Hot Dog Cart News for 2013

Hot Dog Cart News for 2013
Osborne's Dreammaker Hot Dog Carts Arrive Soon

Monday, December 7, 2009

Buying Your Hot Dog Cart

1) Check you local county health departments requirements for operating a mobile food stand, remember that there may be different rules for "hot dog only carts" vs those mobile food stands that prepare a much higher risk product such as raw meats and fish.

2) Check with your city zoning and make sure that there are no obstacles in obtaining a general transient permit for street vending. If you have served in the military then chances are this is free to you for your lifetime. My husband is a proud former Marine and so proud to carry his lifetime transient/vendor permit.

3) Compile a simple business plan. When and where do you plan to operate? What will your menu items be, make it simple. Start out as a street vendor just to get some practice in and then find out where in your area you could make the most money. Likely someone out there will have valuable advice for you about your area. Usually those who do not take the risk of being a small business owner have endless amounts of advice for your business success. Some is worth millions little do they know.

4) Set up your suppliers, who will you purchase your product from and how much will it cost you? Do they have a rebate program. Will a family owned meat market trade commissary privledges as long as you purchase all of your meat products from them, or a bakery store? This will save you precious funds if you can barter these services.

5) Do a comprehensive product cost analysis so that you can plan a menu. Find out what your cost is and how much you will make off each product. Determine how many of those units you need to sell each day to stay in the black. This prevents you from thinking that you can sell quality hot dogs at $1.00 each and still make a living.

6) Now determine how much you are willing to spend on your start up business and what type of unit you will need to produce your menu items in a comfortable timely manner. Remember, start your hot dog business simple. You can always complicate things later, you will wish you didn't.

7) Use this formula to calculate how much to allocate for each item. 35 % for food product cost, 35% for your overhead or business start up cost, and the remaining 30% goes into your pocket as pay. Now, later on you can reduce these to 25% for food cost, 25% labor cost to hire someone, 25% overhead cost and 25% goes back into your pocket. Quite alot if you are not operating your own business.

8) Look for your cart, make sure that they can provide you with schematics to submit to the health department for approval. check the following manufacturers... I will list my site first because this is my blog. lol

www.hotdogcarts.com
www.worldsbesthotdogcarts.com
www.willydogs.com
www.allamericanhotdogcarts.com
www.americandreamhotdogcarts.com

Remember when looking for a hot dog cart these things are most important:

All stainless easy to clean exterior and interior design, no porous materials such as wood that you would need to treat year after year. Bacteria can be easily absorbed into wood.

pressurized water system, 12 volt is good make sure that they include your battery and charger because this could cost you as much as $100.00 additional.

If you are going to move from place to place, make sure it is highway grade and towable, with a working light kit.

For hot dogs only you will require a 3 pan steamtable. For an extended menu, you will need more room for product.

Make sure that the manufacturer offers a warranty, ask for references and read about them on the web. Anyone can have problems with a hot dog cart but if the manufacturer cares about it's customers they will try to do their best to help their customers.

Last but not least, make sure that they are there for you after the sale. No, not to go to dinner but to support you in your adventure. Mine was. He was and is still there for me and always answered all of the questions I had about the hot dog cart business. If you have any questions please comment and I will be happy to respond in my next blog... Good luck and until next time.

Keep doggin IT out there.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The New Location Coming Soon

It has been a hectic month. This month promises to serve our loyal customers well. We have been providing quality made hot dog carts, new start up business support, good value accessories for hot dog carts, profit analysis, hot dog product location, hot dog cart repairs and replacement parts along with many other services for many years now. As a hot dog vendor we have provided our customers in Indiana with quality catering at an affordable price. That was our vision statement.

We believe our values have allowed us to grow as a company and taken us on the path to help even more hot dog vendors start up their own business making their time and their paycheck something that they control by the efforts that they put into the business. Ok, we don't want to continue to keep everything a secret so we will tell you that we are arriving soon in the South Florida Marketplace. I am not at liberty to say exactly where we will be located but you will be able to take a nice family vacation to paradise and buy your hot dog cart at the same time. We will have 2 times the models available for you to look at to fit your needs.

