Chadron Food Trucks Letter

Officials in Chadron, Nebraska are considering a plan that will impose unnecessary burdens on food trucks simply to “level the playing field” with brick-and-mortar restaurants. However, such a blatant effort to protect brick-and-mortar restaurants violates both the U.S. and Nebraska Constitutions, and harms both the public safety and local economy of Chadron.

The entire notion that restaurants need to be protected from competition from food trucks is misguided. Years of research show food trucks prove no danger to the survival of restaurants. In fact, IJ research found food trucks may complement the restaurant industry. But some government officials, who may not be aware of this research, continue to enact unconstitutional laws that restrict or ban food trucks at the request of local restaurant owners under the misguided and false logic that food trucks will hurt their businesses.

It’s not the government’s job to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. That’s why the Institute for Justice (IJ) sent a letter to local officials in Chadron warning them to cease their unwarranted plans.