Privacy Policy

GrubScout USA (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit GrubScoutUSA.com, use our food truck directory, search features, vendor registration tools, map features, contact forms, advertising pages, review features, and related website services.

By using GrubScout USA, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect different types of information depending on how you use the website.

• Location Data: If you use “Near Me” or location-based map/search tools, your browser may ask for permission to access your approximate GPS location. We use this to show nearby vendors. Location coordinates may also be stored in your browser’s local storage to improve your search experience.
• Vendor Account Data: When a vendor registers, claims a listing, or manages a listing, we may collect name, email address, phone number, business name, cuisine type, business type, address or service area, logo, menu images, photos, amenities, hours, social links, upcoming stops, and other business details.
• Public Listing Information: Vendor business information submitted for a listing may be displayed publicly, including business name, cuisine, location or service area, phone number, website, social links, menu, photos, amenities, and upcoming locations.
• Contact Form Information: If you contact us through a form, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, business or event name, city/area, topic, and message.
• Reviews and User Submissions: If review, rating, “Scout a Spot,” or community food submission features are used, we may collect the submitted name, rating, review text, date, business/event details, location details, and related content.
• Usage and Device Data: We may collect information such as pages visited, browser type, device type, general location, referral sources, clicks, search terms, IP address, and approximate interaction data to help improve the website, security, and user experience.
• Cookies and Local Storage: We may use cookies, browser storage, and similar technologies to remember preferences, map/search settings, login status, analytics, advertising settings, and site functionality.

2. How We Use Information

We may use collected information to:

• Operate and improve GrubScout USA.
• Display nearby vendors, maps, directions, profiles, and search results.
• Create, verify, manage, and display vendor listings.
• Allow vendors to upload logos, menus, gallery photos, amenities, and upcoming stops.
• Respond to contact requests, support requests, Scout a Spot submissions, and advertising inquiries.
• Process vendor plan purchases or subscriptions through third-party payment providers.
• Display reviews, ratings, community food information, and user-submitted content where appropriate.
• Protect the website from spam, misuse, fraud, unauthorized access, and security issues.
• Measure website performance, understand usage trends, and improve content.
• Show advertising or sponsored content where applicable.

3. Cookies, Advertising, and Google AdSense

GrubScout USA may use Google AdSense and other advertising services to display ads. Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on a user’s prior visits to GrubScout USA or other websites.

Google’s use of advertising cookies enables Google and its partners to serve ads to users based on visits to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. Third parties may place and read cookies on your browser, use web beacons, or use IP addresses and similar technologies to collect information as a result of ad serving on this website.

You can learn more about how Google uses information for advertising and how to manage ad personalization through Google’s advertising and privacy resources.

• You may be able to manage personalized advertising through your Google Ad Settings.
• You may be able to limit or block cookies through your browser settings.
• Blocking cookies may affect website features, login behavior, search preferences, or advertising functionality.

4. Third-Party Services

GrubScout USA may use third-party services to operate the website, process forms, support vendor accounts, display maps, process payments, host content, and show advertising. These third parties may process information according to their own privacy policies.

• Firebase / Google: Authentication, Firestore database, file storage, and related backend services.
• Google AdSense: Advertising, ad serving, measurement, and related advertising technologies.
• Stripe: Vendor subscription or payment processing. GrubScout USA does not store full payment card numbers.
• Formspree: Contact form and submission handling.
• OpenStreetMap / Leaflet: Interactive map display and location-based browsing features.
• Hosting and infrastructure providers: Website hosting, file delivery, security, and performance.
• Social media or vendor links: Links to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, vendor websites, online ordering pages, or other third-party destinations.

5. Payments

If vendor subscription plans or paid advertising options are purchased, payment may be processed through Stripe or another third-party payment provider. Payment providers may collect billing details, payment method information, and transaction records. GrubScout USA does not store full credit card numbers on our website.

6. Public Vendor Information

Vendor listings are intended to be public. Information submitted for a public listing may be visible to website visitors, including business name, cuisine type, service area, address or general location, phone number, website, social media links, description, menu images, photos, amenities, and upcoming stops.

Vendors should not submit private personal information that they do not want displayed publicly.

7. Reviews and Community Submissions

Reviews, ratings, Scout a Spot suggestions, community food submissions, and similar user-submitted content may be reviewed, moderated, edited, approved, rejected, or removed. Submitted content may be displayed publicly if approved.

Do not submit private information, sensitive personal information, or content you do not have permission to share.

8. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following limited situations:

• With service providers that help operate the website, process forms, host files, authenticate users, provide maps, process payments, or serve advertising.
• When information is intentionally submitted for public display as part of a vendor listing, review, photo, menu, event, or community submission.
• When required by law, legal process, government request, or to protect rights, safety, security, and website integrity.
• In connection with a business transfer, restructuring, or ownership change involving GrubScout USA.

9. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect information. This may include HTTPS, Firebase Authentication, access controls, and secure third-party services. However, no website, database, or internet transmission is guaranteed to be completely secure.

10. Data Retention

We may retain information for as long as needed to operate the website, maintain vendor listings, provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce terms, prevent abuse, and support business records.

Vendors may request updates or deletion of account-related information, subject to reasonable verification and legal or operational retention needs.

11. Your Choices

You may have choices regarding your information:

• You may decline browser location permission and still use city, ZIP, cuisine, or map search features.
• You may clear local storage or cookies through your browser settings.
• You may request vendor account updates or deletion by contacting us.
• You may manage ad personalization through Google ad settings and browser privacy controls.
• You may unsubscribe from communications if an unsubscribe method is provided.

12. Children’s Privacy

GrubScout USA is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Community food features such as lemonade stand listings or youth fundraiser notices should be submitted by a parent, guardian, school, organization, or responsible adult.

13. Third-Party Links

Our website may link to vendor websites, social media pages, online ordering services, map providers, advertising partners, and other third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of the website after updates means you accept the revised policy.

15. Contact Us

For privacy questions, account deletion requests, vendor data updates, or other concerns, contact GrubScout USA through our Contact page or email us at grubscoutusa@gmail.com.