Can a hot dog cart be successful on a busy highway?
Hi Steve,
I’m in a bit of a dilemma, I committed to a space and have been there for a month. I thought it was going to be a great spot. But I have not broken 50 bucks each time I’m out there.
I’m on the corner of a popular car sales lot, traffic is constantly moving by at 55 miles per hour. I put out signs to let people know hot dogs and cold drinks coming up to try and slow them down, but I have not experienced any change.
My product is great and I love slinging. I’m hoping you can guide me.
Tam
Maxys Delicious Dogs
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Hi Tam,
I had a similar situation with my first hot dog biz, King Weenie Hot Dogs. I was set up in the parking lot of a small strip mall. There was a used car lot, a furniture store, and a tanning salon.
The strip mall was located on Hwy 47 which is a two lane blacktop road. The speed limit is 45 miles an hour and there was no stop light or stop sign at the entrance to the strip mall.
Even though there was a ton of traffic on that highway, not many folks were stopping to get a hot dog, so we put signs out a couple hundred feet up and down the road just like you did.
They still didn’t stop.
Thankfully, one day a customer came in and said that he had driven by us almost daily for a month. He always meant to stop in but by the time he saw our signs he had no time to slow down and make the turn into our parking lot.
So he drove on by and tried to remember to stop next time. But he always forgot until he saw the signs again as he blew past us.
A-HA! The next day we put signs out over a quarter mile away from us in each direction. People saw the signs and had time to slow down and turn in. Our sales increased almost immediately.
Sometimes it’s the little tweaks that can turn a loser location into a money spot.
Good luck Tam!
-Steve
I’m well acquainted with a number of setups here in CT along busy highways. People here drive fast and there are a lot of them. But with no traffic lights or side roads to help people get out, the slingers tend to get traffic in only one direction. That cuts business in half at minimum. Good signage and long visibility in both directions helps a lot. If your product is good and you get good word of mouth going, you’ll see it come around. Good luck!
After being in hot dog biz for 4 years, I found it is better to have foot traffic instead of car traffic. Good luck !!
Larry
I’m on a major highway in Kentucky and I get a lot of customers. Someone already mentioned putting your signage out a distance from where you set up. Folks will anticipate you and they will stop….guaranteed! Once the word gets out you’ll be fine. I believe that ‘Traffic is Traffic’!
I have to agree with “Larry”
Foot traffic trumps car traffic every time. No carts on the highways leading into NYC, but seems there’s some sort of cart or mobile food vendor on every corner once you walk the streets! Think about it
highways are tricky,wish you luck.just remember,that is why we have wheels
Also, have an ENGAGING COPY on your sign, e.g.
At top of your sign a half mile away, put – “Are You Hungry?”
On the next sign 1/4 mile away, put – “Simply Delicious King Weenies”
Start the conversation in your prospects head, at least half
a mile away.
Stay clean courteous and give speedy service.
Yes indeed, you can do it.