Augusta, Ga. (WJBF) – A new Georgia law could help some food truck owners in the CSRA and across the state serve their customers without all the paperwork.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or stopping by for an early dinner, food trucks deliver meals right to people, wherever they are, at work or on the go. And Kothenia Mantey, owner of K’s Buffalo Wings, told us she cooks exactly what customers want.
“I serve the best buffalo wings in Augusta,” Mantey said. “I have the best loaded baked potatoes. I have chicken tender, loaded fries, buffalo fries.”
And starting January 1, Mantey can bring her Augusta-based wings and things to any of Georgia’s 159 counties. A new state law, House Bill 1443, gives her the green light to be mobile without all the hassles with the health department that she and other food truck owners have had to deal with in the past.
“You had to get a permit and inspection in every single county that you do business in,” said Tony Harrison, president of the Food Truck Association of Georgia.
The change means less frustration for Mantey and many others with mobile restaurants.
She added, “If you’re getting ready to go out, now you don’t have to go through all the red tape.”
The Food Truck Association of Georgia reports that most mobile restaurants operate in multiple counties. This sometimes means up to 20 different approvals and tests. Now there’s something of a statewide permit to make life easier.
“There is now a database that allows those county health inspectors to go in, search and make sure these trucks are registered in a county, have been inspected and are working properly.”
It’s also a win for Slutty Vegan. Atlanta’s popular vegan burger, fries and pie restaurant is currently on tour. And his stop in the Garden City, complete with a long line of excited customers along 5th and Broad Streets, comes without all the red tape.
“It’s also a cost saver. Obviously we have our permit, our commissioner and our home base. But being able to move freely to other counties without having to go through this process has saved a lot of money and also a lot of time,” said Joi Alexander, National Director of Sales & Catering at Slutty Vegan.
Tony Harrison of the Food Truck Association of Georgia said the number of food trucks will increase significantly with the new law. Locally, customers can see K’s in other counties.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Atlanta and do some events,” Mantey said.
And Slutty Vegan might just make more returns for the CSRA.
“Maybe. Possibly. We’ll see,” laughed Alexander.
