When Simon Willis, the owner of OrderUp Apps, launched a food truck with his wife in 2014, he quickly identified a common challenge in the industry - long lines and limited ways for customers to order efficiently. With a background in software engineering, he saw an opportunity to create a better experience.

“I thought it would be great if our customers could order online or through an app,” he said. “If I wanted it, I figured other food truck owners probably did too.”

That idea became the foundation for OrderUp Apps, a Vincennes-based software company that now powers custom-branded mobile apps and websites for more than 100 food trucks and restaurants across the country.

In 2018, Simon began developing what would become a multi-tenant SaaS platform tailored specifically to the needs of mobile food businesses. It was his first time building an app, and it took nearly a year and a half to create a working product.

Early on, he focused on testing and refining the system rather than generating revenue. For about a year, he offered the platform to food truck operators at no cost in exchange for feedback. “That allowed us to find bugs, improve the system, and make sure it really worked for operators,” he said.

Once the platform was ready, growth followed through grassroots outreach, including cold calling and SMS campaigns. By 2022, OrderUp Apps had grown to approximately 50 customers.

As demand increased, he made the decision to rebuild the platform entirely, which was an effort that positioned the company for long-term scalability. Today, OrderUp Apps serves over 100 clients, including food truck franchises with multiple locations.

The platform offers a suite of tools designed specifically for food trucks, including GPS-based location tracking and geofencing notifications, online ordering through custom-branded apps and websites, event-based ordering for future service dates, marketing tools like promotions, rewards, and review requests, integration with Square POS, kitchen display system functionality, and custom phone systems with interactive voice response. These features help food truck owners streamline operations, reduce reliance on social media for communication, and create a more consistent customer experience.

Despite its growth, OrderUp Apps remains a lean operation with a strong focus on customer support. The owner continues to take an active role in onboarding new clients and ensuring they understand how to use the platform effectively. “My favorite part is showing clients their system and seeing their excitement,” he said. “We make sure they can always get a hold of us.”

This hands-on approach has helped build strong relationships and positive feedback from clients.

Like many entrepreneurs, he has faced challenges along the way, particularly in transitioning from a hands-on developer to a business leader. “Learning to trust other developers and shifting into a management role was a big change,” he said.

Technical hurdles have also tested the business. “These moments are stressful, but they’re also part of growing and improving the business,” he said.

OrderUp Apps continues to innovate, with plans to launch its own point-of-sale system designed to reduce transaction fees for clients. “That will be a game changer for us and for the businesses we serve,” he said.

He began working with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) through meetings with an advisor at The Pantheon in Vincennes, which hosts SBDC advisors for local clients. Through this connection, he has gained valuable insight and guidance as he continues to expand.

“Our advisor at the SBDC, David Jones, has been a great resource. They’ve provided helpful ideas and support as we’ve worked on both our food truck and this business,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, he emphasizes the importance of vision and persistence. “Have a big enough imagination to see what you want to build,” he said. “Set goals and don’t stop until you get there.”

From a single food truck idea to a growing technology platform, OrderUp Apps demonstrates how identifying a real-world problem, and committing to solving it, can lead to scalable success.

Learn more about OrderUp Apps at https://orderupapps.com/ or check out their Facebook page!