Scream Truck Rolls Into Basking Ridge Thanks To Local Resident

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Basking Ridge residents will no longer have to settle for pre-packaged ice cream or even scream after an ice cream truck, thanks to Eric Murphy.

Murphy, a Basking Ridge resident, is finally able to roll his wildly successful Scream Truck into his hometown since launching the on-demand ice cream company in 2020.

"It's awesome, it's really exciting," said Murphy of finally being able to operate his business in Basking Ridge. "I started with my first truck in my driveway for 6 months. It was a bummer having to drive to other towns."

Bernards Township previously had an ordinance in place that prohibited the sale of ice cream unless it was sold or offered in "sealed containers in or from any vehicle from the street, highway or any other public place."

Murphy didn't have the time to petition the township to change the ordinance so instead launched his business in Westfield in September 2020.

Murphy had no experience in food and was working in the experiential marketing and music industry at the time. Combining that with his love of ice cream came the launch of Scream Truck.

"We had the same ice cream in town, the same thing for 100 years. I thought, 'Why has no one done it any different?' I am a huge ice cream fan so I took my experience and combined it all into Scream Truck."

Scream Truck is a reservation-based delivery service that texts customers whenever they will be in the neighborhood. Customers simply reply Y to request a reservation, then pre-order ice cream that's made fresh upon delivery.

Scream Truck offers soft-serve treats (sundaes, cones, shakes) plus a selection of artisanal dairy-free ice creams and all-natural fruit bars. Everything is prepared fresh in front of customers' homes.

When Township Committeeman Andrew McNally heard about Scream Truck and it not being available in Basking Ridge he reached out to Murphy, who explained the ordinance.

Murphy then was able to petition the town to make the change.

"Back in January, we amended an ordinance that previously prohibited the sale of soft ice cream from a truck on public roads in town. It was strange that the ordinance was there. We are happy we amended that ordinance," said McNally at the May 10 committee meeting.

"This allows one of our own residents Eric Murphy… to apply his trade in the town where he lives," said McNally.

McNally was so happy the ordinance was changed he gave free ice cream from Murphy's truck to those in attendance at the meeting.

Booming Business

Since launching in 2020, Murphy said his business has been booming. He has gone from one truck to seven trucks and 25,000 households registered for alerts.

He has since expanded into 20 towns including Bridgewater, Warren, and now Basking Ridge in Somerset County.

The trucks are also available for events. Murphy said he did 2,000 events last year alone.

"It's been nuts. The demand has been really great. And it's all been word of mouth. I have spent no money on advertising," said Murphy.

Out of the 25,000 households signed up, Murphy said about 30 percent are in towns that he doesn't service yet. When enough people sign up, Murphy makes the decision to expand into that town.

Murphy plans to continue not only across New Jersey but nationally.

For more information, to book a private event or to sign up visit screamtruck.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.