Kickin Kurbz food truck runs on hard work of Battle Creek family

Customers wait for their orders from Kickin Kurbz food truck in the parking lot of The Rink in downtown Battle Creek on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.
Customers wait for their orders from Kickin Kurbz food truck in the parking lot of The Rink in downtown Battle Creek on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.

Lisa Uptgraft is putting in the work necessary to make her startup business a success.

How could she not when her family is doing the same?

Uptgraft is the owner of Kickin Kurbz, a Battle Creek-based mobile food trailer. The trailer itself was personally built by her husband, and opened for business on Dec. 6. Inside the small food truck, Lisa is often joined by her husband, their young sons and her mother.

Lisa Uptgraft serves an order to Kickin Kurbz customers waiting outside The Rink in downtown Battle Creek on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.
Lisa Uptgraft serves an order to Kickin Kurbz customers waiting outside The Rink in downtown Battle Creek on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.

“It’s been a fun new adventure for our family," she said.

Kickin Kurbz intends to be open year-round and features a rotating menu. Thus far, the food truck has specialized in varieties of Philly cheesesteak, sub sandwiches and hot dogs. Uptgraft said they will begin serving breakfast next week, and menu items are determined by what they like to cook and will stay based on the reception by customers.

A Philly cheesesteak eggroll made by Kickin Kurbz mobile kitchen in Battle Creek.
A Philly cheesesteak eggroll made by Kickin Kurbz mobile kitchen in Battle Creek.

Nationally, the food truck industry has withstood much of the impact of the pandemic in ways that brick and mortar restaurants have not, thanks in part to scaled-down costs and more flexible hours. Temporary restaurant closures have also created a funnel effect for the more pandemic-friendly food trucks, helping drive demand.

According to IBIS Marketing, the food truck industry in the U.S. brings in $1.2 billion annually and is outpacing the broader foodservice sector.

MORE: Cheese Boss food truck brings unique grilled cheese options to Battle Creek

Battle Creek veteran couple is 'On the Roll' with unique food truck offerings

A pizza oven on the side of the road in rural Dowling is making waves

"There are quite a few trucks in Battle Creek here locally now, and it’s awesome," Uptgraft said. "It’s fun to show up and sell food when you’re not married to brick and mortar. In COVID, you feel bad for a lot of businesses that are struggling. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun."

B.J. Uptgraft works in construction and recently sold the shop for his seasonal business that specializes in installing remote vehicle starters, which has been impacted by the global supply chain disruptions. The couple has two sons, Jaxon, 9, and Jacob, 7, with Lisa working as a stay-at-home parent.

"As they are getting older, this is something for me to do full-time," Lisa said. "My husband and I, all we do is cook. We were smoking something on the Egg (smoker) outside, goofing around, joking and he said something like, ‘I’m going to kick you to the curb, set you up on the side of the road and say good luck sweetie.' It was kind of a joke, but we liked that, it’s catchy."

B.J. Uptgraft constructed the mobile kitchen trailer, Kickin Kurbz, which he helps operate with his wife and two children.
B.J. Uptgraft constructed the mobile kitchen trailer, Kickin Kurbz, which he helps operate with his wife and two children.

After B.J. finished manufacturing the trailer, the couple aimed for an August 2021 opening. But that was delayed months due to a backlog of inspections by the Calhoun County Public Health Department.

Kickin Kurbz served its first customers from the parking lot of Crowe's Custom Cycles in Emmett Township in December. The food truck regularly posts its upcoming locations on its Facebook page, and is available to be booked for catering and events.

A sandwich board displaying the menu items for Kickin Kurbz mobile kitchen on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.
A sandwich board displaying the menu items for Kickin Kurbz mobile kitchen on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.

Lisa noted the mobile food trailer has received a significant boost thanks to the Facebook group, The Carryout Club, which posts updates and menu changes for locally-owned eateries in the Battle Creek area for its 9,200 members. Kickin Kurbz is also working on offering delivery through the Eats BC mobile app and website.

Parked outside The Rink in downtown Battle Creek on Jan. 14, Lisa was flanked by her son Jaxon and her mother, Rita Russ, who helped prepare food and serve customers.

"Jaxon will help me even if there is nothing to do, he’ll help me fill up ketchup cups," Lisa said. "He’s so willing to help, just like his dad. He thinks he’s a little stud when he gets tips out of the tip jar. It's nice to have someone always there to help you."

Lisa Uptgraft, owner of Kickin Kurbz mobile kitchen, poses for a photo along with her son, Jaxon Uptgraft, and her mother, Rita Russ, on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 in Battle Creek, Mich.
Lisa Uptgraft, owner of Kickin Kurbz mobile kitchen, poses for a photo along with her son, Jaxon Uptgraft, and her mother, Rita Russ, on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 in Battle Creek, Mich.

Lisa added that the effort to launch her business has extended beyond her immediate family.

"All of our friends and even people in town we know have stopped by to support us and try our food," she said. "We’ve had a few friends give us recipes. It has been fun and we’re lucky too; Battle Creek is a good community and we have a lot of good people here in town."

Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Kickin Kurbz food truck runs on hard work of Battle Creek family