Keep reading my blog to get more information as it unfolds. It is an exciting time for Carts of America, Inc. I am so looking forward to 2010, it just may be our year. I am not talking about our company, I am talking about us, the people.. taking the economic status into our own hands as small business owners and doing something about it. We have the ability and we have the knowledge of survival. Small business owners, UNITE.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Hot Dog Vendor Dream

Are you dreaming of becoming a hot dog vendor in 2010? Do you want to know how to go about buying the right hot dog cart or hurdling the never ending red tape of the health department? Do you know if you have specific zoning laws in your town? Do you know how to write a business plan? These are some of the steps that you will need to learn in order to run a successful hot dog cart vending business. You don't need to be a millionaire or a millionaire's kid either. I started my business on a loan from my 401K retirement plan, why not? It wasn't going anywhere and all of my business expenses including paying myself back was covered by the IRS as a postive investment. Why invest in me? Well, let me see... I am responsible for waking up every day and knowing what makes me happy. I am smart enough to know that if my life plan isn't working that I need to change plans, are you? Take a look at all of the information available to you at www.hotdogcartworld.com , www.willydogs.com, www.worldsbesthotdogcarts.com, www.uscarts.net, www.hotdogprofits.com , and best of all my own site www.hotdogcarts.com and see what you have been missing. Don't forget to read my own personal story on the about us page. Print out all of the hot dog cart vending business plans you can get your hands on. If you have to buy one, make sure that it is worth what you pay for it. Determine what your budget will be for starting your own business. In my experience, I have started up two restaurants, one full service breakfast and lunch and one just a hot dog deli of sorts, of each of these the lowest start up budget was $12,000.00 and the other just over $65,000.00. I had decided that I am not the type of person who can be a prisoner to the economy. I can't sit and wait and depend on marketing coupons to get people to know where my eatery is. I need to go where the people are, then I can get them to taste my delicate yummies and get them to depend on me like a puppy depends on their mother for food. I did just that for 10 years. I am now qualified to help you start your mobile food service business just like I did mine. Take that leap of faith, worst case scenario... you go back to work for someone else. An old saying out of a book I read, you can't run to second base if your foot is still on first can you?

Friday, November 20, 2009

November Newsletter Coming Soon

Wow, it's been a real effort to compose a newsletter that is worthy of my friends and my co-workers. Yes, I have 10 + experience as a hot dog lady, yes many good stories of success to share but when it comes to putting it all down on paper as most of you well know it's quite difficult to determine which ones are going to be useful and which ones just fall between the cracks. Given consideration for a miserable long time, I decided that I will just jot it all down month by month. Everything I have learned in the business. All of the advice that was given to me by the experts in the field. I am not a carnie... those that chase the carnivals from one state to another so if you seek expertise in this area, I prefer the hometown hot dog vendor appeal. I may wander an hour or so away from my home but not so far that I can not return to properly sanitize my dishware and scrub my pots in my home kitchen for another day's event. Stay tuned, sign up for my newsletter at www.hotdogcartworld.com and get ready, pictures, stories and advice. Feel free to email me @ weinerlady3@aol.com with anything you feel newsworthy. If it's in good taste, I will publish it. Later...

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Newsletter Sign ups

We are going to publish a monthly newsletter, I know big committment on my part. However, there are so many people out there that have daily questions about their mobile food service business I felt like the easiest way was to publish a monthly newsletter. It will come out by the 15th of every month. It will have new products, important hot dog vendor information. Hot Dog Cart sales events, vendor and training events in the food service industry and some area health department tips for starting your own business. We are hoping to get a business plan out in hard copy here soon to help those who need to refer to it on a regular basis. Please go to our site at www.hotdogcartworld.com and sign up for your newsletter. Dont be left out, the more you are educated about the business you are in, new or old to it the better off you are. If you have any suggestions or feedback about what you would like to see in the newsletter please submit them to me at www.hotdogcartworld.com   on the contact us form. We already have plans to include popular recipes and hot dog suppliers, with feedback from our customers who love them best.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Time to Plan for 2010 Hot Dog Cart Season

