FOOD TRUCK PITCH COMPETITION
Business Growth Award Guidelines
Your Food Truck Is Already Rolling. What's Your Next Move?
Montgomery's food truck entrepreneurs are building businesses, serving customers, and creating opportunities across our community. Now, we're giving three local food truck businesses a chance to invest in what's next.
Food truck operators with a current City of Montgomery business license are invited to enter the Food Truck Pitch Competition for a chance to win a business growth award.
$6,000 IN TOTAL PRIZES
🥇 1st Place — $3,000
🥈 2nd Place — $2,000
🥉 3rd Place — $1,000
There is no live pitch. Complete the written application, submit your $3,000 Growth Plan Budget, and send us a short video telling us about your business and where you want to take it next.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Monday, October 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Winners will be announced at the Food Truck Pop-Up on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Complete the Application
Tell us about your food truck, your customers, what you've accomplished, and where you want to take your business next.
You'll also upload a copy of your current City of Montgomery business license.
2. Show Us Your $3,000 Growth Plan
Tell us exactly how you would invest the $3,000 First Place award to grow your food truck business. Your Growth Plan Budget must total no more than $3,000. If your business need exceeds $3,000, submit only the portion of your plan that fits within this amount. Do not submit a larger total budget and expect partial funding of the excess. Judges will evaluate your plan based on the $3,000 scope only.
As part of the application, you'll submit a simple budget showing how you would spend the $3,000 and explain what you expect that investment to accomplish.
3. Record Your Video Pitch
Create a video pitch of no more than 2 minutes.
Tell us your story, what makes your business stand out, where you want to go next, and how a $3,000 investment could help you get there.
No professional video production is required. A video recorded on your phone is perfectly acceptable.
Upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or another accessible online platform, then copy and paste the link into your application.
Important: Your video must be accessible to anyone with the link. Judges must be able to view it without requesting permission or obtaining special access.
4. Judges Review the Entries
A panel of judges will review eligible applications, including the written application, $3,000 Growth Plan Budget, and video pitch.
There are no live pitches.
5. Winners Are Announced
Three winners will be selected:
1st Place — $3,000
2nd Place — $2,000
3rd Place — $1,000
Winners will be announced during the Food Truck Pop-Up on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
WHO CAN APPLY?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Own or represent a currently operating food truck business.
- Have a current City of Montgomery business license.
- Upload a copy of the current City of Montgomery business license.
- Complete all required portions of the application.
- Submit a $3,000 Growth Plan Budget.
- Submit an accessible video pitch of no more than 2 minutes.
- Submit the complete application by 11:59 PM on October 5, 2026.
- Agree to the Official Competition Guidelines and Rules.
- You do not have to participate as a vendor in the October 24 Food Truck Pop-Up to enter the competition.
IMPORTANT FOR WINNERS
Businesses selected to receive an award must become an approved City of Montgomery vendor before award funds can be issued.
HOW CAN THE MONEY BE USED?
Awards must be used to support the growth of the winning food truck business.
Eligible uses include:
Equipment & Operational Capacity
Equipment or improvements that increase production, efficiency, or the ability to serve more customers.
Inventory & Supplies for Growth
Inventory and supplies connected to expanding capacity, introducing new offerings, or pursuing new revenue opportunities.
Marketing & Customer Acquisition
Branding, signage, truck graphics, websites, photography, advertising, marketing materials, and other efforts to attract customers.
Technology & Business Systems
POS systems, online ordering, websites, inventory management, customer management, and other technology that improves operations or sales.
Business Expansion & New Revenue Opportunities
Investments that support catering, new menu offerings, increased production, new markets, or other expansion opportunities.
Professional Services & Business Development
Eligible professional services, training, certifications, consulting, accounting, marketing, and other expertise that supports business growth.
The grant does not have to be repaid.
Grant funds may be considered taxable business income. The recipient is responsible for any applicable federal, state, or local tax obligations and should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their individual circumstances
YOUR 2-MINUTE VIDEO PITCH
This is your opportunity to tell us about the entrepreneur and business behind the food truck.
In 2 minutes or less, tell us:
Who you are and about your food truck.
Why you started your business.
What makes your food truck stand out.
What you've accomplished and what you're most proud of.
Where you want to take the business next.
How you would invest the $3,000 First Place award and how it would help your business grow.
KEEP IT SIMPLE.
We're interested in your business, your plan, and your vision — not your video production skills. You don't need professional equipment, editing, graphics, or special effects. A phone-recorded video is perfectly acceptable.
HOW YOU WILL BE JUDGED (100pts)
Business Strength & Concept (20) - Clear food truck concept, identifiable customers, compelling offering, and what makes the business stand out.
Business Traction & Accomplishments (20) - Evidence of progress, such as customers, sales growth, catering, events, partnerships, expanded offerings, employees, or other meaningful accomplishments.
Growth Potential & Goals (20) - Clear and realistic vision for the next 6–12 months and a specific opportunity for business growth.
$3,000 Growth Plan & Budget (35) - Specific and realistic use of funds; budget totals $3,000; proposed expenses are eligible; and the applicant clearly demonstrates how the investment will contribute to business growth.
Clarity of Video Pitch (5) - Video stays within the 2-minute limit, addresses the required prompts, and clearly communicates the entrepreneur's story and vision.
READY TO SHOW US WHAT'S NEXT?
You've already gotten your food truck on the road.
Now tell us where you're taking it.
$6,000 IN BUSINESS GROWTH AWARDS
🥇 $3,000 First Place
🥈 $2,000 Second Place
🥉 $1,000 Third Place
APPLY BY
Monday, October 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Saturday, October 24, 2026
at the Food Truck Pop-Up
QUESTIONS? Email accessmontgomery@montgomeryal.gov