Vendor Spotlight: Alycia Johnson of Sweet Kraving Donuts — Pioneering a New Path in Mobile Vending

When Alycia Johnson launched Sweet Kraving Donuts in the heart of the bayou in Vacherie, Louisiana, she didn’t just want to serve great food—she wanted to redefine what food vending could look like.
You may have seen Alycia’s recent post lighting up our Food Truck Training Group, where she shared her journey of expanding from a traditional breakfast-focused food truck to placing Louisiana’s first donut and coffee vending machine at Nicholls State University. If you missed it, her post quickly racked up over 10,000 views in under a week—the most popular post we had that week!

So, what’s her story? And more importantly, how can her innovative thinking inspire your next move?

From the Fryer to Walmart.com — and Beyond
Alycia started like many of us: a love for food, a dream, and a lot of hustle. But after Hurricane Ida devastated her original plans, she rebuilt smarter, retrofitting a trailer into a thriving mobile breakfast destination, Sweet Kraving Donuts.
Not content with local sales alone, Alycia researched her way onto walmart.com and amazon.com, shipping her handcrafted donuts nationwide with her own patent-pending cold packaging system. (Pro tip she shared: it all started with a simple Google search for "Walmart Seller Central." No secret door, just relentless research.)

Question for you:
How often are you thinking about new ways to multiply your income within your food specialty?

Thinking Beyond the Truck: Vending Machines
Faced with limited morning hours (5–9 a.m. at her school location, 4–7:30 a.m. at chemical plants), Alycia asked herself: "How can I make money even when I’m not physically working?"
The answer: Sweet Kraving Vending Services—a donut and coffee vending machine loaded with her homemade goods, placed right on a busy university campus.
She didn’t stop at just getting a machine either. Alycia:

• Found her vending machine through Facebook Marketplace (after careful vetting).
• DIY-branded it herself for under $50.
• Used her business license and insurance to seamlessly place it at the school.
• Restocks every two days because of the high demand—selling 320+ items every 48 hours!

Let me ask you:
Could a vending solution work for you at RV parks, corporate offices, hospitals, or schools?

Beyond Vending: Big Vision, Smart Growth
​Alycia isn’t just making money while she sleeps—she’s laying the groundwork for future franchising of her vending brand. And she's already been approached by other universities, courthouses, and even post offices to expand.
Her secret? A relentless spirit, creativity, and never being afraid to show up in person to make things happen.
Alycia says:
"Start to rebrand yourself. Be the face of your business. Everywhere I go, I wear my branded shirts and have business cards ready."

And she's right--visibility isn't just online. It’s also handshakes, community involvement, and showing up.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from Alycia for NSFVA Members

• Be your biggest advocate: Alycia got into chemical plants by walking in and pitching herself directly.
• Research like crazy: Vending machines, Walmart selling, cold shipping—none of it was magic. It was hours of determined Googling.
• Protect your quality: Alycia’s commitment to product excellence—never saying "good enough"—sets her apart.
• Focus on passive income streams: Thinking ahead, she’s setting up a legacy for her family, not just a paycheck for herself.
• Take care of your mental health: As Alycia reminds us, burnout is real. Build your support system and ask for help when you need it.

Call to Action for You:
If Alycia’s story sparked something in you, start today by researching one new revenue stream. Whether that’s vending machines, shipping your food, or finding government contracts—you have more opportunities than you realize!

And if you’re ready to meet amazing vendors like Alycia in person, come hang out with us at the next Food Truck Owners Expo is Las Vegas July 15th & 16th! Get those tickets today and use code FTTG15 for a discount!
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Big thanks to Alycia Johnson for inspiring all of us. You’re a true trailblazer!
– The National Street Food Vendors Association (NSFVA)