Food Trucks Helping Local Nonprofits at Residence Inn by Marriott

by Margo Christensen, Ponderosa Hotel Management, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations
Food trucks seem to be popping up everywhere these days; downtown, empty lots, hardware stores and even hotels. A couple years ago when Marriott International implemented a brand standard that every Residence Inn nationwide must have a food truck to serve guests once a week, the Prescott Residence Inn team shuddered and pushed back – pretty hard. There were very few local choices of food trucks, but that’s not the case any longer.
The first food truck of 2019 at Residence Inn was on Wednesday, Feb. 19 with This Dude’s Food. Since then, owners Melissa and Zach Hayden have been whipping up delicious street food for hotel guests and the general public, including street tacos, steak sandwiches and a variety of burgers – the Green Chili Burger is the crowd favorite so far. Prices range from $2-$12 depending on what you order.
In March, Residence Inn General Manager Holli Stack decided to partner with local nonprofits in the area and donate $1 from each food order to a designated organization or event. The two designated organizations for March were the Arizona Wildfire Academy and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arizona. Over $400 was raised between the two agencies with the help of local residents who came to enjoy delicious food in the beautiful courtyard patio of Residence Inn.
A rotation of various food trucks will begin in the summer months, and additional nonprofit organizations are being contacted to receive a portion of the food proceeds.
The food truck is scheduled every other Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. (for hotel guests and open to the public). Occasionally the hours are extended to 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to accommodate large hotel groups. A cash bar is also available for $5 per glass of beer or wine, and soft drinks and water are available for purchase.
“It’s so interesting that Marriott International has embraced the food truck concept because they are so incredibly popular everywhere I go,” Stack, the general manager, says. “It’s exciting that our brand allows us to bring the hottest flavors in Prescott right to our front door and create such a great experience for our guests. I’m honored that our community has joined us in supporting local nonprofits with such enthusiasm!”
Check the Residence Inn Facebook page for schedules and updates at www.facebook.com/residenceinnprescott.