Dunkin’ in Falcon
In August, Casey and Melanie McDade purchased a Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, a national franchise, to serve northwest El Paso County. The business is unique to the area in that the truck brings coffee and other drinks to events and businesses throughout the region, including Falcon, Peyton and north Colorado Springs.
Although they specialize in coffee drinks — lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and mochas — they also offer frozen drinks, iced tea, lemonade, refreshers and a Nitro Energy drink. Casey McDade said there is a special monthly latte menu. For example, December’s offerings include cookie butter, gingerbread and pecan pie flavors. He anticipates adding snack items to the menu soon.
“We are primarily event-focused, but it doesn’t have to be an event,” McDade said. “One thing we really like to do is go to small businesses, set up and serve the employees. Companies hire us when they want to provide some type of incentive or show appreciation. It could be a one-time visit or recurring.”
McDade said the Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck has been present at numerous Christmas markets since opening; they are also an indoor stadium vendor at Air Force Academy football games. The business plans to expand into more private events.
Pricing is based on time spent at the venue and the number of drinks provided. For example, 25 drinks during a half-hour visit at a small business would cost $200. When the truck attends public events such as Christmas markets, coffee is sold individually.
Giving back to the community is an important part of the business model.
“When we go to a public event for a charitable organization, we give a percentage of our sales back,” McDade said. The coffee truck recently participated in the Falcon High School Christmas festival. “We want to support schools and be at school sporting events, also.”
The McDades refer to themselves as military transplants. Casey McDade was stationed in Colorado Springs from 2005 to 2009. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2014, the couple chose Colorado as their permanent home. Casey McDade holds a government position and continues to be employed in that role.
Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck is a family affair. Two of the McDades’ five adult children manage franchise businesses: Christopher manages the Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, and Jason manages a Kona Ice franchise.
“We started the Kona Ice franchise as a family business to help our kids and set something up for them for the future,” McDade said.
The couple’s other three children live in Maine, Casey McDade’s home state.
For more information, call Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee at 719-922-3785.
