San Mateo SBDC
Brisbane Lunch Truck
“The online and in-person education and networking events offered by Renaissance and SBDC have been invaluable.”
— Kristi Yawata, Brisbane Lunch Truck
About the Business
In late 2019, former educator Kristi Yawata launched the Brisbane Lunch Truck in Brisbane, California, to fill a void in her close-knit community for quality modern American comfort food like hot sandwiches, house made soups, and desserts. Combining her deep roots in hospitality with a mission to nourish others, Kristi built her business model around high-touch customer service, memorizing regular customers’ names and orders, and a strong commitment to sustainability, utilizing 100% compostable serviceware to keep landfill waste to a minimum.
Challenge
Launching a food enterprise presented steep financial and operational hurdles. Traditional banks were unwilling to extend loans to a restaurant startup due to high failure rates in the industry, and local entrepreneurial guidance was scarce. Additionally, operating an outdoor restaurant imposes physical constraints, leaving her revenue vulnerable to seasonal weather shifts, limited operating hours, and higher supply costs associated with eco-friendly packaging.
Gameplan
To overcome these obstacles and chart a path toward long-term growth, Kristi connected with the San Mateo SBDC and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in South San Francisco. She bypassed traditional bank loans by securing funding through a creative self-funded rollover of a retirement account. She actively participated in a variety of online and in-person educational programs, workshops, and networking events offered by Renaissance and the SBDC, including an intensive 10-week business course. Through this support, she gained critical training in business mechanics, financial planning, and scaling strategies to help transition her business into a permanent indoor restaurant.
Results
Kristi successfully established the Brisbane Lunch Truck as a thriving neighborhood hub while maintaining a near-zero waste footprint. The technical assistance provided her with a clear strategic roadmap to expand into a full-scale restaurant, equipping her to overcome seasonal limits, expand her service hours, and build a lasting community gathering place in the near future.
Follow Brisbane Lunch Truck on Social Media!
Instagram and Facebook: @brisbanelunchtruck
