Hey Slingers,
I am curious as to when the hot dog cart season gets into swing for hot doggers in different parts of the country.
I’m about a month away from slinging season here in Missouri. How about you?
Also tell me what you are going to do that’s new this year!
Let me know in the comments.
-Steve
P.S. I got a huge response to the article on conquering your fear of starting a hot dog cart. I just posted a video on the Hot Dog Profits Facebook page that will totally motivate you to have your best year ever.
If you have any doubts about your ability to succeed, whether you put it in your head or someone else did, you MUST watch this.
While you are there, would you please like the page (not the video but the page itself)? Thanks!
Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/hotdogprofits
My first gig is June 5th a car cruise in. I was asked to sell at this when they started up 3 years ago. Last year I sold 100 dogs from 4:30 to around 8.(subway across the street!!)
Good start for the year only 20 some days after that.
“Sell em’ all”
jerry
in illinois – where our governors make our license plates
We always open on Memorial Day.
We run thru the summer to Labor Day.
This is the best time as we are dependent on boat traffic.
After this winter !! Arrrrrrgg !! I’m really looking forward to it !!
1St Mate Jim.
I HAVE NEVER STOPPED HERE IN CALIF CITY CALIF. BUT THEN AGAIN WE HAVE THE WEATHER SORRY ALL YOU EAST COST GUYS STUMPYS HOT DOGS IS GOING STRONG
March 20th here in the Blie Ridge mountains (Roanoke, Va)
Dog Bites starts mid to late March. Needs to be a bit warmer here is PA. Getting the itch to get back out there. Adding a few new things this year that I am excited about.
Steve:
This is my 3rd year here at the beaches of North Carolina. I will Start the first part of April and go through November. There are strict regulations with the towns here. I am not able to be on the beach or any beach accesses. I am restricted to only one town on a road which does not see any summer foot traffic. I have over the past two years established a good following from the “locals” who love my product and customer service.
Through relentless efforts on my part during the past two years, I was successful in being able to add another town this year which has much more foot traffic and am looking forward to starting this spring with a second cart.
Even though my original location did not produce the profits I had anticipated, I carried on, using your advise about selling the “experience”. I use name brand products, throughout my entire operation and in doing so; have opened doors with offers to do events and special functions.
My advice to all the people who are on the fence about venturing out of their “comfort zone”, would be to buy your book, do some research, and invest in at least the Cash Tracker (such a great tool).
The total investment to get started is minimal and with consistent efforts, you will realize why Steve and so many other slingers recommend, and are in love with the hot dog vending business.
There is a world of opportunity out there. You see it everyday. These opportunities come and go, but remember my motto: “Everyone has to eat everyday”. Why not at your hot dog cart.
I believe this business will prove successful to anyone who is able to follow Steve’s road map to success; and create a fulfilling business for yourself.
Best of luck.
I’m hoping to start slinging by the end of March here in Michigan
For me, my season starts by mid April at the latest, but then, this is New England. One year I began in March as we had 90 degree days. Last year, early April and you could have gone ice fishing 100 yds. From my cart.
New this year? Maybe quarter lb. dogs along with the regulars. A hungry man special; 2 quarter pounders, chips and soda.
Hi Steve,
It is brrr here in lower Michigan! Although we are not able to bring our cart indoors, with propane, we book Winter Festivals in our area. We have one coming up, and our placement will be under a heated tent were they will serve beer. Should be a good spot.
We have been dealing with extreme temperatures, so far this winter, but as soon as the temp rises to at least 30, we plan to get back to our court house, and US/Canada bridge spot on the days that we can.We also would like to find a busy sledding spot but again our weather temps. have been extreme. We might be waiting a while.
Once we get there we will offer soup in addition to our regular menu. So these days we are taste testing a good brand of prepackaged soup. It must be that way according to our health department. Any soup brand ideas?
Does anyone use an adapter for their cart so it can be brought indoors? Is there any other way to make it an indoor cart for parties during winter? The indoor tanks are so small it would be a waste.
I use one pound camp stove propane bottles indoors. I like them. Just get an adapter in the camping section at WalMart.
KDog’s HotDogs plans to start back up on march 2nd. We have developed a partnership with a local church in their food ministry. They have so graciously allowed us to use their commercial kitchen to help our small business. In return, my wife and I will be the “face” of their kitchen as they reach out to our community and feed the homeless and people in need. Seems like a perfect partnership to promote both of our missions.
Awesome. Blessings!
I’ll start my food trailer season in early May, with a few weekends during the summer. I’m returning to a hot dog cart at the weekly Thursday evening & Saturday morning farmers market beginning late May for the first time. Chicago style dogs, sausage w/ peppers & onions, lemonade & fruit shakeups & bubble tea will be the menu. BTW, I was talking to a Chicago native quite familiar with Chicago dogs, and she tells me Chicago south siders want & expect pickle spears on their dogs, but north siders don’t want or understand pickles on their dogs. Everything else is the same.
