Today I want to share some great info about increasing sales at your cart, but toward the end of this article I’m going to ask you for some help on behalf of one of our slinger buddies.
Paul Chapman and his E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart
Hey everybody, today I want to talk about a key concept in the hot dog cart business – cart presentation. How good is your presentation?
The first step in the hot dog vending sales process is getting attention. If you can’t get someone’s attention you obviously can’t sell them anything. But after you get that initial attention, what is the next step? Presentation.
I always say, “Don’t sell a hot dog – sell an experience.”
The way your cart looks, how clean it is, how organized your condiments and supplies are, having professional signage, and keeping the area around your cart free from litter are all critical to projecting a professional image that inspires confidence in your tasty products.
Paul Chapman, a.k.a. “Chappy” is a Hot Dog Profits Premium Member in Stockton, California. Chappy knows how important presentation is. In fact, he credits presentation with the great success he is having selling hot dogs from his E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart.
I want you to take a listen to an interview I did with Chappy some time back for three reasons.
First, you’ll get some great ideas on how to increase sales at your hot dog cart.
Second, you’ll hear how Chappy overcame a life threatening brain condition and how he built his hot dog cart as part of his rehab.
But the third and most important reason that I’m putting Chappy back in the spotlight is that he needs your prayers again. Chappy writes…
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Well Steve, adversity rears its ugly head again. On Wednesday I have to go to Lodi Memorial Hospital to have a PET Scan. My doctor found two tumors on, and possibly inside my pancreas. The back pain is non stop.
Would you send out a post to my fellow slingers that I would appreciate their prayers once again. The last time I had a serious health issue, the prayers of my brothers and sisters of faith came through for me. I have faith that the Lord will hear them again. Unlike last time, I am planning to continue working my cart as much as I can for two reasons, first it keeps my mind off the difficulties, and I love being with people slinging good ole All American Hot Dogs.
Steve, I pray that you will be Blessed, and Highly Favored.
Your Friend
Chappy
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First – let’s give Chappy some encouragement in the comments section, then click the link below to hear how he became successful selling hot dogs in downtown Stockton.
-Steve
Chappy,
James says, “Let the sick call on the elders (experienced believers) and the
prayer of faith WILL heal you.
I stand with you and ask that Jesus, the King of Heal will touch your body
and remove any tumors or hint of tumors from your body.
Amen
Chappy keep your chin up your customers will be glad to see you. Your in our prayers keep slinging those dogs
Jimbo
J R Foods LLC
Malabar, Fl
Prayers for Chappy!
Prayers up for you Chappy! Stay strong my brother.
??Dapper D
????Dapper Demand Hot Dog Stand
Sacramento, California
Chappy, Keep the Faith. It will serve you best. The good Lord is always with you!
You are in my prayers!
Chappy,
Praying for you. Sounds like your faith in the Lord and your attitude serves you well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sling away!!
I’m seriously considering setting up several hot dog carts so I’m paying attention.
First, I’m going to contract with independent contractors who work the carts on a percentage of net profit. I will consider husband/wife teams who can work one or two carts. In most cases, they will have prior or current restaurant experience of be semi-retired.
Secondly, I’m going to invest my share of the margin into driving traffic to each cart using coupons, which will be subtracted from what the contractor owes me each day. I’m going to have VistaPrint print out 10,000 business cards with a $1 coupon and a line for the expiration date. Then I will personally visit every business surrounding the cart on foot and pass out cards that expire in 7 days to create urgency. If they only use the card to purchase one dog, I still break even and my contracted vendor makes money, but when they purchase more than one dog at a time, then we both make money. I will focus on building the traffic around each cart and making sure each cart is extra clean, run well, and the person I have contracted with is pleasant and courteous. I plan on contracting with semi-retired folks to run the stands as independent contractors. The back of the coupon will show all the local locations where the carts are located and the hours which will be from 10 am to 2 pm daily.
