New Manchester-Based Food Truck Hitting The Road Soon

MANCHESTER, CT — There's a new food truck in north central Connecticut and it is associated with a familiar name already on the road.

The Travelin' Tom's Coffee truck will have Corie Diehl at the wheel and the counter. Her parents, Ned and Brenda Burkey, own three Kona Ice trucks that serve most of the region.

"Looks pretty good doesn't it," Ned Burkey said this week. "I had called another franchisee about buying another Kona truck and he said, 'Would your be interested in a coffee truck instead? Thought of Corie and we discussed it."

And the 46-year-old Diehl jumped at the chance.

"Buying the truck was a good idea, but my parents wanted nothing to do with coffee," she said with a laugh. "I'm ready. My kids are older and I was in direct sales for 25 years. I'm so ready."

And she and her dad were not kidding about the truck. One really can't miss it and the teal and brown color scheme along with the creative display graphics can bee seen from a distance. Knowing what looks good also runs in the family. Corie Diehl's husband, Don, owns Floor Coverings International in Manchester.

"I do like the look," she said. "And a coffee truck makes sense from as a businesses. If we go to an event, it can cater to the adults and the shaved ice truck will be popular with the kids."

The menu sports a variety of coffee drinks, lemonade, teas, cider and hot chocolate. The coffee is a proprietary blend. The on-board kitchen makes for quick orders, Diehl said.

She said a few tweaks are needed for the truck, but hopes to be on the road and serving by next month.