Our new location in Punta Gorda Florida is almost ready to open, we are putting the final touches on the paint and getting ready to hang up the amazing banners created by Signs and Wonders in our home town Fort Wayne Indiana. We miss everyone so much and appreciate all of their love and support on this mission that has been extremely difficult for both Jim (my hubby) and I. We will be located at 12350 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda. We still have to pass our water quality testing, electrical inspection, fire inspection and building inspections and believe it or not that is really close to being opened here. We have been working on opening the new sales location in Florida since last May.
For those of you interested in how our search began, please listen up. Jim, mom, Desiree and I made several trip to Cape Coral and Fort Myers Florida last summer. The heat was blazing and the weather as humid as being in the middle of a jungle. Desiree talked about our hot dog vendor days and said it was amazing at how many obscene areas of our body we were sweating in while looking for a house and a commercial location. This search went well into September and the move to Florida with all of our worldly belongings and the help of our family took place the next month.
In order to make this happen, over the past year I had worked on closing down all of my food service business locations and as contracts with the city expired I did not renew them. AS well as my teaching position for food safety instruction classes. Wow, 7 locations and my classes that was alot to ask to move south to build a new beginning. Faith was what I based my decision on. Growth in my company and the faith going forward that I could help people start their own business beckoned me to continue on the path south.
So here I am, over 4 months later, doors are going to open.. I am not sure what day at this point but I am sure that the work that I have put into this project, the toil, the tears and the disappointments will all be vindicated sometime soon. All will rejoice in the hot dog world, as the Queen takes her place here in Southern Florida and learns how to help those struggling to get their business up and running to stay the course, stay strong and be ready to ride the waves should they come your way. Tears, sweat and fears all conquered to open this location. Stay tuned as the best is yet to come from me, the Weenie Queen.
Hot Dog Cart News for 2013
Osborne's Dreammaker Hot Dog Carts Arrive Soon
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The New Titan Model Hot Dog Cart is a Hot Item
Our new 2010 Model hot dog cart called the Titan is a sure winner. Vendors from as far west as Nevada, South to Texas to Florida and Chicago are calling it a model that will continue to thrive for a very long time. Vendors have long wanted a nice flat-top grilling surface with a smooth stainless hinged lid that fits perfectly over simmering food on the grill. The smell of the grilled onions and peppers draws customers even if they have just eaten lunch. Here are some of the features of our new 2010 Model Hot Dog cart. Be sure to check out my newest website for the new 2010 model of hot dog carts. These models will be available at both our Indiana locations and our new Punta Gorda Florida location where we will soon be having a huge grand opening event. The paint is almost dry and the banners almost ready to hang... we will be updating you soon. Be sure to come by and say "hi"
Features:
18 gauge Stainless Steel 304 food prep surface
choose 2 1/3 pan steamers or 1 1/3 pan and 2 1/6 pan for a total of 4 pan set ups
girl friendly cart, handles with ease and light to move...use one finger control
great handles for easy control of movement
2 - 9,000 BTU cast iron burners keeps your heating bin -HOT
highway towable tires-8 inch (dont' tell anyone but I tested these at 70 miles per hour and they did just fine, no bouncing or swaying)
DOT rated Trailer
1-3 sink set up for the same low price ( 4th sink optional cost of $200.00)
5 gallon fresh-7 gallon waste
New smooth 9 volt battery operated system.. forget the expensive charger we've improved
Nice large cooler with exterior drain
Many other features- check us out at www.famouscarts.com
Come take a look at this cart at any of our locations... we would love to have you. Maybe you will even catch us cooking up some hot dogs, if so I know you hope that we will invite you in.
Features:
18 gauge Stainless Steel 304 food prep surface
choose 2 1/3 pan steamers or 1 1/3 pan and 2 1/6 pan for a total of 4 pan set ups
girl friendly cart, handles with ease and light to move...use one finger control
great handles for easy control of movement
2 - 9,000 BTU cast iron burners keeps your heating bin -HOT
highway towable tires-8 inch (dont' tell anyone but I tested these at 70 miles per hour and they did just fine, no bouncing or swaying)
DOT rated Trailer
1-3 sink set up for the same low price ( 4th sink optional cost of $200.00)
5 gallon fresh-7 gallon waste
New smooth 9 volt battery operated system.. forget the expensive charger we've improved
Nice large cooler with exterior drain
Many other features- check us out at www.famouscarts.com
Come take a look at this cart at any of our locations... we would love to have you. Maybe you will even catch us cooking up some hot dogs, if so I know you hope that we will invite you in.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Hot Dog Cart Season is Upon US
The snow is melting, the sun is starting to peek out behind the clouds more now and we can imagine the smell of spring, the smell of the hot dog carts and street vendors as they begin another season.
This season seems somewhat different to me. I am not one of those hot dog vendors this year. I am not planning any big new promotion to gather new catering jobs, no menu increases or hot product search. I am in the teaching mode now. I finished my 10 years of street vending as a hot dog vendor last Fall.
