Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Rice.
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Buckle up! Cause this is a good one. This deep fried journey of mine started in Los Angeles, CA. Dave’s Hot Chicken had just opened their 2nd storefront and my friends and I would eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Turn the clock forward a couple of years and my older brother and chef Colin had just moved down to Florida to be with my mom and I because I had an opportunity through a close friend to purchase a food truck! The first thing I thought of was that crispy, spicy, delicious Nashville Style hot chicken and with Venice not having any big fried chicken franchise locations a light bulb went off in my head! So we got to work. My brother and I both listen to rap music and I credit the name to one of our favorites, Rio Da Yung OG! Chasin’ Chicken means to hustle and chase your goals! Once we had decided on a name we had some learning to do because neither of us had any experience with starting a business, and the only thing I could cook is boiled water! Finally after almost a year of getting things set up we opened the window for business on July 14th, 2023 and the rest is history! Just kidding! It has been quite the ride thus far! Luckily we ended up in my personal favorite town ever, Venice, FL! We have won awards for Best Food Truck and Best Chicken Wings and we are now expanding the arsenal with a second truck! It is on track to be opened in Nokomis on the way to the beach at 716 Albee Rd W by the first of the year alongside 2 other trucks!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Challenges, Obstacles? It’s been nothing but peaches and cream! No, but seriously, this is not a job for any of us. I get to cook food all day for strangers and watch their faces light up after that first bite! Nothing beats that feeling. I guess some of the trouble I’ve faced has come from breaking equipment (learning to drive a 24 foot trailer is hard!) but mainly finding people who share the same dream I do! Hiring long time friends seems like a great idea but it’s hard being a boss to someone when they aren’t used to receiving orders from you. I’ve learned that every team needs a strong leader and putting my foot down from time to time has been difficult because i’m someone who always tries to make everyone happy! Luckily we have built a strong team with Colin my brother, my best friend Dingo who was a chef at a very high end local restaurant, and new additions Landyn and Christian from my Alma mater Venice High School!
As you know, we’re big fans of Chasin’ Chicken. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in deep fried chicken! The recipes were made in house, and every order is made to order and one thing I love about food trucks is when your ordering, a lot of times the person taking your order is the owner, chef, and server! We also take extra care with each meal. I stress to people we are not fast food, we are quality food and good food takes time!
Pricing:
- Meals around 14-16$
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Chasinchickentruck.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasinchicken
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16LA1NhiMm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
