Japanese company, Sanrio, is known worldwide for its designs, licenses and products focusing on the kawaii (cute) segment of Japanese popular culture. Sanrio's best-known character will forever and always remain Hello Kitty—one of the most successful marketing brands and fictional character franchises in the world since 1974. And in October 2014, right around the time when the food truck trend began to take off, Hello Kitty Cafe Truck made its debut as part of Sanrio’s first food-related venture. The cafe on wheels has delighted thousands of fans from all over the U.S., drawing crowds of up to hundreds of Hello Kitty lovers at each of its city stops. To date, two Hello Kitty Cafe trucks have traveled to more than 80 cities across both coasts—from Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Chicago, New York and the sunshine state of Florida. For its 2019 East Coast Tour, 25 new cities have been added to Hello Kitty Cafe Truck’s ever-expanding routes‚ to excitingly include both Tampa and Sarasota for the first time.

Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to a new batch of exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles, including Enamel Pin Sets (in 2 styles), Madeleine Sets, Hello Kitty Cafe Canvas Totes and Hello Kitty Cafe Giant Chef Cookies. Other best-selling items include stainless steel thermal bottles, sprinkle T-Shirts, bow shaped water bottles, giant Hello Kitty Cafe chef cookies and a cafe lunch box with confetti popcorn. Get in on the cute cartoon kitty swag and sweets at the UTC this coming weekend for a quick street-side celebrity appearance!

*Special promotion: Each guest who spends $25 on food purchases will receive a free Hello Kitty Cafe pink mini-tote while supplies last. Sarasota will be the final stop in the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck’s 2019 East Coast Tour. More to come in 2020.

Saturday, December 14, 10 am — 8 pm. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota (find the truck at the mall entrance near Kona Grill). 

Photo courtesy of the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck