Prieto’s Catering is an Aurora-based food truck selling authentic and delicious Mexican food. Prieto’s serves a variety of tacos, including the famous birria tacos that everyone is excited about! They also serve other popular Mexican dishes made fresh, such as tamales, tortas and burritos. Fully aware that the business needs to be responsive to customer needs during the pandemic, they offer home delivery and pick up from 9AM to 3PM daily.
As a family business start-up, Prieto’s provided catering services in 2017 with sales of just $3,000 in the first year. In 2019, owner Erika Rojas bought a food truck and realized an immediate jump in sales. Working with one full-time employee and two part-time employees, Erika was determined to work hard, find new customers, increase sales and hire at least two more employees. She reflects on her experience with the SBDC:
“I have been taking SBDC classes and consulting with an Aurora-South Metro SBDC business consultant. From the beginning, I have felt supported with resources to resolve my doubts and learn how to manage the business, as well as how to promote my business. The most valuable service of the SBDC, above all, is the support of not feeling alone.” With a lot of effort and loyal customers, Erika realistically projects an increase in sales of 350% by the end of 2021. She is going full steam ahead!
There’s nothing like having steady customers for consistent cash flow. Prieto’s Catering serves breakfast burritos to a business. School parent boards, teacher training events and student events is another regular source of sales. Ten percent of Prieto’s clients are at “Movie at the Park” events. They also do private parties. “We want to expand again by finding a stable location in the city of Aurora in the coming year,” says the optimistic and hard-working owner.
Giving back to the community, Prieto’s Catering is a staple at school sporting events, purchasing the food with a special discount and serving young people in soccer between 12-17 years old—at no charge. When there is food left over, they put together dishes for itinerant people on Colfax Avenue. Some of their honors and certificates include:
• Best Food Truck 2021 from Lady Boss
• Certificates for finishing entrepreneurial classes
• Training for two years in business management at El Comal Heritage Food Incubator
• Certified in Food Handling
• The Receta food business training program certificate
The business continues to grow. Prieto’s installed a larger stove in the food truck and purchased equipment to cook in an iron and steam food cart. CEDS Finance provided Prieto’s Catering with a loan which allowed the business to purchase a vehicle to pull the food cart. Check out their menu items here and enjoy authentic Mexican food: https://prietos-catering.business.site.
Also, read the story in Spanish (en español: lee esto).