Hi Steve, I live in upstate New York. My Hot Dog business doesn’t usually get started to about the 3rd week in April and runs to about the end of October. This year with the amount of snow and cold weather we are getting it looks like it may start later. I hope not. I am getting very yancy to get out and sling some dogs. Thanks, John Rose, Rosie’s “Hawg” Dogs
Dear Steve; the beauty of California is, we can sling hot dogs in most of the state all year round. We my have dinner of the most difficult health laws, but we can sling all year. R
Blessings Choppy
Well hermano, slinging season never ends for me, I’m going year round! Now the festival goes full bore in March and I’ve got a boatload of events lined up already. Let’s not also forget my daily location on Ft. Hood, which has now turned into a semi permanent location with the signing of a new 2 year contract! As for doing something new, I haven’t a thought on it, my mind goes nuts just thinking about the stuff I already do now! Anyway, happy slinging, good luck and have a great season!
You’ve come a long way ‘mano!
Hi Steve we don’t start up until mid may. The draw for street locations is the first Monday in May and that’s our starting bell. I will have a jewelry artist displaying his work on my cart this year and I also added a community board over my condiment table to showcase the museum and our community theater along with other local events. I’m located in northern Ontario.
Dear Steve; the beauty of California is, we can sling hot dogs in most of the state all year round. We my have some of the most difficult health laws, but we can sling all year.
Blessings Chappy
I’ve actually been able to sling 11 months this year. January was the only month with NO gigs. In fact I had three in December and I’ll be doing 3 this month. When the season kicks off for real in March I will feature 2-4 new creative homemade toppings for my dogs. I am also working on a Reuben sausage on a rye bun with a local butcher and baker….no candlestick maker. LOL. Good luck to all my fellow slingers this season.
Awesome.
With as much snow as we have here in Vermont, it might be June before it melts! Seriously, Mayday is my anticipated launch. Waiting for approval from Town Got.
Wish me luck
My season starts in about 3-4 weeks,just depends when it starts to warm up into the 50’s.
I live in Arizona so pretty much all year if I want to set up in July August and September are really hot 110 plus
Different this year: Registered and licensed in neighboring county. 30 mile drive, will open in a community forum until end of May, return to my location in this county, so as to remain 50% time. Savings on license and inspections: about $800.
Nice. Smart too.
My season will begin towards the end of April with the first of about 8 horse shows that will last through the end of Sept. This year a couple of school events and a couple of fishing tournaments will be added to the usual schedule. It should be another great year !
Happy New Season all of you slingers !
Hi Steve,
I’m hoping to get going by April 15th. We have about 50″ of snow on the ground now and talking about blizzard conditions for the weekend! But that is good because I am building a new super cart with a huge steam table and a flat top and I will be warm inside constructing it. I am meeting with my #1 slinger next week and hope that he is on board for this coming season. I teach so I can only do weekends until I get out of school.
I’m looking forward to a GREAT slinger season!
Chris COB DOGS
SEND PICS OF THAT CART WHEN YOU FINISH IT. SORRY FOR YELLING. LOL.
I’ll go out for St. Pats Parade Serving Ruben Dogs but it’s got to be above freezing so I don’t have to store the cart indoors every night. Other wise I have 2 gigs indoor in February.
its about a mo from star up hear in tn to but its goen take a litter morn time for me finanale this year but i am not gean up ill be out there some day
My first day will be Friday, March 20th.
The first day of spring is my Grand re-opening for the year.
We will have $1.00 hot dogs and $2.00 sausages all day!
I also give everyone a punch card to get them to come back.
This year I am going to have the folks give me their
e-mail address for free lunches throughout the year.
Hey you all
I start the 21st…. it will be in the upper teens that night. A huge pub crawl, I sell 200-300 dogs that night. I usually just set up in front of a bar in a town 35 miles north of my house. I live in northern Indiana and I have a great following. I of course feature an authentic Chicago style, and I serve the best selection ofbBacon wrapped dogs around. Yes, I am a legend in my own mind.
My season runs from 1st day of spring til Thanksgiving eve.
What do you do during the winter?
I work mine the same seasons as you and then deal craps and blackjack in Reno during the winter holidays.
Steve, Opening Day is April 18th this year, the event is Thunder over Louisville, this is the kick off of a two week City wide party prior to The Kentucky Derby, which is always the first Saturday of May. Approximately 1 million people on both sides of the Ohio River (Louisville, Kentucky and Jeffersonville Indiana) will attend this single day event.
So as we say for that day…. “Dog on”.
New menu items we introduced last year for events only.
1. Donut Dogs – Just what it sounds like. Big seller. Great profit margin.
2. The Big Nasty – 1/5th of a pound All Beef Hot Dog, topped with Smoked Pulled Pork….the rest of the toppings are a trade secret 🙂 Hugh Seller. Fair profit margin.
This year we are going to introduce to our customers, events only
1. A Burger Dog – initial taste testing have shown favorable results. Fair profit margin.
Sitting here in the office watching the snow come down, biting at the bit to get back to “Slingin’ American Traditions”