That is it, the season for about 60% of us, hot dog vendors effected by the cold weather is about to end. But does that mean we sit on our sofas and watch Soap Operas and Talk show hosts try to solve everyone else's problems? Not me,no sir. I am ready... I am hitting the southern market to check out the view. Not only am I hitting the southern market to check out the view but you will have to stay tuned to my blog to find out what I am doing. Curious? You should be.

Modern day hot dog vendors aren't vendors who sit on a single street corner their entire life being happy with a mere $150.0 per day that most vendors will admit to taking in. We strategize, plan and make phone calls in the off season. Hoping to book those corporate events, festivals, sporting events and more. A decent event grosses at least $100.00 per hour for 4-5 hours in a row every time. If your street corner location does this, stay there and don't move. You will do well.. be dependable. If not, move on. There are better locations, hungrier people and those who want you to serve their customers.

How much do you think a caterer charges for just showing up? Do you think that the average catering business would show up and pay someone to show up for 20-50 people? If so they would be out of business. You shouldn't either. There are corporations out there, businesses that need food service, want food service but they can't afford a caterer. Talk about keeping your employees on site, getting them fed in timely manner without causing their staff gas money and time for the employer, it's a win win situation to have you there. You are an asset, find someone who recognizes that.

Don't pay rent, barter your space. Trade some free meals, donation to a favorite charity, cater their birthday party, wedding or special event. Don't pay rent !!! I am telling you that there is a better option, find it.

I have been in the hot dog cart business for over 10 years and not ever paid "rent"for a space. Always barter, employee rewards or donations to a favorite charity. I have however paid a % of my income, combined with sales receipts from a location sharing the ownership of the business with the property owner. With a stake like that it is very likely the property owner will look after your best interest. Otherwise, you are a tenant and the success of your business is up to you.

I hope that you have gathered some good advice from this post. More will be coming as I update you on one of my life's greatest business accomplishments yet. I am brave, holding my breath, working diligently and praying intensely.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Hot Dog Vendor Fall Venue

Guys...It is an exciting time for all of our businesses ! You say why the season is about to close in the midwest and northern areas to get ready for winter months. Well, some of my best work has been done in the fall and winter months. When is the best time to start that annual business plan, work on your website, cater holiday events? This is it ! Network !! Join all of those networking groups that you have always wanted to. Have lunch, make some new friends and share your enthusiasm for your business with them. They will see the passion you have. Have you taken a food safety class yet? Sign up for one. Most certificate holders will expire next spring if you were certified in the year that the health departments mandated participation in health and safety training and certification. Email me with questions on where the nearest class is to your area. Heck you can even study online now and go to a local college and take your exam. You won't get the hands on training that a good, no great teacher will give you. This is house cleaning season also. Does your mobile unit need repairs? Schedule those repairs now. Get it shiny and clean, clean out every nook and cranny so that your business shows your pride and makes your customers aware that you care about sanitary practices. Get Ready for next season, 2010 promises to be more of the same. Success in the Hot Dog Vending industry takes work, it's your business. What do you want out of it? Do you want to make money? Read about how to increase your ticket sales... keep posted. This winter I will make some very serious recommendations on how to increase your per person ticket value....

