ClusterTruck on Its Smart Kitchen Model and Growth Through Franchising
ClusterTruck CEO Janet Monroe and first franchisee Joe Curtis talk franchising, the Carmel launch, and the tech behind the kitchen.
Listen On
Podcast Summary
On today’s show I sat down with Joe Curtis, the first franchisee in ClusterTruck history, and Janet Monroe, ClusterTruck’s CEO, to talk about the company’s new franchising chapter and the launch of ClusterTruck Carmel in February 2026.
ClusterTruck is an Indianapolis-born delivery and pickup kitchen with made-to-order meals and proprietary software designed to get food delivered hot, fresh, and on time. Monroe explains that it took nearly a decade to build and refine both the software and kitchen operations, creating a profitable model in food delivery.
Curtis shares his path from a 30+ year career in electrical engineering to residential real estate, with essentially no food background beyond working at McDonald’s as a teenager. He became a loyal ClusterTruck customer during renovations and pursued franchising as an investment.
Our conversation covers how ClusterTruck documents operations in a “kitchen back office,” uses training videos, standardizes plating and order accuracy, and emphasizes culture, customer service, and community involvement.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
Why ClusterTruck Is Launching Franchising
How the Smart Kitchen Model Works
What it Takes to Open a ClusterTruck Franchise
Check out these great clips from the show:
00:26 Guest Introduction: Joe Curtis & Janet Monroe, ClusterTruck
02:02 Why Franchise Now?
03:20 Why Carmel
04:11 Joe’s Background
06:56 From Customer to Investor
09:42 Training in the Kitchen
11:21 Building the Franchise Playbook
16:44 Culture + Quality Control
17:50 Opening the Carmel Kitchen
22:02 Why Joe’s the Right Franchisee
27:21 Joe’s Indiana Journey
34:00 Choosing US-31 for Demand
34:41 Supper vs. Dinner
35:12 Where ClusterTruck Wants to Expand Next
36:07 A Detour into Regenerative Farming
38:16 Who Should Franchise ClusterTruck?
41:54 The Playbook for Training, Standards & Customer Service
43:07 What’s Included in Opening Costs
47:33 Why They Call Indiana Home
51:39 Rapid Fire Questions
56:40 Best Restaurant Experiences Around Indiana
01:01:50 Hidden Gems in Indiana & Hoosier to Watch
Guest(s)
Joe Curtis & Janet Monroe
Date Published
February 18, 2026
