FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

For Foodies

How do I find nearby foodtrucks/vendors?

Click on the “Locate Nearby Vendors” button, then:

  • Use GPS- it will focus on your current location and show all nearby vendors. You can zoom in and out to focus on a narrower or broader geographic area.
  • Use the address bar at the top- type in any address or city and it will take you right to that point. To exit the address function, just click the GPS button again.

Alternatively, you can search for vendors within your area by a particular style/cuisine of food, or just see all trucks within your area as a list.

On the map page, what do the different color trucks represent?

Red means that the vendor is open or on its way. Go get some food!
Black means that the vendor is currently closed.

A vendor on the move will mark when and where he’ll be. He won’t be there yet, but you can plan your meal for later! (Vendors do their best to mark the arrival destination and time accurately. Contact them through the app if they’re not where they’re supposed to be.)

I see all these great foodtrucks near me, but how do I get to them?

That’s easy. The first time you tap on each vendor icon on the map, a Google directions image will show up in the bottom left of the map. Click it and Google will help.

If you’re at the vendor’s profile page, click the little yellow map-marker next to the profile pic.

How do I view a vendor's profile from the map?

Tap on the vendor icon and a mini-profile will display. If you want to order food, see more details, connect via social media, and more, then tap the mini-profile and the full profile will display.

Tell me about the "Favorites" tab.

In the “Favorites” tab, you can view all the gourmet vendors that you’ve selected as your favorites by clicking on the star at the top of each vendor’s profile page. You can also view the “Most Favorited” vendors in town. On this tab, vendors are ranked top to bottom based on how many foodies like you have marked them a favorite. So mark your favorites to help foodtrucks rank higher!

I know of an event that's not listed on the app's "Events" page. How can I get it on WTF?

If you know of an event/festival in town that we haven’t listed, tell the vendors involved that they should post it and we’ll bump it up to a promoted event.

Alternatively, you can click on the + button in the top right of the events tab and shoot us a message with details and we’ll feature it on the app and website!

What kind of quality can I expect from the WTF Store?

We’re a small business, and we’re quality oriented and customer focused. All the merch on the site is very high quality. One or more of us personally checks each piece of material upon receipt to ensure that it’s as expected. Shirt materials are very soft, like your old high school tshirts that you wish you could sleep in every night. The rest, we assure will satisfy you as well.

Can you help me arrange catering?

Of course! We’d love to do that. Do you have a vendor in mind? Maybe a particular style of food, or are just looking for something in your budget? Let us take care of it. We’ve got plenty of experience managing special events, banquets, catering, and BEOs. Just use the “Book Me” button from any vendor profile, or here or on our website. We’ll take the hassle out and ensure you are satisfied with the service provided.

Mobile Ordering FAQs
Why should I order through WTF?

For health concerns, placing your order through WTF keeps you (and the foodtruck operators) at a safer distance. It’s quick and easy to order and pay. We’ll send you order status updates, making it easier to pick up, too!

For operations concerns, foodtruck operators prefer this so that they can focus on their passion: making good food for your enjoyment. Without having to manage the window and register, they can prep, cook, and serve food quicker, bringing you a fresher, quicker, and more enjoyable experience. 

What happens after I order?

After you complete your order, the foodtruck receives and confirms it. You’ll get a notification that they’ve started cooking it.

When the order is complete, you’ll get another notification. This one tells you that your order is ready for pickup.

After you’ve had time to enjoy your food, you’ll be given an opportunity to tip the staff who prepared your meal.

What if I need to modify or cancel my order?

Once your order is placed, the foodtruck will get to work making it. They’re hustling in that foodtruck.

If you need to modify or cancel your order, we suggest contacting the foodtruck directly using the links in their WTF profile. You can get right to their profile by clicking their name on your order info.

We cannot guarantee that this is possible. If the vendor makes any changes, they can issue a refund themselves through their point-of-sale.

What security measures are taken to protect my payment information?

Your payment information is secure and encrypted. As a matter of fact, we (WTF) don’t ever touch or have access to this data.

All transactions are processed via Square (if you use a credit card) or through Google Pay or Apple Wallet if you have this setup in your device.

These processors use the most current security methods to keep your data safe.

Click here for more about Square, here for Google Pay, and here for Apple Wallet processing and security measures.

