Richard Fergison writes:
Steve,
Thanks for the newsletters each week. They help me learn more about the hotdog business. We really like using the Cash Tracker hot dog cart bookkeeping software that we got from you.
I talked to you last winter about menu prices, and I said I would send pic’s after I got going. Well we’re up and running!
Every Saturday we do the Farmers Market down town Topeka KS. from 7am – 12 noon. We sell biscuits & gravy and coffee to start.
We have Nathan’s 1/4 pound hotdogs –we serve 1/3 of a pound Italian sausages, they are about 8-9 ins long .
Sometimes we change our menu to cheeseburger links, it’s a cheeseburger, that’s served in a hot dog bun. Or BBQ – it’s a rib like sandwich (look’s like a McRib). All meat is cooked on the grill.
We set up two times a week downtown. We’re doing cruise nights, car shows, art shows, and bike rallies.
The idea of getting a hotdog cart was inspired by Richard (my husband) and our grandson Christopher. The reason was that Christopher has a sister (Shelbie) who turned 16 this last year. Of course like all teenagers, would like to have a car but never saved any money to purchase one. Christopher told his Papa that he wanted a way to make money, so that when he turned 16 he would have money to buy a car. So from there everything was put into motion.
The hotdog cart idea seemed simple enough that Christopher being 9 at the time could actually help work it. So in November of 2010 we set out for Glenwood Springs, CO to purchase our cart. This was a weekend jaunt to say the least. We left Topeka Saturday morning and we were back home by Sunday evening. Very quick trip.
The cart we purchased had everything that we needed to meet the health codes for the city of Topeka and the state of Kansas. And believe it or not it is actually quite cute. It measures 4ft by 8ft and houses everything you need to sell hotdogs and more.
We have added another helper since all of this started, our grandson Aaron. He is 13 and able to do whatever is needed. Aaron loves working the cart and is always ready to go. Christopher usually is in charge of taking the money, Aaron can take and fill orders and Richard and I fill in wherever. Both of the boys are assets to our cart.
Richard Fergison
Superdogs of Topeka Kansas.
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The time is right to start a cart – just ask Richard! If you’re already up and running, do all you can right now to grow your business.
Congratulations Richard, Sharon, Christopher, and Aaron! Keep me posted on your progress.
-Steve
P.S. Please help Superdogs get some free publicity. Click the blue “Share” button to post this to your Facebook. That would really help them get established.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
CONGRATS to the new business. Hopefully I can start mine in the next year. I wish you much success!
Thanks. Check out our facebook at Super Dogs Of Topeka.
Great looking cart and I like the location. I’m only in my 2nd year of dogging and am grateful for all of Steve’s products (I have all of them) and especially the blog.
Best of luck to you and allow me to suggest; don’t use your ice chests for seating.
Great looking cart. Wish you all the best
Very nice cart! Are those your table and chairs? Some towns won’t let venders put seating on the downtown sidewalks. Congrats and keep on slingin’ them dogs…
Great looking cart! Looks like it’s set up very efficiently! And what a great way to get kids aquainted with business. Who knows where it will lead them in the future. And remember, you CAN’T outsource a hot dog!
Seems more and more Kansans are slinging dogs. My sister and her daughter are visiting from Salina. I’ll ask them about dog slingers in Salina today. Richard, God bless and good luck. Mr. Tiki.
Teaching the kids young, what a great lesson, on life, on earning for themselves, on EVERYTHING. Way to go. You may have just started their college funds.
Skip
Yes Chuck we set tables up for our costumers. Check our Facebook page , superdogsoftopeka, for more pictures.
Way to go! Keep rock-in them dogs!
Hey your setup looks great keep slingin those dogs.
nice looking cart, was it a new cart or used, and what brand is it. ? thanks and good luck
Thanks for sharing your great news with us all. It’s very inspiring to see your family working together! Good Luck and have a great year!
Great Job Guys,I am intrested in your breakfast line up,how you keep your biscuits& gravy,was it tricky?
Nice set-up, love the flag pole!!!!
Ron,
We bought the cart used. But it was made by LaCarts mfg.out of Whittie,CA (LA). You wouldn’t believe the compliments we get on that little cart.
Troy,
It’s actually very simple. We keep the gravy in the steam table and the biscuits on the racks above.
The real trick it is all homemade and we sell out every Saturday.
I just got to ask you.. where did you find that awesome cart?
Congrats!…great looking cart…..better than mine…looks like you can stand inside it???? Please tell us where you got it! Thanks and I hope your memorial day weekend is a smashing
success!
Great job, I want to know where you get those sausages. I’m originally from Hays. I love hearing from my Kansas brothers and sisters in the business.
Margo.
We bought the cart used. But it was made by LaCarts mfg.out of Whittie,CA (LA). You wouldn’t believe the compliments we get on that little cart. & Ron no you can’t stand in side. The cart has room for 5 cases of pop in coolers. An a meat cooler. Too they say a new one runs about $9.000 Thanks for ask about cart. More at www. superdogsoftopeka.com
Kevin. The sausages are made by a little meat shop here in Topeka. We got together an came up with them he only makes them for us they are 3 to a pound. My gran son found out all he has to do when some one walks by is raise hood on grill they see them they say I’ll take one those. Thanks
Kv
thank you.