Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck officially rolling through Mahoning County area
Since 2021, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck has become one of the fastest-growing mobile coffee brands in the U.S. with over 250 trucks in operation.
Part of the Kona Ice brand founded by Tom Lamb, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee follows a franchise model where each truck is owned and operated by individuals ready to hit the road.
One of the newest franchisees with Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee is Boardman native Adrienne Smith.
“I’ve known about the Kona brand for over 20 years,” she said. “They’re at every single kids’ sports activity we’re at. They’re always at the school. I actually looked into a Kona truck but that one was taken. I got a call six months later, and they said they had a new coffee concept. I absolutely love coffee, so it was just a good fit.”
Smith is inviting the community to celebrate the start of Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck of Youngstown with a ribbon-cutting on May 19 at Boardman Park alongside the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
“Our competitive advantage is really that we are self-contained, and we basically drive around 100% set up. All we have to do when we arrive at an event or venue is stop and open our window. We don’t need a lot of prep time, electrical hook up; we’re very low maintenance, and we’re able to offer a customized, premium beverage service at a very fast rate,” Smith said.
During the ribbon-cutting celebration starting at 10 a.m., drinks will be on the house, according to Smith.
“Because we do such a heavy schedule with business catering, we might not have a set schedule, but we plan on frequenting the downtown YMCA and Boardman Park as two of our go-to’s,” Smith said. “We have pop-ups planned for various other parks around the area.”
The community response has been amazing, according to Smith. Some of her first events were employee appreciation, including teachers and nurses, as well as a visit to Youngstown State University’s Campus Lofts during finals.
“I have people coming up to me at these festivals, wanting to see the truck. They’re very excited about it. And that’s the other vendors. They’re very excited about the truck. It’s very eye catching, and the graphics and colors are amazing,” Smith said. “Everybody has been so excited to have us [at events] and going into the facilities, I’m interacting one-on-one with the community in a way I haven’t previously. It’s nice to give those employees a little break from their everyday lives.”