What costs are associated with WTF's mobile ordering option?

Menu prices are set by the foodtruck. We pass this along without modification. What they charge for their food is what you pay.

Taxes are applied where applicable and are reported to us by the foodtruck.

Tipping is optional, but encouraged. Your tip goes directly to the foodtruck operators.

All this is clearly summarized in your orders so there’s no confusion.

We charge ZERO fees to the foodtruck. No commission, no per-order-fee, no tip-sharing, nada. 

Catering FAQs

Catering

Can I book a food truck for my event?

Yes — weddings, fundraisers, school festivals, corporate events, and everything in between. Tell us what you need on our catering page and we'll bring it to trucks that fit. We're not taking a booking or a cut — we make the introduction, you talk directly to the truck about pricing and details.

For Vendors

Why should I use Where's The Foodtruck?

That’s a loaded question.

To grow any business, especially a foodtruck, you need to advertise and market yourself. We’ve built the best system to do that.

  • Share your location.
  • Offer mobile ordering & payment (ZERO WTF FEES!)
  • Access our catering and job posting board.
  • Get a unique business webpage and URL.
  • Improve your SEO and search rankings.
  • Be discovered by new customers.
  • Get repeat business from existing customers.

All of this is FREE. Absolutely, positively FREE, at NO COST to you!

We’ve built the BEST and EASIEST system for you to use.

So why shouldn’t you?

What's the cost to use Where's The Foodtruck?

Your account is free. There is one kind of account and nothing is held back for a fee — we don’t even charge you to offer mobile ordering and contactless payment to increase your sales!

(Integration with mobile ordering is through Square. Square charges transactional and credit card processing fees, which we can’t control. Visit their website for their current rates.)

How do I get started?

Download the vendor app here, then click ‘Get Started’ on the login page and complete the short form. We’ll create your profile and you can get going as a basic account for FREE.

We’ll send you a couple of emails with tips & tricks to make the most of the app, so make sure to add Contact@WheresTheFoodtruck.com to your contacts list. (Nicholas is our founder.)

How do I setup mobile ordering?

To integrate with mobile ordering, go to your settings tab on the left side-panel of the app.

Click on “In-app Ordering” and accept the terms. Then click “Connect” and log into your Square Merchant account.

That’s it! All done!

(*You must log in to grant us access to your Square account so that we can interact with your POS for orders, inventory, get your tax rates, and ensure that we’re properly synced with your account to provide the best experience to the customer.)

How do I stop mobile ordering?

Why would you want to do that?

If you really must, you can:

  • “Pause” it, which stops it until you hit resume or until the next time you’re marked OPEN for business in the app.
  • “Stop” it, which stops it until you hit resume.
  • “Disconnect” from your Square Merchant account. If you do this, you’ll have to log back into Square next time customers want to order something from you through the app.
I 86'd an item. What do I do?

If you use Stock Tracking in Square for your menu items, then we already know that you’re 86’d that item and won’t let a customer order it.

If you don’t track your stock (and not all of us do), then hop into Square and edit that item. You can:

  • Remove the category from the item, or
  • Remove the location from the item.

Items without a category/location assigned to them will not be displayed in our app for mobile ordering.

Don’t forget to add the category/location back to the item when it’s back in stock.

How do I connect my menu?

No need. Once you’ve connected your Square Merchant account, we’ll pull all your data over.

We’ll populate your food categories, menu items, pricing, modifiers, options, tax rate, inventory status,… everything that’s been assigned to your ‘location’ and has a ‘category’ will be imported.

If you have your categories, menu items, modifiers, inventory, descriptions, and pricing setup properly in Square, this will be an effortless process. 

To make the most of mobile ordering, check out our guide to optimizing your Square menu.

If you want help, reach out to us directly at Contact@WheresTheFoodtruck.com. We’re here for your success.

What happens after a customer submits an order?

You’ll see that order appear on your Square POS. You’ll also receive a notification in your WTF Vendor app.

If you have a printer connected to your Square for kitchen tickets, you can also set the order to print.

To accept and begin the order, click “Mark In Progress” through Square. The customer will get a notification that their order is started.

When the order is complete, click “Mark as Ready” through Square. The customer will get a notification that their order is ready for pickup.

