Ben Newman, also known as Spudman, now spends more time taking selfies than selling jacket potatoes from his van in the heart of Tamworth.
His shop has become a TikTok sensation, attracting visitors from around the globe to sample his signature dishes – jacket potatoes topped with butter, cheese, and beans. However, Newman is bewildered by the sudden popularity.
He joins the ranks of other businesses like Binley Mega Chippy, Get Baked, and Wakey Wines that have gone viral on social media, drawing throngs of customers for various reasons, sometimes without rhyme or reason.
Despite the frenzy, Newman remains humble, recognizing that his success could happen anywhere. He serves a steady stream of customers lining up at his van for spuds, maintaining a focus on both excellent customer service and quality products.
Ben Newman’s business has flourished, necessitating the hiring of additional staff since October. Photo: Fabio de Paola/The Guardian
Newman’s social media presence, showcased through daily TikTok videos and live streams from his van, has garnered over 44 million likes. He started using the platform to attract customers post-COVID-19, but the real breakthrough came last October, requiring him to expand his team to meet the demand.
To leverage this newfound fame, Newman is partnering with singer Tom Walker for a promotional event featuring over 2,000 jacket potatoes, possibly held in the town square.
Similarly to Binley Mega Chippy, Spudman has become a TikTok sensation, drawing curious visitors from far and wide.
Source: www.theguardian.com
