No. I don't like all the fees businesses are charged to begin with. I would rather see the burden on the brick and mortar stores reduced or eliminated instead.

I absolutely agree. Traveling food trucks found a loophole. More power to them. There used to be a time in the U.S. when it was A-ok to set up your lemonade stand and not have to worry about the city, the county, the state and the fed all lining up to take your dimes. True entrepreneurial opportunity in the U.S. has been choked off and left for dead. I just wish I could cook. Damn straight I'd own a lunch wagon!

l had this discussion today. I say no. It's free enterprise, and the problem isn't the trucks, it's the taxes, licenses, fees and regulations that are the problem. After the discussion I had lunch from the Chinese roach couch, much to the displeasure of a co-worker. .

Maybe the brick and mortar establishments shouldn't be paying taxes.

They are paying taxes already, on the vehicle when bought, on the annual license fees, on the fuel they buy, on the profit they make (if any), on the payroll of any full time employees.

Absolutely not

Why should they be paying taxes and fees (rent) based on a "permanent" physical location they do not have?

They have to comply with health regulations and that is sufficient.

Brick & Mortar has the advantage of their clientele knowing where to find them at any time, that is their benefit for a fixed location. Food Trucks have to get the word out every day as to where they will be to keep a steady client base.

Each method has advantages and disadvantages.

Trying to force them into the brick & mortar mold is simply sour grapes by the politicos that want to take more money, and the Brick & Mortars that want to hurt their competition. Both of them are trying to loot the food trucks.

You can call them "roach coaches" if you want, but I do not. They are no different than any other restaurant for quality, and way more convenient. However, here in Austin, they are regulated. If you goto SXSW, Austin City Limits Live, Formula One, or another large event that swells the downtown visitors, you will see the Enforcement Division on foot and in cars, making sure that food trucks have paid their fees and are obeying the laws.

City food regulators here: http://www.austintexas.gov/department...

Food trucks are important to the culture and community here, and consequently have long since been corralled by the city. It is the downside of the political culture in Austin. We have rainbow flags from bars, but you say "free enterprise" and they hear "Oliver Twist." Last year, I worked with two entrepreneurs to bring the movie Alongside Night to town (Gulch here: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts.... Not knowing Austin, J. Neil Schulman wanted us to place ads in the Austin Chronicle, the weekly "alternative" paper. We had to hammer the point that the Chron sells Trotsky and delivers Stalin.