Prepped
Prepped is a 10-week program designed for main street food entrepreneurs, particularly women and people of color. Prepped focuses on early stage mobile food businesses such as food trucks, caterers, food carts, farmers market products, baked goods, beverage services and other non-brick and mortar food businesses. The program is ideal for businesses that are beyond the idea stage and are in revenue. We are looking for innovative food and beverage businesses that are looking to scale.
Get to Know Prepped
Learn more about the program through our recent press in the Arizona Republic, Phoenix Business Journal, KJZZ Radio and ASU Now. Read our latest blog post "Serving Up Food Entrepreneurship".
Check out our 2016 ventures and 2017 ventures.
What Do You Get?
- Weekly class sessions taught by ASU faculty and food industry experts at the Downtown Campus
- Mentoring sessions with experienced food business owners
- Peer learning with a cohort of 15-20 food business owners
- Business support services such as health permits and access to commercial kitchen space
- Participation in a final food tasting with the chance to win awards of up to $5,000 to grow your business
Meet Our Program Instructors
Professor Rick Hall is the Director of Health Innovation Programs and Clinical Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at ASU. His academic area of focus relates to leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. Rick brings 15+ years of experience in management in the restaurant industry and is the founder of multiple nutrition related businesses. As an experienced food and nutrition entrepreneur himself, he is excited to be working with food entrepreneurs in this program.
Chef Kent Moody coordinates the Instructional Retail Kitchen, the Kitchen Café, at the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion in ASU’s College of Health Solutions. He brings a career in the food industry to his work with ASU students. Chef Kent will bring his knowledge and experience in the management of food service systems, food safety and food purchasing to Prepped participants.
Our Approach
Entrepreneurs Do’s: Entrepreneurs live by certain guiding principles that make them successful. ASU’s Entrepreneurship Faculty (ASU was ranked #1 in the nation for Innovation) will help you innovate your business model and understand your own adaptability as your biggest asset.
Study Success: If you want to be successful, study those who have been successful in your industry. You will have the chance to have 1 on 1 time with successful food entrepreneurs on topics such as menu creation, marketing and business operations.
Know Your Numbers: Increase your capacity by understanding your finances and efficiency leaks. By the end of this program, you will have a solid financial foundation and a plan to increase your margins and revenue.
Fall cohort applications are currently closed. Please check back in December for the spring cohort application.
Eligibility Requirements
Existing mobile food or beverage businesses looking to scale. Preference will be given to businesses that can show that they have validated their business concept in the market.
Program Fee
Free to participants as costs are covered by the generosity of our sponsor.
Haven’t started yet?
If you have an idea, but haven't started yet, our community partners offer programs to teach you everything you need to start your food business. Send us an email and we are happy to put you in touch.
For More Information
To be connected to partner programs or for any other questions about the Prepped program, please contact Michele Rudy, Prepped Program Coordinator Michele.Rudy@asu.edu