Hot Dog Cart News reader Marge Pugh writes…
Hi Steve,
Here is how I chose the name for my hot dog cart business – poll your friends and family for names to choose for your cart.
I polled everyone I knew…wrote all the names down…then rated them 1 – 5 from least to best name I liked.
Once I narrowed it down to the top three I put the names back out there for a vote. Then…voila! Top Dog was born! Simple yet sophisticated.
Its just darn good old fun to get your friends and family excited for you! It really keeps your momentum going. Plus…you can’t believe some of the names they come up with…such as….Now that’s a weiner! The grass is greener under my weiner! Hot Damn Dog!
Seeing all these texts kept me giggling the whole day through.
-Marge Pugh
Top Dog Hot Dogs
*******************************
Awesome tip Marge!
I did the same thing when I started my business all those years ago. My friends and family were coming up with a lot of really catchy, funny, and sometimes just plain weird names.
But then my name choosing process got hijacked.
When I told my wife that I was going to have the best hot dogs in my county she stopped, looked at me and said, “Who do you think you are? King Weenie?”
That was it. Game over. She even drew the original mascot which we used on all of our promo materials. Here is one of our gift certificates…
How did you name your business? Let us know in the comments slingers!
-Steve
In 2009 I had to come up with a name for my business and in walked my brother in law is named Doug, I changed the spelling. The GG is my idea of a catchy way to get people to notice the name (I have little kids come up all the time and ask my why I misspelled Dog). Doug (my brother in law) is handicap 52 year old man and when he gets something that he really likes he say “Good!! Good!!”. I have appointed him my CEO so I have to pay him a Diet Coke when I come back from selling dogs. Michael’s Hot Dogs just does not have the same ring. I have been told by people that when they here Good!! Good!! they think about my cart and that it must be twice as good as everyone else.
DUGGS DOGGS
GOOD!! GOOD!!
What a great story Michael. Say hi to Doug for me!
I went through all the “cutsie” names and didn’t think any of them fit for my town. Washington is kind of “upscale” for a little town. A lot of wealth and very fussy. So I thought a classy name at a classy new beach would make the town more appreciative. My brother and I went to work on it and after the “wierd, funny and freaky” he blurted out “Lakeside Lunch.” BINGO! Lunch by the lakeside! What could be more appealing?
It pays to take your target demographic into account. Good job Robin!
I was thinking of a few names. I’m not a slinger but maybe some day I’ll get there.
Uncle Frank’s hotdogs-you’re family here
Weiner Haven since I live in Winter Haven, Florida
Franks in-a-pinch
I like Franks In a Pinch. Funny!
How about, Ballpark Franks?
Taken.
Buns ‘N The Sun, Living in Arizona, Temps. get 113-117 degrees in the summer. Always, find a good shade tree.
Nice!
I asked all my friends and family their opinions and input and narrowed my names down to two. Being from Louisville kY. I had the ‘VILLE GRILL’ and ‘WIENNIE WAGON’ so after deciding on Ville Grill, I said to myself hot dogetty, I got a name. Thus HOT DOGETTY was born!
Doggetty with an “o” – nice twist on an old favorite!
I went on line to get a website as soon as we thought of our name. Since we live in North West Arizona, and other than the Grand Canyon, the next biggest feature is the Colorado River, and that stretches from the Nevada State line all the way south of the California State line, including a few Indian Reservations, so the name was almost a no-brainer. Original River Dogs was born.
You are certainly an original Skip! Love ‘ya man!
When I was little I kept hearing my aunts calling my mom the nickname Jo-dog. When I asked about the name Mom told me that when she was a little girl she always tagged along with her dad everywhere he went. He was a carpenter by trade and back then they pulled a trailor behind their trucks to haul material and tools and called the trailors jo-dogs. That’s how my mom got her nickname and I put that name on the business in honor of her, either that or “the green weenie”. People said I chose wisely.
Interesting. I never knew that…
I was so caught up in the research of starting my own cart that I forgot all about naming it! My wife reminded me that the business will eventually need a name. So I left it up to her and the kids. Havent settled on anything yet, but they are leaning toward naming it in honor of my dachshund, Luca. He’s 10yrs old and has been with us through thick and thin, even keeping my wife happy while I was fighting in the desert. Question… Even though a dachshund might provide for some great logo opportunities, would it be taken as too “cliche” to have a weiner-dog as a logo/mascot? Your thought?
Not at all cliche. I like it a lot.
A few years back, my son started bidding on mini storage items and selling them and every now and then there would be something unique. Such as a neat old handmade lamp among other things.