I am helping to create some of the best hot dog vending equipment in the US in combination with my friends at Willy Dogs, LTD. Willy Dogs has been manufacturing hot dog carts and mobile food vending carts for over 20 years now. We at Carts of America, Inc love the people at Willy Dogs and have partnered with them to come up with some of the most innovative new products. We are designing some of the most versatile hot dog vending carts this industry has ever had.
Sure the designs make me want to take them back onto the street and serve up some of the best tasting products this nation has ever seen. Great customer service with a smile. That is what I enjoyed as a hot dog lady.
As these hot dog vendors, both old and new take to the streets this season, something will be missing from my life. The amazing ability to determine your worth on a hot dog cart. Work a little work a lot but it's still amazing that people come to depend on your services, your food and your excellent first class customer service attitude. Being a hot dog vendor is an attitude, one of joy one of love of the industry... here my passion.
I am now here to teach others to build their own hot dog cart vending business, smile, relax and above all have a good time. Your customers will come back when they learn that you love what you do and that you love giving them the best hot dogs they have ever tasted in their life.
They are still talking about our service, they still have watering mouths as they talk about us.. yes, the hot dog lady created alot of good memories for many over the years.. Go on, create some of your own. It's not too late, the season is upon us but it has not passed.
This season seems somewhat different to me. I am not one of those hot dog vendors this year. I am not planning any big new promotion to gather new catering jobs, no menu increases or hot product search. I am in the teaching mode now. I finished my 10 years of street vending as a hot dog vendor last Fall.
I am helping to create some of the best hot dog vending equipment in the US in combination with my friends at Willy Dogs, LTD. Willy Dogs has been manufacturing hot dog carts and mobile food vending carts for over 20 years now. We at Carts of America, Inc love the people at Willy Dogs and have partnered with them to come up with some of the most innovative new products. We are designing some of the most versatile hot dog vending carts this industry has ever had.
Sure the designs make me want to take them back onto the street and serve up some of the best tasting products this nation has ever seen. Great customer service with a smile. That is what I enjoyed as a hot dog lady.
As these hot dog vendors, both old and new take to the streets this season, something will be missing from my life. The amazing ability to determine your worth on a hot dog cart. Work a little work a lot but it's still amazing that people come to depend on your services, your food and your excellent first class customer service attitude. Being a hot dog vendor is an attitude, one of joy one of love of the industry... here my passion.
I am now here to teach others to build their own hot dog cart vending business, smile, relax and above all have a good time. Your customers will come back when they learn that you love what you do and that you love giving them the best hot dogs they have ever tasted in their life.
They are still talking about our service, they still have watering mouths as they talk about us.. yes, the hot dog lady created alot of good memories for many over the years.. Go on, create some of your own. It's not too late, the season is upon us but it has not passed.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Free Shipping In January
Looking for a great deal on a hot dog cart in 2010? Carts of America, Inc and Carts of Florida (new) are offering "free" shipping in January. That is right, order your cart and pay for it in January and take advantage of the significant savings on your new hot dog cart business. Offer will not apply to in-stock used hot dog carts.
Another news blast from the weenie queen, Debra Osborne and the bunmaster princess Desiree who now manages the Fort Wayne Indiana location we are offering a deal you wont want to miss ! Bring us any competitors quote, we will meet or beat their price, guaranteed !
We are ready to make 2010 one of the best years our company has ever had, we have improved customer service, a huge selection of replacement parts, two hot dog cart repair locations, custom fabrication in two locations in the US and one in Canada. We are becoming one of the largest retail manufacturers and dealership businesses in the world.
Why deal with those that profess to be the King of Hot Dogs? We all know that the Queen has the last word. Why deal with the King when you can deal directly with the Queen.
The Queen is in. Call me, I will help you get started in your new hot dog cart business. See my ownership guide and manual on www.hotdogcartworld.com it will help you get started. And hey, by the way give your local health department a call for regulations on operating a mobile food vending cart in your area before buying any mobile food vending business.
Another news blast from the weenie queen, Debra Osborne and the bunmaster princess Desiree who now manages the Fort Wayne Indiana location we are offering a deal you wont want to miss ! Bring us any competitors quote, we will meet or beat their price, guaranteed !
We are ready to make 2010 one of the best years our company has ever had, we have improved customer service, a huge selection of replacement parts, two hot dog cart repair locations, custom fabrication in two locations in the US and one in Canada. We are becoming one of the largest retail manufacturers and dealership businesses in the world.
Why deal with those that profess to be the King of Hot Dogs? We all know that the Queen has the last word. Why deal with the King when you can deal directly with the Queen.
The Queen is in. Call me, I will help you get started in your new hot dog cart business. See my ownership guide and manual on www.hotdogcartworld.com it will help you get started. And hey, by the way give your local health department a call for regulations on operating a mobile food vending cart in your area before buying any mobile food vending business.
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.
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.
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?
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