surprised Her Most About Ownership
Since Robin and Kristen have a background in food, much about the business wasn’t new. What surprised them most were the unique features of the truck. For example, most food trucks have a grill on board. Travelin’ Tom’s trucks do not, which means there is no need for an Ansul fire suppression system. This means inspections are a breeze. “Fire departments love us”, she says, “because inspections are so simple and easy”. Additionally, the trucks don’t need a generator to operate. Travelin’ Tom’s trucks are quiet to operate and don’t require Robin, Karen, or Kristen to haul gas.
When I asked Robin what prospective franchisees should ask about when researching a Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, she said, “Consider the kind of climate in which you live. Will you need to secure indoor storage space for winter months to prevent the water lines on the truck from freezing?” She also counsels prospective franchisees to get a handle on their region’s health department rules. Some states require each town to issue operating permits, which can drive up costs. Know your territory before you jump in; otherwise, you might get hit with costs you didn’t anticipate.
The Support System Behind the Scenes
Like any good franchise, there is an entire system behind the brand. When Robin and Kristen arrived at headquarters, they met all the major leaders of the Kona Ice/Travelin’ Tom’s family. Since Travelin’ Tom’s is run by the same people, they stepped into an already established way of operating. Corporate even arranged a fake event in an airplane hangar where members of corporate went to each new franchisee in their new truck to order complicated beverages. Each franchisee received hands-on training and, by the time they left, were ready for their first customers. Additionally, they learned the backend software and networked with both corporate reps and fellow franchisees. Beginning these relationships proved valuable as throughout their tenure as owners, Robin and her crew rely on the Travelin’ Tom’s community for troubleshooting, fresh ideas, and camaraderie.
Is a Travelin’ Tom’s Franchise Worth It?
There’s always risk when investing in a franchise. Yet, doing your due diligence and learning the ins and outs of the operation before you jump in can help you determine whether the brand is a right fit. Robin learned about Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s through a friend who owned a Tom’s truck herself and whose parents own several Kona Ice trucks. She was able to get a firsthand account of what it’s like to own a coffee truck franchise and be a part of the Travelin’ Tom’s system. Since she had previous food and marketing experience, running the truck and advertising came easily. Add two supportive partners in the mix, and Robin is a very happy franchisee.
While we can’t guarantee success, we can show you our data. Travelin’ Tom’s ranks on our awards lists again and again. Just this past year, they were featured on the following lists, based on their franchisee survey data:
- Top 200 Franchises of 2026
- Most Innovative Franchises
- Recession-Resistant Franchises
- Top Franchises for Women
- Top Franchises for Culture
- Top Food & Beverage Franchises
If you’d like more information on becoming a Travelin’ Tom’s franchisee, visit ownacoffeetruck.com or email [email protected].