He joined a flea market and had to get a license, have a business name etc. So he called it “Unikue.” When we went to apply for the hot dog cart license etc, they told us to just use the same name and Tax Id etc. that he already had. Thus he turned “Unikue” into “Unikue Hot Dogs Catering.” Check us out at unikuehotdogscatering.com
Very unikue Boo. 😉
I actually never thought I would be buying a hot dog cart and selling dogs. But I came across the cutest hot dog cart (Shaped like a hot dog) at a garage sale and the wheels started turning. I ask my girfriend if she wanted to go into the hot dog business together and so we started our new adventure as “2 Friends & A Hot Dog”.
It has truly been an adventure for all of us, since our husbands help us too. Its been alot of fun, and we have been to many different events, met some very nice people and seen places we would of never seen.
“2 Friends & A Hot Dog”. Sounds really friendly – good branding Susan!
We named our biz after a pomeranian chihuahua that I bought my wife as an anivers
ary gift. Our logo is a picture of Bella with shades on and a hotdog in her mouth. Almost done with cart. Will send picks soon.
I’ll bet that’s one cute logo. Send me a picture of it. I’d love to see it!
I kept demographics at the top of the list when I named my business
Island Dogs Hot Dogs…..living on an island, when in Rome……….
you can see a photo and understand my reasoning at
http://www.camanoislandhotdogs.com
Smart naming strategy. What a beautiful location!
You’ve also done a great job with the website we installed for you (if you want to get a free website like Larry did, go to http://www.HotDogCartWebsites.com. We’d be happy to build one for you too.)
My granddaughter, Grace, had trouble pronouncing “grandpa”, and so, it came out “Papa”, which was just fine with me.
Papa
Sweet.
Hey Steve,
I came up with the name “What-A-Tasty-Dog” by accident. When I first started looking at the hot dog business, I started researching all the toppings for the various hot dogs such as the Coney dog, the New York dog, the Slaw dog, and then, I came across the Chicago dog (I never had one before) and read what was on it….I said “yum what a tasty dog”! I couldn’t think of any other names that sounded good so that’s what I named it. I love this site! Thanks Steve for all that you do for us.
Tony
Thank you for commenting Tony! What a Tasty Dog is a great name.
I have 4 daughters 3 blonde and 1 red head, a friend of mine called her “Gingerbaby”
I understand its a term used for redheads so…..Gingerbaby Dogs was born. Got to use a cartoon caricature of my daughter as my logo its been fun getting ready to open up.
Very nice Bob!
Steve after a year of building our popup cart. We did our first gig at a horse show. Our name for the cart is, MA’S HOTDOGS & SASUAGE
Send me pictures of your pop up Floyd!!!
My name for my hot dog biz just came to me! I am using veggies. and do not have the grill I want yet. so I was trying to figure out different ways to cook them. So I got to thinking maybe I cook cook the veggies in a wok! and it came to
me in a flash. Wok the dog. So far I get some amazing comments on the name. Thanks Steve and all you hot dog slingers. I always look forward to the newsletter.
Wok the Dog… BRILLIANT!!!
Glad you like the newsletter Sidney.
LOVE IT! TOTALLY ORIGINAL AND FITTING!
We decided to name our cart “Jim and Kays Great American Dawg Wagon” after a vote
from my Grandchildren. Our shirts have the logo on the back and the front says “It;s a wienerful day”
Indeed it is!
McWienie?
I actually wanted to start a mobile eatery for my wife after she finished culinary school in California, but converting a 40-ft long interstate transit bus into a rolling restaurant turned out to be incredibly expensive and time-consuming. I also tried converting a step van, but neighborhood kids kept graffiti-ing the vehicle and they busted out one of the windows to see if there was anything inside to steal. I guess the all-white exterior made it too much of a target.
So, anyway, being a former cop who worked the road all day, i.e. the blacktop, I figured that I would cater private parties, etc. with a huge MagiKitch’n commercial grill that I purchased from the Denver Broncos recently — until I could get the step van completed, if ever. I had planned on grilling steaks, burgers, etc. and theme everything around police and traffic themes. The idea of hot dogs being the primary food served didn’t come until later on, when local regulations made alot of other street food choices being sold from a mobile cart or grill less likely, per local regulations.
And “The Blacktop Grill” name was born, mostly doing hot dogs, but private catering with other food choices is still working for us. My tag line is: “Say ‘NO’ to naked food. We got’cha covered.” My WordPress website went down last month, not sure why, but I don’t feel a rush to fix it since it is snowing here on/off until next year. I’m gonna take a break.
“Say ‘NO’ to naked food. We got’cha covered.”
I love it!
My family is trying to start a hot dog cart, and we need a name. There is me, my mom, my moms friend, his two kids, and my brother and sister. Our last names are “Bliss” and “Petruzzi”. Have any ideas for me???
How about BluzziDogs.com?
If you want a free website for it go here.
