This just in from Hot Dog Profits Premium member James Nitz, a.k.a. “Jimbalaya”…
Hi Steve,
Something I thought I would pass along…
A recent study in the Journal of Marketing Research found that when a business has a large, dominant competitor, it benefits from highlighting that fact in its marketing.
People are more inclined to support a small brand when they’re told the business is faced with a competitive threat from a large brand. The authors pointed out, “this support translates into purchase intention, real purchase and more favorable online reviews.”
Jimbalya
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Right on Jimbalya! It’s a modern twist on the old David and Goliath story. But it won’t work unless we are worthy.
When I say worthy, that means giving our customers the BEST food and the BEST service and the BEST experience possible.
Every single time.
If you are already doing those things, then go ahead and point out that your small size is what makes it possible to pay attention to every single customer. It’s your small size that allows you experiment, offering new and daring culinary creations without the need for a 6 month R&D cycle.
It’s your small size that lets you provide truly personal service independent of location. McDonalds won’t cater a family reunion at the local park, but you can. Sonic won’t set up at the grand opening of a new hair salon, but you can.
Let folks know that by eating at your cart they are supporting the American Small Business Man/Woman. Make it known that you appreciate them and that you need their continued patronage in order to compete with the national food chains.
This is also a great angle to use if you want the local newspaper to do a story on you. Supporting local business is an easy sell, as most folks are tired of the Walmart experience. They are eager to cheer for a local hero who dares to challenge the establishment!
Slingers (and wanna be slingers too!), if you believe that supporting local business is important, type “YES” in the comments section below.
And a big thank you to Jimbalya for a great and timely topic.
-Steve
Let me say, quality is the name of the game. I have been a pop corn vendor for 8 years. the more I changed up the season of the corn, making a special new kind every month the more sales. I sold the buss a couple years ago and went into the HOT DOG market. Profits are amazing. Then I moved to Oregon, where the vending buss is a bit harder, due to the city inspectors. They don’t like street vendors. The public loves them and always have a remark in the news paper about the small amount of food vendors that attend the special events. Well we are fighting to get the upper hand. Well I am getting ready to finish my DOG Cart so I can s l i n g. Thanks for letting me sound off. By the way Steve, I need to order a hot water tank. Do you have any in stock. I have tried the local places, well they want well over $ 100.00 . Best wishes, George of Oregon
Hi George,
Variety is the spice of life – and of pop corn I guess! Great comment, you are right on.
Regarding the hot water heater for the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart, I don’t sell those myself because I would have to mark them up too much in order to make a profit and I don’t think that’s right.
If I can’t sell something at a fair price, I will direct you to someone who can. In this case, try Amazon.
Yes customer service is job 1. Make them feel special because they are. With out them you have a hot dog cart!!
Right on Jerry! I’d rather have a business than just a hot dog cart sitting in the garage. I get you.
Yes {only if their “worthy,” and such “local small businesess” pricepoints are competitive and above all…[if their slingers]…that they and their cart/utensils/etc. look of a cleaner and have outmost safe-handling food techniques, i.e. gloves, apron, etc.}.
Yep. I just want to clarify price point. A competitive price point does not necessarily mean “less expensive”. It means “greater value”. A $4 hot dog off of my cart is a better value than a $3 Sonic hot dog because it is…
1. Waaaay tastier .
2. Highly unique. You can’t get my Buffalo Cruncher (or any of my other signature dogs) anywhere but at my cart.
3. A lot more fun. Eating at my cart is an experience not just a meal.
Thanks for the great input Dani!!!
I think that relationship has a lot to do with my success. Every person who comes to my cart will walk away knowing that they were important. I try to learn where they work, and other things that are important to them. When I see them again I try to remember what I learned. I may not remember their name, but I never forget a face. The simple idea is, Everyone wants to feel important, and validated. When you help someone feel that way, that is the greatest feeling of all, and will get the most of life.
You cannot help someone to the top of the mountain, and not get there yourself. Blessings Chappy
I agree Chappy.
