Author: Steve

Thanks to my buddy Dan Z for bringing this to my attention. LOL!

Question about hot dog sales for those that have any knowledge:

I’m working on a ‘mock biz plan’ for a Hillshire farms product that doesn’t exist for my MBA marketing class.

We (from Chicago) are pitching a “Chicago style” dog, refrigerated and prepackaged with bun and condiment options… HOWEVER, it became ‘options’ because through surveys we found some people like Coney Island dogs. As of now its a beef dog with bun, with included potential toppings of yellow mustard, onions, chili, ketchup, cheese.

Was curious who you think would be most likely to buy this, how often, and any other knowledge/tid-bits that might enlighten us in our pitch and biz plan.

I know, its lame, but any insight helps.

Not Liking Finals Time 🙂
Dana

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Hi Dana,

I’m going to ignore the fact that your ChiDog has ketchup on it… If you are going to market it as a Chicago Style Hot Dog you MUST get the toppings right or the purists out there will hunt you down. Just sayin’ that for your protection. 😉

But – any project that involved a Chicago Style Hot Dog can’t possibly be lame!

This is intriguing.

So if I’m understanding this correctly, I would go to the refrigerated section of my local supermarket and there I would find a package with one hot dog, one bun, and all the condiments necessary to create a Chicago dog or a Coney in little single serve compartments or condiment packages.

Kind of like Snackables, but with a hot dog. (Dogables?!!!)

That would be good for an office worker to take to work and stick it in the fridge until lunch I suppose. I can’t see myself purchasing this for home use though. I would rather make mine with fresh ingredients.

How about it Slingers? What’s your take on this?

I’ll give you 4 credits toward your PHD (Doctor of HotDogology) for your participation in Dana’s pursuit of higher edumacation.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

-Steve

This is probably the coolest thing I’ve come across in… forever. Check out the pics below.

The first step in making a sale is getting the customer’s attention.

If no one sees you, no one buys from you. That’s one of the reasons I prefer a brightly painted hot dog cart over a sheet metal unit.

Well here’s an eyeball grabbing hot dog truck that will get you more attention than you know what to do with!

It’s a street legal Cushman Truckster three wheel utility vehicle that has been converted into an enclosed hot dog cart.

This little beauty is powered by a 49cc gas engine which means there is no license required. Just gas up, jump in, cruise around, and SLING, baby!

How much fun could you have with this?

This super cool Cushman hot dog cart is located in the Miami Florida area. Asking price is $7500.

Contact Mark for more information. (954) 599-8584 or email bp04032005@aol.com

Click the picture for a larger version

Hey Steve,

My son Zay is terminally ill. His life expectancy is 13-16 years old and he recently turned 10. Zay’s disorder is rare. About 100 children in America suffer from it. It’s called Niemann-Pick. Zay has type C.

The pressure is on to find doctors better acquainted with his disorder. We have found a group of doctors in Tampa to start with.

Ultimate plan? Sell my E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart, build a much bigger one and move to Florida where I can track down profitable fairs/festivals to hit up weekly throughout the year thus making a living and focusing on Zay’s health more.  

Our plan is in motion. We are moving to Valrico in the winter and the remodeling of my current cart (to increase value) has begun. I am willing to travel all of Florida to set up on weekends. Just going to need to locate the most profitable fairs and/or festivals.

I plan on building a new E-Z Built cart that will serve 2,000 without a mercy run.

Was hoping I could get as many details about Florida’s fairs and festivals as I could from you and fellow slingers. Feel free to post this email or parts of it as a newsletter if you would like.

I have been doing some SERIOUS research on selling at fairs and festivals in Florida. With that being said, my most valuable info has always come from your site.

Once again, thank you for all you continue to do for us.

Scooby of Zay Zay’s Hot Dogs

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Hey Scoob,

First let me say that my prayers are with you, Zay, your family, and the doctors who will be treating Zay. You all show incredible courage under unimaginable circumstances.

