Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Feng.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It’s funny how TYRE got started — almost by accident, but also very much out of necessity.
I was born and raised in Taiwan and moved to Minnesota in 10th grade. After finishing high school, I went on to study at the University of Minnesota. During those years, whenever I craved the flavors of home, I had no choice but to cook them myself — because there wasn’t a single Taiwanese restaurant in the Twin Cities.
That craving turned into a passion. After graduating, I launched a Taiwanese food concept called BianDangMN. I started with popups in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. The response was amazing — the community was curious, supportive, and hungry for something new.
Naturally, I began thinking about the next step: signing a lease for a brick-and-mortar or getting a food trailer.
I ended up buying a trailer from down south and had it transported back to Minnesota, fully intending to run BianDang out of it. But before I could even fire up the griddle, a buddy of mine saw the trailer and offered to buy it from me.
That’s when a lightbulb went off.
What if the real opportunity wasn’t just in serving food — but in helping others serve theirs?
That moment sparked the beginning of TYRE Kitchen on Wheels. What started as a side idea quickly grew into a full-fledged business. Over the past seven years, we’ve helped everyone from first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned chefs take their food dreams mobile.
But we didn’t stop at just building trailers. From day one, we set out to be more than fabricators — we wanted to be partners. We became consultants, designers, mentors, and sometimes even therapists. Because we know how personal these dreams are.
The name TYRE speaks to motion — to movement. Our builds don’t sit still. They roll into neighborhoods, farmers markets, festivals, business districts, and communities that crave new flavors. They carry stories, cultures, and ambitions wherever they go.
And for us, every trailer is a reminder of why we started:
To make the food business more accessible, more empowering, and more mobile — one kitchen on wheels at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges in building TYRE Kitchen on Wheels has been overcoming doubt — not just internally, but from friends and family who questioned whether a mobile trailer business could really succeed. There was a lot of skepticism around the idea of taking such a non-traditional path, especially in an industry that requires both technical know-how and resilience.
Logistics have also been a constant hurdle. Coordinating cross-state transportation for custom trailers isn’t simple — especially when dealing with fluctuating fuel costs, unpredictable weather, and carrier reliability. On top of that, health codes and permitting requirements vary widely from city to city and state to state. We’ve had to constantly stay on top of local regulations, adapt quickly, and build strong relationships with inspectors and health departments to keep things running smoothly.
Despite these challenges, every roadblock has helped shape our systems and operations. It forced us to become more organized, proactive, and customer-focused — which in the long run, made our business more resilient and scalable.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TYRE Kitchen on Wheels?
TYRE Kitchen on Wheels is a custom food trailer manufacturer based in Minnesota. We design and build high-quality, made-to-order food trailers for chefs, entrepreneurs, and small business owners looking to break into the mobile food space or scale their operations.
What sets us apart is our commitment to craftsmanship and customer service. Every trailer is tailored to the client’s menu and workflow — not just built to look good, but to function efficiently in real-world conditions. We don’t just hand over a trailer; we walk our clients through licensing, layout design, equipment selection, and even cross-state delivery. It’s an end-to-end experience.
What we’re most proud of is the trust we’ve built with our customers. Many of our clients are first-time business owners who come to us with a dream and a tight budget. Seeing them launch successfully — and often come back for their second or third trailer — has been the most rewarding part.
TYRE is known for blending form and function. Our trailers are clean, modern, and intuitive — kind of like an Apple Store on wheels. Whether it’s a coffee trailer, BBQ smoker, or an international street food setup, we approach every build like a creative collaboration. We’re not just fabricators — we’re partners in helping people launch real, sustainable businesses.
At the end of the day, we want readers to know that TYRE is here to make mobile entrepreneurship more accessible. We’re not here to sell cookie-cutter trailers — we’re here to build something that lasts, and that our clients are proud to roll out on day one.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that networking can happen when you least expect it — and that every interaction matters. Whether you’re talking to a supplier, a customer, or someone just asking questions about your trailer at a gas station, you never know who might turn out to be your next collaborator, client, or even long-term business partner.
That’s why I try to treat every conversation with sincerity and respect. People can tell when you’re being genuine, and that trust goes a long way — especially in this industry, where word of mouth is powerful and relationships are everything. Some of the biggest opportunities we’ve had at TYRE came not from formal pitches or networking events, but from unexpected conversations that started with curiosity and turned into something more.
It’s taught me that being present, humble, and open goes a lot further than trying to “sell” yourself. In the end, people do business with people — and the more authentic you are, the more doors tend to open.
Pricing:
- $50,000.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tyrekitchenonwheels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyrekitchenonwheels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TYREKitchenonWheelz
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iMyciedHFiojqUeB6?g_st=ipc
