As the nation’s largest food truck manufacturer, One Fat Frog started business in the kitchen. One Fat Frog is dedicated to helping its clients grow through a passion for food on the move. For almost two decades, the Florida-based company has prided itself on strong, trusting relationships with customers. This established trust is built from years of listening to the client’s needs. One Fat Frog responded by creating solutions destined to help a business succeed.
Connie Baugher, President of One Fat Frog, considers the company world’s oldest startup. “We work hard like it is day one and constantly ask ourselves how we can make today better than yesterday.”
Baugher wasn’t always involved in the food truck or foodservice equipment industry. She received her undergraduate degree in English Literature and became a teacher and then a principal for a private school. However, Baugher’s family was in the electronic assembly and equipment business and encouraged her to join. “My family thought I had the work ethic for the business. When I was on maternity leave, I decided to sell some kitchen equipment online. I realized I was able to sell to the people I love and became more invested.” Soon Baugher departed her education career to join the foodservice industry.
Often asked where the name One Fat Frog came from, she said, “It was 2am, I looked up and noticed a large frog on television. It made me laugh. I thought to myself, ‘that is one fat frog.”
The company started small, selling online. People in the food truck industry became more fascinated with Baugher’s work. “We began as a one-room restaurant equipment dealer in Orlando, maybe 1500 square feet total. Our clients are the reason we have grown so much. “My husband ran into a client and noticed his floors needed fixing. He offered to fix his floor, which led to us building him a new food truck!”
What separates One Fat Frog from other food truck manufacturers is they were born in the kitchen. 16 years of business has allowed them to be licensed to do mechanical work in brick and mortar. Additionally, the company has installed and serviced thousands of units– hoods, walk-in coolers, commercial convection ovens, and more. They are proud members CFESA. “We are building an entire commercial kitchen inside of a truck or trailer. Our team consists of experienced chefs who understand the importance of a well-designed kitchen that is both efficient and practical.”
One Fat Frog recognized the importance of its mobile professional business in the foodservice industry in the past year. “Covid-19 accelerated the industry’s understanding of food trucks. From ghost kitchens to changing locations, food trucks can be versatile. Our clients relocated to different locations that were open for business. Additionally, the commercial kitchen equipment in the food trucks are the same you would have in a typical brick and mortar location. New technology and social media enable our operators to maximize the return on their investment. With social media letting customers know where your truck will be and delivery through the major delivery apps, you have a cost-effective recipe for success.”
Baugher shared that One Fat Frog has a diverse client base.
“I love working with entrepreneurs because they represent the independent spirit that food trucks are about.” Baugher emphasized that these independent owners prove a place for the “sole operated” independent food truck. “The mobile food industry is primarily family owned and operated. It provides them the freedom to test their concept in a market at a relatively low cost. Many of our clients are opening their second and third truck or moving into a brick and mortar.”
Baugher’s creative marketing flair has led to her taking the One Fat Frog show on the road. The company has teamed with Roger and Sons in New York City to bring a much-anticipated pizza truck to Metro New York. With the input of veteran dealer Joe Cirone in collaboration with the legendary Santo Bruno who now serves as a corporate chef/consultant for One Fat Frog, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity launch or extend their brands. The truck is currently in Manhattan and available for demos by appointment.
Funding the purchase of a One Fat Frog food truck solution has been simplified with the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. This new grant program will soon enable companies in the food service industry an opportunity to use funds to expand their growth. Investing in a food truck can help a company extend its brand and have multiple locations at a low entry cost. “I encourage interested clients to consider the versatility of the equipment in a food truck and how it can be used for various menu needs and additions. “With a foundation in commercial kitchen buildouts and a startup mentality for innovation, One Fat Frog has emerged the leader in the mobile kitchen industry offering unique solutions to help modernize restaurants around the country.
For more information on One Fat Frog visit their website, or call (407) 480-3409. Virtual tours of food trucks are also available.
