FRANKLIN, Tenn (WSMV) — Gas prices have climbed steadily for nearly a month, now more than a dollar higher than one month ago, and small businesses that rely on fuel are feeling the impact.
Jim Hendel operates Smokey Dawggs, a gourmet hot dog food truck he started during the pandemic after getting laid off. His diesel-powered truck requires about 50 gallons of diesel fuel per week to run, plus 100 gallons of gas to pull it.
“My average fuel bill is probably going to be between $600 and $1,000 a month,” Hendel said.
On Thursdays, he parks at the Tractor Supply in Franklin and serves his regulars. Part of the business involves changing locations and staying busy while trying to keep prices down despite the changing economy.
Hendel said smaller operations face additional hurdles beyond fuel costs.
“Sometimes companies don’t want to deliver to us because we are smaller,” Hendel said. “We had somebody that used to deliver our stuff. They decided too much maintenance, too much time. Now we have to go to stores and get what the stores give us.”
According to AAA, the national average gas price today is $3.98. In Tennessee, the average is $3.63. In Davidson County, the average is $3.67, compared to one month ago when the state average was $2.56. The increases are due to the summer travel season and the conflict in Iran.
“That has definitely been felt at the pump across the state,” said Megan Cooper of AAA of Tennessee. “No secret gas prices have increased. What we saw earlier in the month is what we saw driving prices at the pump.”
Food trucks that run on propane have not seen the same increase as those running on diesel.
Hendel said the most he has paid for fuel in any given month was $1,200 in July 2024.
“I gotta do it and I have confidence it will go back down,” Hendel said.
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