If you’re considering becoming a franchise owner, a unique opportunity awaits with Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, a growing mobile coffee truck franchise. This article explores what makes Travelin’ Tom’s a rewarding franchise opportunity and features the inspiring stories of two of the earliest franchise owners, Skyler Walker and Jon Dietzen. Find out why these two franchisees decided to join Travelin’ Tom’s and how they’ve grown their coffee truck businesses.
Meet Skyler Walker: a Travelin’ Tom’s Multi-Unit Franchise Owner
Location: Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City, MI
Background: Skyler, a business-savvy entrepreneur from Northern Indiana, moved to Saginaw, MI, in 2018. With a background in freight and logistics, Travelin’ Tom’s is Skyler’s fourth business, and he brings a strong focus on customer service and relationship-building to his ventures. For Skyler, owning a business isn’t just a career; it’s a hobby and a family affair, with his children watching and learning from his leadership and dedication.
Why Join Travelin’ Tom’s?
When Skyler set out to find a franchise in 2021, he knew he found a unique opportunity with Travelin’ Tom’s. “Travelin’ Tom’s owns the coffee truck space,” he says. The ability to bring coffee and specialty drinks directly to customers without a costly retail location was a major draw,” he said. Skyler also appreciates that the franchise allows him to focus on his strengths—sales and connecting with people—without needing to worry about creating a new product. “I don’t need to create a great-tasting coffee bean; I just need to sell it to my appreciative customers!”
Overcoming Challenges
As an early franchisee in the Travelin’ Tom’s system, Skyler faced the challenge of brand recognition. “Changing people’s coffee habits is tough, especially when you’re the new kid on the block,” he admits. But with quality products and a welcoming, customer-focused approach, the community quickly embraced Travelin’ Tom’s. Skyler credits the support from corporate staff and other franchisees for helping him overcome initial obstacles.
Words of Advice
Skyler emphasizes that running a business takes work, even with the strong support Travelin’ Tom’s provides. His advice for potential franchise buyers is simple: “Go out and pound the pavement. Go hustle. Put in the work.” He also loves that his team is a significant part of the success. “Being able to hire and support a team is huge. This is definitely not a one-man show,” he says with pride.
Meet Jon Dietzen: Building Success in Appleton, WI
Location: Appleton, WI
Background: Jon Dietzen and his wife Katie are rooted in Appleton, WI, and have a history of successful franchise ownership with the Kona Ice brand. Jon’s professional background is in IT, while Katie is an elementary music teacher. Together, they enjoy traveling and connecting with the community—a passion that aligns perfectly with Travelin’ Tom’s mission.
Why Joining Travelin’ Tom’s Was a Natural Fit
After 13 years with Kona Ice, Jon and Katie were drawn to Travelin’ Tom’s in 2022 for its family-oriented culture. “When the Travelin’ Tom’s brand came about, it was a natural fit for us,” said Jon. He values the close relationships with corporate staff, who he says genuinely care about each franchisee. “Walking into the corporate office and having them know your name—it’s like being part of an extended family.”
Building Brand Recognition
For Jon, the biggest challenge was building awareness of the brand in the Appleton community. He took the Travelin’ Tom’s truck to local businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, generating word-of-mouth referrals. “With over 230 Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee trucks in operation today, we are quickly becoming a household name. People love us,” said Jon.
Support from Corporate and Franchisee Networks
Jon appreciates the extensive support provided by Travelin’ Tom’s. New franchisees attend “Coffee College” at the corporate office, learning everything from product details to effective marketing strategies. Follow-up calls and regional meetings keep franchisees connected, and the annual convention offers additional networking and learning opportunities. For Jon, the peer-to-peer connections have been invaluable, creating a collaborative environment where everyone helps each other succeed.
Jon’s Advice for Joining Travelin’ Tom’s
Jon’s advice is both practical and encouraging: “Believe in yourself and take the leap! If you take care of the Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee brand by putting forth your best effort and caring for your customers, the brand will take care of you.”
Why Joining Travelin’ Tom’s is a Smart Business Decision
Travelin’ Tom’s is more than just a coffee business. With its mobile model, franchisees like Skyler and Jon bring delicious beverages directly to their customers. This model allows franchisees to be flexible, meet customers where they are, and skip the overhead of a traditional storefront.
Both Skyler and Jon highlight corporate support as a major advantage. The corporate team provides extensive training and ongoing assistance, from marketing to truck maintenance. Travelin’ Tom’s also fosters a strong franchisee community, where owners share advice, support each other, and celebrate successes together.
Ready to Join Travelin’ Tom’s?
If you’re looking for a franchise that values relationships, offers comprehensive support, and brings coffee to customers in a unique way, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee may be the perfect fit for you. As Skyler and Jon’s experiences show, with dedication, hard work, and a supportive team, success with Travelin’ Tom’s is within reach.
Explore the freedom of a mobile business, the support of a caring network, and the joy of serving your community delicious coffee. Are you ready to join Travelin’ Tom’s to bring the coffee experience on the road?
To discover more reasons to join Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, visit travelintomscoffee.com or email ownacoffeetruck@
Related Content:
Webinar: The Travelin’ Tom’s Franchise Opportunity
