For the past three years, senior Miranda Stafne has helped build Roxy’s Waffles from an idea developed during the pandemic into a familiar presence at local events. As she gets ready to leave for college, she prepares to step back from the business she helped create.
The food truck began in 2022, when Stafne and her sister Eva were looking for a new project after disruptions from the Coronavirus Pandemic. With support from family, they purchased a trailer locally and spent the summer transforming it into a working waffle truck. In the transformation process, Stafne took the lead on organizing events, building connections and developing the business plan.
Stafne played a central role in turning the idea into a functioning business. From the start, she helped manage licensing, scheduling and outreach responsibilities that expanded over time. After her sister left for college, Stafne became the primary manager, taking on employee hiring, payroll and day-to-day operations.
Her experience shaped how she views the industry. Stafne found the food truck community to be collaborative and supportive, especially in the early stages when the business was still growing.
At the same time, she has seen the direct impact of the business within the community. By becoming a familiar face, Roxy’s Waffles has built a strong following, particularly among returning families. For Stafne, that recognition has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
According to her mother, Kirsten Parker, Stafne’s leadership has been key to the business’s success. In addition to running operations, she has created opportunities for other students while gaining real-world experience in the food truck industry.
That leadership is something employees notice as well. Freshman employee Maren Gossai, who works on the truck, is a self-described “waffle enthusiast,” said the environment Stafne has built goes beyond a typical job. She added that the group works well together to manage the sudden rushes and has mastered the organizational factor that comes with it.
For Gossai, the experience stands out not just because of the work, but because of the people involved.
“Roxy’s Waffles is unique because it is completely run by high schoolers,” she said. Gossai also noted that the team balances the same responsibilities as adult-run food trucks, while also managing school and other commitments.
As Stafne prepares to leave for college, the question of how the business will operate has become a topic of discussion. Gossai explained how Stafne “brings such a positive attitude” that she hopes will stay with the business.
Stafne expects to stay involved when she can, likely assisting with schedules and coordination remotely, but has acknowledged that her availability will change. Even with that uncertainty, she remains optimistic about the future of the truck and the team behind it.
“I hope we can still do as much as we can,” Stafne said. “Even if it looks different, I think it will continue to grow in its own way.”
As she moves into her next chapter, Stafne leaves behind more than just a business. Through Roxy’s Waffles, she has built a team, developed leadership skills and created something that has become part of the community. The impact that is likely to continue, one waffle at a time.
