Shattered Dreams: The Cautionary Tale of Food Truck Owners Betrayed by Trukado

Food truck owners often face an uphill battle when it comes to finding suitable locations to operate their businesses. In a heartbreaking turn of events, some entrepreneurs who trusted a company called Trukado to help them secure spaces have found themselves betrayed, their dreams shattered, and their hard-earned money vanished. This investigative report delves into the troubling allegations against Trukado and the devastating impact on the lives of those who fell victim to its promises.

Broken Promises and Shattered Hopes: The Trukado Debacle

The Lure of a New Venture

After years of dedicated service as a firefighter, Ronnie Horruitiner was eager to embark on a new chapter in his life. He had long harbored a dream of owning and operating his own food truck, and in August 2023, he finally took the plunge, opening his establishment, Mr. Chili 305. Seeking guidance and support, Ronnie turned to Trukado, a company that claimed to be an online platform connecting food truck operators with suitable locations to lease.

The Alluring Pitch and the Costly Deposit

Ronnie was captivated by Trukado's owner, Andrew Priestman, who made grand promises and painted a rosy picture of the opportunities that awaited. Convinced by Priestman's persuasive rhetoric, Ronnie and several other food truck owners paid a substantial $3,100 deposit to secure a space in the vibrant Wynwood neighborhood. However, their excitement was short-lived, as just a few months after opening, the City of Miami Code Enforcement shut them down, citing a lack of proper permits and paperwork.

The Sudden Shutdown and the Vanishing Act

The violation notice issued by the city revealed that the Wynwood lot did not have a temporary use permit or a valid business tax receipt, a fact that Ronnie believes Trukado should have researched and addressed. Faced with the sudden closure, Ronnie was devastated. Priestman initially promised to return the deposit within 30 days, but then proceeded to ghost Ronnie and the other affected food truck owners, leaving them in the lurch.

The Unraveling of Trukado's Practices

As Ronnie's story unfolded, it became clear that his experience was not an isolated incident. Court records showed that Trukado had also set up a food truck lot in Fort Lauderdale, which was subsequently cited by the city for operating without the necessary permits. Meghan Browning and Alexander Ferzan, who were hired by Trukado to install and service portable toilets at the food truck lots, sued Priestman after he allegedly failed to pay them, winning their case just a few weeks ago.

The Devastating Impact on Entrepreneurs

For Ronnie, the loss of the $3,100 deposit was a crushing blow that ultimately led to the demise of his business, Mr. Chili 305. He was forced to shut down the food truck after being evicted from the Wynwood location. Ronnie's story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the devastating impact that such betrayals can have on the dreams and livelihoods of hardworking entrepreneurs.

Seeking Accountability and Closure

Despite the passage of nearly a year, Priestman has claimed that he intends to return the food truck owners' deposits. However, for Ronnie and others like him, the damage has already been done. They are left to grapple with the emotional and financial toll of this ordeal, wondering if justice will ever be served. As the investigation continues, the hope is that Trukado's practices will be thoroughly scrutinized, and those responsible will be held accountable, preventing similar tragedies from befalling other aspiring food truck owners in the future.