Thursday, September 17, 2009

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

Hey, in Fort Wayne Indiana at Carts of America, Inc we are having a party. We are giving away free hot dogs, bring the kids for free face painting and a fun dome sponsored by Ultrazone. Oh yeah, did I mention free hot dogs? Kids, Adults and even pets can get a free dog while they last at the end of the season blow out event. What an event !!! Free music. WE are throwing a party because the industry for manufacturing hot dog carts and mobile food stands is amazing !! The best year ever. We don't want the party to end. Come on out, Say hi and fill up your belly. If you feel brave enough register for the hot dog eating contest that will take place at 12 noon ! Also, register for the hot dog vendor cook-off contest. You will be going up against 10 years of experience, that is right. I will set the threshold. This is a race based on quality of product, timing and yes... volume based in a pre-set timed race. The judges will be deciding and the prize is amazing. Oct 10, 2009 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Call me if you want to come
877-369-5436

Summer's Almost Over

Well, it's been a very busy summer. I hope yours was just as busy as ours was. It was great. There was one event where we grossed $1398.00 in one day. We did not sell drinks, chips or any ad ons.. just good dogs and lots of them. Another corporate event managed by the master and my sidekick (my gorgeous husband, Jim) we grossed $250.00 per hour for 3 hours straight. Let me tell you when you are kicking out that kind of business it tests the skills of even the best hot dog vendor. Our prices per dog range from $1.75 to 2.50. So if you think it's because we are selling $10.00 hot dogs, guess again.

For our region, Northeast Indiana the time for the 2009 Hot Dog Season is growing short. There is time for a few more parties... The End of the Season Blow out party was just announced. Our party will feature, contemp live music, A hot dog vendor cook-off.. sign up now and test your skills, a hot dog eating contest, face painting, free hot dogs to the public, wine tasting and kids play area. Why not bring your families out and have a little fun.

Where: Carts of America, Inc
7616 Disalle Boulevard Suite H
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825
Date: 10/10/2009
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

We would love to see you and your families there to celebrate the best year we have ever experienced in the business. We want to share our success.... Come on Out and hear the news about our new location first hand.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Hot Dog Cart Frenzy

Well good friends and followers, the economy has now been officially stimulated by hot dog vendors all over the world. I have reports in every day about how amazing the hot dog vending industry is and how it offers freedom to those looking to generate a part time income or those owning their own hot dog dynasty so to speak with several carts. Here in the Indiana showroom we are busy.. so busy we can't keep some of our best models in stock. At Hot Dog Cart World.com we allow our new vendors to post a pix of their new business as well as their business address and name. Some have taken advantage of it and some are camera shy that is for sure. Our new site is coming together. If you have any suggestions for the site please let us know, it is our goal to create a community to support the hot dog vendors in the world. We have accessories, parts for hot dog cart repairs most any type of support you need in the business. I can brag of 10 years in this business, this being the busiest by far both in sales of the hot dog cart units and in requests for mobile food service. I am not only a trusted business resource for the new hot dog vendor, I am also someone who has been in the business and struggled with the health department rules and regulations, mother nature's rath of a a rainy season or a "hot" season where people only want to drink, not eat. If you have advice about the hot dog business to new vendors, post it. They come here to read about what we are doing.

What are we doing? Well, secret be told we are starting a new location to soon be announced in the southern states. Yes, you heard it from me and stay tuned for more. We will still run our Indiana location, a young upcoming hot dog vendor chick will be in charge of the Fort Wayne Indiana midwest showroom which boasts of over 2,000 foot of warehouse space. Open right now because our stock is so low.... big mistake this year. Underestimated what the economy could do for us. There is a Frenzy my friends... don't mistake it. Hot dogs are Hot !!! I have a friend a local mortage broker and his wife the RN, they wanted to teach their kids to run their own business and make enough money for the wife to cut back her work hours. Their second year in business and I am hearing their name all around town. They have made their mark in Fort Wayne Indiana and success is theirs for the asking. This business is what you make of it. If you let that cart sit in the garage then it will sit there and not do it's job as a very wise investment. Get it out, find out what it takes to sit on a busy street corner... it's your best marketing technique. You will get recognized, put on a ketchup or mustard costume. Act silly, make some money. Do a promo.... sell a $1.00 dog, just for a week include a coupon or flyer with your name ... it will happen. It did for me and I am so happy. Yes, I talk and walk hot dogs 7 days a week. Guess what I had for lunch today? You guessed it... a hot dog, traditional with relish, ketchup and mustard it was delicious. Take care... Fellow Foodies and keep doggin it.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

What is your favorite Dog?

