Kansas City food truck owners say new rules could put them out of business
By Brian Johnson, Nick Sloan
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — Food truck owners across Kansas City say a new rule tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup could threaten their livelihoods.
They are not happy about it.
About 400 food trucks operate in Kansas City. Now, many of those small business owners say new restrictions could push them out of business.
“We were all kind of caught off guard by it,” said Chris Canzoneri of Ravioli’s Pasta 2Go.
The rule limits how close food trucks can operate near brick-and-mortar restaurants. Some say it favors established businesses ahead of the World Cup.
Truck owners say that’s not how Kansas City should operate.
“It’s not what Kansas City should be about. It’s not what Kansas City is about,” said Daniel Marrero of Hero’s New York Griddle.
Operators say they already try to avoid direct competition with restaurants and instead focus on busy, high-traffic areas.
“My goal is to never sit in front of a restaurant and take their customers as they walk in. But my goal is to be in high traffic areas,” Canzoneri said.
Many also argue the rule creates a double standard.
They point out that restaurants can operate within a few hundred feet of each other, while food trucks are now required to keep their distance.
Truck owners say the city should be focused on safety, not picking winners and losers.
“It’s hard to smile when things like this are being put together to crush an industry entirely.”11 This is not a hobby,” Marrero said.
The push for the rule came from the Missouri Restaurant Association, which argues brick-and-mortar businesses should benefit from the economic boost expected from World Cup visitors.
But food truck owners worry the impact could be long-lasting.
“And when the restaurant association moves the play of keeps, I doubt they’re going to want to let that revert,” Marrero said.
In popular areas like the Crossroads, operators say it may be nearly impossible to find legal parking spots that meet the new spacing requirements.
“It’s going to put me out of business and at least 400 other people,” Marrero said.
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