Hot Dog Carts – Push Cart vs Stand In. What’s best?
I am so excited cant wait to get started…what are the plus and minuses comparing a push cart to a stand in? Thank you for your advice.
Dorothy Lyon
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Hi Dorothy,
There are a LOT of things to consider when choosing between a stand in hot dog cart and a push cart. When I say push cart I’m referring to the kind of hot dog cart that you stand behind but is still towable behind a vehicle.
A push cart can get into more places. It’s way more versatile. It also allows you to have more customer contact and customers love that. It’s a better customer experience. And it’s more affordable.
A stand in hot dog cart lets you operate in all weather conditions, you can store more product which means you can stay out longer, and the health department will usually waive a commissary requirement.
If you can only have one, and you don’t know where you will be selling hot dogs from one week to the next, I would get the push cart. If you have locked down a permanent location in a high traffic area and you want to work every day all year round, a stand in cart might be just the ticket.
What say you Slingers?
-Steve
UPDATE: A lot of you were asking if the E-Z Built plans and videos can be used to make a stand-in cart. Yes you can build anything using the E-Z Built Video and Plans package. Once you watch me build the standard version on the videos, you will see how it all goes together. From there, the sky is the limit. You can make it bigger, smaller, put any equipment on it, enclose it, etc. Here is a stand in built by modifying the basic E-Z Built plans.
Hello, I think the stand in cart is better. Although the one I will be building will have more open space than walls
Send pics when you finish it Omar!
I’m working on a stand-in myself the town I live in are very hard on street venders so I’m going to .move a lot and do special events so can stay out in all kinds of weather ….a motorhome and a 6×12 foot air conditioned and screened. Had a bad time at fair grounds with fly’s …to each his own
Right on. I hate flies too, lol.
I think that a cart is great in warmer weather. A stand in cart is great to use for events like Fairs and festivals. Also in cold weather.
I agree Shannon.
To me the push cart has a lot more eye appeal and is recognized the world over.
It does have a certain charm that attracts people.
the weather is turning in NJ,and my customers are asking when i am going to stop.my spot could hold a stand in.i,myself,am cosidering this.
Hot food sells great in cold weather…
Just finished my first year slinging. I am in a area where I believe a stand would be more profitable. I’m located in a professional business hub. My customers have only 1/2 hour for lunch. The weather in the Midwest has been so miserable that my customers don’t realize that I can’t always open at their lunch time in high winds or when the skies clear up at 11 am or noon after raining all morning. My daily info is posted on Facebook, but if they don’t follow FB, some will waste they lunch break driving out to me and I’m not there. A small stand with a drive thru window for me would be the way to go. I would keep my cart for catering and other festivals. Even though a cart can be moved easily from location to location, don’t forget this doesn’t come without a price. Permits and inspections are required every move you make.
Yes, you did have a rough start but you were able to see the potential in this great business. You’re going to kill it next year!
I have a 10×10 tent that I work under. Very easy daily set up and tear down. 45 min for up and down then hook up and get out of Dodge. I would consider my situation as an 8 month same location 5 days a week quasi stand in stand. This way I have protection from the elements and that one on one feel of a cart. This works for me.
Lloyd Norton
“AND THE WIENER IS…”
HOT DOG & SMOKEY STAND
I did the 10 x 10 fold up canopy method also. I even sank threaded concrete anchors in the parking lot. When I set up I would screw eye bolts into the anchors and tie my canopy down at each corner. Worked great.
You me a cart is it! Been in business since May and we have do many people stop because of the umbrella, or the bright red cart. They just love standing outside and watching me make there food. I tell jokes and we laugh together. Absolutely love my cart and the hot dog business.. Thanks again Steve. My only regret is I didn’t start sooner…. (get started now)
Good for you Andrew! It is fun, isn’t it?!!!
I just began renovating an old 7-Up stand-in and am super excited about it! Been toying around with which way to go, but our weather and wind is such a factor where I live I decided the stand-in would be the way to go for me! Steve…all it has is a countertop inside so I can build it to my liking and inexpensively with all your cart plans!
