The #1 Hot Dog Cart "How To" Guide | HotDogProfits.com
Here is a package deal for you slingers who want to start making money tomorrow. Custom Pro Hotdog Cart for sale including all associated equipment for small or large events. Cart is located in Tennessee.
For more information please email: Continue reading “Complete Hot Dog Cart Vending Business For Sale”
Hey Slinger,
It’s Friends and Family day this weekend at the Big Lots store in Cleona PA. 20% off the entire store. Should draw a big crowd.
I need someone there from 2pm until whenever Saturday the 11th of July and lunch time till whenever on Sunday the 12th of July (this weekend) . I know a little last minute but I was just given this task yesterday. Lol.
If you have a licensed cart and want this gig at the Big Lots store in Cleaona PA get in touch with Amy.
The number for her store is 717-228-1988. You can contact her by email at amy.bashore@yahoo.com.
Good luck!
-Steve
Hi Steve,
Since I have north of 20 grand to potentially invest should I buy carts and just rent them out? Much rather stay inside if I can. I was pretty “shocked”, I guess you’d say, when I saw how cheap a lot of these carts go for.
Mike
********************************
Hi Mike,
First let me say that you can get started for about 1/20th of that nut! No matter how much cash you have to start with, I always advocate beginning with one single cart, running it yourself, and working out the kinks.
Once you have a repeatable system for making money, then get a Continue reading “How to Run a Fleet of Hot Dog Carts”
Wishing a safe, fun, and if you’ve got your cart out today, a profitable Fourth of July to all of my slingers (and those who want to be).
Our country was built by folks like you. People who got off their butts and made Continue reading “Happy Fourth of July Hot Dog Slingers!”
30 years ago a man named Butch and his wife Laura bought a pontoon boat and started serving hot dogs to the folks on the Connecticut River in East Haddam CT. They were soon joined by another nautical hot dogger named Jim.
You can find these three salty dogs on Saturdays and Sundays motoring up and down the waterway, providing what has become a meal of legendary status to boaters, jet skier, and all manner of water craft.
We have been lucky enough to be the recipient of the wisdom of Butch’s first mate Jim for many years. Jim is a popular commenter on the blog here at HDP. You’ll surely recognize him because he speaks fluent Pirate. Arrrgh!
Check out this short video of Weiners on Water. What a gig, huh?
However it is with a bit of sadness that I share this next bit of news.
Jim will be retiring at the end of this season. He will be relocating to warmer waters, but he assures me that he will continue to drop by HotDogProfits.com to engage in the conversation here from time to time.
We are very glad for that. Jim is not only entertaining but he has a wealth of slingin’ knowledge that he doesn’t mind sharing.
Congrats, Butch, Jim, and Laura on a 30 year tradition of fun and tasty treats on the water!
Let’s hear it for the crew of Weiners on Water in the comments below!
-Steve
P.S. If you want to outfit a boat from which to sling your own weiners, I can help. Shoot me an email at steve@hotdogprofits.wpenginepowered.com and I’ll get you pointed in the right direction.
One of the biggest causes of failure in the hot dog biz is not charging enough at your hot dog cart.
And the biggest reason for not charging enough is fear. Let’s face it, most newbie slingers are scared to death to charge a fair price for their meals.
Their self talk goes something like this…
“What if I put all this effort into starting a hot dog biz and then I don’t sell enough hot dogs? I know! I’ll set my prices so low that it will be a no brainer. People will be sure to buy from me if the price is low enough.”
The big, giant, hairy problem with this logic is that when you compete on price, you have no room for profit. Remember – our goal is not simply to sell as many hot dogs as we can. Our goal is to make as much profit as we can.
It reminds me of an old joke: Did you hear the one about the salesman who priced his goods at ten cents below cost? He planned to make it up in volume.
It’s only funny if you are telling the joke, not living it.
You can’t physically do enough sales volume to make up for crappy profit margins. You’re not McDonalds. Be glad of that by the way.
You need to be more like Ruth Chris Steakhouse. A 16 oz Ribeye is $42. No sides or drink, that’s just the meat.
You need to figure out how to sell the very best, most unique hot dog experience in town.
And charge for it, darn it!
Just so you don’t misunderstand me, I’m not talking about taking advantage of people.
I’m talking about charging a premium price that customers will be happy to pay because they love visiting your cart and eating your mouth watering addiction dogs as much as they love their own family members.
Maybe even more.
Charging premium prices ensures that you will make enough money to stay in business for years to come.
It also guarantees your customers that they will continue to be able to get the best damn hot dog in the world whenever they want it.
-Steve
P.S. Need a confidence booster? Check out these fast food meal prices:
NOTE: Any slinger worth his tongs knows that they can charge more than any fast food chain because we don’t sell a hot dog. We sell an experience! I’m listing these fast food prices just to show you how much folks will pay for low quality food and no experience at all (other than being herded like cattle).
When was the last time you heard someone say, “I ate at McDonalds today. Wow – the food was wonderful and I had so much fun there!”
You can do way better my friend! Trust me.
Here is what folks are currently paying for bad food…
Panera Grilled Cheese $6.59 with chips, no drink
Arby’s Roast Beef (medium) $6.69 combo meal
McDonalds Quarter Pounder w/Cheese $4.79 sandwich only
Sonic (sort of) Chicago Dog $5.19 combo meal
Sonic Single Cheeseburger $5.99 Combo
Jack in the Box Ultimate Cheeseburger $6.89 combo
Burger King Whopper $6.49 combo
What do you think, slinger? Tell me in the comments below…
Have a relaxing day all you Dads out there!
While it’s nice to be the center of attention once a year, I also like to spend some time on Father’s Day reflecting on how I can do my fathering job a little bit better.
Because it’s really not about us Dads. It’s about those who make us Dads.
-Steve
Hot Dog Profits Premium member Billy Bell just sent me these pictures of the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart that he just built by following along with the cart building videos that are included in the membership (there are now over 120 videos in the members area – including a complete set that shows how to actually work the hot dog cart and sling dogs like a pro).
Billy created a really unique cart as you will see in the pics below… Continue reading “Add a Roof to Your Hot Dog Cart”
Hey Slingers,
Have you ever bought a used cart that looked good but turned out to be junk? What happened?
What are some obvious things that you should check out before you buy?
How about buying a hot dog cart long distance? What could go wrong there? Continue reading “What to Look Out For When Buying a Used Hot Dog Cart”