You and I have been conversing via email for a while now and I had no idea all of this was going on in your personal life. You are always so upbeat, no one would imagine the stress that you must be under.

You are an inspiration, my friend.

I’m a Missouri slinger and I don’t know much about the Florida festival circuit but I bet we have some south-eastern doggers who can make recommendations or point you in the right direction.

Let’s hear you in the comments, slingers!

Let me know what else I can do to help you Scooby, and tell Zay that he looks like a natural born slinger!

-Steve

P.S. To learn more about Neiman-Pick and how it affects children like Zay, please visit Zay Zay’s Facebook by clicking here.

This just in from Hot Dog Profits Premium Member Terry Kendall…

Steve, here are some pictures of the cart I built using your plans. I have set up twice and done very well!

I modified your plans to fit my needs. Health inspector was very impressed, he gave it 100%, and that’s hard to get in KY.

Thanks again for all your help,

Terry.
Owner, Emily’s Hot Dogs (Business is named after my grand daughter Emily.)

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Nice job Terry!!!

I see you used an 8 foot trailer. That’s a sizable cart my friend!

I like the FRP work surface, the four sinks, and the grill. You really made it your own!

Lets hear it for Terry in the comments, slingers!

-Steve

P.S. I bet your granddaughter gets a big kick out of seeing her name in big red letters on your E-Z  Built Hot Dog Cart!

Click the picture below for a larger view…

Do any of you “seasoned” slingers remember this?

Hey there,

I have a quick question for you. How many hours are you open for business on a typical day? Not including set up, tear down, or prep – just hours serving.

Leave your answer in the comments.

Thanks!

-Steve

Hey Steve !

It’s been a year in the making, not because it was difficult but because I didn’t have much spare time and I made a few changes.

It’s ready to work now. I had in mind to work festivals a couple of weekends a month instead of slinging daily, since these are typically long day affairs I had to make some changes.

I would need more fresh water so I installed a twelve gallon tank and of course a larger grey water tank, sixteen gallons. The body is normal width for an Easy Built but it is longer. This makes room for the larger tanks and for three drawers across the back for buns, utensils or whatever.

It might need more gas to run long days so it has two twenty pound cylinders and an automatic switch over for when one runs out the other kicks in so the flames never go out. The extra length also provides an empty flat area for a coffee pot, nacho dispenser, pretzel display, doughnuts, or any other taste treat.

The entire top surface is Formica; hundred can cooler, water pump with an external hidden on/off switch, thirty five amp battery with external connection for charging, four sinks, water heater, and two umbrellas.

Speaking of water, when it’s time to add water to the steam table, just open the third faucet and add to the boiling pan or the steam pan. The front caster wheel folds up out of the way for towing, no tools required. Also; the burners won’t come off while towing – they have been drilled and tapped and screwed in place.

Now the down side. I am pushing seventy and am having trouble controlling my blood pressure and I can’t stand for five minutes straight. My wife isn’t doing all that well and she was going to work with me. I am going to sell the cart while it is all new. I think that $3000.00 is a very reasonable price.

This cart is located about thirty miles from Kalamazoo Michigan. It can be seen weekday mornings.

Please pass this along to any one that may be interested.

Thanks Steve for your help early on in the project, and all the help given out via Hot Dog Profits.

With best wishes,

David B.
inspector@cluemail.com

ps; more photos available.

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You did a wonderful job on your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart David! I’m sorry that health issues force you to sell it, but someone is going to really enjoy it.

I designed the E-Z Built to be totally customizable so that anyone can build the cart of their dreams by watching the simple step by step videos. I love what you did with it Dave!!! I can tell you put a LOT of thought into the modifications that you made – well done indeed!!!

OK slingers, if you want this cart you better act fast. At this price it’s a steal and I know it won’t last long. Just think how much you would have to spend to buy a cart like this from a manufacturer. Big bucks.

Contact David at inspector@cluemail.com

Click on the pictures below for a larger image.