William Rodriguez, a well-known figure in the Murfreesboro mobile food scene with multiple Kona Ice trucks, has added another exciting venture to his fleet: Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck. Since launching in Murfreesboro in November 2023, Rodriguez has been introducing the community to this unique twist on the coffee experience, offering a full lineup of gourmet coffee drinks and refreshments, all served from a vibrant mobile cafe on wheels.
Rodriguez’s interest in the Travelin’ Tom’s brand grew from his involvement with Kona Ice, the same company that created the coffee franchise. When Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb sought to bring specialty coffee to the mobile space, he named the brand after his father, Tom, who now appears as the caricature on the side of every truck.
Travelin’ Tom’s is all about delivering coffee-shop quality on the go, with an average service time of just 30 seconds, making it a hit at events and neighborhood gatherings. The menu offers nearly everything you’d expect at a traditional brick-and-mortar coffeehouse: espresso drinks, frappes, natural energy drinks, refreshing teas, and even hot chocolate and apple cider.
“The most popular of anything we do seem to be the mocha frappes,” Rodriguez says. “The frappes are highly sought after by high schoolers and middle schoolers. My personal favorite is the salted caramel latte.”
Travelin’ Tom’s crafts all of its coffee beverages from a unique proprietary coffee blend that combines 5% Kona beans with coffee beans sourced from Nicaragua.
Rodriguez currently owns two Travelin’ Tom’s trucks and says he plans to add a new vehicle to his fleet every year or two. Whenever someone opens a truck, he notes, “You go through the coffee academy and they train you how to be a barista.”
As great as the drinks are, Rodriguez says his favorite part of the mobile beverage business is the opportunity to form relationships.
“People hang out around the truck and talk with us,” he says.
Whether it’s a school event, community gathering, concert or private occasion, Travelin’ Tom’s is ready to serve. The brand’s blend of fast service, quality coffee and community engagement has helped Travelin’ Tom’s grow rapidly, with close to 150 trucks now operating across the U.S.
Keep an eye out for these coffee-dispensing trucks at events and festivals around the Murfreesboro area for the taste of specialty coffee with the “perk” of mobility.
Rodriguez encourages fans of both Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s to contact him at willrod@kona-ice.com to find out the schedule and location of the trucks.