Hi Steve,
I’m opening a hot dog cart in the next couple of weeks. I will be offering hot dogs with a choice of condiments: mustard, ketchup,onions, chili, cheese, yellow relish, saurkraut,coleslaw and texas pete.
I’m not sure how to figure out what to charge for an individual hot dog in my area. There are two carts in an area nearby that offer them for 1.50 a piece. I am thinking of asking 2.00. What do you think?
I think that’s too low. Offer a great product, crazy condiments, signature dogs, and a fun, unique experience and you should be able to get $3 a piece.
Hi Steve,
I am russian girl live here in Texas, i need a name for my hot dog cart. I am planning to have international dog /sousages style with a bunch of condiments. Should i emphasize my ethnicity on name, (like Russian Wild Dog)because i think it will make me sounds different here in Texas.? And as well i am planning to hire few pretty russian girlfriends. Picture that..;)
And another question: I have 3 chichuachua and my favorite dog’s name is Lucky, so i was thinking about LuckyDog, but i checked on internet and this name already exist in few states, so is it can create legal problem for me in the future if i become MILLIONER? 😉 Which is i have no doubt will damn happens one day. I have been chasing my “american dream” here in Texas for 13 years doing insurance, real estate, bartending, ice cream truck, personal trainer ..etc. you name it.
I am ready for new venture !! Just need GOOD name.
Thanks
Hi Lena,
I love your attitude!!!
Yes, definitely use your Russian heritage in your name, marketing, and branding. And hiring pretty girls is always recommended!
Snapper’s Hot Dogs after the “NEON RED” Hot dogs I will sell, They are called Red Snappers in Maine where they are made. They were “REDSKINS” but I guess that upset the Indian nation in Maine so they chenged to Red Snappers. I just dropped the Red as I also have a plain snapper no color. Snappers because they are Natural Casing and Snap when you bite/break them.
Bernie
snappershotdogs.com
Hi steve,
Im originally from Las Vegas and were opening a Hot Dog truck in Mexicali Mexico.
I have 2 lil girls (2yr. and 4yr) names are Ruby and Nevaeh, im stuck on a good name .
Can u give some idea? thanks.
How about a combination of your daughter’s names? Neru Dogs?
A lot of creative ideas…. we are a young family whom just had our first child Paisley (big country fans) in a small town, our last name is McMillan… what do ya got for me?!?!?!?!? thanks 🙂
My friend and I are trying to find
a name for our hot dog stand. We need to have one in three weeks.
I live in Lawrence,Kansas. my friend’s name is Keith Baker.
He just recently bought a stand for $3,000.00
Do u have any ideals?
Thanks
How about Baker Dogs?
Snag A Dog, Snag A Lunch, Hot n’ Ready, Dirty Water Dogs, 5 Bite Delight (The correct amount of bites in a standard hot dog) (your name) Tube Steaks, BMW (Bite My Weenie), DogTown, Hot Dog Street, Wiener Way, Dat Dog, Yeah Dawg!, Good Doggie
There ya go!
Nice !
Hi. Steve should I name my hotdog cart. Rico’s hot dawg or Rico’s wiener/Rico’s hot diggity dog any suggestion.?
I like Rico’s Hot Diggity Dog. Has a ring to it!
My cart was named after a friend of mine who I originally wanted to partner with was killed in a car accident, we could never decide on a name while he was alive, but we used to work for another guy and my buddy always called it “street meat” his name is jarred and his nick name was jed, shortly after he had passed away I asked his mom if it would be ok to use his nick name in he name since it was originally us that wanted to do it, she said yes with a smile and “jeds street meat” was born, but now I’m looking to buy out the guy I own it with, and am undecided if I should keep the name (its gotten a bad reputation for being unreliable) or change it?
Change it. A bad rep is hard to overcome. This time do your best to be reliable!
What about Walking Weenie Dog
I like it!
Hi Steve-
I am going to be starting a life long dream of going into my own business and starting a hot dog cart. I have no idea what to call it. I live in Eugene and I will offer vegan and vegetarian varieties, I own 2 dachshunds and not too sure what else to include. I want someone snappy and cute that sticks. I am also a huge goofball character- so something funny would be great.
This is a set-up, isn’t it? 😉
Steve,
Since I spent 4 years in the Marine Corp, I wanted to to a Marine Corp Theme! Looked at Devildawg.com or Devildog.com and the are already taken, any suggestions!
Thanks
Mike
Add something to the beginning or end like MikesDevilDawgs.com or DevilDogEats.com.
