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?

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...

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.

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.