What you ask is my favorite dog? Many of my customers ask often about what dog I prefer. Quite frankly, I like many dogs, cheddarwurst bursting open on a seasoned grill, topped with mustard, ooozing with cheese in a snappy natural casing. I also love sabretts, nicely steamed hot dogs in Southern Florida.. yes, I went to Florida this year and found a hot dog vendor on the causeway to Sanibel Island. He had a simple set up and a very worn out cart, he needs a new one so I gave him my card...lol but his dogs were great. He says he retired from selling hot dogs for awhile, missed the people and the work so he went back to doing it. I bet it can get pretty hot in the Florida sun at times. Not like Indiana. What do hoosier's like? What is their favorite dog? Well, hoosier's will differ as much as any other geographical place as to what they really like the best but most of them agree that they want their hot dogs burnt to a crisp and moistened with chili and cheese. These little delicacies have been selling well from my hot dog cart for over 10 years. Every time they ask me to burn their dog I have to laugh about the genuine Chicago folks who would roll over with total dismay about the hoosiers burning their hot dogs on purpose. We are only 3 hours away, but different in culture and taste. We are looking for your favorite recipes.. do you like them with sweet slaw southern style? Do you like a sweet bbq sausage and pickles with onions? Tell us.. what is your favorite, what do you crave? Until next time... I'll be doggin it and tellin you all about it. "The Weenie Queen"

Friday, June 12, 2009

June 2009 Hot Dog Cart Events

Wow, it's now June. The last time I posted I was feeding like 250 kids. Since that time we fed a group of 300, full hot dog meals at the local Ivy Tech Community College in Fort Wayne Indiana. Saturday, a private event. Tyler's graduation party. Tyler is special, he lives in Fort Wayne an is graduating and going off to basic training for the Marine Corp. If that alone doesn't make Tyler a special kid, he worked a few days wrapping hot dogs between his main career. His mom, Sherry and dad, Tim are a bit worried about Tyler going off to be a jarhead but I told them that if I could manage to be married to a jarhead for the last 17 years don't worry so much. God will take care of him.

We have a great summer line-up of events. June 20, 2009 at 11:00 we will start firing up the hot dogs & brats for our 21st Annual SCAN duck race in Fort Wayne Indiana. Talk about a great fundraising event ! SCAN is a society that prevents child abuse and neglect. Their mission is an important one and we are proud to be a part of it. People say it's not nice to have favorites, well at Willy Dog of Fort Wayne we love SCAN, along with Turnstone, Center for the disabled, Junior Acheivment of Fort Wayne which we will be talking about their July event coming up soon.

Also, coming soon an event to remember. My sister-in-law, Catherine Osborne is getting married. It is a glorious event, first time... great event and a fundraiser to boot. I am sure that she will convince us that "no" wedding is complete without the hot dog queen serving up some hot off the grill. The event is combined with a fundraiser to support SAFY, an organization to support children who grew up in foster care giving them the right support to integrate into society and experience a normal productive life. A very worthwhile cause. This will all happen with a heck of a party on the campus of IPFW on June 27, 11:00 am to 6pm. Bands, food and fun. Come see the fun and witness the miracles that happen on that campus.. sorry sis didn't mean that it took a miracle to get you married ! lol

If you came to our Blog through our website, www.hotdogcartworld.com thank you. We are building a community of hot dog vendor support. Like none other. If you are into hot dogs, we want to be your world.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Hot Doggin Times

Let me tell you, we have been doggin it... Last Friday, we fed 250 hungry high school boys who have aspirations to be welders, carpenters, electricians & more in the construction trade apprentice programs sponsored by Top Notch of Indianapolis Indiana. Top Notch Tradesman donate all of the financial support every year to feed these boys. I am not sure if the boys come to eat the food.. which seems to be the center of attention or if they actually come to learn. Regardless, they enjoy coming and we enjoy being a part of this event year after year after year. Thank you Dax.. we appreciate your business !

