SAN ANTONIO — Paloma Arellano understands the meaning of rise and grind. Every morning she arrives at her family’s food truck “Rosas Kitchen.“
She’s part of many San Antonians’ morning routine.
“I’ve been doing this for about six years…full time? Three years,” Arellano said.
She feels like a seasoned business owner at 24 years old. Making sure her mother “La Doña” Rosa Ruiz’ dishes are served well, while juggling three food trucks.
“We learn every single day. Maybe it’s just recipes or new laws and legislation that are getting passed,” Arellano said.
She says the obstacles to clear to operate can be overwhelming.
“Going through the city, doing our water testing, getting our health permit, getting our fire inspection, food handlers and manager’s license,” Arellano listed.
The fees add up if a vendor wants to operate in multiple counties.
For example, if a truck operates in three counties, that’s three inspections, three applications and three sets of fees.
However, a potential solution is coming, HB 2844, or the “Texas Food Truck Freedom Bill,” which aims to remove much of the red tape.
The new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June will only require one statewide health permit.
Paloma Arellano’s older sister, Olma Arellano, manages a separate food truck, Bagel Babes, owned by Manuel Rodriguez.
She believes this will save the business hundreds of dollars annually.
“I know what it is it is to go through the frustration at times going through duplicate permits,” Olma Arellano said. “Literally duplicates that are the same thing, that mean the same thing.
She hopes those headaches will be gone when the law fully takes effect next summer.
“I think that the funds money can definitely allocated into the business,” Olma Arellano. “At the end of the day, that’s what we want … we to be able offer our clientele a good product.”
For her sister Paloma Arellano, it can mean the extra help she needs to keep all of her family’s food trucks afloat.
“No te aguitas, le das para adelante, le echas ganas (don’t worry, keep going, give it your all),” Paloma Arellano said. “I think that’s truly the heart of our business and that’s heart of a lot of small businesses here in Texas.”
