SPUDMAN has taken TikTok by storm, going viral for the most unlikely of trends — selling baked potatoes from his food van.
People from all over the world are flocking to Tamworth to try his tasty taters — here we take a look at why.
Who is Spudman?
Ben Newman, otherwise known as The Spudman, is a jacket potato seller working out of a trailer in Tamworth.
He has built an online community of a whopping 2.6million people on TikTok.
His catering truck has become so popular that queues of hundreds of people form, snaking through the market town.
Those queueing include local residents and people who have travelled hundreds of miles — including from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, the US and Malaysia.
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Some even stand in line for up to three hours to sample his famous spuds, so they must be worth the wait.
The 39-year old has found unexpected fame on the social media platform by live-streaming about his culinary advice and daily activities — such as preparing and selling his potatoes, buying ingredients and serving customers.
Ben is the son of a potato merchant who supplied the Tamworth stall for around two decades.
When the previous owners retired, he took over the pitch at the age of 18.
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Spudman initially joined TikTok in an effort to drum up business during the Covid-19 pandemic, but now has an incredible 41.6million likes on TikTok, his own fanbase in Hawaii, and has admitted that he is baffled by his newfound fame.
What does Spudman sell?
Spudman sells baked potatoes with a range of fillings.
His potatoes come stuffed with classics such as chicken curry, tuna mayo and sweetcorn, baked beans and chilli con carne.
Since his online stardom propelled his business to new levels of success, Ben sells up to 1,500 spuds a day.
Business is thriving so much that some days there is no charge for his delicious tater treats — due to making money from his viral success on TikTok, he sometimes wants to give away freebies to thank people for their support.
On occasion Ben is also helped by a few “spudmen” and “spudwomen” from around the UK — people who close their own catering trucks for the day to come and lend Spudman a hand.
Newman, who has had renal dialysis since 2010, is also raising money and awareness for Kidney Research UK, and asks customers to donate to an online fundraiser instead of paying for their potatoes.
Towards the end of January 2024 he was taken into hospital, but was pleased to be out in time to raise over £4,000 that Saturday afternoon.
It’s just nice just to give back to the community.
Spudman
He added: “We’re all about promoting Tamworth — everyone wants me to go on tour around the country, and I don’t, I just want to be here and promote Tamworth, and shout about what a great place we’ve got here, and bring all these people into town.
“It’s made the town busy and the other traders are doing well off it, and it’s nice to see.
We’re in the middle of deepest, darkest January and everyone’s busy.”
Where is Spudman’s trailer?
Spudman’s trailer can be found in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
His pitch is in the square outside the medieval St Editha’s Parish Church.
Ben has been selling jacket potatoes there for 21 years.
Who is Spudman’s wife?
Spudman’s wife unsurprisingly goes by the name of Spud wife.
The 37-year-old’s real name is Sarah Simpson.
On Spudman’s website, the “wife of Spud Master” is described as: “Spud wife. Spud Man’s right hand…woman. Spud wife is the one you don’t see as much, but keeps things moving.”
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When is Spudman open?
Spudman’s opening hours are as follows:
- Monday — 10:00 – 15:00
- Tuesday — 10:00 – 15:30
- Wednesday — CLOSED
- Thursday — 10:00 – 15:00
- Friday — 10:00 – 15:00
- Saturday — 10:00 – 15:30
- Sunday — CLOSED
