Andrew Payne, owner of the Hunger Paynes food truck and the Hunger Paynes Beer and Wine Garden in the Dayton Mall, has obtained the multiple permits and licenses necessary to dramatically increase distribution of his signature croquettes through a third venture he founded, The American Croquette Company.
“I started The American Croquette Company because I would like my one of a kind culinary creations to reach as many people as possible,” Payne told this news outlet. “We now have the capability and the drive to bring our croquettes to every corner of the country — and the world.”
>>Hunger Paynes Beer and Wine Garden now open at the Dayton Mall
Payne said at least 10 restaurants, bars, and catering companies in the Dayton area are currently testing various types of his croquettes on their menu, including a national chain.
Payne is no stranger to serving large numbers of people. Before launching his food truck in 2013, he worked in several bricks-and-mortar restaurants and country club kitchens, and he served as executivc chef at the Dayton Convention Center and at Wright State University’s Nutter Center.
“After our second year with Hunger Paynes food truck, we realized we would not be able to run a food truck forever. It's extremely hard work,” Payne said. “We started thinking about long-term growth of our business and the idea of producing our croquettes for other restaurants. This concept came naturally to me, with my experience preparing food for the masses. Creating recipes to produce 10,000 croquettes was much easier than smaller amounts.”
>> Revamped Zombie Dogz has new menu with cheese curds, desserts and other new munches
His company has four croquettes available : Reuben Croquettes, Buffalo Chicken Croquettes, Korean Pork BBQ Croquettes, and Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese Croquettes. The frozen croquettes are available to individuals as well, in 10-pound cases, and can be picked up at Hunger Paynes’ facility in downtown Dayton.
Payne said he has “no plans to close up the Hunger Paynes Food Truck or the Beer and Wine Garden” located on the lower level of the Dayton Mall near Macy’s. “We just can't help adding a little bit more to our plate.”
For more information, email AmericanCroquette@gmail.com or call (937) 974-7653.
About the Author