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.

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....

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.

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.