(We also built in an Orders tab in the left side panel of the WTF Vendor app for you to review current and past orders, and to contact the customer directly if there are any issues with the order.)

How do I get paid?

All transactions are processed through your own Square Merchant account. Payments go directly into your Square account just like any other sale. We never touch your money so there are no delays or accounting errors.

*A note about the ‘Fees’ section of each transaction: you’ll see the WTF fees in there. This is the fee paid by the customer and routed through your account to ours. Square categorizes it as a fee, so you’ll see it in your fees.

What if a customer wants to modify or cancel the order?

The customer will have to contact you directly. They can do this through our app.

Our customers are aware that after an order is submitted, you’ll start cooking it ASAP and that modifying or canceling the order is at your discretion.

We encourage you to always keep in mind the customer experience.

If you need to refund an order, you can do that directly through your POS as usual.

How do customers find me?

Open the app and decide where you’ll next be doing business.

  • If it’s right where you are, hit the GPS button (big yellow button in the bottom right of the map screen), then tap OPEN and provide the time you’ll be closing. You’re now on the map for all customers to see, and we’ll send out push notifications to nearby customers to promote your business.
  • If it’s at a future location (like you’re about to drive to your destination), type the address or location name into the address bar at the top of the map, then click ARRIVING SOON and provide your estimated time of arrival. All of our customers will see that you’re on your way. (*The app will mark you open at the time and location that you tell it. **To mark a future location, you can also drag and drop the truck icon on the map.)

The app will automatically mark you closed at the time you say you’re closing.

Will this eat up my battery?

Not more than any other app. The GPS is only active for the moment you press the GPS button. Play with it all day and it’ll drain your battery like PokemonGo. (*TIP: you can close the app and customers still see where you are. If you’re worried about your battery, this will help.)

On the map page, why does the color of my truck change?

Red means that you’re OPEN or ARRIVING SOON. Make your money!
Black means that the truck is closed.

This is what our users see as well. You want them to see red every…time…you’re…open!

What do I do with my profile page?

This is your billboard! Sell yourself! Make them WANT you!

We already input the basics that you provided to us. Feel free to change this as you want. Add more food styles for customers to find you by searching, add to your description, more links, deals & daily specials, and promote upcoming events.

And CONNECT YOUR MENU so folks can order ahead, saving you time, labor, and effort, while maximizing your profits!

We also create a business page for you at “WheresTheFoodtruck.com/YourFoodtruckName” (*as it appears in your profile).

(Ask if you’re having issues, or check out our video tutorials here.)

Tell me about the "Events" and "Deals & Daily Specials" tabs.

We suggest listing any event that you’re part of, big or small. Include your profile name in the description. If it’s a big event, shoot us a message and we’ll promote it on the app, sending out a notification to all nearby customers and a reminder just before the event. Your individual events will be sent as notifications to anyone who’s marked you as a favorite. 

To increase profits, you should feature a deal or daily special on a regular basis, just like restaurants do! Take an amazing pic, describe what it is, and make our users crave it. All nearby customers will get a notification of your latest deals or daily specials.

(*Tip: post a different menu item every few days to hype your business. Think of this like a commercial, only not costing thousands of dollars.)

I see that WTF actively posts to social media in my area. Can you post some pics of me?

Yes — send us a message and we’ll take a look. We’re here to support you.

Can I get merchandise from the WTF store?

Of course. As a foodtrucker, we believe you should be wearing either your brand or ours. We discount 20% for vendors. It’s all high-quality materials, too. We don’t sell anything we don’t use ourselves.

We also co-brand with foodtrucks. We’ll print your logo and ours on: shirts, hats, aprons, feather banners, flags, and just about anything else that will promote the industry. Contact us with your inquiry.

Can you help us get catering gigs and regularly scheduled locations?

Hell yeah! We already do that. We have links on each profile page and on our website. We’ll contact you with any specific requests.

We typically post general requests on the Jobs/Gigs board in the app first. You’re encouraged to also use the Jobs/Gigs board to share opportunities within the industry.

We actively pursue leads and lead generation through SEO, ASO, online promotions, ad campaigns, and active outreach.

We invest in you every day.

Connecting foodies and foodtrucks.

Share the food. Enjoy the experience.