Send pics! Send pics! LOL.
Good morning all, I have considered both stand in and cart. I ended up converting a espresso stand. I know the overhead is a lot more but I didn’t want to pack up everyday and move around. I liked the idea of security and not having to deal with bad weather. I love my little place! I get to stay open all year long. The nice thing is, that I make my projections everyday. I don’t laugh all the way to the bank but the satisfaction that I get out of what I am doing is SO worth it to me. Thanks Steve for giving me the courage to do what I love!
I’m so glad that you’re happy! That’s what it’s all about.
You can see a picture of Melody’s super cool red and yellow hot dog stand about two thirds of the way down this page:
http://hotdogprofitspremium.com/hot-dog-profits-premium-reviews/
At the beach, there’s nothing so quaint as a push cart, but at times (mostly rainy days or days when it’s forecast) I wish I had a walk in. But in our state the rules change from town to town and even from cart to cart. A stand in requires 4 sinks, where I can get away with two on a push. You’d have to see how it is in your own area. People love my cart and set up and we have a lot of fun with people.
Yep. Always check your local codes. And wear a pink cowboy hat!
I’ve owned both push and stand in carts. Stand ins are great for ease of set up-security-and protection from the weather but, they do require more space and customers tend to be more hesitant walking up to the unit. Unless you have a large following of repeat customers who are familiar with your stand in, I would go with a push cart. People like to see a smiling face and be able to watch you make there meal before there very eyes. Also with a push cart customers can easily walk up or drive up with ease. Don’t underestimate the profits on drive up customers that can’t get out of there vehicles – (the handicap/ moms/dads with kids/the elderly) they really appreciate that drive up convenience.
That’s why I believe this kind of cart is the best
https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/youve-never-seen-a-hot-dog-cart-like-this-one/
It offers luxary of stand in cart with open walls to still smile and be friendly to everyone
I really like it too Omar!
One important thing to consider is you local bylaws.A lot of places have a 3ftx7ft size limit.Our city says you can’t have a cart any bigger on the sidewalks and they don’t allow vending from roadside parking spaces.
Don’t forget the duct tape and bread while chopping onions!
Lol
Started out 21 years ago with an open cart. When it rains you are out of work, when it’s cold out, you are also out of work! Etc etc.
Purchased an enclosed cart and now I work all year! Tons of storage and room to sell hot chocolate and such. Definitely worth the investment. My customers eat all year so why not serve em all year!
I love all the stories you all. Keep up the good work. I have a push behind cart and wish I could have a stand in but I set up on the sidewalk and there is not enough room for a stand in. Winters get cold but I hang in there. It’s the rain that puts me out.
I’d be curious to know if a stand in cart has been or can be built using the ez built plans and some modifications… that actually sounds do-able and fun if a stand in cart doesn’t trigger any extra rules ,regs and req’s from health dept’s and cities…submit photos if you have tried to build a stand in from the ez built plans or your own.
Hi Andra’
Yes you can build anything using the E-Z Built Video and Plans package. Once you watch me build the standard version on the videos, you will see how it all goes together. From there, the sky is the limit. You can make it bigger, smaller, put any equipment on it, enclose it, etc. Here are some examples:
https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/youve-never-seen-a-hot-dog-cart-like-this-one/
https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/add-a-roof-to-your-hot-dog-cart/
And I added some pics to the article above.
I like the stand in, working on one now. With the stand in you have more space to add more goods to sell Fries, shaved ice, etc. that more money in your pocket plus i live in Oregon where it rains 9 months a year!
Send pics when you finish it!
oh man that’s nice…we definitely need more details on this stand in build!
oh and pics of the layout inside…
Nice to see my cart in the above pics, wish I hadn’t sold it. If and when I build my next stand in unit, I would have windows with screens on all sides. They would provide more ventilation and better viewing for my customers. Keep in mind your customers love to watch you prepare there meals,its all about showmanship.
Indeed it is Joe!
Buy both/hire someone to stand in the sun