Behind the food truck scene: Local commissary strengthens mobile food community

By Faith Hatton, posted Aug 11, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Owners and operators of more than 10 food trucks came together to tour the space and learn about new projects coming to the area to help support the growing food truck industry in Fayetteville.

It was a chance to meet, greet and eat for local food truck owners as the community's newest commissary kitchen opened its doors to welcome them in.

On Monday, Aug. 10, County Commissary 1 LLC, hosted its first Meet & Greet Social event at their location at 3915 Ramsey St. in suite 107. The event provided an opportunity for food truckers to connect and discuss the current industry in Fayetteville, N.C., and the surrounding areas.

Food truck owners Ervin and Leigh Ann Manuel, of Big Erv BBQ & 910 Sweets, were able to share updates on their project The Neighborhood Pit Stop in development.

Owners and operators of more than 10 food trucks came together to tour the space and learn about new projects coming to the area to help support the growing food truck industry in Fayetteville. Owners were also able to share notes about events, important maintenance and safety tools and lived experiences in the industry.

County Commissary 1 LLC celebrated its official grand opening in early August, and along with a developing commercial kitchen space, also brings a focus for carry-out operations that keep food trucks busy even in the off-season.

Guests were given a tour of the facility which features new equipment, spaces for dry and frozen storage, and grease, wastewater, cardboard and general disposal and more.

Food truck operator and CC1 Owner Dyrall Hardy secured both a commissary permit and a carry-out-only permit to allow multiple uses of the facility. The kitchen space can host two food trucks at a time for food prep and production and features new equipment, spaces for dry and frozen storage, and grease, wastewater, cardboard and general disposal. Renters of the space have 24-hour access to prep and store their food, and use the washer and dryer on site.

Hardy, who owns and operates Da’ Shark Shack food truck, says he used his own experiences to plot out what a facility would need to keep a truck operating year-round, instead of sitting idle.

“I know during the hot summer months it gets brutal in those trucks. So I have space for them if they want to contact their following and let them know that they’re actually serving indoors, and they can come and do takeout. Then during the winter time, when it's slow for all the trucks, you have access to come in and do the same thing,” shared Hardy.

So far, two food trucks have started utilizing the space for takeout operations: Da’ Shark Shack and one of Fayetteville’s newest food trucks Soul Bowls. Owner and operator of Soul Bowls Peter Wilkins has been in the game for just six months and was referred to County Commissary 1 LLC by a representative at the state health department. Now, he shared that he’s growing his following in Fayetteville by taking advantage of this new resource.

“I've been talking to Mr. Dyrall ever since, and he's kind of like my mentor in the business,” shared Wilkins. “It’s been so great, it’s to the point where I set up at least one day a week out of here. We do DoorDash, takeout, everything right here. I don’t have to run my gas, my generator or anything. I just have the food truck parked outside and people already know to come inside.”

Hardy shared that he was able to open this new commissary without the assistance of any loans or overhead debt. He has plans for additions including a baking space and a space for travel essentials, but for now, he says it’s time to book out the space and welcome in new clients.

“It took me a year and a half to open this building right now. Everything in here is new; everything is paid for. I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for all the food trucks [to operate].”

Access is available and determined through different tier levels ranging from $325 to $750 a month. As of Aug. 10, there is still time to secure a membership.

The space is available to caterers, food truck operators and other food businesses. Interested parties can contact Hardy at 910-603-1987 to learn more.

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