Saturday, out to Shoaff Park in Fort Wayne Indiana. Wind was gusting at over 30 miles per hour. Some vendors grew weary of the wind and the cold weather. We found a nice little nest near the building and fed everyone that was hungry. Carol from the Community Center with the Parks and recreation Department of Fort Wayne calls me every year, we know we have a relationship and a responsibility to feed all of those hungry Peddlers in the Park that day. We enjoy it and we know they do. Thank you Carol for thinking of our little Hot Dog Cart Vending Business. It's our customers like you that make us a huge success year after year. We love doing business with you.

Sunday, yes... Mother's Day. We were doggin it. SCCA racing league of Fort Wayne. I don't know how long we have been their favorite vendor but I think our hot dog vendor relationship has been ongoing for at least 8 years. The guys will tell you that we try to mix up the menu for them. One time they will get grilled honey corn dogs, next time burgers, next time brats & kraut. They love our variety and menu selection, best of all they love to see our smiles...

We don't have any scheduled events this week, we are busy cleaning out our 4 year commercial kitchen facility at the local ice arena. We didn't renew our contract due to a private company taking over the ice sports facility and building a newer, bigger facility. It will be interesting to see how fast it goes up... fall hockey starts in August. Right now on the corner of Wells and Lima Road there are a big piles of hopeful dirt. Good luck guys.

I would love to hear about your upcoming events, I am getting ready to agree to an event at Ivy Tech on June 4th, Fall Kruse Auction in Auburn Indiana and sign our annual contract for Muddy River Run in August. Until next time.. Keep Doggin it !!!

Deb

Monday, May 4, 2009

Hot Dog Time In Indiana

Well, it's nearly Tuesday and we have 3 full days of activities planned for our mobile food carts. What will we serve? You guessed it, hot dogs. But that's not all. We offer many varities of pre-cooked meats and treats from our brightly colored gourmet hot dog cart. Friday we will serve up a menu of smoked sausage grilled till it pops with juiciness, pub burgers (pre-cooked preseasoned burgers) and of course.. hot dogs, kraut and our famous chili and nacho cheese toppings.

What other goodies will we have on our cart you ask? We will serve up some famous amos cookies, chips & cold drinks. We love our customers and our customers love us, mostly because they are hungry.... friday we will serve up near 300 high school construction trade apprentice boys. Talk about hungry !! We are probably serving up their snack before lunch.

Saturday, come see us at the Family Fun Day at Shoaf Park in Fort Wayne Indiana. There will be crafts, fund and plenty of good people there. Oh, I forgot to mention the hot dogs. We usually serve up the footlong variety of hot dogs. Not sure what we will do .. lots of kids.

Sunday, yes it's Mother's Day and we are working, serving up an assortment of brats, sweet corn dogs and our famous hot dogs to the SCCA racing league.

Looks like we have our work cut out for us.. good for us, good for our customers to see us running a successful business !! We will show you how.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

My Hot Dog Cart Business

Well, it's year 9 and running for my gourmet mobile hot dog cart business. People ask me why I call my cart a gourmet cart? The meat is deli fresh and I cook it up in a special way and serve it hot in my own style and flavor.. you will rarely see us serving up the same old menu item. Today's markets offer so many pre-cooked meats and items that a mobile food/hot dog vendor could really give their customers a good variety from shredded flavored meats to anything that looks like a frank. Frankly speaking the menu possibilities are unlimited only by your health department police. Our health department locally will allow us to re-heat pre-cooked non potentially hazardous foods, and we comply. Our food supplier, supplies us with a good selection of pub burgers, pre-cooked bratwurst, jalepeno sausages, shredded beef, whole cooked chicken breast.. virtually unlimited. Recently we tried a new item.. outstanding response. Have you ever tried honey sweet grilled corndogs? Yummy !! It's my new favorite item. Take care, the mobile business is fun. Get into it because you love the idea of it, enjoy the fun and the people you meet in the business. If you have fun, the money will come. I promise, it will come because people will see your passion for the business and they can't say no to a happy hot dog vendor no matter what your product is.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