YES! And what everyone else said! Good food, decent prices and great conversation! My customers love to come by and chat while I get their take out prizes ready. While I prep the food we chat about their work, the weather, racing pigeons, ham radio, the lake and of course, local history and points of interest. I had some customers from LA yesterday who found me AND LOOKED FOR ME because of my website! They saw all the points of interest in this area and made a point of looking for me for a good lunch. I found a great way to get to know my customers was offering a drawing each week to give away a free lunch; a “Customer Appreciation” lunch. When they realize that we are saying “thank you” they make a point of supporting us and as you say, each one feels important.
Putting pages on your website about local tourist attractions is pure genius Robin!
For those of you who do not have a website yet we are still building really nice free websites for slingers. For more info go to:
http://HotDogProfitsPremium/website
Right on everyone !!!
Small business is more in touch with the customer and being ‘mobile’ is a HUGE advantage over ‘brick and mortar’ financially strapped fast food restaurants. I’ve built my business up on great customer relations and word of mouth referrals.
Keep slingin’ baby !
Nice!
Hello fellow hot dog slingers!
Thought would tell you fall weather is great for chili sales on your cart, as well as sales of coffee Need good suggestions on the best kraut recipes,also great brat prepping suggestions Am working on a hot dog breakfast,with sausage,scrambled eggs,and hash browns! Happy hotdog slinging!
garythehotdogman@yahoo.com
You’re making me hungry Gary!
YES
Yes indeed!
Hell “YES” Steve! Let the small business man/woman thrive, it’s what built this great country, ask any thriving legal immigrant, they’re blessed to be here, and first to tell you so. I’m an almost slinger, workin’ up my plan and cart since July. Got all my ducks lined up from a good commissary, Great Menu and a factory to start at. They have 300 folk goin’ to lunch in 1 hour, I just need a fair percent stoppin’ by for the Curly Dog experience.;~).
As for big competition, I believe that one big or even two BIG competitors nearby simply proves you’re in the right spot, ‘cuz folks come to eat around there.
Steve, thank you Soooo much from ALL I’ve learned heretofore about how to be a pro slinger! Wish us luck, I’ll post some opening stuff soon, here we go!
All The Best!
Don Robarge, Grants Pass, Or.
“Dog Bites”
~ Home of the Curly Dog~
Sell ’em all Don!
Yes, very well said and very well thought out. Eating at those fast food chains is like well, eating at a fast food chain, nothing special. But, when you get a hot dog from a street vendor, you’re not just getting something to eat but rather an experience! I think it’s because of that experience and the delicious variety of hot dogs that I have been able to build a solid customer relationship. If you treat them as if they are a friend they will appreciate that and will not only tell their friends about your stand but will come back and bring along new customers! I love this business!
Well said mi hermano!
Yes
Still looking for that perfect way to steam hot dog buns, outside in night time weather
I have the perforated pans, and have some ideas, but any ideas, any one can pass along for outside night time hints to keep buns fresh, would be very thankful for Also want to let fellow hot dog slingers, your desire to sell hot dogs, will carry you I graduated in 1975,with Jon,and he runs local B&k hot dog stand He has been very kind to show me his hot dog building, give me helpful hints, and more Its nice to know in this hot dog dream, my dream and desire often blesses me with good friends What are the odds, two people in a class of 300 ,would be involved selling hot dogs? Hope this inspires some one who is starting out to keep your passion and desire on front burner, your dream will carry you a long way in this awesome hot dog business! Gary
Thanks Gary!
After working in the casino business I learned a lot about customer service.
G.E.T. is one principal that I carried over into the hot dog business.
Greet your customer
Eye contact
Thank them every time
I also get their name if I see them regularly.
Your customers love it when you can greet them by their name.
These are principals that you just don’t see enough of in the fast food business.
They are also what keeps my customers coming back again and again.
That and my delicious hot dogs that are the rave of Reno.
I G.E.T. it Dale! All kidding aside, that is an awesome principle. People rarely remember what you say, they sometimes remember what you do, but they always remember how you made them feel. I have the feeling that we’ll be seeing more of Dale in the near future 😉
YES! Supporting local business is the name of the game. I serve local brand franks & sausages (Miller’s) as well as local buns! Here in Sacramento, California I take advantage of the local farmers markets for fresh vegetables for sauces and toppings. I have learned that customers appreciated a quality experience when investing in a slinger’s life! Thanks Steve for your guidance and inspiration!
Dapper D
Dapper Demand Hot Dog Stand
Sacramento, California
Thanks Dapper D!