Hi! me and my boyfriend just bought a hot dog cart, we are young and want something super fun and unique. We are just selling hot dogs, sausages and drinks. but we want a really fun name. Our names our dakota and brian.. idk if we could instert our name into something clever. Please help
Thanks!! 🙂
-Dakota
My daughter has just purchased a hotdog cart with small bbq. She plans to sell hot dogs sausages hamburgers and a’specialty’ sandwich. We have tossed around names for months. Our last name is LaCarte. Please give us some ideas. We do like the funny ones but could settle for serious if we had a good tag line with some humour in it. she intends on taking it to different venues in the area.
Seriously? Your last name is LaCarte? I’m so jealous, lol!!!!
How about “Cart de LeCarte”…
i just purchased your how to build your hot dog cart and i am very excited …. i am looking for a unique name myself .. i have three boys mike marc & anthony.. i live by the shore.. i was thinking Shore Dogs… Mama Mia Hot Diggity dog! Great Dogs of Fire
MMA Dawgs?
My name is Blake and I’m a girl.. My boyfriends name is Jason. I’ve moved from Florida back to Ga where I’m from. We are thinking of doing some small town festivals, flea markets. I’ve had my cart for 5 years, but haven’t used it much since I’ve been here.. We were thinking BJ’s Dogs for our name. I think it might be too much.. We also thought of ” Meanie Weanie”.. Any thoughts??
I like BJ’s Hot Dogs. Short and memorable.
it will be next summer before I get my Hot Dog Cart going, but have been dreaming, thinking, and starting to plan on it for 4 years now. I want my Cart’s name to be Navy themed, as I am a Navy Veteran.
Any ideas?
Sailor Dogs. Swabby Dogs. Capt’s Dogs…..???
Sailor Craig’s Hot Dogs?
I am currently trying to come up with a name for a new food truck. Menu is dogs, sausages and burgers. I live near one of the busiest beaches in Florida, and could use some help. I was trying to think of something utilizing my background as a retired firefighter. Any ideas? Thanks!
Backdraft Hot Dogs! Or maybe not, lol…
Where I come from, someone who likes to brag is sometimes called a hot dog, so I came up with Boaster City. We call all our menu items “boasters”, for example “Dutch Boaster” (with hollandaise, surprisingly popular) or “Georgia Jack Boaster” (Mac n cheese w/ bacon + Jalapeno)
I am looking for a suggestion for a name for a mobile hot dog cart. Our names are Chet & Sherry. We will be setting up our cart in central WV..but our product will be coming from Syracuse NY..We have been trying to come up with a name for a while. And ideas?
I like “Chet and Sherry’s”. Has a ring to it.
Eventually we will be selling burgers and sausage also
The brand of dogs we will be selling is Hoffman
Hi Steve you appear to be a natural here . My fiancé and I will be starting a hot dog business and just can’t come up with a name our names our Rhonda and Eli we have a new golden doodle we named ziggy .. Please suggest
We originally thought hot diggity dogs but geez everyone has that
Thanks
Ziggy Dogz!
We’re getting so close to buying our cart 🙂 (Wink Wink) We started kicking a few names around and nothing seemed to stick..?…? I lost my Mom 7yrs ago but it seems like yesterday… I know I want something FAMILY….My Mom was awesome! I can’t think of a time when she wasn’t there. Tough when she had to be and tender when you needed her to be ? Looking for a way to have my Mom looking over our lil buisness…
Mamma’s Hot Dogs?
Your a genius Steve and I’m beating my head on my Hot Dog Cart name. I live in washington where it rains alot, I’m Italian, serving beef and polish dogs. later on I will be serving Italian beef sandwiches with my hot dogs. My name is Cyndy I have my loving two pitbulls that are my heart. Need a catchy fun name to brighten the rainy days and promote what Italians love to do best….EAT!
2Dogz Hot Dog Cart. The Dog Pit. Cyndy’s Dogs. Van’s Hot Dog Pit.
Steve’s Smoke Wagon?
Can I somehow spin it so that it doesn’t sound like I’m smoking dogs?
Or can I somehow offer smoked brats and dogs with a table top gas grill?
I think you need to start from scratch Steve. Smoke Wagon sounds like BBQ to me.
what do you thing of (Dog Envy)-We have the tastiest and the lengthiest dogs around. AND THEN HAVE A PIC OF FROUD EATING A HOT DOG.
Kinda risky… Some folks will think it’s funny. Others will think it’d gross.
I just purchased a cart and I don’t know what to call it.My name is Benjamin Moore im from NC. I have 5 kids, I was thinking, “5Moore kids & a hot dog” but I think it might be a little to much maybe I can help.
I like it. A bit long, but I like it.
just say 5 kids and hotdog
Slinging winners
Hello I am looking for a name for my hotdog cart I was thinking about TT’S Weenie Wagon but my 2 granddaughters will be with me and their names is Adiah and Amiah I was trying to come up with a name for them can you help me out
To be honest I love TT’s Weenie Wagon.