First Public Event of 2009

Ok, this is it. The sun is shining today and we are preparing for our carts to come out of hibernation. We will be at Kruse International Auction Park in Fort Wayne Indiana on Sunday, April 26 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to serve up some steaming hot brats w/ kraut, hot dogs & bbq smoked sausage. We love SCCA and we have been following them around for the last 7 years or so... will be good to see our friends and fill their bellies of warm food. If you are in the area, if you live near there it is some of the best obstacle course racing in Indiana. Come see them smoke their brakes and squeal the tires. And of course while you are there, have a hot dog.

Friday, April 24, 2009

I WANT TO BUY A HOT DOG CART

Well, you want to buy a hot dog cart. Here are some things to think about before you go shopping. 10 EASY STEPS TO A HOT DOG CART BUSINESS

1) Check with your local county health deparment and zoning to see if you can even operate a hot dog cart where you live.
2) What is your market audience? street vending, catering, special events, private audiences? This will ultimately determine what cart you will need.
3) Where is your business plan? There is plenty of help around for that. Soon I will be posting a sample business plan for hot dog vendors on my new website. Keep your eye out for it.
4) Determine your start up budget. 3k is bottom level for starting up one of the most affordable businesses you will ever own.
5)Research your cart, remember price isn't everything check out the feedback... see how their customers feel about them. Make sure that they have schematics available for health department approval.
6) Be careful about buying used, especially an established business if you don't know the reputation. Do you want to buy a bad reputation prior to even getting started, lots of people know the cart's appearance.
7) Leave yourself plenty of time to place your cart order especially if it is nearing the season. Good manufacturers will be busy at this time and could take up to 4 weeks to fabricate your cart. 4 weeks is long enough for most carts, custom carts allow 6 weeks.
8) While your cart is being built get your promo items done, logo's, t shirts, business cards, attend network meetings, hand out flyers lot's to do now that you have decided.
9) Dont worry about a location, just get a city permit for operating in general... get out there. Doesn't matter what you make the first week, just get out there and serve people. The location is your marketing tool to get a better location.
10) For the Love of God, and your customers please practice on your friends.. family or something. It takes time to be a good hot dog vendor. You will get burnt, don't cuss in public and always smile even if your hand's on fire.

Smile, Smile, Smile.... Deb

Making Money with Hot Dog Carts

Hot Dog Carts & the economy. What do you think is the most commonly asked question that I get from my customer regarding the hot dog business? Do these things really make money?

Where do I start? Do these things really make money? What the hot dogs? The carts? I have never come into the shop in the morning just to be amazed at how much money is flowing from my hot dog cart collection. These "things" as some may call my beloved hobby carts, have never made a dime. NO, honestly.. not a dime. However, if you are saying as a tool is it possible for me to make money? Then a resounding "YES" would be in order.

First of all the fact is that the average restaurant start up project could well cost you over 100K and that is looking for used appliances and cheap help. Then monthly you get every imanginable bill in the world as added overhead. Then you get daily walk in sales people who think if you own a restaurant you have money "yeah, right." Advertise, Advertise they tell you is the answer. Well, there are actually some coupon foodies out there that will try out a new place with a coupon but it had better be damn good if they come back and pay full price next time ! lol

Second of all is the staff, if they don't eat you out of house and home then they probably will get their friends to help out. Maybe they will just crank up the air so that they stay cool in the kitchen once you leave or turn up the heat so that their feet are hot while their cheeks are red. Don't forget to mention how they think you never pay them enough for what they do... am I stretching the truth? Weigh in... tell me what you think

As if that is not enough, you buy your equipment.. stoves, refrigerators, prep tables and such and then get a tax bill from somebody later that thinks you ought to pay for them again. Yes, like they bought them? Excuse me, someone said this was a free nation. Obviously they weren't born here and didn't pay taxes. Not to say that mobile food operators don't pay their portion of taxes but they don't have serious overhead and the utility bills don't come in once you think you may have made enough to buy yourself a cup of coffee.