Third, I’m making sure that each cart has a square bank card reader to accept credit cards. Sales volume will be high that way and transaction size will be bigger. For a fee of 2.7% to increase sales, it is well worth it.
Fourth, I will negotiate each location myself.
Fifth, I will option each vendor the opportunity to buy me out for a set fee on a franchise basis after they have operated it for a year. After that, they purchase all their supplies from me at a nominal markup from wholesale but delivered to them daily or as needed.
Sixth, each one who have to purchase legal insurance from a licensed LegalShield agent in their area, to cover anything personal that might happen, and I will own a business policy from LegalShield to cover the business. That is in addition to business liability insurance.
If I have to charge an extra 25 to 50 cents per dog to do things right and keep the volume high, that is what I’m going to do in addition to providing outstanding service.
Now, I would like to see how many holes people can poke in this plan before I start.
Chappy
You are in our prayers .
Keep the faith.
Chappy,
PRAYERS will start today and continue until HEALED from ILLINOIS. GOD BLESS.
Stay Strong and keep slinging
Praying for you Chappy, I know the Lord will hear our prayers. God bless you brother!
Our best wishes & prayers be with ye matey.
Fly your standard high & don’t give up the ship !!
1St Mate Jim.
Chap, our prayers are with you! You are loved and cherished by a bunch of doggers that have been blessed to meet you and call you friend.
Glad I got to meet you about a month ago and get some tips on building my cart. It’s time for another hot diggity dog!
Be well my friend, see ya soon.
Chappy…
Over the last year I have been also dealing with some major health issues. I feel for what you are going through. Over the last year, because of illness, I have lost 95 pounds and spent weeks in and out of hospitals. I live just North of you in Grass Valley CA. If you need someone to talk to… Get in contact with me @ Jcollins@mac.com
My prayers are with you and it’s important to keep a positive mind set..The body is remarkable in healing.
Best to you…. Jim
PS: I’m going to listen to your interview right now. 🙂
Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. I will put you on my prayer list and lift you up to the Great Physician! Cathy
We are praying for you as I type…I pray that UGLY SICKNESS GOES BACK WHERE IT CAME FROM!!!!!! GOD CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
JUST TRUST HIM!!!!
Chappy, your healing is amongst my prayers.
23rd Psalms:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
This bible verse has seen me though a lot of situation because I believe it with all my heart. I’ve learned to trust in God and I know he love me. I know he love you too. So you keep on believing and depending on “God” he will bring you though.
I haven’t started my hot dog business yet but I’m working on it.
This sight has really encouraged me. I’m going to join Steve program as soon as I find out the requirements for my state. (N.C.)
I am a grandmother of two girls one which is very disable but though this baby I have learned to trust in God and take him at his word. This baby was born twenty years ago, the doctors at Chapel Hill told me she wouldn’t live to see three years old but by the Grace of God she’s still with us. Thank God, Thank God and Thank God some more. You just keep on believing and receiving all the goodness that God has for you. When things and circumstances seem to get you down just remember and pray the 23rd Psalm: Bless it be the name of the ” LORD”
P.S. remember me and my family in your prays
Chappy,
You have many good people pulling and praying for you.
Suffering sucks but is part of Gods plan for us. Leave it
all to Him and our prayers and you will be able to fight
this and get back out to feeding the folks again.
Stay Lucky!
Acts 10:38King James Version (KJV)
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and HEALING ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Prayers from canada for Chappy!!
God has a plan for you so you are in good hands. God give you strength
My friend !!!
Don’t give up on God Chappy, because no matter what God will never give up on you!!
cjshotdogsinreno.com
Prayers of healing mercy are being sent your way. The HotDog business was part rehab for me as well. This site has been encouraging and supportive on many levels. Blessings
Chappy I pray that our creator will see you safely through this hard time, will give you relief from the unrelenting pain, strength to carry on, and the ability to remain steadfast in your faith. God bless you brother.
Chappy,
Many prayers for complete healing from East Tennessee.