Bubba’s Bright Workhorse—and the Business Behind It

By George L. Nitti In the small town of Olive Hill, Kentucky, where the population hovers around 1,600, for the past 15 years, Bubba’s Towing has served the rural community and surrounding interstates with reliability and heart.

Recalling how it all began, owner Bubba Johnson says: “I broke down one day and waited on the tow truck forever. And then finally when the guy came to get me, him and his brother-in-law were partners, and they were falling out. So I come home and talked to my wife about it and we started towing with high hopes and empty pockets.”

From those humble beginnings—with one rollback and one wrecker—Bubba’s fleet has grown to include multiple rollbacks, wreckers, and even a lowboy trailer. The key to that success? Simplicity and discipline.

“We’ve just paid for our tow trucks with cash as we’ve had enough money to buy another one,” Bubba explains. “No financing, nothing like that. And I think the reason we’ve done so well and been here 15 years later.” The Truck that Stands Out

One unit in the fleet stands above the rest: a 2004 International with a 21-foot Vulcan Century bed, affectionately called the “yellow truck.” It was a purchase born out of necessity. When another truck broke down and mechanics were booked solid, Bubba’s son found the International online in West Virginia.

“We just went and bought it, and he’s been running it now about three or four years,” Bubba says. “We bought it for $20,000, and we’ve had good luck out of it ever since.”

With an upgraded wheel setup and a pre-emission engine, the truck is built for durability. “The old trucks get a bad name sometimes because they don’t look as pretty and new and shiny, but it makes the same amount of money that brand-new truck would make—‘cause it’s still a qualified unit for the job.” Branding with Personality

Bubba believes in making a strong impression, and his logo and slogan do just that. The trucks feature bold lettering and a design that stands out in the community. “I wanted something that would stand out but also be something people could smile at,” Bubba says. Their company slogan—“The Best Hookers in Town”—has been with them since day one, a playful nod to classic tow industry humor. “When we started our business, me and my wife said if we ever had a towing company, we were going to come up with a slogan. We actually had it picked out before we even had the company.”

Honesty has also fueled their reputation. “When they call us, we tell them exactly how long it’s gonna be before we get to them—even if it’s an hour,” Bubba says. “We don’t want to mislead them just to get the call.” More than a Business: Fighting for Safety

Beyond running his business with his 23-year-old son whom he aims on passing it down, Bubba is fighting for something bigger: safety for towers. His advocacy for Kentucky’s proposed Blue Light Law—nicknamed Troy’s Law—stems from tragedy: the death of his friend and fellow operator, Troy Caldwell.

“He was the type of guy, anytime he seen you out working or passed you on the road, he was gonna call you and say, ‘Hey, what’s up Big Brother,’” Bubba recalls. “Then one night, he went out on a normal call… and a tractor trailer passed him so close that it sucked him right off the bed. He got killed.”

What angers Bubba most is the lack of accountability. “The guy got out on bond four hours later, and now there’ll be absolutely no justice for Troy,” he says. “That got me started thinking—we’re worth more than that. Our industry is a lot more dangerous than people think.”

Bubba believes blue lights can save lives. “People pay attention to blue lights because they’re afraid they’re gonna get a ticket. They don’t care about amber lights anymore—they’ve been abused so long by utility companies, cable companies, everybody. But if you mix blue lights in with amber and make them rear-facing only, it’ll make people pump the brakes. It’ll make a difference, you know what I mean.” The Road Ahead

From a single wrecker and a dream to a fleet of reliable trucks and a growing family legacy, Bubba Johnson has proven that integrity, hard work, and smart business choices can keep you in the game—even in a competitive market.

“We’ve been real fortunate,” Bubba says with pride. “We’ve done it all out of pocket, and we’re still here, still growing. That old truck? It’s making money today. That’s what matters.”