Ensuring Reliable Propane Service for High-Demand Facilities [A Video Case Study]
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Little Lou’s: Classic American Food Truck Powered by Propane
Following the success of their family-run restaurant ‘Lou’s Kitchen,’ which has quickly become a bustling hot spot in Mt. Angel, Oregon; owners Scott and Kristi Stokley decided to grow the business and launch a spin off food cart – ‘Little Lou’s.’
120-gallon
Bulk tank on-site for continuous flow of gas.
Zero
Downtime for disconnecting & refilling tanks.
Improved
Safety due to decreased tank handling.
Providing the same great-tasting food and service as their restaurant, Little Lou’s is a classic American food cart located
in a remote spot next to the neighboring Benedictine Brewery. Owned and operated by monks, this brewery draws in local crowds
as well as tourists from around the world year-round, making it the perfect spot for a new eatery.
“It’s such a busy destination, but its remote location meant there were simply no food options around,” said Scott. “The brewery
approached us in the hope that we could help bring great food to an area that really needed it. We loved the idea, which is how
Little Lou’s was born. It’s been an instant success, and we’re now keeping brewery visitors happy with a delicious menu and a
reliable, friendly service everyone can enjoy.”
Case Study
- Location: Mt. Angel, OR
- Application: Gas for cooking
With our new set up, we have an uninterrupted flow of propane, eliminating the need to go to the local fuel station to refill our supply.
Setting up for Success
Serving up a mix of customer favorites from grilled sandwiches to burgers, Little Lou’s cooking equipment is consistently in use, so Scott and Kristi needed an energy source they could depend on.
“We have a deep frier, two burner stoves and a 36-inch flat top, and our cooking equipment is on 6-8 hours at a time, serving anywhere between 60-120 customers each day,” said Scott. “We knew propane would be the best and most efficient option for us, and that’s why we had everything plumbed for propane from the outset.
“Initially we had two 30-gallon cylinders mounted on the side of the cart, but because Little Lou’s is static, and we’re not moving around with our propane supply, we had the option to have a bigger tank installed, which suited us perfectly.”
The Perfect Propane Solution
Pacer Propane (owned by parent company, DCC Propane – one of the largest propane providers in the U.S.), visited Little Lou’s to assess the site and provided a tailored solution to best suit its energy needs. “Their advice was to get a 120-gallon propane bulk tank that would sit separately to our
food cart,” added Scott.
“Our new set up has provided an uninterrupted flow of propane, eliminating the need to go to the local fuel station to refill our supply. This system has also taken any guesswork out of how much gas we have left, so we always know we’ll never get caught short.
“Pacer remotely monitors the tank for us and automatically arranges a refill when we need it, it’s great peace of mind! Plus, we get an on-going, competitive price, so when the market cost of propane goes down, so does our rate.”
A Seamless Install
The field team made sure the tank installation met all fire code safety rules and regulations, ensuring there was sufficient distance from electrical and ignition sources, and providing crash protection. “We had no idea what safety elements we needed to consider,” said Scott. “The installation team were excellent with this and handled it all for us. It’s really reassuring to know we’re meeting all the right safety standards.
“When it came to the install, all I had to do was show up and open the door! The team placed the tank in the exact right spot, safely connected the fuel line, and they explained everything as it was happening. They did everything so professionally, and we were honestly so impressed with it all.”
Reliable, Safe & Cost Effective
DCC Propane Commercial Sales Manager Adam Cain added: “Static food carts like Little Lou’s, often don’t realize they could be saving time, money and energy with a bulk tank. It’s security of supply, without the responsibility of disconnecting or reconnecting fuel lines, refilling cylinders or monitoring usage.
“We swap out smaller tanks for larger tanks on the ground, and we make sure they’re carefully located for ultimate safety. Then, we monitor usage remotely, so businesses never run out.
“Pacer also provide individualized, competitive cost-plus pricing, so customers always get the best going rate based on market conditions. A bulk tank is a no brainer for static food carts looking for a safe set up, a dependable supply without the effort, and a price that’s always competitive.”
