[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING TALLY MAC SHACK

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit 
at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a Florida 
small business that not only creates a delicious product, but dedicates 
time, effort, and money to serving its community. This week, it is my 
pleasure to honor Tally Mac Shack of Tallahassee, FL, as the Senate 
Small Business of the Week.
  Despite having a graduate degree in criminology from Florida State 
University and a job with a State agency, when the opportunity arose, 
Justo Cruz jumped at the chance to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. 
After attending a mac-and-cheese fest in 2017, Justo was inspired to 
create comfort food with a gourmet twist. Creating social media 
accounts and a logo, Justo started Tally Mac Shack that same day. He 
traded in his 2006 Nissan Armada for an old Frito-Lay delivery truck, 
converting it into the original Tally Mac Shack food truck, where he 
experimented with his mac-and-cheese creations.
  On October 1, 2017, Tally Mac Shack debuted at a food-tasting event 
and sold out within 2 hours. Two-and-a-half years later, Tally Mac 
Shack is 30 employees strong, boasts two food trucks, two brick-and-
mortar locations, and has established a strong catering presence in the 
Tallahassee area. Partnering with his alma mater, Justo established a 
brick-and-mortar location on FSU's campus and a concession stand in its 
football stadium.
  Since its inception, Tally Mac Shack has emphasized the importance of 
community service. The business has partnered with local agencies and 
organizations to support a variety of causes, including Hurricane 
Michael disaster relief and the Down Syndrome Association of Florida. 
They have also supported the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Cancer 
Center, the Kearney Center for the Homeless, and Fort Braden Middle 
School. During its summer nonprofit program, Tally Mac Shack donates a 
portion of its profit and a free visit from one of its food trucks to a 
local organization. Participating groups include Big Bend Hospice, 
Alzheimer's Project, Inc., Habitat for Humanity, and the local Humane 
Society. Additionally, Justo recently announced that Tally Mac Shack is 
an official On the Job Training partner with Leon High School's 
culinary program, providing mentorship and job training to local 
students.
  Combined with community involvement, Tally Mac Shack's modern take on 
a culinary classic was a recipe for success and business continues to 
boom. Excelling on all fronts, Tally Mac Shack was recognized for its 
community service as an inaugural winner of the 2019 All in Tally Award 
for going ``above and beyond to make our community a better place to 
live.'' Within its first 18 months, Tally Mac Shack was also honored 
five times as Tallahassee's best food truck.
  Tally Mac Shack is a great example of the pivotal role community-
oriented small businesses play in the U.S. economy. I commend their 
efforts to provide a quality product, while simultaneously prioritizing 
local involvement and training to support local jobs. Congratulations 
to the entire team at Tally Mac Shack. I look forward to watching your 
continued growth and success.

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