Stephen Caldwell Reinvented the Tater Tot – And Fed the Homeless Doing It. A Great Risk It! or Regret It! Comeback Story.

As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show – Wellness Wednesday Edition

Move over French fries, there's a new crispy craving in town — and it's doing more than just satisfying your snack attack. It's feeding schoolkids, shaking up convenience stores, and making waves nationwide. Meet Stephen Caldwell, founder of Stuft Tots™, the world's first patented stuffed shredded potato bite.

These aren't your average tots. Think crispy outside, gooey inside — filled with real Wisconsin cheese, veggies, or meats — all under 60 calories, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with just five clean ingredients.

Stephen's inspiration? A cheese-stuffed hashbrown he tasted at a catering event in Brazil that gave him goosebumps. Unable to find anything like it back home in Portland, he and his wife Lory turned their kitchen into a lab (with help from Oregon State's food incubator) — and later, their tot mission into a movement.

But this isn't just a food story. It's a comeback story.

After losing 'everything' in a business betrayal, the Caldwell's literally started from scratch. They spent 15 months hand-making 2,000 tots a week — simultaneously feeding the homeless in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank. Alongside their two daughters, they turned hardship into purpose and passion.

Fast forward to today! The Stuft Tots™ story now includes:

· Winner of Convenience Store News 2024's Best New Product Award!

· Loved by high schoolers in Alameda CA School District (8700 students' approval)

· Blew the doors off a Holiday Station Stores test run — selling out 40,000 lbs. of tots in 6 days

· Now powered by high-speed "co-extruder" machines in a booming Las Vegas production facility

· Soon to be in stadiums, schools, coffee chains, and convenience outlets nationwide

Stephen's motto? "If everybody waited for money to start a business, no businesses would be started."

AND check out Stephen's Feature Story in the June issue of the Food Industry's Premier News Source: "Total Food Service" a fantastic publication published by Fred Klashman which features exclusive Q&A Interviews with influential chefs, hospitality trendsetters, and foodservice operators, as well as the latest foodservice industry news on products, trends, associations, and events.

Stephen Caldwell's inspiring journey is a powerful reminder to - as I always say… "Risk it! or Regret it!"

And trust me — once you try Stuft Tots™, you can't un-taste the magic.

I loved this guy's passion, comeback story and his Stuft Tots™ so much I'm want to help him succeed by helping him expand.

If you'd like a personal introduction to Stephen just direct message me and I'll set it up asap. Want to be one of the first to bring them to your school, stadium, store, or bar/restaurant? Get in touch.

Tune in to this energetic podcast interview with Stephen Caldwell heard live on The Debbie Nigro Show - but only if you want to hear a really authentic story told by a truly gritty and great entrepreneur.