Cookeville expanding its mobile food unit policy to increase the number of available locations for vendor use.
Leisure Services Department Director Chad McDonald said the updated policy aims to manage vendor requests with fairness and consistency across all city-owned parks and parking lots. McDonald said the changesbegan July 1 to better define how mobile food units can operate at various facilities and events.
“I think adding the additional locations gives a lot more opportunity for mobile food units,” McDonald said. “We went from five locations to more than twenty location. It just gives them a wider variety of areas and events and facilities to be able to locate on.”
McDonald said the expansion includes high-demand areas. McDonald said the city defines a mobile food unit as any vehicle or trailer from which food or drinks are sold.
“We’ve had requests,” McDonald said. “Mobile food units have requested additional locations. The public has requested additional food locations. For example, when the new splash pad opened out at Cane Creek Park, there’s been a demand there for both for mobile food units and from the public to be able to have an option there close to the splash pad.”
McDonald said vendors must obtain an annual license from the city clerk before they can reserve specific spaces through the Leisure Services Department. McDonald said the city offers a daily reservation fee of $50 or a monthly permit for $500 that allows for unlimited use of available spots.
“We’re hoping it just gives everyone the same opportunity to be on city parking lots and on city property,” McDonald said. “And some mobile food units out there might not realize they have that opportunity, but it is open. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis at each of these spots. So we’re hoping it creates a little bit of excitement in the mobile food unit industry to be a part of whatever’s going on around the city.”
McDonald said the city does not actively solicit vendors but provides the framework for them to operate as local businesses. McDonald said these units contribute to the local economy because they are required to collect sales tax that returns to the city budget.
“Again, this is a business decision for mobile food units,” McDonald said. “They’re going to have to decide whether coming to the skate park or the splash pad or an event in Dogwood Park is worth the 50 dollar per day reservation fee. And, you know, large events I’m sure it is, but it’s more of a business decision for the mobile food unit.”
McDonald said the city has already seen interest in the new locations, including the purchase of a monthly permit for the splash pad area.
