ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
Š Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Social Media Sensation 'Spudman' Turns Jacket Potatoes into Global Phenomenon

Ben Newman catapults his humble jacket potato business to global fame, selling nearly 1,500 potatoes in a single day.
PUBLISHED APR 16, 2024
Cover Image Source: Social Media Sensation 'Spudman' | TikTok | @spudarmy
Cover Image Source: Social Media Sensation 'Spudman' | TikTok | @spudarmy

In Staffordshire, England, the humble jacket potato has become an unexpected sensation, thanks to the viral fame of Ben Newman, better known as @spudmanofficial on TikTok. Operating a takeaway van in Tamworth, Newman has seen his sales skyrocket as customers flock from around the globe to taste his renowned jacket potatoes.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Spud Man đŸĨ” (@spudmanofficial)


 

The 39-year-old father of nine, residing in Burton-upon-Trent, initially joined TikTok to monitor his children's activity but has since amassed 2.6 million followers and 41.6 million likes with his Go-Pro videos showcasing his life as a jacket potato vendor.

Newman's journey to becoming "Spudman" began over two decades ago when he established his own business, Newman's Catering, at just 18 years old. Drawing inspiration from his late father, a fellow jacket potato merchant, the influencer has found unexpected success in the digital age.

His viral videos have attracted customers from across the world, with some traveling from as far as Australia, South Africa, and Malaysia to sample his culinary creations. His fame has allowed him to sell almost 1,500 potatoes in a single day.

TikTok | @spudmanofficial
Image Source: Instagram | @spudmanofficial

Since joining TikTok to promote his business in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Newman has utilized his prominent presence on the platform to not only boost his own business but also to promote the town of Tamworth and other local establishments.

His engaging content, featuring live streams of his work and updates on his daily activities, has garnered thousands of views. Furthermore, his popularity on TikTok reached new heights when he featured a couple from Malaysia in one of his videos. The couple, who flew to the UK specifically to try Newman's jacket potatoes, epitomized the global appeal of his business.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Scott Mills (@realscottmills)


 

In response to his success, Newman has partnered with a wholesaler and plans to give out free potatoes at his pitch in Tamworth town center on Saturday. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and sees this gesture as an opportunity to "give something back" to his loyal customers.

The jacket potato van has become a symbol of community and entrepreneurship, reminiscent of Coventry's Binley Mega Chippy. Newman's offerings, priced between $4 and $5 each, cater to a diverse clientele, with the classic cheese and beans topping reigning as the bestseller.

Despite his newfound fame, Newman remains grounded, sporting a trademark pink mohawk to raise awareness for kidney research, a cause close to his heart after undergoing three failed kidney transplants. 


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sinae - Girl Out For Tea đŸĒŠđŸŠˇâœŒī¸ (@girloutfortea)


 

The impact of TikTok on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like Newman's is not limited to increased sales but extends to broader economic benefits. According to a 2023 report by Oxford Economics, SME investments in TikTok advertising and marketing contributed $1.2 billion to the UK's revenue in 2022.

The food and beverage industry, in particular, benefited significantly, accounting for $0.6 billion of the total revenue. TikTok's content algorithm, which facilitates user discovery of lesser-known brands, has proven advantageous for businesses, driving economic value and fostering real-world community interactions.

For more such content, you can follow Ben Newman (@spudmanofficial) on TikTok.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The player also brought her husband along on the stage to support her.
20 hours ago
The guest who had very little idea about the Sun Valley poster was beyond delighted.
22 hours ago
The FSIS announced at least five people were injured from consumption of the affected products.
1 day ago
In the end, the guest was ready to fight her sister for an item worth thousands of dollars.
1 day ago
Fans were heartbroken to see the player, Ryan, walk away empty handed.
1 day ago
Harvey couldn't believe the hard researched facts about catfish on the show.
1 day ago
Carey demanded the Wikipedia page of "Stack the Deck" game to be updated after the win.
1 day ago
The player Titus Stevens missed out on taking home nearly $65,000 over an easy puzzle.
2 days ago
Harvey couldn't control himself after hearing some of the answers.
2 days ago
The thrift store find turned out to be quite profitable for the seller named Kimberly.
3 days ago
The creator showed proof that the store jacked up the price of an item by $3 during a sale.
4 days ago
The contestant, Linda Rivera failed to crack a seemingly easy phrase in the finale.
4 days ago
Fans couldn't believe that the player chose to miss out on such a good opportunity.
4 days ago
Host Drew Carey had to point out how loud the viewers were before the emotional victory.
5 days ago
While the guest got a massive appraisal for her grandma's ring, she was clear on her stand.
5 days ago
While some blamed the tough puzzle, a few were disappointed with the player, Rob Schwandt.
5 days ago
The player was a bit too excited for the trip and so was her husband in the audience.
6 days ago
The player, Ashton Hildebrand when on to win the showcase for prizes worth over $52,000.
6 days ago
The guest, Jad managed to bring a deal back from the dead and get exactly the amount he asked for.
6 days ago