The brick and mortar food establishment will always have more overhead and more headaches. Try taking a vacation. Go ahead, leave your staff in charge when you are gone. I dare ya.

The average hot dog vendor sells 100-150 dogs per day at their location. The average sale of a hot dog is $2.00. That equates to a gross of about $200-$300.00 per day, not counting side item sales. Overhead costs of a location is usually 25%, Food costs while escalating still around 25% you take home 50%. Tell me, what profession is it that you make $150.00 per day in? A good location will gross $500.00 per day.. what is 50% of that in your pocket? And..do you miss the electric bill at the end of the month? Most locations will trade employee meal coupons, catered events and favors in lieu of rent. Try it. City transient permits are free in most cities, especially if you are a vetran.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Twitter Community

Hey, all of my friends out there. Are you part of the twitter community? Do you tweet? No, I didn't spell that wrong.. I am too often called sweet but I also like to tweet of recent. I found this amazing social network where you can follow friends, foodies and the lot and find out alot about the industry in a short time. Come with me... I am the weeniequeen on twitter and would be happy to have you as one of my followers. I promise, although my life is busy, really busy teaching food safety classes, investigating health department regulations from county to county for my customers, making sure that their hot dog cart is actually one that can be licensed in their county and supporting them long after the purchase by being their friend and business advisor I am going to post useful information while I am still able to be actively selling hot dogs. Yes, price analysis in the business..locations, commissary ideas and problem resolution is all here. If you have a problem, tweet about it. I will try to help !!!

Hot Dog Cart World

Wow, this is going to be amazing, I haven't been this excited since the inception of starting my own hot dog business back in 2000. I loved leaving the executive world of pantyhose and suits and venturing out on my own to see if people really did love my hot dogs as much as I did. Now, I am helping people start their own hot dog business and loving every minute of it. At Carts of America, Inc located at Ft Wayne Indiana all of my dreams are coming true. Not only have I accomplished the successful career of a hot dog vendor I have also helped many others to accomplish their dreams of being a hot dog vendor. Now, a new project on the burner. I hope all of my hot dog foodies will help. Your input will be immeasurable to say the least. I am starting a site called Hotdogcartworld.com this site is meant to bring together a support community for hot dog vendors and mobile food vendors. It will host a blog site to ask questions, get answers and input from those who would never stop to talk to you about the business on the street. You will be able to find liability insurance, business plans, website designs, logo and printed business materials everything from a -z in the hot dog industry will be coming together in the next few months on that site. I could use help, I can't do it alone. Let's help the next generation of hot dog vendors keep this occupation alive. Whether you have one of my carts... or you have a competitors cart, I don't care.. I will help you with your needs. After all, I am just a hot dog vendor.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Purchasing a Mobile Hot Dog Cart

Although I may seem a bit one sided in this issue due to the fact that I sell quality made mobile food carts, I myself was in the position of being a buyer of a hot dog cart quite some time ago. The industry intrigued me. I didn't want to be like everyone else. Guess what? I am not even comparable to your average, street corner hot dog vendor. I am me. A girl hot dog vendor. Ten years ago a girl hot dog vending owner was rare. Oh yes, men owners may have used pretty girls to attract customers to their carts dressed in scanty clothing.... but girl owners? Not many. Nowadays, women are running large corporations as well as the corner hot dog stand. I would like to hear from all of the women hot dog business owners, big or small for a hobby or for a profit. Voice in.. and maybe one day if we can be successful hot dog vendors we will actually be seriously considered to run the country. Think so?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

What is it about Americans and their Hot Dogs?

I have been in the hot dog industry for about 10 years. What is it about us Americans and our passion for the weiner in the bun concept? We argue about the best place to eat them, what to put on them and quite frankly how the best weenie is cooked. Tell me what your preference is, do you like your weiner steamed? Do you like it on the bbq, cajun style burnt to a crisp? What are your favorite toppings?