by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
St. Joseph resident Dave Carlson has been offering his “Food Dudes Delivery” business services to the St. Cloud area for the past four years. Food Dudes Delivery provides delivery and catering from a variety of local restaurants to homes or offices.
Carlson, 28, started the business when he graduated from college. He currently has three locations of Food Dudes Delivery – St. Cloud, Sioux Falls and Fargo. Carlson has managing partners in the Sioux Falls and Fargo locations.
“While in Colorado on a ski trip, I ordered from a similar service and was very impressed,” Carlson said. “After developing a business plan and speaking with restaurants, I decided to open the business after finishing school in the fall of 2009.”
The St. Cloud Food Dudes Delivery services the St. Joseph, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids areas. Currently, 23 restaurants are available through the delivery service. Carlson employs three employees in customer service representative and dispatcher positions.
Food Dudes Delivery office business hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 3-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Food Dudes Delivery offers delivery from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 4-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
“Our busiest time for deliveries is during lunch between 11 a.m.-noon and dinner from 5-8 p.m.,” Carlson said.
Deliveries usually take about an hour, but can vary based on the volume and the time of day.
Carlson strongly recommends placing lunch, catering and larger orders in advance to secure your desired delivery time. The delivery fee is $4.99 with a $15 minimum order fee.
Carlson said he offers licensing and partnership opportunities. Two former St. Joseph residents, Tom Spaniel and Peter Burg, will soon become partners in a Duluth location the three plan to open this fall.
“Food Dudes” was the original name for the business, and “Delivery” was added later. Carlson’s younger brother, Dan, designed the logo for the business.
Carlson graduated from St. Cloud State University with degrees in accounting and management. He always wanted to own his own business and gained some experience during his college years when he owned and operated his “CK SealCoating” business for three years, from 2006-09, before graduating and starting Food Dudes.
Carlson grew up in the St. Joseph area. He attended All Saints Academy and Cathedral High School. His parents, Gregg and Vicki Carlson, are also St. Joseph residents. His brother Dan is an architect and his brother Steve is currently in dental school.
Carlson enjoys playing baseball. This summer he played for the Ultimate Sports Snappers in St. Cloud in outfield and designated hitter positions. He also enjoys golfing, but said he hasn’t been able to get out as much as he would have liked to this summer.
Food Dudes deliveries can be arranged within an hour, as soon as possible or in advance. Orders can be placed online at fooddudesdelivery.com or by phone at 320-251-1888. Restaurants are available according to your delivery zip code. When ordering online, enter your zip code to view a list of available restaurants.
The Food Dudes Delivery logo was designed by Dave Carlson’s brother, Dan.
The St. Cloud Food Dudes Delivery services the St. Joseph, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids areas. Twenty-three restaurants are currently available through the delivery service.
